This Merdeka, we celebrate some people who live in Malaysia... and who have unusual jobs.
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 — Acupuncture for your pets? It sounds like some New Age mumbo jumbo but Dr Susanna Brida-Hofherr has been practising it on animals for the last three years.
A vet for 15 years, she believes that acupuncture can help to restore and balance energy flow or chi in animals. Much the same as it does for human beings actually.
To practise veterinary acupuncture, she trained with the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) and received her certification. On my visit to her practice, I got to watch her perform acupuncture on her on pet dog, Penny. She started by examining Penny to get the pulse reading, then took a close look at the eyes, mouth, tongue, ears and temperature which will all determine Penny’s condition.
Penny was born disabled due to a deformed bone on her left hind leg. The leg appears smaller and shorter than the right hind leg and this used to limit Penny’s movement quite a lot before she started the acupuncture treatment.
The right hind leg appears bigger due to the pressure Penny puts on the leg to assist her movements. The pressure caused lots of muscle to be built up on that leg.
The very enthusiastic dog looked at Dr Susanna, ever ready for her treatment.
The treatment began with Dr Susanna inserting very fine needles through the skin at specific points on the body of the dog.
“She had problems walking prior to acupuncture, but Penny’s condition has improved a lot”, said Dr Susanna.
She performs a full diagnostic analysis on Penny to verify her behaviour, attitude and anything related to her condition.
“The treatment regime is determined following the traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) principles”, Dr Susanna said.
“It only takes 15 minutes on Penny because I am with her every day and I check on her every day unlike my other patients,” she said.
Seventy-five to 85 per cent of Dr Susanna’s patients are paralysed dogs. Due to their physical problems, she does house calls to make it convenient for pet owners and her patients.
“I do house calls because these pets are often too heavy to be carried around. They can weigh up to 20kg. It’s a hassle for their owners and the pet itself,” she explained.
Dr Susanna said that she still works hand in hand with other conventional vets when it comes to her patients. “I often recommend my patients to conventional treatment as well as acupuncture so that they get the best of both.”
Admitting that acupuncture treatment may take a long time, Dr Susanna said the illnesses or problems should not be ignored. “The longer the problem persists, the slower it is to heal”, said Dr Susanna who does not believe is steroids and injections.
