Ancient Arts Holistic Veterinary Services

     Would you like to improve your relationship with your animal companion?  Are there behavior issues that you would be grateful to have addressed?  I have found the single most effective treatment for gaining an animal’s trust and cooperation is by taking the time to tune into him/her.  It is imperative to have clear and benevolent intentions.  Approach each exchange with an animal with an open mind and a wide-open, pure heart.  Check in with individuals consciously.  Look kindly into their eyes with an open, receptive attitude and peaceful demeanor.   Do not stare them down or try to dominate.  This creates animosity and fear, and the exact opposite of trust.

     Merely giving a pet additional attention can create a HUGE shift in the nature of your interactions.  Employ the power of touch, but respect each individual’s boundaries and preferences about what is acceptable, where you can touch, what kind of pressure is comfortable for them, and for how long.  Listen to each other!  If your cat keeps meowing and she’s already been fed, she may really want some attention and strokes behind the ear.   Fulfill needs daily: high quality food free of cancer-causing preservatives (avoid BHA, BHT, ethoxyquine), gentle brushing, walks /litter pan scooping, clean filtered water, fresh green grass or catnip, play time, meditation/contemplation time, nail trims, conscious intentional affection.  These are the basic needs that will help you and your pet to bond if you actively seek to fulfill them.

      If behaviors change, such as sudden scratching or biting after a long petting session, think about where your thoughts went when the change in behavior occurred.  Or perhaps the animal was just over-stimulated, so again, be conscious in your interactions.  If you see a change come across their eyes, ears, or body language, they may have had enough.  If your pet does not enjoy being touched in a certain area, perhaps it is time to address medical concerns there.  It is very common for cats to get overly sensitive if they are pet near their tail.  Many of these cats have stiffness in their hip joints or lower back, which can easily be treated safely with acupuncture and herbs.

      There is always room for enhanced growth/understanding about each other.  We are in relationship with our pets, as we are with every person we meet every day.  If there are children in the house, make sure they learn appropriate behavior around the animals.  Even in a busy household, ten to thirty minutes two or three times daily for focused attention and real walks can do wonders for family dynamics.  The exercise and health promoting benefits of taking the time to slow down and care for all members of the family is priceless.  By acknowledging needs of all beings we are guardians for, we teach kids how to respect life and find harmony with others.  The bonding that results helps keep everyone happier and more responsible.

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            There have been beliefs amongst indigenous peoples that animals are here to take on dis-ease for humans, or that the health of animals and nature reflects the health of mankind.  Commonly in practice, when a dog or cat is diagnosed with a condition, or a traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) pattern, the animal’s guardian comments that they have also been diagnosed with the same thing.  Coincidence?  The frequency of this is too high to be a coincidence.  Perhaps allowing more time within a holistic exam allows time and space for such information to be offered, but that cannot be the only explanation.  Animals are sensitive beings, who share our immediate space more than most others.  Is it possible that they are picking up on some sort of resonance that our own energy fields are holding? 

            Observant clients often comment that their dog or cat or bird or horse is a “barometer” for their own energy or mood.  Animals are very sensitive, and trust their instincts about the information that is coming in through subtle ways.  Pheromones could be one explanation.  These are “scent” or “musk” molecules that are loaded with information about stress level, gender, etc.  Animals have much more keen sense of smell than humans do.  Therapy dogs have been trained to know when their humans are out of balance in regards to seizure activity, blood sugar levels, and other disorders.  Is it really all by smell though?  Is it possible that our animal companions are really just more open to the interconnectedness of all things?  Have you ever walked into a room and could feel the anger or festivity that was emitted prior to your arrival, even when no other visual or verbal cues are present?  Perhaps this sort of sensitivity is what our animal friends are tapped into all the time.  (see Communicating with Animals)

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            Acupuncture works well on animals.  Dogs, cats, horses, cows, and other critters generally do not resent the needles, although they do feel them.  Often the skin will move and have small muscle spasms where the needles are inserted.  Dogs may initially pant more or be more attentive immediately after acupuncture needles are inserted.  Then they relax once the effects start.  Many animal patients become so relaxed during a treatment that they may take a nap, and some even snore because they become so relaxed.  Occasionally, an animal may be too sensitive to needles (this happens in human patients as well) but respond well to acupressure or subtle qi gong tui na energetic massage techniques alone. 

            Acupuncture can be used on exotics, such as birds, snakes, lizards, and rabbits.  Organic livestock benefit from acupuncture as an alternative to antibiotic or hormone use.  Most commonly acupuncture is requested for pain relief for arthritis, degenerative joint disease, seizures, slipped disks in the spine, inflammatory bowel syndrome, and skin allergies.  Acupuncture has been affirmed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 1997 as a valid therapy for pain, cystitis (bladder inflammation), nausea, to treat side effects from chemotherapy and radiation, diarrhea, IBS, and much more.  The NIH put out this consensus statement after evaluating over 7000 articles published on acupuncture. 

            Acupuncture works through complex nerve interrelationships throughout the body.  The acupuncture points themselves are areas of higher electrical conductance and lower electrical resistance, which can be measured with an ohmmeter.  Acupuncture improves blood and lymphatic (immune system) circulation, reduces painful muscle spasms, causes release of the body’s natural pain-relievers, and causes relaxation.  All of this helps the body to be able to do more maintenance and repair, instead of being in a state of anxiety or pain.  Hormone cascades and internal medicine effects are also achievable through acupuncture—so even though the needles are small, the results are more than just skin-deep.

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            Quite commonly heart valves can have too much texture on them, causing them to close too slowly, resulting in a murmur, or backflow of blood into the chamber the blood should be pumped out of.  These bumpy, floppy valves causing murmurs can be worsened if infection sets in on them.  This commonly results from bacterial seeding through gum inflammation from bad teeth and severe periodontal disease.  I have seen murmurs resolve with antibiotic treatment and dental cleanings. 

            Some of the standard heart murmur drugs can have adverse effects on the kidneys and other systems of the body.  There are other options, such as supplementation with CoEnzyme Q10, antioxidants and hawthorn.  There are also many acupuncture points and great Chinese herbal formulas that treat both early heart disease, and congestive heart failure with fluid build up in the lungs and later abdomen.  All of these supplements can be safely used with most prescription heart medications, although protocols should be overseen by a competent holistic vet in conjunction with a cardiologist, as certain herbs can lower the required dosage of specific heart drugs.

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Flower essences can be a simple first step to easing anxiety, increasing feelings of security, and mellowing out the animals.  The Bach Flower essences are readily available and provide suggestions for which remedies to use for particular pet issues such as jealousy, aggression, and territorialism.  I use these and another brand that I prefer because it does not use alcohol as the preservative.  The cats seem to like the flavor of these much better. I quite frequently use these as a first, subtle and gentle therapeutic for behavioral issues.

Reiki is another subtle technique that can be used on pets as well as humans to help ease stress, tension, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive thoughts or behaviors, deep--seated emotional trauma and more.

For severe dog aggression, separation anxiety, noise phobias, and feather-picking, acupuncture, herbs, and shamanic practices are highly beneficial, with often startling effectiveness.  Patience and an open mind are required.  Shamanic practices heal on the spiritual level of our energetic bodies, and patients I’ve worked with in this manner are often pleased at the dramatic results.  Many times we do shamanic healing on the pet along with their guardian, as our animals often are carrying part of our baggage for us.

            Pain, stiffness in the joints or back, itchy skin, ear or bladder infections, matted fur, thyroid disorders and other medical issues can also contribute to grumpy or disruptive behaviors.  So as with all medicine, all layers of the physical and energetic bodies should be evaluated.  A thorough physical exam, blood work, and an energetic assessment need to be included in a behavior evaluation.

            (see Behavioral issues in pets— behavior modification and pharmaceuticals)

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            Aggression, inappropriate urination, hyperactivity, separation anxiety, sibling rivalry, feather picking in birds or excessive grooming or lick granulomas in dogs and cats are all issues that can be helped through acupuncture, herbal therapies, and other novel holistic approaches.  These are often multi-tiered issues, and require patience on the part of the pet guardian and all members in the family to stay open-minded and understand how each member’s behavior affects that of the animal.  It is also imperative to understand normal dog and cat behavior, so we can work with what comes naturally to them to make adjustments more easily.

Behavior modification usually means modifying the human behavior just as much as that of the pet.  Understanding the human-animal bond and the dynamics that interplay are quite individual, and are easily altered by stress in the house from the people or the animals.  When we bring more awareness to our actions and moods, we also help our animals.  Taking up qi gong meditation or yoga can greatly benefit not only ourselves but also the pets who live with us.

            For example, dog rivalry requires that all humans in the house acknowledge the pecking order, and constantly reinforce it through giving more attention and treats to the head dog.  Of course the humans in the house are really the “alphas” and then there is the pecking order amongst the dogs.  Don’t be tempted to try to coddle the lower dogs in the pecking order, as that can confuse the natural order and lead to more fighting amongst the dogs to reestablish the structure.

            Kitties spitting at each other, or worse—spraying or urinating in the house requires a multi-pronged approach.  Inter-kitty spats are best left up to them to work out on their own.  The more we humans try to intervene out of concern can delay the cats working out their issues on their own. 

            Psychoactive drugs such as prozac/reconcile, buspar, xanax, clomipramine, or amitryptyline can be helpful for some cats or dogs, but can have side effects or not be effective at all.  All these medications stress the importance of behavior modification, so “pill-popping” in and of itself is not an answer, and can sometimes make the animals feel out of sorts, potentially aggravating the behavioral issues.

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            Urinary incontinence is quite common in female dogs.  Often dilute puddles are found on the dog bed after they sleep on it.  Usually deep relaxation can make the urethral sphincter loosen and let urine escape from the bladder. Theories as to why this happens mostly in females suppose it could be from hormonal disruption from early ovariohysterectomy (spaying).  For this reason, modern pharmaceutical treatments include types of hormones, steroids and phenylpropanolamine (PPA). 

For many dogs, these drugs can be helpful.  However, they can have adverse effects, or may not fix the leak at all.  PPA was actually taken off the market for humans, so it is unclear how it is still safe for animals.  It appears safe, acting by tightening the urinary sphincter, but then again, “No information was located on the pharmacokinetics of this agent in veterinary species.” (Veterinary Drug Handbook, Third Edition by Plumb—the gold standard for pharmaceutical dosing and actions and adverse effects)

Other treatment options include acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas that tonify, or assist, the overall vigor of the animal.  In this tradition of medicine, the kidneys are said to store all the prenatal jing, or essence that a person or animal is born with.  The kidneys are associated with the reproductive organs, or gonads, and so according to this system of medicine spaying can also contribute to reducing kidney strength.  Because the benefits of spaying far exceed the potential problems, it is still recommended to spay your female dog.  However, if they are experiencing urinary incontinence, there are very effective, non-pharmaceutical solutions. 

One of my patients went twelve months after one acupuncture treatment (and no other herbs or medications) without a single dribble.  The second time we treated her, she went five months!  Still pretty good odds, wouldn’t you say?  She is not unusual.  Classical veterinary acupuncture points taught only by the most esteemed teachers are extremely effective on most dogs.  Some patients will need ongoing treatments, or herbs.  Some patients do well on herbs alone.  The benefit of treating incontinence with acupuncture is that the side effects are pain relief, decreased anxiety, enhanced mobility and immune function.  In my opinion, those are side effects that I condone.

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            Asthma is a common and distressing wheezing condition in cats, similar to what is experienced in asthmatic people.  Irritation in the lungs or the windpipes or air sacs in the lungs can cause spasms that create open-mouthed breathing—a rare occurrence in healthy cats—or wheezing, sometimes with a sound resembling a cough or hairball hack. 

Modern approaches to treating feline asthma include steroids, bronchodilators, and nebulization.  While helpful, these drugs have potential serious side effects.  Steroids such as prednisone can cause obesity through increasing hunger and thirst, can decrease the immune system and make opportunistic infections easier to catch.  Steroids can also predispose a cat to developing diabetes, tend to weaken muscle strength over long term use, and cause liver enzymes to become elevated.  Bronchodilators have a narrow safe dosing range, and can have side effects such as agitation, heart issues, and digestive woes.  Nebulizers can be irritating to cats to force upon them, which can be distressing and counter-productive.

According to traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) asthma involves the lungs and the kidneys, which alternately expel and grasp the qi energy and oxygen in the air.  Traditional herbal formulas and special acupuncture points for asthma balance and strengthen the lungs and/or the kidneys, depending on which is out of balance.  There are also ways of decreasing allergies that can contribute to the asthma through TCVM treatments.  Believe it or not, cats actually like these herbal formulas, and most really do enjoy their acupuncture treatments.  Generally with this condition I have found that herbs and acupuncture only need to be used for a relatively short duration—certainly not daily for the rest of their lives.

Anyone who has ever watched a person or a cat have an asthma attack realizes how stressful it can be.  Although modern pharmaceuticals can provide relief, many times patients are put on these drugs “for life” and then address resulting diabetes or obesity, etc, through additional pharmaceuticals or prescription foods.  Gasping, open-mouthed breathing crises are best dealt with at an emergency room with oxygen therapy.  However, when the crisis is done, and your kitty is sentenced to a life of taking daily meds, or if they are not tolerating the drugs they or on, OR if they are developing new conditions which could be secondary effects of their prescriptions, think about trying a different approach.  With TCVM and holistic veterinary medicine, you have options that can be tailored to your cat.  Even the most finicky of felines agree that options are good to be had!

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Orthomolecular medicine involves finding the “right molecule” and includes nutritional supplementation that enhances metabolic and structural function of the body.  Nutrition is considered a “holistic therapy” because little emphasis is placed on this topic during medical and veterinary training.  Our diet provides the basic building blocks for our entire anatomy and physiology.  Zoopharmacognasy is a personal interest of mine, which involves learning plants and herbs selectively eaten by animals in the wild as medicine.

                 Prolotherapy is a little-known technique that injects gentle liquids in the tendons and ligaments of unstable joints to cause proliferation of these tissues.  This stabilizes and strengthens joints such as the shoulder, hock, knee, etc.  Cruciate ligament tears, rotator cuff injuries, luxating patellas, hip dysplasia, and back problems can be addressed this way.  Acupuncture achieves similar results, but does not require the pet to be sedated.

                 Aromatherapy uses concentrated extracts of fragrant chemicals from flowers and resins.  These have tremendously powerful effects physiologically.  Usually inhaled, aromatherapy oils act on the limbic system, or the “oldest” part of the brain.  They are very different from perfume oils and flower essences.  Used topically, they must be processed by the liver and other detox organs, so care is essential.  Generally, hydrosols, or the liquid component left over after the first press of oil is gathered, are considered much safer in cats than essential oils, since cats do not have the same detox pathways in the liver.  I have seen multiple toxic reactions when oils were not used appropriately on cats.  Even used in diffusers, make sure that animals are able to get away from the smell if it is too strong for them. 

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Reiki is a passive, gentle and profound style of energy healing that originated in Japan.  Symbols are used to access universal healing energy that is conducted to the patient.  This can be combined with massage, done with or without touch, and can also be done distantly.  Most animals love reiki, and reiki energy often flows spontaneously from my hands when I am petting or examining a pet.

            Qi gong tui na is a style of Chinese energy medicine which can be combined with massage.  Qi gong itself is a gentle form of moving meditation that combines breath work with intentional body movements to cultivate universal energy.  This is circulated around the body to improve blood flow, immune health, clarity of mind, and serenity.  Animals LOVE being around folks who are practicing qi gong.  Otherwise, the qi gong can be applied to the animal much like acupressure or tui na (massage) or reiki.

            Flower essences are a vibrational remedy, meaning that they are not dependent on a quantity of chemical from the plant, but rather on the higher energetic blueprint of the plant’s wisdom, for the therapeutic properties.  They are gentle and often more profound than one would imagine.  I have cat patients who selectively drink from the dish of water that contains the flower essences they need.  Flower essences have very little smell or taste.  These are very different from aromatherapy products that have a strong fragrance and are almost never meant to be ingested.

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