Our Services
Botanical Therapy
Botanical medicines (Chinese and Western herbs and formulas) can be used effectively on their own or in combination with acupuncture and/or pharmaceuticals. All of the possible herb-herb and drug-herb interactions must be taken into consideration. Botanical medicine should only be employed under the instruction and supervision of an appropriately trained veterinarian.
Nutritional Therapy
Let food be your pet’s medicine! Besides the common adage “we are what we eat”, traditional medicine systems view food as a daily replenishing of vital substances and Qi. The appropriate foods for an individual pet will energize and harmonize; the wrong diet can not only deplete but cause continuing imbalance and disruption in bodily system functions. By adding or eliminating certain foods in a pet’s diet, the body can be supported and healing achieved.
Diagnostic Testing
We have in-hospital diagnostic lab testing available for speedy same-day results on CBC blood cell analysis, blood chemistry, urinalysis, and cytology. We use both local reference lab Idexx and specialty labs such as VDI and Hemopet for more complex testing such as Vitamin, Mineral and Thyroid profiles.
Coming soon: low-cost Vaccine Titre Clinics will be held for both existing patients and those on our waiting list!
Regenerative Medicine
Using the animal’s own mesenchymal stem cells to treat the degeneration and inflammation of osteoarthritic joints and injured tendons may seem like a science fiction story! However, it is a scientifically validated intervention that is now undergoing clinical trials for people after more than 17,000 treatments in 30 different species of animal.
Acupuncture
According to traditional Chinese thought the health of the body is dependent on the strength and the flow of Qi (Vital Energy). Qi moves throughout the body via a system of channels (also called meridians) which flow on the surface of the body and also deep within the body connecting all organs and tissues in a vast network.
Disease can arise when there is an imbalance or disruption in the flow of Qi through these channels. Certain areas along the channels (acupuncture points) provide access to the Qi and allow a trained acupuncturist and Tui-na practitioner to affect the flow and quality of Qi in the body. Modern research has shown that these specific points have a higher density of nerve endings, immune cells, small arterioles, and lymphatic vessels than the surrounding tissue.
Acupuncture stimulation is now known to be mediated primarily via beta-endorphins (the body’s own pain-relief factor), serotonin (associated with mood), and similar neurotransmitters. Other mechanisms including hormonal factors that reduce inflammation are also involved. The stimulation adjusts blood circulation, relieves muscle spasms, and alters hormone levels and the function of organs.
Tui Na Bodywork
Tui-na is a form of massage that has been used in China for 2,000 years. It uses therapeutic manipulations to affect not only the muscles and joints, but also the flow of Qi in the body.
Because of its focus on the stimulation of specific acupoints along the body’s energy channels, some consider it a form of needle-free acupuncture. Other bodywork such as osteopathy and gentle manipulations may be used as well.
Integrative Cancer Care
Cancer is a big word. When we hear it, we have big emotions: fear, guilt, anger. In the words of one of my mentors and teachers, veterinary oncologist Dr.Erin Bannink, “…Cancer, like any other disease, is a call to action. It is an opportunity to shift our thinking. An opportunity to redefine our priorities. An opportunity to ask questions about life and death and the importance of the human-animal bond. An opportunity to grow and evolve our approach to living. An opportunity to become more present and to cherish the precious moments we are given. An opportunity to learn how to love better, to care more deeply, and to understand that kindness is what really matters in the end.”
Let us guide you through the decision-making process on what interventions align with your personal philosophy, and work together with you and with a veterinary oncologist or surgeon for any specialist interventions desired. Coming soon: infusion therapies that are as comfortable as having a snuggle with your pet on the sofa for a few hours in our quiet Living Room.
Hospice Care
Hospice is a system which provides compassionate care to patients near the end of their lives and supports their guardians through the bereavement process.
Hospice is built on the nursing model of care, in contrast to the medical model. Hospice is not about heroic medical interventions that prevent quality of life in a pointless attempt to prolong it. It focuses on pain and symptom management, as well as supportive medical care, with the goal of providing comfort (as opposed to cure). The patient’s condition may continue to be treated, but heroic measures causing significant loss of quality of life are avoided.
This model includes comprehensive nursing care as well as psychosocial and spiritual care for the patient and guardians.
Preventive Care
Our full spectrum of preventive care includes early detection blood testing, vaccine titre testing, wellness nutritional counselling and whole-foods diet formulation.
Preventive care services extend throughout the pet’s life to include puppy and kitten behavioural counselling, individualised desexing schedule, evidence-informed lifestyle risk-based vaccination plans, optimal exercise and weight management plans, wellness seasonal acupuncture.
Surgery
Elective soft tissue surgeries such as desexing (spay and neuter), lump removal, and bladder stone removal are all day procedures with no overnight hospitalisation required.
Pre-emptive integrative pain management protocols combined with photobiomodulation scar therapy for every patient help make surgical recovery comfortable and low-stress.
Dentistry
Coming soon! Check back for more information on our dentistry services for cats and dogs coming soon.