Liang Wennisha, a trainee pet doctor, is turning heads with her groundbreaking work at a vet in Nanning City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The young intern is not only assisting in veterinary practice but also embracing the power of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat animals.

At the hospital, a cat undergoing heating therapy is the latest patient to benefit from this ancient healing art. After prolonged use of antibiotics, which weakened the feline's intestinal and gastrointestinal health, Liang and the pet doctor turned to TCM.

"The doctor is performing heating therapy right now. This is traditional Chinese medicine. This cat was on antibiotics for a long time, which made his intestinal and gastrointestinal health really weak. So right now we're trying to improve his internal health with this heat," explains Liang in English, showcasing a blend of modern medical understanding with time-honoured techniques.

In China, TCM for animals is no novelty. With a rich history, fundamental therapies such as herbal medicines and acupuncture have been applied extensively to our four-legged friends.

Pet doctor Chen Xuejun elaborates, in Chinese, on the benefits of acupuncture: "By using acupuncture to target specific acupoints, it serves as a means to regulate the flow of Qi (energy) in the body. This technique is commonly applied to address issues within the movement or nervous systems for pain management."

The evidence of this alternative approach to animal healthcare is in the wagging tails and contented purrs of the patients. One satisfied dog owner, Ms. Chen, testifies: "It is evident to the naked eye that our dog has made significant progress during the long-term rehabilitation. Now, it can move around quite comfortably, and I believe acupuncture played a crucial role in its recovery."

The fusion of traditional Chinese medicine with modern veterinary practice is not only a testament to the adaptability of these ancient techniques but also a promising indication of their potential market in China.

"I think there is still a substantial market in China for treatments like acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, and dietary therapy. These approaches offer significant benefits to animals," declares Chen Xuejun, hinting at a bright future where pets can enjoy the best of both worlds in medical care.

This extraordinary blend of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge veterinary practice in China is setting a precedent for pet care that may well resonate across the globe. It's not just a tale of tails and whiskers but a story that could revolutionize how we think about the health and well-being of our furry companions.

STORY: A glimpse of TCM treatment for pets in China's Nanning 
DATELINE: Aug. 6, 2023
LENGTH: 0:01:35
LOCATION: NANNING, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of the pet hospital 
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): LIANG WENNISHA, Trainee pet doctor
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): CHEN XUEJUN, Pet doctor
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): MS CHEN, Dog's owner
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): CHEN XUEJUN, Pet doctor
 
STORYLINE:
 
Liang Wennisha is an intern working at a pet hospital in Nanning City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
 
She is helping a doctor to perform a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment on a cat.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): LIANG WENNISHA, Trainee pet doctor
"The doctor is performing heating therapy right now. This is traditional Chinese medicine. This cat was on antibiotics for a long time, so that made his intestinal and gastrointestinal health really weak. So right now we're trying to improve his internal health with this heat."
 
In China, the application of traditional Chinese medicine in treatment for animals has a long history. Some fundamental TCM therapies such as herbal medicines and acupuncture have been applied extensively.
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): CHEN XUEJUN, Pet doctor
"By using acupuncture to target specific acupoints, it serves as a means to regulate the flow of Qi (energy) in the body. This technique is commonly applied to address issues within the movement or nervous systems for pain management."
 
SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): MS CHEN, Dog's owner
"It is evident to the naked eye that our dog has made significant progress during the long-term rehabilitation. Now, it can move around quite comfortably, and I believe acupuncture played a crucial role in its recovery."
 
SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): CHEN XUEJUN, Pet doctor
"I think there is still a substantial market in China for treatments like acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, and dietary therapy. These approaches offer significant benefits to animals."
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nanning, China.
(XHTV)