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Medical companies hop onto dog care bandwagon

Traditional cures are now available as an alternative for Taiwan's increasingly pampered pooches.

"FeiFei's a member of the family," said owner Faith Chang (張庭翡),

"I want to give her whatever she needs to stay healthy for as long as possible," Chang said.

Chang is not the only owner who's willing to give her pet the very best.

In recent years businesses that provide services for pets, such as veterinarians and pet salons, have mushroomed in reaction to a sharp rise in house pets.

Pharmaceutical companies have now jumped onto the bandwagon, offering a range of food supplements for canines, including a weight-loss formula.

FeiFei, a twelve-year old Maltese, is taking both conventional veterinary medicine and an herbal supplement that is supposed to strengthen her heart.

"The supplements seem to be making a difference," said Chang, "it's hard to say for sure."

According to Chang, FeiFei's medicines and supplements costs NT$500 a week.

"Even if it were more, I would still pay it," said Chang, who has two other elderly pets at home. "As long as she is enjoying her life, I cannot say no."

Yang Ching-rong (楊清容), a veterinarian who has offered pet acupuncture services for 20 years alongside his conventional practice, said that the rising status of pets as a member of the family had increased the demand for his services.

"Acupuncture is very effective for reducing joint pain in dogs," Yang said. "The principle is the same as for humans, but details differ."

Yang refused to disclose how much he charged for canine acupuncture sessions, only saying that the owners of his patients find his rates reasonable.

According to Yang, obesity is a major problem for large dogs, whereas small dogs get plenty of exercise running around in an apartment.

"A 10kg dog requires one hour of exercise a day, and a 20kg dog requires two," she said.

"It's especially hard for `lazy' breeds such as golden retrievers to get enough exercise," she added. "The supplements can help get their weight down to a healthy level."

As for those seeking a non-herbal solution for their chubby canines, the US Food and Drug Administration recently approved Slenderol, a diet pill for dogs.

"Slenderol will probably be available in Taiwan eventually, but the approval process could take months or more than a year" Chiang Shih-ming (江世明) of Johnson Veterinary Hospital said.

Chiang recommended feeding dogs high-fiber kibble and making sure not to over-feed them.
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