Integrative Medicine
Integrative veterinary medicine is a comprehensive medical approach to pet care that combines the best of conventional medicine and complementary and alternative therapies. This type of veterinary practice focuses on treating the whole animal, partnership between the client and the veterinarian, and use of all appropriate therapeutic options to achieve optimal wellness for your pet.
Meet our integrative veterinarian Lisa J. Donato, DVM, CVA, FAAVA, CVT, CVH, CAC
We understand what your pet means to your family and we will always strive to provide the best possible care.
Integrative Medicine Services Offered at Gold Coast Center for Veterinary Care:
- Veterinary Acupuncture
- Chinese Herbal Medicine
- Veterinary Tui Na (Chinese medical massage)
- Homotoxicology / Homeopathy
- Animal Chiropractic
- Western Herbal Medicine
- Nutritional Supplements
Veterinary 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. Veterinary 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. Acupuncture will not cure every condition, but it can work very well when it is indicated.
Chinese Herbal Medicine:
Herbal Therapy is the use of plants or plant derivatives found in nature and has been used to successfully treat animals in China for at least 5,000 years. Most of us are familiar with the benefits or reputation of some herbs. For example, Chamomile in tea is calming, and eucalyptus helps a stuffy human nose. These are just some of the thousands of herbal treatments that have been passed down from the ancient healers.
Herbs can be used alone or combined with other holistic or traditional therapies. Often herbal and conventional prescriptions will be used together. In general, herbal prescriptions must be given for longer periods of time than pharmaceutical drugs. The benefit of the herbs is to gradually return the body to a state of balance and health. Herbal medications come in a variety of formulations: pills, liquids, tablets, or granular form. The formulation used depends upon the species of animal and the condition being treated.
Using whole plants or their extracts may produce improved outcomes and fewer side effects than from some pharmaceutical products. Herbal therapies have been developed for the management of almost all conditions, including epilepsy, chronic kidney disease, chronic lameness, hormonal disorders, behavioral disorders, allergic skin disease, cancer, liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Other herbs may simply support the normal function of healthy organs by acting as “tonics”.
Nutritional Supplements:
High quality and well-balanced nutrition is the foundation for general well-being. Nutrition supplements may be used as prevention or treatment. There is no “one size fits all” diet, and your holistic veterinarian will work with you to determine the diet that is the best fit for your pet.