F.A.Q.'s
What is TCVM?
TCVM stands for traditional chinese veterinary medicine. TCVM has been used to treat animals in China for thousands of years. Over the generations to today, new insights and knowledge have been added to this ancient art of medicine. TCVM includes acupuncture, chinese herbal medicines, Tui Na (Chinese chiropractic and healing massage), and food and lifestyle therapies.
Both traditional western veterinary medicine and TCVM strive to promote a healthy lifespan and alleviate disease. The differences lie in that traditional western medicine believes in control of an animal system, Chinese medicine believes in balance of an animal system.
Does Dr. Meisenburg limit her practice to Chinese Medicine?
Dr. Meisenburg believes that a mindful integration of both traditional western medicine and TCVM brings better results than practicing either one alone. She also believes that TCVM is usually the most helpful with chronic cases and western medicine being best for acute cases. Dr. Meisenburg routinely refers patients to general practitioners for additional work ups, diagnostics and treatments to augment and complete the care and to enhance the eventual outcome for the animal.
Each modality has it’s strengths and weaknesses. Dr. Meisenburg’s goal for every patient is to blend the best of both disciplines for the most optimal outcome.
How much does TCVM cost?
TCVM acupuncture fees for animals are usually more than for human treatments for several reasons. First, human to human inquiry is far more sophisticated and detailed than it is with an animal! We would love to be able to ask our animals “where does it hurt?”, but we need to be more experienced, observant and rely on all of our senses to be able to come up with a good plan of effective action. Second, treating animals, especially painful ones, comes with physical risks to the practitioner. A human will exclaim, “Ouch!”, a dog will bite to say ouch a horse may kick. We can instruct a person not to eat the needles and we can then leave them to treat another person optimizing time. Not so with our animal patients.
For a list of current fees and services offered, please follow the link to our Services page.
What health issues can acupuncture and Chinese medicine help?
We know scientifically that the “micro-irritant” quality of acupuncture and Tui Na, applied appropriately, affects the nervous system, many times to a profound level. The nervous system, of course, directs the traffic of pain. Therefore, it’s intuitive that pain management can be positively affected. We need to remind ourselves however that the nervous system has an intimate relationship with the rest of the body’s functions as well. As a result, the whole animal can be “touched” indirectly inside and out through the knowledge of acupuncture points and the special meridians that the Chinese people mapped over 4,000 years ago. Therefore, no health condition is completely out of reach to the TCVM trained acupuncturist.
TCVM is not a panacea for all things! Not all medical conditions, or death for that matter, can be resolved or avoided despite our best attempts, but the quality of life and comfort level can be compassionately and gently addressed.
Common disorders successfully treated with TCVM are:
- Back / hip / neck pain
- Joint pain
- Muscle stiffness
- Skin issues
- Allergies (food, sinus, skin)
- Anhydrosis
- Laminitis
- Hoof pain
- Hormonal disorders (Hypo / Hyper thyroid, Cushings, Metabolic Syndrome, etc.)
- Colic
- Tendon and Ligament issues
- Cancer
- Behavioral / training disorders
- Fertility issues (Male and Female)
- General health care & wellness
Dr. Vickie has a particular soft spot for horse and doggy “Old-Timers” (and their owners) and enjoys keeping them comfortable and happy in their twilight years with TCVM.
If you didn’t see the condition you would like Dr. Vickie Meisenburg to help your animal with in the list above, please call to discuss your animals particular condition. She’ll be eager to discuss your options with you.
How many treatments will my animal need and how often?
Some conditions need very few, no more than 3. Some conditions will take 6 - 8, while other long standing or serious problems will take even more. Most horses are doing very well by the 3rd treatment. Most dogs and other small animals will need at least 5-6 treatments.
The time between treatments will be dictated by the severity of the condition being treated, the sensitivity of the animal to acupuncture and financial/physical location constraints. Most horses have wonderful results with once or twice a month treatments. Small animals do better with less time between treatments with a once a week treatment schedule being standard. Chinese herbal medicine can allow for greater time to be taken between treatments because taking chinese medicine is like have “little” acupuncture treatments every day!
What are the possible risks or side affects of acupuncture?
Acupuncture is not an innocuous treatment and therefore should only be performed by a licensed veterinarian. Generally, there are few risks. Typically, the side effects can be localized bleeding or hematoma formation at the needle site. A needle can break off, but it is rare with the use of disposable needles of the appropriate size for the species being treated. In the case that this does happen, localized skin surgery may be needed to remove the lost needle. Rarely, accidental organ or joint puncture can occur.
Acupuncture should be used with extreme caution in pregnant animals, animals with cancer or animals with a severe infectious condition as it can cause abortion, exacerbation of cancer growth and immune function hindrance.
The “negative” side effects of acupuncture are a normal 48 - 72 hour “in-a-funk” phase after treatment. You may see your animal sleep longer, go off food, be disinterested in play or become extra hyperactive. This is normal and will resolve. It is suggested, to be fair, that little be required of the animal for at least 24 hours after treatment. So, no training, riding or road trips for at least a day or two after treatment is recommended.