Our Services
Holistic/Integrative Medicine
Electro-Acupuncture
Electro-acupuncture involves the stimulation of acupuncture points via acupuncture needles with a low level of electricity. This provides a stronger treatment effect enabling a longer lasting treatment.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves insertion of needles into specific points on the body to produce a healing response. This technique has been used in veterinary practice in China for thousands of years to treat many ailments and prevent disease. Now, acupuncture is used worldwide, alone or in conjunction with Western medicine, to treat many conditions in multiple animal species. Clinical research has been conducted showing positive results in the treatment of both animals and humans, and the use of acupuncture is increasing. Acupuncture alone will not cure every condition, but it can be used as an adjunct treat most conditions.
LASER Therapy
LASER stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A new name for it is Photobiomodulation. Light is used to stimulate the energy cells in the tissues to elicit a response. There are different type of LASERs, some are used for surgery (cutting LASERs), others are used for treatment (Therapeutic Class 1-4). At Pine Holistic Veterinary Office, we use a therapeutic LASER. It may be used to treat acupuncture points, or to treat areas of pain and inflammation.
Holistic Medicine
Chinese Medicine
Chinese Medicine incorporates 5 branches which are generally used together for treatment. Acupuncture, Herbal therapy, Food therapy, Tui na (massage), and exercises (in humans - martial arts, Tai Qi/Qi Gong; in animals - physical therapy exercises)
Chinese medicine is an ancient form of holistic medicine, which uses metaphors to describe illness. Metaphors were used to enable the common person to understand their disease process. Holistic medicine simply means that the whole health and history of the patient is considered when determine the underlying cause of illness. There are 5 Elements which are associated with 5 types of personalities. Everyone has a bit of each Element in them, but there are dominant ones. When these Elements become imbalanced, disease can occur. The pulse, tongue appearance and active acupuncture points are used to help determine the imbalance. The goal of the practitioner is to rebalance the body using whatever technique is available to them. There are a multitude of acupuncture techniques that may be used. All branches of Chinese medicine may be used. Often other forms of treatment are added, such as homeopathy, nutraceuticals, even Western therapy.
Veterinary Medical Manipulation
Veterinary Medical Manipulation involves the manipulation and adjustment of restrictions in the spine and other joints performed by a trained and certified veterinarian, on animals. It is similar to chiropractic adjustments, performed on humans, by a chiropractor .
The body’s health is dependent on normal movement. This influences the brain, nerves, muscles, joints, and, also, internal organs and the immune system. If a joint becomes restricted in its motion, the change in mobility can lead to muscle tension, pain, weakness, cartilage damage, gait changes, and performance issues. As it also affects the spinal nerves, a joint restriction may also lead to reduced internal organ and immune function.
The goal of Veterinary Medical Manipulation is to identify the areas of the body where there is a lack of appropriate movement and to restore the normal range of motion by applying a very specific and gentle thrust. It enhances the body’s ability to heal and can help to prevent conditions from progressing to the point where they need conventional medical care.
Indications for Veterinary Medical Manipulation:
Abnormal gait, stiffness, or lameness
Abnormal posture or stance
Chronic musculoskeletal problems
Sitting to one side or “puppy sitting”
Reluctance to move, bend, jump or climb stairs
Pain with certain movements or when lifted
Discomfort or hypersensitivity to touch or grooming
Neck or back pain, including intervertebral disc disease
Nerve pain
Reduced performance or lack of power, especially noted in sporting dogs
Senior patients - mobility maintenance
Recurrent digestive problems or incontinence
Infertility or reproductive problems
Recurrent infections or inflammatory conditions
Lick granulomas
Alternative Strategies
Herbal medicine - Western and Eastern
Nutrition - food therapy, alternative feeding strategies (balanced raw and cooked diets).
Nutraceuticals - nutrients present in the body that are supplemented for medicinal benefit, such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, glucosamine, etc
Ozone therapy
Fecal Microbiota Testing and Transplant
Hair Analysis - testing for mineral excesses and deficiencies
Alternative vaccination protocols, titres
Pharmaceutical-free pain control
Physical/Manual therapy exercises and techniques
Palliative therapy/”Pawspice” care