Small Animal
Integrative Medicine
Potlatch Veterinary Clinic takes a holistic approach to animal healthcare through our pet integrative medicine in Potlatch, ID, blending conventional Western treatments with natural and alternative therapies to address a variety of pet health needs.
Understanding Pet Integrative Medicine
Pet integrative medicine combines traditional veterinary treatments, such as surgery and medications, with alternative therapies, like acupuncture, herbal medicine, and laser therapy. This combination of approaches enables a broader spectrum of care, addressing both acute and chronic conditions while supporting general health and wellness. Integrative medicine is particularly beneficial for pets managing chronic pain, recovering from surgery, or facing age-related conditions.
Our team at Potlatch Veterinary Clinic collaborates closely with pet owners to assess each animal’s needs, developing a personalized approach that respects the individual health goals of both pet and owner. We focus on preventive care as well as therapeutic solutions, offering a rounded perspective on animal health.
Therapeutic Laser Treatments
Laser therapy is a safe, non-invasive option that promotes healing and reduces inflammation. It can be beneficial for pets dealing with chronic pain, arthritis, or recovering from surgery or injury. During a laser therapy session, low-level laser light is applied to the affected area, stimulating cellular regeneration and providing relief from pain and discomfort. Benefits of therapeutic laser treatment include:
- Pain Relief: Helps alleviate discomfort for pets experiencing arthritis, joint pain, or muscular issues.
- Reduced Inflammation: Effective in managing swelling and improving mobility, particularly for aging pets.
- Accelerated Healing: Ideal for treating post-surgical wounds, lick granulomas, ear infections, and other skin-related issues.
Therapeutic laser treatments are quick and well-tolerated by pets, making them an excellent option for animals who may not respond well to medications or who are unable to undergo certain surgical procedures.
Herbal Therapy and Nutritional Support
Herbal therapy is a valuable option for pets with specific health conditions. By carefully selecting and prescribing natural herbs, we can support a variety of health goals, from immune support to digestive health. At Potlatch Veterinary Clinic, our veterinarians discuss herbal therapy options with pet owners to identify natural supplements that may enhance treatment plans. This can be particularly beneficial for pets with dietary sensitivities or chronic conditions where conventional treatments may have limitations.
Nutritional support also plays a central role in pet integrative medicine. A balanced diet rich in nutrients tailored to your pet’s needs can make a significant difference in their overall health. Our team works with you to develop an appropriate diet plan that aligns with your pet’s age, activity level, and health requirements.
Acupuncture
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the placement of very small/thin needles into the skin at specific points. These specific points are called acupuncture points and have been mapped along the body of many animal species. Acupuncture points are often at locations that have a high density of nerve fibers, vessels, or fascia. Acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago and has been used since to treat many different conditions.
What animals can receive acupuncture?
Any! Acupuncture points have been mapped out on most domestic animal species. The first animals to have the acupuncture points mapped were horses and dogs. From there acupuncture maps were made for most other species.
How well do animals tolerate acupuncture? Is it painful?
Most animals tolerate acupuncture well and it is typically not painful. However, some acupuncture points are sensitive and animals can occasionally respond to this sensitivity. Also, uncommonly there can be sensitivity when the needle goes through the skin, after the needle is in place there should be virtually no pain.
If, for whatever reason, a specific animal does not tolerate acupuncture needles well, a therapeutic laser can be used to stimulate the acupuncture points instead. This is termed laser acupuncture, and is also a service that we offer at Potlatch Veterinary Clinic.
What conditions can acupuncture help treat?
Acupuncture provides benefits for many conditions in animals. Some of the most common conditions that acupuncture is used for are pain, arthritis, and soreness especially in aging pets. However, acupuncture can be helpful for so many more conditions. Some examples include, but are not limited to, neurological disorders such as intervertebral disc disease, gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, and stimulating wound healing. Acupuncture has also been shown to have beneficial effects on certain reproductive, cardiovascular, respiratory, and skin conditions.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture works with the body to heal itself using its natural physiological processes. Acupuncture works to return the body to a balanced state. From our Western medicine standpoint, acupuncture stimulates nerves, increases blood flow and circulation, relieves muscle spasms, and stimulates hormone release to help the body perform a variety of natural functions. Many of the effects of acupuncture have been studied and shown beneficial results, however, acupuncture has been used to treat so many conditions for so long that there are many effects that are still unknown and research will continually be performed.
Meet our Acupuncturist!
Dr. Lillian McKinley is our certified veterinary acupuncturist at Potlatch Vet Clinic. She is a graduate of Washington State University, and is a certified veterinary acupuncturist. Dr. McKinley did her acupuncture training with the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and is certified in both small and large animal acupuncture.
How do I get started?
If you are interested in pursuing acupuncture treatment for your animal, please contact Potlatch Veterinary Clinic at (208) 875-4838. First, we will schedule you an initial acupuncture consultation/treatment with our acupuncturist, Dr. Lillian McKinley. This initial acupuncture appointment includes a full history and examination of your pet; as well as a full Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) history and examination for Dr. McKinley to fully evaluate your animal from both a Western and Eastern medicine perspective. Next during this initial acupuncture appointment, Dr. McKinley will see how your animal reacts to acupuncture needle placement and do the first acupuncture treatment session.
Following the initial acupuncture consultation/treatment, if acupuncture is right for your pet, additional acupuncture treatments can be scheduled based on your animal’s unique needs. Most commonly, weekly acupuncture treatments are recommended for 4-6 weeks. This is because acupuncture is thought to have cumulative effects and sessions build on each other. After the first 4-6 weeks of treatment, the treatment frequency is adjusted to best fit your pet’s unique needs. At Potlatch Veterinary Clinic we offer acupuncture packages or individual session pricing to fit your needs and your schedule. Give us a call if you think acupuncture can help your animal, 208-875-4838.