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1. What is Chinese medicine and how does it apply to my pets?
Chinese medicine began nearly 8000 years ago and has been modified over millenia to bring the body into balance to prevent disease - or if there was disease, to rid the body of disease and then bring it into balance to prevent further disease and have perfect health. It uses acupuncture (the insertion of fine sterile wires into specific points determined by the chinese diagnosis), nutrition, herbal medicine, tui-na (chinese massage and physical therapy) and tai-chi or qi-gong (movement-based meditation) to balance all of the systems in the body and maintain health.
Chinese medicine applies to your pets by keeping them healthy and preventing disease or healing disease they already have (except any acute trauma for which you need immediate care - western medicine works more quickly for that).
2. How many treatments will my pet need?
The short answer is, it depends. The long answer is it depends on the Chinese diagnosis, the general health of the animal, the severity and chronicity of disease. Young animals with acute disease may only need 1 or 2 treatments, and herbal medicines and food changes can decrease the number of treatments an animal needs until good health is achieved. Severe arthritis or severe weakness may require several treatments (3-5) before a better quality of life is seen, although again that can be variable. As in western medicine, Chinese medicine is an art and a science and varies depending on the individual animal. For example, I saw a young dog this past summer who improved immensely with 1 acupuncture treatment and herbs for behavioral issues, and has only needed one check up since (and that was just a recheck to see if we needed to change any herbs). I also see an 18 year old dog who had been paralyzed due to intervertebral disc disease on the hind end and after 3 treatments began going for walks daily and still does 2 years later with monthly treatments.
3. If you treat my pets, do I still need annual vaccines?
All recommendations for your pet are individual and based on the Chinese diagnosis, which is very different than a western diagnosis. I arrive at the diagnosis by a long and involved history and a Chinese physical exam ( I also use my 14 years as a western veterinarian in my physical exam). I may recommend less frequent vaccinations but I do recommend that dogs receive heartworm tests yearly and especially older animals or those with chronic disease have blood and urine checked at least yearly.
4. If my pets become your patients, do I stop seeing my 'regular' vet?
I do not recommend that you stop seeing your regular vet. Blood and urine checks, dental cleanings, and other western diagnostics are also important for your animal friend's health.
5. Can you work with my regular vet to treat illness or wellness?
I can work with your regular vet and do so commonly to keep your animal friend healthy or treat illness. Many patients including those with chronic illness can do well with western and Chinese medicine combined together.
6. Are Chinese herbs safe?
Just like with any medicine, Chinese herbs are only safe when used correctly to treat the correct Chinese diagnosis. The Chinese people use herbs first - before they do acupuncture, generally. Since they are used by the population of China, they are scrupulously checked for antimicrobials and heavy metals. Most of the herbs I use are processed in the United States, and those that are not are from very reputable companies that are known to check every batch for contaminants.
7. What type of animals do you treat?I treat all animals except humans.
8. Does acupuncture hurt?Generally acupuncture does not hurt. The sterile wires used are much thinner than western needles used for injection, about the size of a thick hair. Some of my patients have painful problems, or are nervous - or their people are nervous so the animals may be jumpy or very sensitive. Often calming points are used first to decrease sensitivity but every once in a while the insertion of the needles can feel sharp. Often there is no sensation initially but later the area may feel warm or a wave may seem to emanate from the area (these are from personal experience and those of other humans). Frequently a general feeling of relaxation occurs and animals may become drowsy or even sleep.
9. Can you treat any illness?Any illness can be treated but western medicine is more quickly effective for acute trauma, such as being hit by a car. Also western medicine is indicated for toxin ingestion or anything swallowed that shouldn't be. Chinese medicine is especially good for any internal or external disorder including skin, ear, eye, gastrointestinal, lung, nasal, liver, heart, kidney, bladder, endocrine, cancer , pain (including post-surgical) and behavioral problems, and can be combined with most western treatments if done correctly.
10. What education / credentials do you have?
I have a BS in bacteriology, a DVM from the University of Minnesota in 1992, and am a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist from the Chi Institute for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine in Reddick, Florida (the first of it's kind outside of China). I am awaiting my certifications as a veterinary herbalist and tui-na practitioner as I have completed the coursework.
11. My pet is already on a number of medicines, Can he still take those if you begin treating him?
We will discuss the medicines that your animal friend is receiving and decide based on the Chinese diagnosis and western information and my knowledge along with that of your veterinarian which medicines should continue and which may be decreased or discontinued.
