Wellness and Preventative Care
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends that all pets have a thorough physical examination twice a year. If this sounds like a lot, consider the fact that our dogs and cats age more quickly than we do. Having a physical exam every six months not only allows me to get to know you and your pet, but we can catch subtle changes in health, such as weight gain or loss, or nutritional problems more quickly and provide early intervention.
Vaccination and prevention of internal and external parasites are an integral part of protecting your pet’s health. Because there are many vaccines and preventative products available, it can often be overwhelming for pet guardians to make decisions about which are best for your pet. Not every dog and cat needs every vaccine- it depends on the pet’s lifestyle. Together we can discuss the risks and benefits and come up with a plan to protect your pet against disease while avoiding the harmful buildup of toxins from excess vaccination.
The term wellness does not include just vaccination. I consider wellness to be the pet’s mind, body and spirit. Unfortunately in traditional veterinary practice there is little time to focus on some of the most important factors of health- diet, nutrition, exercise, environmental enrichment, and behavior and relationships. Working together in your home gives me insight into your pet’s lifestyle and allows me to get to know you and your pet in a more natural environment than a veterinary clinic can provide.
Often there are no obvious signs of disease until a pet is very sick. Cats especially are very good at hiding pain or discomfort, and simply learn to live with changes in their bodies until they become quite ill. Senior pets especially should be screened for diseases of the liver, kidneys, thyroid, and internal parasites. Life threatening diseases such as heartworm disease and diabetes can be treated if they are detected early, and many chronic diseases respond well to nutritional support. My goal is to educate you about the tests that are available, and work out a long term plan together.
Acupuncture and Complementary Medicine
Acupuncture is a wonderful tool to help treat chronic diseases such as hip dysplasia, arthritis, gastrointestinal disease. Often acupuncture is quite effective by itself and in many situations where pets have been on medication for a long time, it can help allow the dose of medication to be reduced or sometimes discontinued altogether. Acupuncture can also be used to treat cancer pain, and for behavior problems such as fear and aggression.
Many of my clients are very interested in nutrition, supplements, and the use of natural herbs to treat chronic diseases such as allergic skin disease, which is very common in Colorado, or arthritis. While there are some diseases that I recommend treating with medications in a conventional manner, there are many alternative options available. Together we can discuss all the options and decide which are right for your pet as an individual.
Behavior Consultations
Behavior, training, and relationships are a very important part of our lives together. When a behavior problem exists, it can really affect our relationships and can cause stress for ourselves and our pets. This can be a vicious cycle interrupting harmony in the home and making everyone unhappy. There is so much advice available that it’s often hard to know what to do. Behavior problems such as aggression or house soiling tell us that something is wrong, but often it takes time and effort to figure out exactly what is going on. Often, behavior problems can be manifestations of medical problems, nutritional imbalances, or lifestyle issues.
Unfortunately, behavior and training discussions are often not addressed by veterinarians until a problem occurs. Behavior is complex, situations often emotionally charged, and in a conventional veterinary setting can be difficult to assess. I feel that behavior and training should be discussed at every physical exam, and problems must be addressed as soon as possible. There are no bad dogs and cats, but there are dogs and cats that need extra management, environmental changes, extra nutritional support, and occasionally medication to help make behavior modification more effective.
Hospice Care
For our older pets or those that have multiple health problems or cancer, the benefits of being treated at home are many. Decreased mobility can make it difficult to take the pet to a veterinarian, and the stress of the veterinary hospital can exacerbate disease. Dedicated family members are often able to perform many treatments at home under my guidance and support.
Euthanasia at home
Saying goodbye to a beloved family member is a heart wrenching decision for all of us, yet can also be a special gift that allows us to end pain and suffering for the pets we love so much. This is one of the most difficult decisions any of us will have to make in our lives, and a time during which we all need guidance and understanding. Being at home with the family for euthanasia helps create an environment full of love and support in comfortable and familiar surroundings, which can help ease the pain and stress on everyone involved. Some of my clients have requested euthanasia to be outdoors in a place where the pet loved to hike or camp, which can be an incredibly spiritual experience for everyone. When it comes to making this decision, I understand, as I have been through it myself, and will do my best to help make it what it needs to be for you.