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Holistic medicine and integrative therapy
Our hospital offers a wide variety of integrative treatments!
Here at Happy Tails, we understand that not every type of treatment or medicine is right for every pet. Over the years we have seen many patients who can be resistant to traditional therapies such as complicated surgeries or pharmaceuticals due to other underlying conditions.
Our team of doctors is dedicated to and educted in providing a wide variety of alternative medicines and therapies with a holistic approach such as Cold Laser Therapy, Chinese medicine, herbal msupplements, and nutrition counseling. We try our best to incorporate a holistic approach to all of our patient visits, we have seen the combination of "traditional" Western medicine and holistic and Eastern medicine to great success!
On this page, you will get detailed explanations of our integrative and holistic veterinary practices with supplemental information from other trusted sources for more information. Our doctors have done tons of research and worked for years to provide the best integrated care for all of our patients.
Therapy Laser - Light That Heals
Veterinary Laser Therapy is a non-invasive, safe and proven treatment available to Happy Tails’ patients. It is used in conjunction with or in place of medication to promote cell growth and tissue repair, and to reduce pain and inflammation. Most pets find the 15 to 30 minute treatment sessions relaxing and pleasant. It is administered by a practitioner who slowly moves a handheld laser wand back and forth over the damaged tissue, producing a warm sensation.
Happy Tail’s laser machine uses infrared wavelengths which penetrate deep tissue and reduce inflammation on the contact site. These waves block pain transmission while stimulating natural analgesics such as endorphins, enkephalins and opioids which are produced by the brain and adrenal gland. Laser treatment improves vascular activity and metabolic output of enzymes, oxygen, and nutrients which in turn nurture the formation of new capillaries, boost wound closure, and reduce fibrous scar tissue.
Patients who have had damaged nerves, numbness and impaired limbs find that photons of the laser light speed the process of axonal regeneration, nerve cell re-connection, and muscle potential. Laser Therapy that stimulates muscle trigger points and acupuncture points is effective for patients with musculoskeletal pain.
We are pleased to report the success of therapeutic lasers used every single day at our hospital. We have seen amazing results for patients with chronic arthritis, surgical incisions, tendon, ligament damage and other traumatic injuries. This alternative modality is particularly useful for pets with limited medical treatment options - such as those with liver disease, cats and dogs whose medication options are both limited and challenging to administer, exotic pets and older pets with limited function.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Within TCVM, illness is seen as a disharmony between a pet and their environment, and it seeks to restore that harmony for health. For Chinese Herbal Therapy, "each herb has a different effect on the body, and can fall under a number of classifications such as warming, cooling, sour, or bitter, and can affect a variety of organs, including the liver, lungs, or heart. TCVM utilizes herbal formulas that are a combination of single-herb ingredients to treat a specific pattern of disease." - Chi University, 2022.
Happy Tails has used a very wide variety of Western Herbal Medicine and Chinese Herbal Medicine for several years ongoing, and we have seen tremendous results with these alternative medicines. From cardiac support herbs that help to strengthen a weak heart, all the way to combining joint support herbs with acupuncture for increased mobility, many parts of the body can be aided with what we offer. We strongly believe that there is a place for holistic veterinary care in all aspects of a pet's life!
Acupuncture
Acupuncture may be defined as the insertion of needles into specific points on
the body to produce a healing response. Each acupuncture point has specific
actions when stimulated. This technique has been used in veterinary practice
in China for thousands of years to treat many ailments. The Chinese also use
acupuncture as preventative medicine.
Acupuncture is used all around the world, either along or in conjunction with
Western medicine, to treat a wide variety of conditions in every species of
animal. Clinical research has been conducted showing positive results in the
treatment of both animals and humans, and the use of acupuncture is
increasing. Acupuncture will not cure every condition, but it can work very well
when it is indicated.
Although acupuncture has its roots in ancient times before modern scientific
methods were available with which to study it, many important studies have
been done to indicate how acupuncture works and what physiologic
mechanisms are involved in its actions.
Using functional MRI (fMRI), to examine 15 different points, the basic tenets
of acupuncture have been proven. Those are that acupuncture is based upon
the point selected, the method of stimulation, and the duration of stimulation.
Stimulation of these points result in specific changes in the central nervous
system. It was shown that acupuncture points that have pain relieving
properties associated with them tend to activate specific pain-association
brainstem regions. The National Institute of Health developed a consensus
statement about acupuncture and its efficacy. NIH said that there was
compelling evidence that acupuncture was useful in the management of
osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal pain.
In western medical terms, acupuncture can assist the body to heal itself by
affecting certain physiological changes. For example, acupuncture can
stimulate nerves, increase blood circulation, relieve muscle spasm, and cause
the release of hormones, such as endorphins (one of the body’s pain control
chemicals) and cortisol (a natural steroid). Although many of acupuncture’s
physiological effects have been studied, many more are still unknown. Further
research must be conducted to discover all of acupuncture’s effects and its
proper uses in veterinary medicine.
Nutrition Counseling
Proper nutrition is the single most controllable and most influential factor in ensuring your pet enjoys a long and healthy life. Unfortunately, as with human diets, we live in a world that contains rumors, partial truths, and misinformation related to what your pets should or should not eat. Also as with humans, the same diet does not suit all of our creature buddies.
Happy Tails' professionals base nutrition recommendations for your pet upon science and clinical experiences with thousands of animals. Our veterinarians and nurses assess your pets’ needs based upon breed, weight, age, activity, and current health conditions to select the diet, portions, feeding schedule, snack and dental health recommendations. This establishes a sound dietary base. From there, your regular vet care visits are an opportunity to evaluate and modify these prescriptions to accommodate changing needs, and mend any deficiencies early.
For your convenience, we partner with trusted companies such as Royal Canin, Purina, and Hills to provide a wide variety of nutritious foods and healthy snacks in-house for any species, any diet - including those formulated for special needs pets. However, we believe that home cooking is one of the best ways to feed your pets. We will provide a home cooked diet and recipe list for your pets based upon their health needs.