Hawthorne Veterinary Clinic Services
How we differ from a conventional practice
We recognize that your animal companion is a unique and complex individual, and focus our treatments on maintaining or reestablishing your pet’s energetic balance. When imbalances do occur, we not only address the symptoms, but look for the cause as well. Because holistic medicine requires an in-depth understanding of your pet and his/her environment, we often schedule initial appointments for 45 minutes. Follow-up examinations generally run 15 to 30 minutes.
An introduction to the modalities we use in our practice:
Nutrition is the basis of health for your animal. The foods that your pet consumes daily basis can either strengthen or weaken his/ her constitution. (Many of the foods on the market today do the latter. Our doctors can discuss the optimal diet for your animal based on proper protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamin and mineral content.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a centuries-old system of healing based on the balance of energies in the body. We evaluate the patient by taking a complete history, palpating the pulse and observing his/her tongue. Acupuncture and herbs can restore a healthy state of balance and promote a healing response.
Conditions commonly treated with acupuncture include: hip dysplasia, arthritis, back pain, paralysis, behavioral disorders, immune diseases and even internal organ disfuntions.
Homeopathy is 250 year old method of stimulating the body’s vital force to heal. It’s an energetic medicine based on the Law of Similars (or “like cures like”), meaning a substance that causes symptoms in a healthy animal will cure an animal with those same symptoms. For example, ipecac generally causes vomiting; however, in dilute doses it can stop vomiting. Remedies are made of very dilute yet potent doses of natural substances, such as herbs and minerals, that coat small lactose pellets. When a remedy is administered (orally), it temporarily establishes an artificial disturbance in the body. When similar to the disturbance caused by the illness or injury, it acts to specifically stimulate the body to respond and work harder to get well. Remedies may administered every few hours in acute cases or a few times daily for chronic conditions. When prescribed by experienced and skilled practitioners, homeopathy is an exceptionally safe and gentle form of therapy that can have swift and dramatic effects.
Botanical Medicines have been used throughout the world for thousands of years to enhance and restore health. Based on traditional knowledge as well as new pharmacological data, we can prescribe the appropriate formula for your animal. Much of our botanical prescribing takes into account the energetics of your animal (based on Chinese diagnosis) as well as the Western diagnosis and symptoms.
Other services: There are times when pharmaceutical drugs and surgery are appropriate for your animal’s health. All of our doctors hold DVM degrees from conventional veterinary schools and are extensively trained in these modalities for times when the doctor and client agree that conventional treatment is appropriate.
