Traditional Holistic Exam

These appointments are for animals with medical issues. During these appointments, a variety of topics may be discussed including diet and supplements, weight management, vaccinations, and specific therapies for treating your pet's medical condition.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient form of human medicine that has been traced back to the Stone Age. The first records of veterinary acupuncture are dated around 650 BCE. Acupuncture is the insertion of thin metal needles into very specific anatomic locations on the body called acupuncture points. Acupuncture points are chosen based upon the condition being treated and the desired physiological effects.

So how does acupuncture work? There are 2 different explanations. 1)According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, disease is an inbalance in the flow of energy through channels in the body called meridians. Acupuncture is used to re-establish this balance of energy. 2)Scientific research has proven that acupuncture points contain nerve bundles, clusters of blood vessels, and increased numbers of mast cells (which release histamine and other chemicals when stimulated). The stimulation of acupuncture points causes local irritation and inflammation resulting in the release of various chemicals in the body. Some of the chemicals being released include endorphins and enkephalins (the body's natural pain killers) which help block the pain pathways and can explain why acupuncture is used as a form of analgesia.

There are several methods of acupuncture:

• Traditional dry needling
• Aquapuncture-injecting Vitamin B 12 into acupuncture points. We commonly use this method in our exotic animal patients to reduce the stress of prolonged handling and needling time in these sensitive, sometimes wild, species.
• Electroacupuncture-using an electrical current between the acupuncture points for additional stimulation.
• Moxabustion-an herb, called Artemesia vulgaris, is burned and is used to heat the acupuncture points directly or by heating the acupuncture needles.

The benefits of acupuncture include:

• Prevents disease
• Balances energy
• Supports the immune system
• Relieves pain
• Stimulates nerve regeneration
• Reduces muscle spasms
• Increases circulation

At VHRC, we use acupuncture in healthy animals for disease prevention and in sick animals with a variety of orthopedic and neurologic conditions, as well as acute, chronic, and terminal illnesses.

Massage

Massage is incorporated into our therapy for its effects on the health and psychological well-being of our patients.

The benefits of massage include:

• Reduces pain
• Improves circulation
• Stimulates the lymphatic system and reduces edema
• Decreases anxiety and stress
• Reduces muscles spasms and painful trigger points
• Breaks down adhesions or scar tissue
• Supports the immune system

Our massage treatments are performed in a comfortable setting with padded bedding, dimmed lighting, and relaxing music.

Therapeutic Nutrition

At VHRC, we use diet along with vitamin and mineral supplementation as a form of therapy not only to maintain health, but to treat disease as well. Although therapeutic nutrition may take longer than traditional medications to achieve a desired outcome, ultimately it provides the body with a better support system to fight disease by supporting the immune system and enhancing the healing process.

The benefits of therapeutic nutrition include:

• Enhances cellular regeneration
• Boosts the immune system
• Improves enzymatic activity
• Promotes natural self-healing

Therapeutic nutrition is a key aspect of treatment in all of our patients with musculoskeletal conditions to chronic or terminal illnesses, such as cancer.

Reiki

Reiki (pronounced "ray-key") is an ancient healing method. The word Reiki means "Universal Life Force" describing the energy within all living beings. During Reiki therapy, healing energy is transferred from the giver to the patient to areas of the body that are energy depleted or unbalanced. Reiki can be used on both healthy and sick animals.

The benefits of Reiki include:

• Balances and replenishes vital energy in the body
• Promotes natural self-healing
• Relaxes and reduces stress
• Strengthens the immune system
• Relieves pain
• Heals holistically
• Prevents disease

At VHRC, Reiki is performed on our patients by a Reiki Master (the highest level of Reiki training). Reiki sessions are performed in a comfortable setting with padded bedding, dimmed lighting, and relaxing music.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the use of pure essential oils, derived from plants, for health, beauty, and relaxation purposes. With proper guidance, it can be used on your pets at home to treat minor medical conditions or as an adjunctive therapy to a conventional medical treatment. At VHRC, we use aromatherapy in conjunction with massage to enhance relaxation and to treat minor medical conditions. For example, we may use tea tree oil to treat canine dermatitis, a.k.a. "hot-spots", and ear infections due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Teeth Cleaning (Without Anesthesia)

Unfortunately, dental care of dogs and cats is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of pet health care. Many guardians do not realize that maintaining your pet's dental health is a very important part of maintaining his/her overall health. Dental care should begin at the puppy and kitten life stage and continue all the way through the senior years. Dental exams should always be a part of your pet's annual physical exam. If dental problems are not taken care of promptly, your pet could develop conditions such as periodontal disease or tooth decay. Dental disease can contribute to disease of other organs, including the heart, as a result of bacteria entering the bloodstream. The key to dental care is starting a program before any major problems arise.

VHRC offers teeth cleaning without anesthesia.

This is a great option for pets that have a greater risk of anesthetic complications, including:

• Geriatric pets
• Pets with heart, lung, and kidney disease
• Pets that do not recover well from anesthesia

It is also an option for guardians that do not want to stress their pet with the anesthesia process.

Keep in mind, cleaning a pet's teeth without anesthesia requires the patient to have a "good" temperament. If the patient is anxious, there are natural and traditional sedatives that can be given to facilitate this process. Sedating your pet requires that additional time be put into our schedule. When scheduling your appointment, please let us know if your pet may need sedation so we can allocate the appropriate amount of time.

We do not perform extractions or other dental procedures.

Natural Teeth Cleaning Product: Leba

Leba is an easy to use natural dental spray that rids your pet's teeth of tartar built up, and can also be used as a preventive. It generally takes 4-6 weeks before seeing a drastic improvement.

If your pet has a large amount of tartar build-up, we generally recommend having your pet's teeth hand scaled prior to initiating Leba. Leba can then be used for the "fine tuning" and continue with a maintenance program.

Vaccine Titers

Over the last decade, "how often to vaccinate" and "what to vaccinate for" has become a controversial topic amongst the animal care community. There is concern that over-vaccinating an animal may result in health problems due to an over-stimulated immune system. This could lead to diseases including allergies, infections, cancer, and other immune mediated diseases.

Recent studies have shown that most core vaccinations last longer than one year. One study found adequate serum antibody titers to last for at least 6 years for feline panleukopenia virus, 4 years for feline calcivirus, and 3 years for feline herpesvirus. Many veterinarians are now adjusting their vaccination protocols and determining the frequency of vaccination based upon each individual patient. When determining the frequency of vaccination, several things must be taken into consideration:

• The age of the animal (young versus old)
• Medical history and presence of disease
• Potential exposure
• Prior vaccination schedule
• Antibody titers

Titers are blood tests that quantify the antibodies to a particular pathogen (ie a virus such as parvo and distemper). This information helps to determine an animal's immune response should he/she become exposed to this pathogen, and is used to help determine whether or not revaccination is required.

Canine Titers Include:

• Distemper Virus
• Parvo Virus
• Corona Virus

Feline Titers Include:

• Panleukopenia Virus
• Calici Virus
• Herpes Virus

Benefits of Checking Titers:

• May reduce the frequency of vaccination
• Reduces the risk of allergies, infections, cancer, and other immune mediated diseases
• Reduces the risk of an anaphylactic reaction associated with vaccination
• Reduces exposure to toxic chemicals that are found in some vaccines (mercury)

At VHRC, we will incorporate this information into an individualized wellness program for your pet.

General Services

Drop off appointments

This service is available to provide you with more flexible appointment scheduling. You can drop your pet off before work or on your lunch break, and pick up your pet at the end of your work day. We will perform your pet's treatments prior to the scheduled time of pick-up. Your pet will be kept in a comfortable enclosure that is well-padded with blankets, and will be walked every four hours. Meals are available during the day, but should be specifically requested at the time of drop-off. If your pet is on a strict diet, we recommend that you bring this food with you. While your pet is in our care, we will treat him/her as one of our "own".

Pick up times

• Monday-Thursday by 6pm
• Friday by 5:30pm

Hospitalization

• Overnight hospitalization is available for our patients with chronic or terminal medical conditions that require special care and TLC to support their immune system, enhance their appetite, and improve their quality of life.
• "Day care" is also available for our special needs patients.

If your pet is currently at another veterinary facility, he/she must be off of intravenous fluids prior to transferring to our clinic.

Transportation

We are available to transport your pet to and from your home for out-patient therapy or from another veterinary facility if your pet is being transferred to VHRC for in-patient therapy.