Why Integrative Medicine is the Best Choice for Your Pet
Integrative medicine is a term that loosely describes combining different modalities or type of medical system to treat the patient. That’s a mouthful, but what it boils down to is using all the tools available to provide the very best, safest and most effective treatment for an animal or a person. In Human Medicine, Dr Andrew Weil brought the idea to the forefront of most people’s minds. In Veterinary Medicine, Equine veterinarians were early adopters of acupuncture, herbal medications, nutraceuticals and chiropractic treatments. As more and more people search out holistic or alternative treatments for themselves and their pets, many doctors are integrating these treatments into their practice. Because there are so many different options, some definitions may be helpful in sorting through what is available.
Holistic medicine: This is what most people think of when they think of alternative medicine. Many associate it with homeopathic medicine in specific, but it really is more of a healing philosophy which views the patient as a whole body rather than as a disease or a collection of symptoms. it recognizes that a patient's emotional and spiritual state can affect the patient's condition, and so aims to treat mind, body and spirit. Holistic practitioners may combine traditional forms of treatment (medication and surgery) with alternative forms of treatment including homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, and herbal medicine. In it’s purest sense, this is integrative medicine.
Acupuncture: The Chinese practice of inserting needles into specific points (acupoints) along the "meridians" of the body. It is used chiefly to relieve pain, but is a complete method of treating internal medical problems, and for preventative and therapeutic purposes. The insertion of the needles stimulates the acupuncture points and alters the flow of Qi
Ayurvedic medicine: A system of medicine practiced in India. Health is considered to be a state of balance between the body's physical, emotional, and spiritual systems, and illness is a state of imbalance. Illness may be detected by reading of the pulse and by observation of the tongue. Nutrition, massage, natural medications, meditation, and other modalities may be used for treatment of a wide variety of ailments.
Chiropractic: A system of healing which is based on the idea that the body has an innate self-healing ability and seeks homeostasis. However, subluxations in the joints interfere with the body's ability to maintain optimal health. Through manipulation of the spine and other joints and muscles, the body is brought back into balance and the neuromusculoskeletal system can function smoothly.
Energy medicine: Therapies which use an energy field (electrical, magnetic, sonic, acoustic, microwave, infrared) to detect or treat illness. A practitioner would identify imbalances in the energy fields of the patient's body and then correct them. Reiki is a good example of energy medicine.
Homeopathy: A system of therapeutics founded by a German physician named Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843). It is a philosophy of "like heals like". In this system, the treatments are composed of substances which, in their undiluted state, actually produce the symptoms of the disease in a healthy individual. The substances are diluted to infinitesimal amounts in solutions and vigorously shaken (succussed) before they are given to the patient. Many homeopaths also believe that an individual's mental, physical, and emotional constitution may also need to be treated. The potency is based on the dilution ratio and it is believed that the more diluted the dose, the more potent the effect. A dilution ratio written as 1x is 1 part substance to 9 parts dilution medium, 1c is 1 part substance to 99 parts medium, and 1m is 1 part substance to 999 parts medium. A remedy labeled 20c has first been mixed as 1 part substance to 99 parts dilution base. Then, 1 part of this mixture is then mixed with 99 parts of the base and this dilution process is continued for a total of 20 times.
Kinesiology: An investigation of the muscle-gland-organ link for an indication of the cause of illnesses. Practitioners of applied kinesiology believe muscles reflect the flow of qi and that by measuring muscle resistance one can determine the health of bodily organs. Once a problem has been identified, various treatment techniques are used to strengthen the muscles involved and restore health.
Reflexology: A system of therapy which involves manipulation of specific areas of the feet. Different regions of the feet are believed to correspond to particular body systems. It is believed that stimulation of these areas can eliminate energy blockage which produces disease in the associated organs.
Western Medicine: This is the system of medicine with which we re most familiar. it involves advanced technologic diagnostics, synthetically produced medications, and excellent emergency care. The whole process should start with a careful history of the patient, a thorough physical examination, and then a differential diagnosis list is developed, and tests are done to confirm or rule out differential diagnoses, and arrive at a definitive diagnosis if possible. Wellness care such as vaccinations, dental cleanings, and heartworm prevention should be utilized bearing in mind the pet’s exposure to disease, health status, and future needs.
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine: Encompasses 5 different disciplines to maintain health and promote a long and enjoyable life. They are Exercise and Meditation (Tai Chi or Qi gong), Proper diet or food therapy, Chinese Medicinals or Herbal medicine, Tui Na (a form of massage for pets and humans), and acupuncture and moxibustion. We think of acupuncture as the main method of treatment, but in China, 80% of a doctor’s practice is Medicinals, and 20% is acupuncture. We have adapted these methods for acupuncture for dogs and cats, using acupuncture points developed for humans, horses and pigs, and transposing them based on anatomical structures. Herbal medicine for pets has been developed based on classical formulas developed for humans, many of which have been in use since 2500 BC.
Many veterinarians are practicing integrative medicine simply by adding nutritional supplements like glucosamine for the joints, and milk thistle to protect the liver, into their daily practice habits.
At Sun Dog Cat Moon, we will integrate western medicine, Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, nutraceuticals, western herbs, and other modalities as they fit into our practice style, and show benefit to our patients. We have found this to be the most effective approach in preventing disease, limiting the issues that accompany normal aging, and most especially, treating chronic disease. Let’s look at the strong points of each of the components in our approach.
Remember when you were younger, and when you went to the doctor, it was scary because it smelled funny, and everyone was very busy, and you remember something about getting a shot? But there was that one really nice nurse who held your hand sweetly as she took your pulse. And when the doctor came in, he listened very carefully to your chest and spent several minutes examining your eyes, ears and throat. Then he palpated your tummy, and asked you several questions about how you were feeling? You may still have been scared of him, but you knew he cared and was smart because he took the time to do a thorough and complete examination. He didn’t get flustered when you mom said, “Oh doctor, I forgot to ask you about this bump on the back of Jane’s neck. “ He looked at the bump, made careful notes about the whole visit, and talked about what tests should be done, and what the bump might be. He asked your mom if she had any other questions, and let you know the nurse would be right in to take the tests and finish up. Usually this meant the mean nurse with the shot was coming back in.
This is Western Medicine as preventive care at it’s best. A careful and thorough exam was done, tests were ordered to diagnose the disease, and your mom understood what she needed to do at home to help you feel better. Western medicine shines brightest in emergency situations. When you have suffered major trauma, as in an automobile accident, western medicine will relieve your pain, find out if you have internal injuries that need to be addressed, and repair your broken bones. When you are acutely sick with a gall stone, western medicine will be the fastest way to get you out of pain and danger of rupture of the gall bladder. When you have congestive heart failure, and have an episode where your heart function declines abruptly, causing you to not get enough oxygen, western medicine will rescue your heart, and help improve it’s function. But how much will your heart function improve? If you have diabetes, and take insulin, but have stayed overweight or are eating foods high in sugar, and have a diabetic coma, western medicine will help reverse the coma, and improve your blood sugar. But how much better will your quality of life be, once you are back at home? These last two scenarios point out the weakness of western medicine to help improve chronic conditions. We say these conditions are manageable, but not curable.
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) offers treatment options for diseases that western medicine has no options for. For instance the older dog with a dry red tongue that paces at night , pant and keeps everyone up, then sleeps all day, western medicine offers a diagnosis of Cognitive dysfunction syndrome, and a medication that was 10% more effective than nothing in controlling symptoms. TCVM would see the pattern as Yin deficiency, and offers herbs, acupuncture and food therapy to notify the Yin and cool the dog so that the can sleep at night. TCVM would add the same balancing effect based on the pattern a pet was showing with heart failure to improve quality of life, restore energy, allow exercise and play. We would continue the western medications that have saved the pet's life, and add herbal formulas, acupuncture, and a change in food to help return the pet to a state of health. For the diabetic pet, we would work on diet first, and add herbal formulas and acupuncture. We may never be able to completely take the pet off of it's western medicines, but the overall purpose is to combine the 2 modalities for the best health of the pet.
At Sun Dog Cat Moon, we will combine our knowledge of western medicine, nutritional supplements, and acupuncture, herbal formulas, and food therapy, for the health of your pet. We will teach you Tui Na massage techniques you can do at home to improve your pet's health, and design a plan with you plans to help improve the exercise level of your pet. When you and your pet come to see us for an exam incorporating TCVM, we will spend 30 minutes to an hour with you in the first visit. A very complete and thorough history will be taken, gathering information on medical problems dating back to puppy or kitten hood, current issues, current medications and preventive care. A Thorough western medical exam of the entire body will be done, including a videoscopic ear exam, followed by a TCVM, including a tongue and pulse diagnosis. We will discuss our findings of the western exam and TCVM exam, and suggest appropriate test to refine the western and TCVM diagnosis if needed, and then develop a treatment plan combining western and TCVM treatments as are appropriate. We will work to give you the information you need to make the best decision for your pet. We welcome and desire your input as to what will work best for your pet and your family. For preventive care visits, we will discuss appropriate vaccinations or vaccine titers in lieu of vaccines, blood testing to help detect problems early, and can add food therapy and notifying acupuncture treatments to help prevent problems and strengthen your pet. We will respect what you do and do not want for your pet, and always keep your pets health and quality of life as our ultimate goal .
Through the use of western technology we will be able to do most diagnostics in the office. We have a comprehensive in house lab that allows us to get results for your pet in under an hour, We have digital radiography that allows us to take xrays quickly and use the computer software to enlarge areas of the xray image for closer examination, and send xrays to a specialist or radiologist fro review via the internet. We have an ultrasound machine for studies of the abdomen and heart, and over 15 years of experience in making the studies and interpreting them. These ultrasound studies can also be sent for teleconsultation if needed. We offer laser surgery to reduce the pain associated with recovery from spays and neuters, as well as tumor removals, and other more complex surgeries. For small skin tumors, we can often use a local anesthetic and little or no sedation to remove the tumor, avoiding major anesthesia. Our video otoscope allows you to see inside your pet's ear with the doctor, and also allows us to flush and visualize the problem under anesthesia, making it possible to solve chronic ear disease, or at least get it under control. We can couple laser surgery with the video otoscope to remove tumors or benign masses within the ear canal, making a difficult procedure simple and much less painful for your pet.
We look forward to working with you for the health and happiness of your pet . We welcome questions by phone and email, and look forward to your visit to our brand office opening February 16th!!!
Contact us at 843-437-0063, or email us at info@sundogcatmoon.com . Come visit us at 2908 May bank Highway Johns Island , SC 29455
Integrative medicine is a term that loosely describes combining different modalities or type of medical system to treat the patient. That’s a mouthful, but what it boils down to is using all the tools available to provide the very best, safest and most effective treatment for an animal or a person. In Human Medicine, Dr Andrew Weil brought the idea to the forefront of most people’s minds. In Veterinary Medicine, Equine veterinarians were early adopters of acupuncture, herbal medications, nutraceuticals and chiropractic treatments. As more and more people search out holistic or alternative treatments for themselves and their pets, many doctors are integrating these treatments into their practice. Because there are so many different options, some definitions may be helpful in sorting through what is available.
Holistic medicine: This is what most people think of when they think of alternative medicine. Many associate it with homeopathic medicine in specific, but it really is more of a healing philosophy which views the patient as a whole body rather than as a disease or a collection of symptoms. it recognizes that a patient's emotional and spiritual state can affect the patient's condition, and so aims to treat mind, body and spirit. Holistic practitioners may combine traditional forms of treatment (medication and surgery) with alternative forms of treatment including homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, and herbal medicine. In it’s purest sense, this is integrative medicine.
Acupuncture: The Chinese practice of inserting needles into specific points (acupoints) along the "meridians" of the body. It is used chiefly to relieve pain, but is a complete method of treating internal medical problems, and for preventative and therapeutic purposes. The insertion of the needles stimulates the acupuncture points and alters the flow of Qi
Ayurvedic medicine: A system of medicine practiced in India. Health is considered to be a state of balance between the body's physical, emotional, and spiritual systems, and illness is a state of imbalance. Illness may be detected by reading of the pulse and by observation of the tongue. Nutrition, massage, natural medications, meditation, and other modalities may be used for treatment of a wide variety of ailments.
Chiropractic: A system of healing which is based on the idea that the body has an innate self-healing ability and seeks homeostasis. However, subluxations in the joints interfere with the body's ability to maintain optimal health. Through manipulation of the spine and other joints and muscles, the body is brought back into balance and the neuromusculoskeletal system can function smoothly.
Energy medicine: Therapies which use an energy field (electrical, magnetic, sonic, acoustic, microwave, infrared) to detect or treat illness. A practitioner would identify imbalances in the energy fields of the patient's body and then correct them. Reiki is a good example of energy medicine.
Homeopathy: A system of therapeutics founded by a German physician named Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843). It is a philosophy of "like heals like". In this system, the treatments are composed of substances which, in their undiluted state, actually produce the symptoms of the disease in a healthy individual. The substances are diluted to infinitesimal amounts in solutions and vigorously shaken (succussed) before they are given to the patient. Many homeopaths also believe that an individual's mental, physical, and emotional constitution may also need to be treated. The potency is based on the dilution ratio and it is believed that the more diluted the dose, the more potent the effect. A dilution ratio written as 1x is 1 part substance to 9 parts dilution medium, 1c is 1 part substance to 99 parts medium, and 1m is 1 part substance to 999 parts medium. A remedy labeled 20c has first been mixed as 1 part substance to 99 parts dilution base. Then, 1 part of this mixture is then mixed with 99 parts of the base and this dilution process is continued for a total of 20 times.
Kinesiology: An investigation of the muscle-gland-organ link for an indication of the cause of illnesses. Practitioners of applied kinesiology believe muscles reflect the flow of qi and that by measuring muscle resistance one can determine the health of bodily organs. Once a problem has been identified, various treatment techniques are used to strengthen the muscles involved and restore health.
Reflexology: A system of therapy which involves manipulation of specific areas of the feet. Different regions of the feet are believed to correspond to particular body systems. It is believed that stimulation of these areas can eliminate energy blockage which produces disease in the associated organs.
Western Medicine: This is the system of medicine with which we re most familiar. it involves advanced technologic diagnostics, synthetically produced medications, and excellent emergency care. The whole process should start with a careful history of the patient, a thorough physical examination, and then a differential diagnosis list is developed, and tests are done to confirm or rule out differential diagnoses, and arrive at a definitive diagnosis if possible. Wellness care such as vaccinations, dental cleanings, and heartworm prevention should be utilized bearing in mind the pet’s exposure to disease, health status, and future needs.
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine: Encompasses 5 different disciplines to maintain health and promote a long and enjoyable life. They are Exercise and Meditation (Tai Chi or Qi gong), Proper diet or food therapy, Chinese Medicinals or Herbal medicine, Tui Na (a form of massage for pets and humans), and acupuncture and moxibustion. We think of acupuncture as the main method of treatment, but in China, 80% of a doctor’s practice is Medicinals, and 20% is acupuncture. We have adapted these methods for acupuncture for dogs and cats, using acupuncture points developed for humans, horses and pigs, and transposing them based on anatomical structures. Herbal medicine for pets has been developed based on classical formulas developed for humans, many of which have been in use since 2500 BC.
Many veterinarians are practicing integrative medicine simply by adding nutritional supplements like glucosamine for the joints, and milk thistle to protect the liver, into their daily practice habits.
At Sun Dog Cat Moon, we will integrate western medicine, Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, nutraceuticals, western herbs, and other modalities as they fit into our practice style, and show benefit to our patients. We have found this to be the most effective approach in preventing disease, limiting the issues that accompany normal aging, and most especially, treating chronic disease. Let’s look at the strong points of each of the components in our approach.
Remember when you were younger, and when you went to the doctor, it was scary because it smelled funny, and everyone was very busy, and you remember something about getting a shot? But there was that one really nice nurse who held your hand sweetly as she took your pulse. And when the doctor came in, he listened very carefully to your chest and spent several minutes examining your eyes, ears and throat. Then he palpated your tummy, and asked you several questions about how you were feeling? You may still have been scared of him, but you knew he cared and was smart because he took the time to do a thorough and complete examination. He didn’t get flustered when you mom said, “Oh doctor, I forgot to ask you about this bump on the back of Jane’s neck. “ He looked at the bump, made careful notes about the whole visit, and talked about what tests should be done, and what the bump might be. He asked your mom if she had any other questions, and let you know the nurse would be right in to take the tests and finish up. Usually this meant the mean nurse with the shot was coming back in.
This is Western Medicine as preventive care at it’s best. A careful and thorough exam was done, tests were ordered to diagnose the disease, and your mom understood what she needed to do at home to help you feel better. Western medicine shines brightest in emergency situations. When you have suffered major trauma, as in an automobile accident, western medicine will relieve your pain, find out if you have internal injuries that need to be addressed, and repair your broken bones. When you are acutely sick with a gall stone, western medicine will be the fastest way to get you out of pain and danger of rupture of the gall bladder. When you have congestive heart failure, and have an episode where your heart function declines abruptly, causing you to not get enough oxygen, western medicine will rescue your heart, and help improve it’s function. But how much will your heart function improve? If you have diabetes, and take insulin, but have stayed overweight or are eating foods high in sugar, and have a diabetic coma, western medicine will help reverse the coma, and improve your blood sugar. But how much better will your quality of life be, once you are back at home? These last two scenarios point out the weakness of western medicine to help improve chronic conditions. We say these conditions are manageable, but not curable.
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) offers treatment options for diseases that western medicine has no options for. For instance the older dog with a dry red tongue that paces at night , pant and keeps everyone up, then sleeps all day, western medicine offers a diagnosis of Cognitive dysfunction syndrome, and a medication that was 10% more effective than nothing in controlling symptoms. TCVM would see the pattern as Yin deficiency, and offers herbs, acupuncture and food therapy to notify the Yin and cool the dog so that the can sleep at night. TCVM would add the same balancing effect based on the pattern a pet was showing with heart failure to improve quality of life, restore energy, allow exercise and play. We would continue the western medications that have saved the pet's life, and add herbal formulas, acupuncture, and a change in food to help return the pet to a state of health. For the diabetic pet, we would work on diet first, and add herbal formulas and acupuncture. We may never be able to completely take the pet off of it's western medicines, but the overall purpose is to combine the 2 modalities for the best health of the pet.
At Sun Dog Cat Moon, we will combine our knowledge of western medicine, nutritional supplements, and acupuncture, herbal formulas, and food therapy, for the health of your pet. We will teach you Tui Na massage techniques you can do at home to improve your pet's health, and design a plan with you plans to help improve the exercise level of your pet. When you and your pet come to see us for an exam incorporating TCVM, we will spend 30 minutes to an hour with you in the first visit. A very complete and thorough history will be taken, gathering information on medical problems dating back to puppy or kitten hood, current issues, current medications and preventive care. A Thorough western medical exam of the entire body will be done, including a videoscopic ear exam, followed by a TCVM, including a tongue and pulse diagnosis. We will discuss our findings of the western exam and TCVM exam, and suggest appropriate test to refine the western and TCVM diagnosis if needed, and then develop a treatment plan combining western and TCVM treatments as are appropriate. We will work to give you the information you need to make the best decision for your pet. We welcome and desire your input as to what will work best for your pet and your family. For preventive care visits, we will discuss appropriate vaccinations or vaccine titers in lieu of vaccines, blood testing to help detect problems early, and can add food therapy and notifying acupuncture treatments to help prevent problems and strengthen your pet. We will respect what you do and do not want for your pet, and always keep your pets health and quality of life as our ultimate goal .
Through the use of western technology we will be able to do most diagnostics in the office. We have a comprehensive in house lab that allows us to get results for your pet in under an hour, We have digital radiography that allows us to take xrays quickly and use the computer software to enlarge areas of the xray image for closer examination, and send xrays to a specialist or radiologist fro review via the internet. We have an ultrasound machine for studies of the abdomen and heart, and over 15 years of experience in making the studies and interpreting them. These ultrasound studies can also be sent for teleconsultation if needed. We offer laser surgery to reduce the pain associated with recovery from spays and neuters, as well as tumor removals, and other more complex surgeries. For small skin tumors, we can often use a local anesthetic and little or no sedation to remove the tumor, avoiding major anesthesia. Our video otoscope allows you to see inside your pet's ear with the doctor, and also allows us to flush and visualize the problem under anesthesia, making it possible to solve chronic ear disease, or at least get it under control. We can couple laser surgery with the video otoscope to remove tumors or benign masses within the ear canal, making a difficult procedure simple and much less painful for your pet.
We look forward to working with you for the health and happiness of your pet . We welcome questions by phone and email, and look forward to your visit to our brand office opening February 16th!!!
Contact us at 843-437-0063, or email us at info@sundogcatmoon.com . Come visit us at 2908 May bank Highway Johns Island , SC 29455
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