Our staff is doing an absolutely great job preparing our integrated pet foods. We are now preparing and shipping about 300 pounds of food a day. We ship directly to customers all over the USA.

We have had some nice videos on Youtube and other websites for some time. Recently, our production company finished another video about Pet-Tao and our Preferred Partner Program. Please check it out right here!:

Thank you for watching!

According to Webster’s dictionary, integrate means to form into a unified whole. In terms of veterinary medicine, integrate means to combine or unify two different types of medicine into one medical practice. The most common types unified are those of Western medicine with Eastern medicine. Western medicine is the type most thought of when considering your own personal health care. In basic terms, Western medicine arrives at a diagnosis by employing advanced technology such as radiographs, MRI, and Blood Chemistry analysis. After diagnosis, either surgery, pharmaceutical drugs or both are often used in treatment. Treatment often extends to the cellular level to induce the desired effect. On the other hand, Eastern medicine relies on a more holistic approach to arrive at a diagnosis. The diagnosis in Eastern medicine is vastly different because the Eastern practitioner tries to identify the pattern of disease. To discern the pattern, the Eastern practitioner may ask about the pet’s diet, emotional state, or behavior habits. Also, during the exam the Eastern practitioner will evaluate the pet’s pulse character and quality and the tongue for color and coating characteristics. The pulse and tongue aid in identifying the pattern of disease. After a pattern is identified, the Eastern practitioner uses acupuncture, herbals, and/or food in the treatment protocol. Sometimes all three of these modalities may be used in the treatment protocol.

The following is an example of how an integrated approach may be helpful:

Daisy is an eleven year-old female spayed Chocolate Lab. She is coming to the veterinarian today because she has trouble jumping onto the couch. The owner also reports that she cannot walk up and down the stairs like she once could. Her eating habits have also changed. Otherwise, Daisy is happy, playful, and energetic. On the Western exam, Daisy is painful over her back and her right stifle is slightly swollen but not painful on manipulation. Radiographs (xrays) reveal bony proliferation and arthritis in the spine. Blood Chemistry shows a mild increase in the liver enzymes. The Western diagnosis is spinal arthritis with age related liver enzyme elevation. The Eastern exam reveals deficient femoral pulses and a red, dry tongue. Daisy also continually pants while in the exam room. The Eastern diagnosis is kidney yin deficiency.

Concerning the spinal arthritis, what are the treatment options in Western medicine? The most logical choice is some type of anti-inflammatory. However, anti-inflammatories can sometimes elevate the liver enzymes and Daisy already has high liver enzymes. The other choice is some type of joint fluid precursor like Adequan. Adequan is a good choice, as it has minimal to no side effects in an older animal.

Concerning the Eastern diagnosis of kidney yin deficiency, my options for treatment include acupuncture, herbals, and/or food therapy. My choices are acupuncture and food therapy. The acupuncture points chosen release heat and provide immediate pain relief. Two acupuncture sessions are recommended two to three weeks apart. Also, as part of the second acupuncture treatment , Adequan is injected into the heat-releasing acupoints for a longer, more profound effect. As far as food is concerned, I recommend foods that have cooling energetic properties. Remember Daisy is showing heat signs as evidenced by her continual panting and dry, red tongue. Recommended cooling foods include turkey breast meat, celery, fish, tofu, cucumber, and barley. The question of the day: Why is Daisy showing heat signs? This is a tough question to answer! The most logical reason is due to her diet. Her whole life she has eaten a warming diet consisting of dry dog food loaded with carbohydrates, preservatives, and additives. All of these contribute heat to the body and ultimately cause disease from an Eastern perspective (see http://www.pettao.com).

We have now devised an Integrated treatment plan using the strengths of both medical systems. The beauty of this type of practice is that we can virtually eliminate the risk of pharmaceutical side effects, control Daisy’s pain, and improve her quality of life.

Daisy walking down the stairs after treatment!

Jamie Cox and Eva Evans- two aspiring veterinarians!!

It is always a joy to have some sort of impact on other people. For the past two weeks, I have enjoyed entertaining two veterinary students in my practice. These students have trained, studied, and observed how I do things in practice. Even though they may not agree with the way I do everything, this experience lets them see different ways of practicing so that they can develop their own practice philosophy and habits.  We have seen the following cases: lung tumor in an older cat, routine spays and neuters, lameness workup in a horse, abscess cheek tooth in a dog, and a colicy horse. All these cases are interesting and give these two aspiring veterinarians good practice in using their newly acquired skills. Good luck guys, I know you will do well!!!!

Jazz was very cooperative during the treatment. We're all hoping he will make a full recovery

Today was another rough day at the office. It has been an overcast, rainy Monday, and Mondays are often challenging here at the clinic.

I saw a few cases that will turn out okay, but I also saw some that are very serious and probably will not.

One case in particular that i am concerned about involves a 4 year old Tennessee Walking Horse gelding named Jazz that got his leg hung in barbed wire. The wound was deep and to the bone of the distal hind limb.  Enclosed are some pictures of the wound. It is apparent from these pictures just how involved the treatment protocol and recovery period will be. Hopefully, without complications, Jazz will recover uneventfully and resume his career as a pleasure horse. Please keep Jazz in your thoughts and prayers.

Another view of the treatment

For over ten years, I have been a practicing large and small animal Veterinarian here in middle Tennessee. I and my staff of 3 full-time animal science professionals treat and serve pets and animals in our full-service clinic in Franklin, TN.

I also do home calls to serve clients’ needs, especially to treat and service horses and other farm animals. To better serve our clients, for several years now we have offered a full range of Eastern veterinary medicine options, including acupuncture, herbal therapy and food therapy.

Related to my practice, my friend and colleague Dr. Casey Damron and I have developed and created Pet-Tao Pet Foods, which now offers a full range of dog foods designed to help pets lead healthier, longer lives. Our desire is to offer the most healthful pet foods available today. We plan to offer cat food in the very near future (we are working on it right now, making sure we have the best formula possible!)

We offer the full range of veterinary services. We primarily work on dogs, cats and horses; we also work on sheep, goats, llamas, pigs, cows and many other animals.

Here at my practice, our desire is to help our clients’ pets lead healthy, rich, long lives, thereby strengthening the human-animal bond. Please contact us today 615-790-8100, and please visit our website at www.natcheztracevet.com!