Our Experience with Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine

Always having been a believer in western traditional medicine my opinions are beginning to shift in favor of less invasive and less traumatic methods. After experiencing several deaths within my family throughout the years and in hindsight the cure might have actually been worse then the disease. Needless to say I have become more open minded recently about alternative treatment methods.

I found out about the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine or TCVM as it is frequently called from a co-worker who had taken her dog to a session and was impressed with the practitioners as well as the treatment results.

All instructors are Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) with additional certification in TCVM. They have a 1:5 student ratio for these "wet labs" as they are called and are teaching opportunities for visiting vet students from all over. They provide services for horses, dogs, cats and other larger animals like cattle.

The impetus for all this is noticing my boxer dog "Lola" had been suffering with pain in her rear back legs and seemed to fall up the stairs frequently. I could tell she was in pain and discomfort and assumed it was her hips. After calling and speaking with student administrator I was offered the opportunity to attend a 5 hour "free" treatment session at the Chi Institute.

It was scheduled for 10/05/17 from 1:00 pm to 6:00pm. Additionally, lunch for me and free herbal medicine compounds would also be provided for Lola based on her diagnosis. What a deal!

During those 5 hours I learned that Acupuncture in the western world is only one one branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM).

There are actually 4 branches of TCVM
Acupuncture
Chinese herbal medicine
Food therapy
Tui-na, a form of manipulative therapy often used in conjunction with acupuncture, moxibustion, and Chinese herbalism

TCVM is often viewed as a form of complementary therapy and works best when used along with Western Veterinary Medicine. Each discipline has their own strengths and weaknesses. It's a holistic approach useful in assessing the well-being of the whole patient and all organ systems. Treatments are mainly non-invasive and have few adverse side effects, but they may require longer treatment times. This approach is better suited for chronic conditions rather than acute ones.

I arrived with Lola at 12:45 pm, the parking lot was packed. I was met by Megan in the parking area, she then directed us to the main building where the labs and conference rooms are located. There were lots of dogs ,many were greyhounds, and a huge Mastiff, horses too. All were here for acupuncture treatment or Tui-na and herbal remedy. People had arrived from all over the United States and throughout the world.

At 1:30 pm the female doctor from South Carolina introduced herself and then the students began to arrive, 4 men and 1 woman. Each group had their own assigned patient (one dog) the doctor and 5 eager students. I could stay, but really felt my presence there might have distracted Lola. I decided it would be best for me to leave the room.

I walked across the parking lot to a larger building, it was immaculate complete with a small Library and 6 PCs. They had a lunch buffet(what a spread it was) complete with all types of Chinese food from egg rolls to moo goo Gia pan, steamed dumplings, sweet and sour chicken, rice, noodles, fresh green beans, brocolli, cabbages and tea! There was even a tea bar complete with ice cubes and water. It was really good food in a very pleasant environment. I go back at 3:30 p.m. so the students and instructor can take a 30 minute break.

Lola was handed off to me for her break, to go pee and have some water. She never peed, but did drink a little water. We wandered the expansive campus and she met a horse friend at one of the buildings where several horses were being treated. They shared a sweet nuzzle and were quite comfortable in each other's company.

Returning back to the wet lab at 4:00 pm I handed Lola back for the last 2 hours of treatment. She would be having acupuncture until 6:00 pm, then the doctor would provide me with her diagnosis and the herbal remedy prescriptions to be filled at the Chi Institute pharmacy free of charge.

Returning back to the conference room to get Lola a little before 6:00, the students were telling Lola goodbye, people were collecting their dogs, it was now time for a diagnosis.

The doctor stated Lola's knees were shot not her hips. She may have ruptured a ligament or tendon in her left leg in the knee area. She also had considerable arthritis in both knees. She advised us to get X-rays of both legs soon to get a idea of just how much arthritis she's developed.

She also said she was a very "hot dog", she was certain she must drink lots of water at night. She was correct, Lola does drink a lot of water during the late night hours.

Apparently a "hot dog" is one who carries too much heat in the body-pants a lot, exhibits excessive redness in mouth, tongue, eyes and ears and has a preference for cool areas of the house. They also have an increased thirst and do better in the winter months.

The doctor prescribed Di Gu Pi San and Concentrated Body Sore formula to be given daily. She asked me to update her through email in 2 weeks as to the status of Lola's herbal treatment, how she acts and if she feels better with less redness. She also advised finding a vet trained in traditional acupuncture and of course getting the X-rays.

A "hot" arthritic dog can be treated traditionally with a anti-inflammatory and will have reduced pain. Adding traditional herbals can help by reducing the excess heat in the body. The quality of life is enhanced when pain is reduced and the body's imbalance restored through a combination of acupuncture, massage and herbs. It's a Yin and Yang balancing act...

It was a good experience and we'll see if Lola improves. I plan on returning to the Chi Institute in 2 months for their next "wet lab" for Lola and to expand my own knowledge of TCVM.

Interesting decor, a taxidermy Grey Hound!

If you'd like more info on the Chi Institute go to http://www.tcvm.com/

All text and images are own by @mother2chicks