Since I integrate Western veterinary medicine and Eastern veterinary medicine into my practice, many clients and friends have asked about how and where I studied Eastern Veterinary Medicine. So I’ll explain it here. And I’ll pass on links to websites that explain more about what and where I have studied.
I began to learn about Eastern Veterinary Medicine back in the late 90s and on from classmates and veterinary colleague. During this time, patients began asking me about it as well, and I felt like I really needed to begin studying it.
So, for the last two years, I have been privileged to study Eastern Veterinary Medicine at The Chi Institute in Reddick, Florida. Eastern veterinary medicine is also called Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). Eastern Veterinary Medicine is holistic and emphasizes the five branches of TCVM, which include food therapy, herbal therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic/massage (also called Tui-na) and Qi-gong.
The Chi Institute is widely considered the leading Continuing Education provider of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine study and training. Veterinarians and animal science workers from all over the world attend school there. Most of the teachers at Chi are related in some form or fashion to the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, which is also a top school. Here is a link to The Chi Institute: www.tcvm.com.
The Chief Instructor at The Chi Institute is Dr. Shen Huisheng Xie (his last name is pronounced “Shay”). Dr. Xie, from China, is an excellent teacher and veterinarian and is greatly respected around the world as one of the foremost Eastern Veterinary Medicine and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine practitioners.
I and my fellow classmates at The Chi Institute have been fortunate to learn and study TCVM and its powerful, proven animal care theories and disciplines. My training in Eastern medicine has greatly enhanced my ability to diagnose, treat and provide optimal care for my patients, and my fellow classmates have said the same thing about their practices.
You can learn more about TCVM on The Chi Institute website as well as on the web. A good place to learn more is on the TCVm wikipedia page here:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_Chinese_Veterinary_Medicine
I was trained in veterinary school at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Science in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was a great experience, one that changed my life for sure. I am fortunate to have attended school there, where there are so many gifted and outstanding professors and teachers. Here is a link to the school’s website: vet.utk.edu.
Back to my training in TCVM. My friend and colleague Dr. Casey Damron and I studied at The Chi Institute together. Casey and I knew each other for years because we had both practiced veterinary medicine for large and small animals here in middle Tennessee.
We both learned a tremendous amount at The Chi Institute. It was during our time at Chi that we began to explore the idea of creating an integrated pet food combining Western and Eastern veterinary medicine.
Specifically, the class we took on Food Therapy taught by Dr. Xie was one of the classes that really motivated us to begin the journey of creating what later became Pet-Tao Pet Food.
At some point I will post a more detailed history and background of Pet-Tao. To summarize, we spent two years formulating and developing the Pet-Tao pet food formulas. Pet-Tao is the only all-natural, integrated pet food combining the science of Western nutrition with Eastern Food Therapy principles.
From our facility here in Tennessee, Pet-Tao is being shipped to pet-owners and pets all over the nation. It is available directly or through our nationwide network of veterinarians. One of the primary ways we are offering Pet-Tao is through veterinarians who can become part of our Preferred Partner Program, which we launched last month.
You can learn more about Pet-Tao and order pet food at www.pettao.com.
Well, thank you for reading! I am hoping the best for you and pets!
Tags: accupuncture, pet food, pet tao
One of the most serious problems veterinarians treat is cancer. Many of my patients and friends have asked about it recently- how to avoid it, how to treat it and more.
Veterinarians all across the country see cancer every day. It is estimated that over 50% of dogs over the age of 10 will succumb to the dreaded consequences of cancer.
Research has demonstrated that cancers initially occur due to the animals’ exposure to carcinogens, which promote cancer. Some carcinogens are naturally occurring, but the majority of them are manufactured substances like herbicides, pesticides, preservatives and the like, which are found in many commercial dog foods.
Carcinogens alter the DNA of the cell, resulting in uncontrolled cell growth which ultimately results in a mass-like effect. The initial phase of cancer development is termed initiation or implantation. With a competent immune system, some cancers are halted at this point.
The second stage is called promotion. This occurs when the conditions are favorable for the continued growth of the tumor cells. This stage is very similar to how grass grows on a watered lawn. This is also the time when diet plays such a key role in suppressing tumor growth.
Dogs eating a diet that they were intended to consume can slow the progression of the development of cancer. This is an opinion based on my and my colleagues’ general clinical experience.
The third stage is termed progression. Progression is the point where I see most of my patients or when the owners actually recognize the problem. This is the point when cells are rapidly reproducing, spreading, and causing damage both locally and in other parts of the body.
The role of diet in cancer is well-established. The proper diet can halt the initiation process by supporting the animal’s immune system function. The proper diet can also halt the promotion stage by starving the tumor, similar to not watering a lawn. Unfortunately, the progression phase is difficult to control by diet alone and oftentimes is the time when I first see the sick patient.
Tags: dog cancer, pet cancer, pet health
“Recently there have been some really inspiring stories in the news about dogs- about military service dogs and about the dog in Australia who was found after being lost for nine years. My colleagues, patients and I love to hear these types of stories. We are continually amazed by our canine friends and the wonderful things dogs do to serve people all over the world. Here is the link to the military service dog story:
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/washington/news.aspx?id=79453
And here is the link to the story about Muffy in Australia:
Tags: dog stories, inspring dog stories, military service dogs
It never ceases to amaze me at some of my clients’ interaction and emotional attachment to their animals. I want to tell you a story that epitomizes this relationship. Last week, I was called out to euthanize two pigs for a lady in Nashville. In my typical practice, I might work on a pig one time every three years, generally as a favor for a client with other animals. My experience and knowledge of swine internal medicine is very limited so I dont feel like I can help a whole lot. Today, however , the scenario was much different. One pig named Pearl was a 17 year old female with a variety of internal diseases. Pearl’s owner had definitely gone the extra mile with Pearl in her unwavering care and commitment to this animal. Just two years prior, Pearl was taken to the University of Tennessee vet school for removal of an ovarian tumor. At the same time, Pearl was treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Pearl lived comfortably two more years due to her owners diligent care and commitment. The other swine named Jimmy was 18 years old and suffered from debilitating arthritis. Jimmy was being treated with the drug Adequan. Adequan is a relatively expensive and effective arthritis medicine for horses and dogs.
After the euthanasia, I asked myself: “Why did this lady do so much for these animals?” After pondering this question, I concluded that, for some of us, our relationships with animals sometimes extend and even transcend our normal personal relationships. Animals expect very little from us. With minimal ability to realize, animals do not know the different emotions that are created and developed thru the human-animal relationship. They pretty much act the same way towards the owner as long as everything stays the same. On the flipside, as time goes by, the human emotional attachment grows stronger and stronger. This ever strengthening bond is what triggers the attachment and commitment to the animals well being. It’s pretty rare to see two pigs live to be 17 and 18 years of age. I am fortunate to have clients like this in my practice.
People are enamored with the word holistic. It seems like today people everywhere are concerned with the word holistic as it applies to veterinary medicine and their own personal health-care. They want a holistic labeled pet food. They want supplements labeled holistic. There is even a company marketing a holistic dog bed. Again, the question begs: What is holistic veterinary medicine?
Holistic veterinary medicine is ultimately practiced in both the Western and Eastern worlds, however on distinct and different levels. For example, in the Western world, a dog presenting with clinical signs of food allergy is treated oftentimes with certain foods that are perceived to be hypoallergenic. Food is part of the treatment plan. This could be perceived as somewhat holistic since the practitioner is evaluating and treating more than just the clinical symptom. The practitioner is addressing the root cause of the disease process. As an aside, if a dog has food allergies, generally speaking, they have other allergies as well.
In the Eastern world, holistic veterinary medicine extends to a much deeper level. The Eastern practitioner focuses on other inherent factors that we tend to either ignore or disregard in the Western treatment and diagnostic plan. Factors such as the animals’ constitution, the season of year, the place of birth, nutrition, and the social status are all evaluated in the Eastern diagnostic and therapeutic plan. This approach is true holistic veterinary medicine. A true holistic approach is based predominately on two Eastern medical theories: 1)the Yin-Yang theory and 2) the Five Element theory. These two theories address the animal as a whole entity and take into account all of the different parts that contribute to the whole. The summation of all the parts should ultimately be balance-balance with oneself, balance with the external environment, and balance with other animals. In Eastern medicine, balance is synonymous with health.
Commonplace today in commercial and raw diet pet food marketing is grain-free or no-grain diet. What do these terms actually mean and how do they apply to feeding the pets of today? Good question!
First, I am going to comment on what grains are: Grains are plants, specifically grasses, grown and cultivated for the edible component of the plant. The edible component is called the fruit and consists of three parts: 1) the bran 2) the germ and 3) the endosperm. Examples of commonly cultivated grains include soybeans, barley, oats, and wheat. After grains are harvested, they are either kept in their natural state as whole grains or refined by removing the germ and the bran component. Whole grains are healthful and packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Refined grains are devoid of vitamins and minerals and loaded with carbohydrates.
Since we now know what grains are and what happens to them after harvest, we can better answer the question, “Why are people marketing the no-grain theory?” The no-grain marketing scheme highlights two controversial dog-related issues. 1) The belief that dogs are carnivores and should only eat meat, no grain, and 2) That all grains whether refined or not are unhealthy for dogs to eat. Concerning the first issue, I agree dogs are carnivores, not omnivores. Claiming a dog is an omnivore is irrelevant to the fact that a dog can survive on an omnivorous diet . Yes, a dog can survive on a mixture of different food products and do quite well. However, dogs have evolved as meat eaters and clinically, at least in my practice, the dogs on a primarily meat based diet appear healthier with less disease than their counterparts consuming a more omnivorous diet. Remember, by definition, a carnivore is an animal that primarily consumes the flesh of another mammal not necessarily always. Dogs, however, are not obligate carnivores as some claim. Cats are obligate carnivores as evidenced by science and their particular requirement for taurine in the diet.
Concerning the second issue, in the past and even today, refined grains have been an integral component of most dry commercial based pet foods. As opposed to whole grains, these refined grains are virtually devoid of vitamins, minerals, and fiber while being loaded with energy. This overabundance of energy is primarily responsible for the obesity we see in both pets and people. For health, dogs should consume minimal to none of the refined grains. However, whole grains as long as they are by weight less than 15% of the diet are actually healthful. Whole grains provide vitamins, minerals, fats, and protein in the diet. Some of these vitamins and minerals are not procured through meat only diets.
So the grain-free marketing scheme is, in reality,a misnomer and a play on words. On the one hand, its great that grain-free foods are available however, the term refined grain-free would be much more appropriate. On the other hand, grain-free concerning the whole grains is unfortunate, as dogs gain a variety of health benefits when consuming a modest amount of whole grains in the diet.
In Western Medicine, we denote the value of energy of foods in terms of the calorie. A calorie is the amount of energy required to raise water one degree Centigrade. Different macronutrients provide different amounts of calories in a dog’s diet. The macronutrients are proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Again, this is a Western nutritional concept.
In Eastern Medicine, the term energy or food energetics takes on an entirely different concept. Remember, for the most part, Eastern Medicine does not recognize processed or refined foods as an integral component of the diet. Eastern foods with any value are limited to meats, vegetables, fruits, culinary herbals, nuts and seeds, oils, and whole grains. The term food energetics in Eastern Medicine refers to the effects dog food has on the body after it is eaten; specifically, the sensations that occur in the digestive tract after consuming certain foods. Food either regulates, tonifies, and/or harmonizes a particular organ or meridian depending on the inherent energetic properties of the food. From a simplistic point of view, the Eastern practitioner determines if the animal is hot or cold on examination. If the animal is hot, then energetically cooling foods are used to counteract the heat. If the animal is showing signs of cold, then energetically heating foods are used to counteract the cold. The process is fairly straightforward and simple.
- This is an example of heat signs; dog panting with red, dry tongue.
Hippocrates states: ” Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food!” Oh, how relevant this statement is to the practice of veterinary medicine. It is undeniable that food and what pets ingest is the foundation of health. Today, consumers are bombarded with the marketing savvy of huge companies tempting the consumer to purchase certain food products. With this in mind, you ask: “What is the best food to feed my pet?” The answer is: “It depends!!”
The food you choose to feed your pet depends on some of the following factors. 1) Time- time as it relates to actually preparing the meal. 2) Storage- storing a bag of food in the pantry; storing cans on the shelf; or storing a product that requires some sort of refrigeration. 3) Cost-premium foods, although more healthful, tend to cost more. 4) Current Medical Issues-some foods promote health and others promote disease.
When a pet owner asks me for a food recommendation, we go through the previously mentioned factors and try to identify a food that meets their needs. However, pet foods that promote health and longevity have some things in common.
Factors that promote health in dog food:
- Contain by weight minimally 40% animal based protein on a dry matter basis.
- Contain minimal refined grains. Refined grains are grains that remain after the germ and bran are removed. Refined grains are mostly carbohydrate with minimal nutritional value. Whole grains are acceptable as long as they make up less than 15% of the diet. Whole grains provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
- A variety of protein sources should be present in the food. Protein should come from muscle meat, fish, organ meat, and plants.
- Minimal amount of preservatives.
- Minimal amount of salt.
In summation, choosing the proper pet food for your pet can be a daunting task. However, remembering some of the aforementioned points may make the task much easier.
Tags: dog foods
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!
Tags: veteranary medicine
This blog is new and exciting for pet owners. Basically, the blog will educate pet owners about new, exciting news about the practice of integrated veterinary medicine. Integrated veterinary medicine combines the strengths of Eastern and Western veterinary medicine to give pet owners options or other avenues for the treatment of disease. There will be posts about acupuncture, herbology, food therapy, disease treatment and the occasional funny story related to the practice of veterinary medicine. As I am new to the world of blogging, just give me some time and I think you will learn some new interesting information about yourself, pets and the unique practice of Integrated Veterinary Medicine.
Tags: pets, veteranary medicine