Herbal & Chinese Veterinary Medicine
While relatively new in the United States, herbal and Chinese veterinary medicine has been used to successfully treat animals in China for at least 5,000 years. The theory behind traditional Chinese veterinary medicine is based upon the flow of energy within the animal. Illness results when this flow stagnates, is disrupted, or ceases to be in balance. Symptoms associated with illness are the result of the body attempting to restore the balance of energy within it.
Treatment using the principles of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine involves restoring the energy balance within the animal, and a variety of treatment options are available to the veterinarian depending upon the description of the imbalance. These options include:
- Herbal medicine—Another common treatment option. Traditional Chinese veterinary medicine uses mixtures of compounds from plants, animals, and other substances found in nature.
- Food therapy—Involves the feeding of special foods to your pet based upon Chinese veterinary medical diagnosis.
One of our veterinarians, Dr. Erica Hawker, has a doctorate in veterinary medicine and has been trained and certified in both traditional Chinese veterinary and herbal medicine for animals.