Why We Resorted to TCVM: When Modern Medicine Doesn’t Have The Answer

You don’t have to choose between TCVM and modern medicine–find an integrative veterinarian.

It is truly amazing what modern veterinary medicine can offer, whether it’s in diagnostics or treatment. Ongoing research continuously brings forth awesome new breakthroughs, such as stem cell regenerative therapy. I am fascinated by veterinary science.

I do find, however, that the constant pressure to present fast measurable results often leads to a short-sighted symptom-cure approach. The science isn’t to be blamed alone though. In our fast-paced performance-driven society, everybody wants quick and easy solutions to everything.

Symptom-based treatment

Unfortunately the formula cure the symptom – cure the disease isn’t always true. What we perceive as a symptom is often your dog’s body’s attempt to deal with a systemic problem or imbalance. Treating the symptom without dealing with the underlying cause can be counter-productive at best.

I am not saying that modern veterinary medicine fails to recognize that. However, often the root of the problem lies deeper than modern science will look.

Why We Resorted to TCVM: When Modern Medicine Doesn't Have The Answer

Modern or traditional?

We never heard of TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) until I was trying to research the possible cause and best treatment for Jasmine’s progressive panting/pacing episodes. I took the issue to a dog forum. That’s where I heard about TCVM for the first time. Motivated to find a solution for my precious Jasmine I decided to learn more about it.

After a battery of diagnostic tests, modern medicine offered two possible diagnoses for Jasmine’s issues. The veterinarian believed that her episodes were either being caused by:

  • pain due to structural abnormalities in her neck. Modern solution for that would be long-term pain medications
  • or by her irritable bowel syndrome for which we were offered steroids

Needless to say, we didn’t much like either idea.

We brought up the idea of bringing in reinforcements from an alternative modality to our vet. He is really amazing and he puts the interest of his patients above all else. He was quite skeptical and voiced his concerns. However, he kept an open mind and agreed to go along with the idea.

The TCVM consultation did indeed offer what we were looking for – a diagnosis that comes with a treatment! By combining modern medicine with the TCVM we were finally getting somewhere.

TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine)

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine principles are based on theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which have developed over a period of over 3,500 years.

You probably heard about acupuncture, well, this is where acupuncture comes from. These principles developed as a result of careful study and observation of the interactions within the body as well as the relationship to the outside environment. It is a completely different way of thinking, so brace yourself.

The TCVM looks at systematic imbalances as a root of the disease. And it aims to work with the body by correcting these imbalances. Modern medicine is very effective in treating trauma and acute conditions, TCVM offers invaluable help when dealing with chronic issues.

TCVM treatment is very safe and can be effective in the treatment of arthritis, seizures and other systemic problems.

The main tools of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine are food and herbal therapies, and acupuncture. That by itself sounds better to me than drugs any day. Don’t you think?

The Chi Institute

Before you dismiss the idea of TCVM, ponder this. These are licensed veterinarians who integrate TCVM with conventional veterinary medical care. Their patients can benefit from the advantages of both systems. They recognize the limitations of modern veterinary medicine and the benefit that the global approach the TCVM can offer. Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine makes connections which modern medicine fails to see.

Does your dog frequently suffer from seemingly unrelated issues? Maybe they are all connected to a systemic imbalance. Is your dog on a number of drugs and showing little signs of improvement? Maybe it’s time to think outside the box.

Categories: Alternative treatments • Integrative veterinary medicine • Traditionad Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM)

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Jana Rade

I am a graphic designer, dog health advocate, writer, and author. Jasmine, the Rottweiler of my life, was the largest female from her litter. We thought we were getting a healthy dog. Getting a puppy from a backyard breeder was our first mistake. Countless veterinary visits without a diagnosis or useful treatment later, I realized that I had to take Jasmine's health care in my own hands. I learned the hard way that merely seeing a vet is not always enough. There is more to finding a good vet than finding the closest clinic down the street. And, sadly, there is more to advocating for your dog's health than visiting a veterinarian. It should be enough, but it often is not. With Jasmine, it took five years to get a diagnosis. Unfortunately, other problems had snowballed for that in the meantime. Jasmine's health challenges became a crash course in understanding dog health issues and how to go about getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. I had to learn, and I had to learn fast. Helping others through my challenges and experience has become my mission and Jasmine's legacy. I now try to help people how to recognize and understand signs of illness in their dogs, how to work with their veterinarian, and when to seek a second opinion. My goal is to save others the steep curve of having to learn things the hard way as I did. That is the mission behind my blog and behind my writing. That is why I wrote Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog, which has turned out being an award-winning guide to dog owners. What I'm trying to share encompasses 20 years of experience.

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