Ancient Arts Holistic Veterinary Services

 Holistic medicine is considering the whole animal—their physical, emotional and other aspects of life.  Holistic medicine considers nutrition—the building blocks of the body—and environment as inseparable from the pet when you consider their health.  For example, if a dog eats low quality food his whole life, he could definitely get over—or underweight, poor coat and immune system, skin infections, and miss out on crucial vitamins and minerals.  If an animal is outside in the extreme cold, this is taxing to its warmth, vitality and immune system.  These are just examples, but demonstrate how holistic considerations can make a big impact on health and well-being. 

When medical issues arise, looking at every aspect of an individual allows the best chance for resolving the condition satisfactorily—meaning safely with minimal side effects, and in a way that minimizes chance for reoccurrence.  The reason I practice holistic medicine is because I was tired of seeing pet guardians get charged the same charges and get the same prescription repeatedly for conditions that could be resolved completely if the diet was changed.  A classic example of this is chronic recurrent ear infections. 

I choose to use acupuncture and herbal medicine as my main forms of therapy because I want to “above all else, do NO harm—“ to the pet, the earth, and each other.  My practice has been as green and sustainable, non-toxic and natural as possible since 2002.

Physical:  foods appropriate for age, activity, breed, size, cycle, medical conditions

Ex:  diabetes, kidney disease, crystals/stones, large breeds, anti-inflammatory, warming and cooling foods

Mental:  sporting breeds, working dogs, giving pets “jobs” and mental exercise

Emotional:  ability to play, exercise, groom, interact peacefully, nose work

Social:  early socialization, ability to meet and interact safely with others of their own kind

Genetics:  what are the breed predispositions—can anything be done to offset the likelihood of a condition occurring in your pet?

Environmental:  is there too much stimulation around?  Too much noise?  Stray cats in the yard?  Allergens?

Spiritual:  does your pet have a purpose?  Doe he get a chance to fulfill that?  Have you ever thought about it?

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            Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, the organ responsible for secreting enzymes important for breaking down all types of food, and secreting insulin.  Generally the presentation for this issue is when a dog has eaten something more rich or fatty than he is used to eating.  This results in vomiting, diarrhea or nausea and “not doing right.”  Cats can also get pancreatitis, with similar symptoms, or more commonly just sullenness and hiding, being more subdued. 

The lab work in a “super chemistry” routinely checks amylase and lipase values, which are a quick screen for pancreatitis through blood analysis.  These are not always very sensitive or specific, so they can sometimes be normal even if pancreatitis is the culprit for the digestive woes.  But it is good practice to at least screen them.  It is astounding how many times these values are left out of bloodwork requests, in lieu of a plain “chemistry.”  There are more sophisticated techniques such as “PLI” and “TLI” which can get very pricey, but start with the amylase and lipase values.  If they are elevated, then that is a good indicator that the pancreas is inflamed.  Ultrasounds do not show much of the pancreas, unless it is extremely inflamed.  Endoscopy will not examine the pancreas at all.  So for all the high tech testing that can be done, it is surprising how often the pancreas is overlooked as a cause of vomiting or diarrhea in pets. 

            Treatment generally consists of fasting and fluid therapy—either intravenously if serious or by subcutaneous administration, which is under the skin.  This helps hydration and helps the body to get rid of the excess enzymes the irritated pancreas is creating.  Often antibiotics are used, although there is controversy about whether or not this is a result of a bacterial infection.  There are excellent acupuncture points for bringing amylase values down instantaneously, which also help digestion, immune function, and well being in general.   Traditional Chinese herbal formulas also help tremendously for pancreatitis and digestive woes of all sorts.  They are well-tolerated even despite vomiting.

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            Cruciate ligament tears, luxating patellas, and other tendon and ligament injuries can be very painful and debilitating.  Typical therapy consists of surgical options, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy.  There are also alternative, complementary, or holistic remedies such as acupuncture, herbs, and prolotherapy. 

            Prolotherapy is the use of mild injections into the insertion points of the tendons or ligaments where they attach to bone.  Solutions used usually contain lidocaine, sterile water and a special type of sugar.  The combination causes proliferation of the connective tissue—not quite scar tissue—that helps to stabilize the injured, shaky joints.  Many animals with a good temperament can have this procedure done without any sedation.  Reactive animals usually request mild sedation.  Generally a series of 3-6 of the procedures are done, 1-3 weeks apart.  Many animals walk out after this procedure putting much more weight on the affected leg than they did when they walked into the appointment.  Recovery time is minimal except for common sense moderation of exercise immediately following the sessions. 

Compare this with 3-6 months of extremely restricted rest and physical therapy following a Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy, or TPLO, which is considered the standard veterinary medicine treatment of choice for cruciate ligament tears.  This procedure cuts through the tibia bone completely, to slightly rotate the bone and create a more stable platform for the joint.  The created fracture is held together with a metal plate and screws.  The old hardware was once prone to inducing bone tumors, but the new improved hardware is considered safer.  However, any time bone is cut through, there is a lot of pain.  This is considered the best procedure, especially for very athletic dogs, but the prolotherapy, herbs and acupuncture are viable alternative options for treatment.

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            As animal welfare and animal rights issues converge and mingle, the overall human shift towards acknowledging the consciousness which animals possess allows us to examine the vocabulary we use when referring to our relationships with other animals.  Having devoted many decades to nurturing animals, encouraging other humans to look for the spark of consciousness in other animals, and personally communicating with many different types of beings, a more “informed” list of terminology has made itself known to be shared with like minded pet guardians.

            For example: a leash is not a leash, it is a “grounding cord” in the sense that it keeps animal and person grounded in the here now in case of traffic or other potential dangers.  Below you will find other examples that have been conveyed, for every living being’s evolutionary expansion and amusement.

• There is no such things as “spoiled,” only “well-loved”
• Animals are not “pets” but are “companions” or “animal friends”
• People are not “owners” or “parents” but are “guardians” or “human friends”
• Scooping the cat litter box is a meditation to let go of all that is no longer needed
• Food or medication preparation is an opportunity to imbue love and healing into that which your pet will ingest
• Stooping over to pet an insisting cat or dog is an opportunity to stretch and practice yoga or breathing exercises, while petting and massaging the furry one
• Carrying a full pooh bag on a walk is an excellent self-defense tool if needed
• Muzzles, if needed, are referred to as “party hats”
• As pets get older and less active, meditation is often appreciated, such as watching the birds, sunset, and prioritizing more full-bodied “sniffs” than long “walks”

An additional note is that there are many classes in learning more about animal health for the pet guardian.  Some include reflexology, acupressure, massage, communication, etc.  The fundamentals to improving care taking are to pause to really connect with them at a heart-centered level.  Observe what they like and what they seem to be communicating to you.  If your companion animal does not allow you to touch their feet or ears, trim their nails or brush them, then perhaps it is time to heed their personalities and body language more.  Often by connecting with your pet, you can gain their trust and intuitively explain to them why you are about to do something. 

Communicating to them through gentle eye contact, heart-centeredness and holding mental pictures of affirmative actions can really deepen understanding between the human and non-human animal.  If they do not like going to the vet, try a different vet, such as a holistic one where the focus is on gentle support of the animal, rather than forcing vaccines on them.  Above all else, finding calmness, humor and joy within yourself, and staying grounded and centered, will help you to be more attractive to animals.  Animals sense energy and will avoid loud or stressed people if possible.  Or they may act out as if to mirror for you.  Take cues from their behavior if it is time to slow down and sniff the roses a little more. 

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            Birds are very social animals.  Having one as a pet can provide a wonderful companion, who will also need a lot of attention from you.  Wild birds spend the majority of their time foraging for fruits, nuts and seeds, grooming or preening their feathers, and playing or socializing with their flock.  In captivity, if a bird is left by himself in a cage with little stimulation, he can get depressed, bored, or stressed.  Allowing plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, different types of foods, music, attention with family members, and giving their enclosure a prominent place in the house can help to keep a bird happy and entertained.  

Take care that threatening animals or harsh sounds, drafts and dangers such as electrical cords are kept away from birds.  Make sure that foods, cages and grooming aids are appropriate for the specific breed.  For example, most parakeets, cockatiels and small parrots such as conures, finches, and canaries will eat a diet of primarily seed and fortified pellets.  The more often fruits, veggies, greens, whole grains, legumes and pastas can be offered from an early age, the more likely the birds are to sample them and vary the nutrients in their diet.  Many birds like a small dish of water to bathe in on a regular basis.  Some prefer occasional misting.  Some parrots like to be put under a gentle shower, and some prefer to keep their powdery coat dry. 

            Toys can provide mental stimulation, but can also get boring for very intelligent birds, so need to be changed or rotated often.   Examine old toys to make sure there are no sharp edges or pieces that can be swallowed.  Watch for metal rings that could trap toes.  Take care not to use antique bird cages that contain lead and can lead very quickly to heavy metal toxicity.  Avoid letting birds come into contact with stained glass which also contains toxic heavy metals.

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            Rats! Mice! Gerbils! Guinea pigs! Hamsters! Oh my!  All of these little critters can make fun and easy to care-for pets.  Remember that they do reproduce very quickly and early, so make sure to get same-sex roommates if getting more than one, unless you intend to breed them!  They all like a variety of pellets, fresh or dried veggies, fruits, whole grains, cooked legumes, greens, seeds, and nuts.  Guinea pigs must have a fresh source of vitamin C every day, to prevent scurvy, or a defect that can cripple them.  A small slice of orange, kiwi, strawberry, or other berries can provide this without the additional sugar found in many commercially available vitamin C treats. 

            Aquariums make good enclosures, just make sure the flooring is kept clean so that ammonia smells from urine do not build up and affect their breathing.  Similarly, cedar chips and strong-smelling bedding is often too strong for these little animals, even if they smell nice to us.  Tunnels and wheels can provide entertainment and exercise for these animals.  Many appreciate small cardboard boxes or paper tubes to hide in and play in.  The cardboard is fun for them to chew on as well.  All rodents have teeth that continuously grow throughout their life.  These teeth are sharp if they do decide to bite.  Siberian hamsters, although adorable, have a reputation for being sharp biters!  Instruct children to handle these tiny creatures gently, so they are not squeezed or dropped. 

Many small mammals like the small plastic balls that allow them free range of the house while keeping them safe.  As with all pets, they should always be supervised when out of their safe enclosure.  Monitor their coat for any changes or parasites.  Occasionally they can get parasites or infections, although they are generally fastidious groomers with soft clean fur. 

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            Ferrets are rascally little critters, who can be very entertaining and quite mischievous.  They will often hide items of yours, such as keys or toys that they may hole up in the underside of a mattress.  They also like to eat foamy spongy things, which can create intestinal blockages.  They are quite social and do best in groups so that they can entertain each other.  Even still, the more the ferrets, the more the (fun) mayhem, which will require ferret-proofing your home for their safety and your sanity.

            Ferrets are strict carnivores and need a very high protein diet.  Due to the genetics of domesticated ferrets, cancers are quite common and almost a certainty at some point in life.  Adrenal tumors, insulinomas, and lymphoma are the most common.  Adrenal tumors tend to cause symmetrical hair loss and sometimes vulvar enlargement.  Lymphoma tends to lead to weight loss and possibly diarrhea.  Insulinomas make it very difficult for ferrets to maintain normal blood sugar levels, and can go into hypoglycemic naps, seizures, or die.

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