Integrated Medicine at Loving Touch Animal Center

While Loving Touch Animal Center specializes in holistic and alternative veterinary medicine, we use an integrative approach towards treating our patients.  Integrative medicine is a blend of Western and Eastern philosophy- incorporating the best of both, and then tailoring an approach based on the needs of the individual patient.

 Although the largest part of the medicine we practice at Loving Touch is Eastern in origin (i.e.- Acupuncture, homeopathy, Chinese herbs, Bach flower, etc.), there are many times when we stand fast by Western medicine- including pain management, vaccinations and pre-surgical blood work. 

 Pain Management

Countless studies have been published which confirm that although dogs and cats may not exhibit pain in the same way humans do, they indeed feel and suffer from pain.  Furthermore, these studies show that pain adversely suppresses the body’s immune system, resulting in prolonged pain and healing times.  Great advancements have been made in the last several years in pain management.  Not only have more effective, less addictive pharmaceuticals been introduced, but acupuncture and physical rehabilitation have been recognized as effective means to manage pain

One very effective means of pain management is the use of pre-surgical pharmaceuticals.  By using pain-controlling drugs prior to surgery, pain impulses resulting from surgery are blocked from reaching the central nervous system.  Without pre-surgical drugs, these unimpeded pain impulses are received and processed by the central nervous system, resulting in a cascade of pain responses.  It is more difficult to rein in these responses and the resultant pain once they have started than to prevent them in the first place.  This is why if you (as a human) go in for almost any type of surgery your doctor will likely administer a pain controlling drug before your anesthesia is initiated, or will provide you with a prescription for a pain controlling drug with instructions to begin taking it prior to the surgery.  Pain management should be maintained for a few days beyond the surgery to encourage rapid healing responses and return to mobility.

 We also use pain management where needed for patients suffering from acute conditions such as spinal cord trauma or sports related injuries, again, to prevent immune system suppression and encourage healing.  Pain management is also used for chronic conditions such as hip dysplasia, to provide the patient with increased mobility and quality of life.  In either case and depending on the individual patient, we may use integrated approaches for pain control including acupuncture, Chinese herbs, nutraceuticals, physical therapy and pain controlling drugs.

 Pain management in veterinary medicine is not only humane, but scientifically beneficial to the patient.  As custodians of the health of our patients, it is our responsibility to provide them with appropriate pain management when needed.  Pain management is good veterinary medicine! 

 Vaccinations

It has long been believed by experts in the various fields of animal medicine that the health of our companion animals has been compromised by over-vaccination.  The problem is seen as two-fold.  First is that many vaccinations are packaged as “polyvalent” meaning that several disease antigens are included in one shot (i.e.- the canine DHLPPC vaccine containing antigens to six diseases).  The second problem is the frequency that vaccinations are historically given; repeatedly challenging the animal’s immune system.  Adverse vaccine-induced responses can occur within minutes, or up to weeks later in the case of a delayed immune response.  The problems can include localized swelling, fever, respiratory collapse, seizure, nervous system disorders, kidney and liver disorder or failure, and in cats, even cancer (fibrosarcoma).

 To address these concerns the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Academy of Feline Medicine collaborated to establish guidelines for the vaccination of healthy cats and kittens.  Likewise, the American Animal Hospital Association appointed a task force to design vaccination guidelines for healthy canines.  In both the dog and cat guidelines, vaccines are categorized as Core or Non-Core.  Core vaccines are those that protect from diseases that are endemic to a region, those with potential public health significance, required by law (such as Rabies), virulent/highly infectious, and/or those posing a risk of severe disease.  Non-core are those vaccines which do not fall under the description of Core diseases, and therefore pose no significant health threat to animals or people.

 The guidelines significantly reduce the type and number of vaccinations that have historically been administered to companion animals; but perhaps of greater significance is that following administration of Core vaccines at one year of age, follow-up administration of these same vaccines is suggested once every three years rather than yearly for most healthy pets.  In 2006 the guidelines were updated to include separate vaccine recommendations for shelter animals.

 With the exception of Rabies, these guidelines are just that- guidelines.  They are to be modified as needed based on the health, risk factors (such as traveling or hunting) and lifestyle (i.e.- house dog vs. farm dog) of the individual animal.  The vaccine protocols used at Loving Touch are based on the AAFP/AFM and AAHA guidelines, adjusted to the needs of the patient.  To further mediate the risk of vaccine-related reactions in our patients, Loving Touch routinely administers one of two homeopathics orally, immediately following vaccination. 

 As an alternative to our vaccination protocols, laboratory titer testing can be used to determine disease immunity in Loving Touch patients.  With positive titer results, upcoming vaccinations (except for Rabies) may be able to be postponed even beyond the recommended three year intervals.

 Nosodes are the homeopathic answer to vaccines.  While we routinely use homeopathics at Loving Touch, we do not endorse the use of nosodes in lieu of vaccinations- especially for “Core” diseases as there are no well-controlled studies which have proven nosode efficacy, nor have we empirical evidence to their efficacy. 

 Pre-surgical Blood Work

 If you as a human patient, were to go into the hospital for any type of surgery during which you would be under anesthesia, you would routinely have blood work performed (usually the day prior to the surgery).  The purpose of this testing is to improve your chances of surviving the anesthetic event.

 Your companion animal deserves no less chance of a successful surgery!  That is why we strongly believe in pre-surgical blood testing- particularly in its ability to illuminate underlying issues that have yet to outwardly manifest themselves.  This can include abnormal liver or kidney function, infection or decrease in immune function; any of which can seriously compromise your pet’s ability to successfully undergo a surgical procedure.  With such results in hand, your pet’s surgery may be postponed until the issue of concern can be resolved.

 This same testing, when used routinely in older animals, can flag problems with organ and immune function- often times before them become outwardly apparent, allowing us to treat the issue sooner.  This can result in your pet leading a longer, higher quality life.

 East Meets West

 At Loving Touch the best of East and West comes together to give your pet the most comprehensive, holistic care possible.  For over twenty years we have shared our passion for integrated veterinary medicine with our patients, and continually strive to learn and enlarge the compass of our practice to better serve their needs.