Holistic Services

We provide holistic services, including acupuncture and Chinese medicine, for your pets' well-being.

“Why should we limit ourselves to one kind of medicine when there are so many good ones to pick from? Why not do everything we can to help our companions, regardless of which school of thought our treatment comes from, or which continent, or whether it is ancient or modern?” - Alan Schoen, Kindred Spirits

  • Acupuncture
  • Chinese Food Therapy
  • Chinese Herbal Medicine

Acupuncture

ACUPUNCTURE

For thousands of years, acupuncture has been used in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) to treat a wide variety of ailments and as a form of preventative therapy. It involves the use of very thin needles to activate pressure points all over the body. This triggers the nervous system and causes the release of hormones and other natural chemicals that ultimately lead to reduced inflammation, increased blood flow and other positive effects. To learn more about our acupuncture services, please call us at 613-443-5459.

How can acupuncture help my pet?

Veterinary teams like ours often use acupuncture in combination with other types of treatments. It can help pets with arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, muscle pain, as well as those who were injured or who recently underwent surgery. Acupuncture is also beneficial for pets who are extremely active (e.g. sporting/ hunting dogs) to prevent injury and reduce strain on their joints and muscles.

Is acupuncture safe for pets?

Absolutely. In fact, most will not even feel the needles being inserted into their bodies. Like with humans, they will actually feel a calming effect all throughout the therapy. It is a 100% non-invasive treatment.

What will happen to my pet after acupuncture?

You will notice that your pet will have a calmer demeanor. On rare occasions, some of our patients experience weakness shortly after treatment, but this is often short-lived and mild.

Chinese Food Therapy

CHINESE FOOD THERAPY

Did you know that Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) has four main branches? They are acupuncture, herbs, Tui-na and nutrition. Food is categorized into different groups and are prescribed to treat a wide variety of health conditions. Please feel free to call us at 613-443-5459 to learn more about how our Chinese Food Therapy services here at Embrun Veterinary Hospital.

How can Chinese Food Therapy help my pet?

In TCVM, food is divided into two main categories: warm or cold. Warm foods include ginger, oats and chicken. Examples of cold foods are pears, watermelon and turkey. Certain foods also support specific organs or bodily functions. Depending on your pet’s specific health issue, you will be guided on which whole foods to cook and prepare at home to help ease their symptoms. For example, if your pet is constantly overheated and has a urinary tract infection, you may be asked to feed them “cold” foods like turkey, kidney beans and barley.

Is kibble or processed food bad for my pet?

Not necessarily. Your pet can thrive on a diet that combines kibble and raw/home-cooked foods. Although whole foods are preferred in TCVM, you can still feed your pet processed kibble. Just ensure that balance is maintained in their daily feeding routine. Too much kibble can result in inflammation and excess heat in the body.

How does Embrun Veterinary Hospital integrate Chinese Food Therapy and Conventional Nutrition?

During a one-on-one consultation, we can put together a tailor-made diet plan for your pet’s unique needs. Our team will advise you on how to improve your pet’s diet using both whole foods and kibble. We can direct you on which processed foods are better options for your furry family member.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE

For more than 2,000 years, herbs have been used in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) to treat a wide variety of ailments in all types of animals. To this day, much of our Western pharmaceuticals are rooted in the use of plants found in nature. Here at Embrun Veterinary Hospital, our team uses herbal medicine in combination with Western methods in our therapies for your furry family members. Simply call us at 613-443-5459 for more details.

How does Chinese Herbal Medicine work for pets?

Herbal medicine combines different plants in a strategic way, to target specific diagnoses.

  • Emperor or King: This herb has the most significant effect against the health problem at hand.
  • Ministers: These herbs enhance the effects of the Emperor herb.
  • Assistants: These plants address complications associated with the primary diagnosis and suppress any toxic effects of the Emperor or Minister herbs. They also help create a more balanced formula. For example, if the main actions are cooling, some warm herbs may be added into the formulation.
  • Messengers/Transporters: They help send the actions to appropriate areas of the body.

How can herbal medicine help my pet?

Furry friends diagnosed with kidney disease, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, chronic pain, skin conditions and more can all benefit from the incorporation of herbal medicine into their treatment protocol. For example, pets who are undergoing chemotherapy may benefit from herbal medicine, as it can minimize negative side effects of chemotherapy and help boost its healing impact.

What are the side effects of herbal medicine in pets?

For the most part, herbal medicine has fewer side effects than pharmaceutical drugs or other types of Western medicine. This is because, as we mentioned earlier, herbal treatments comprise of “assistant herbs” that minimize or suppress any harmful effects of the main herb used in the treatment. That being said minor side effects like vomiting or soft stools are experienced on rare occasions. These will dissipate right away once treatment is stopped.