Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM)

What is traditional Chinese medicine?

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a system of medicine developed in China. TCM uses acupuncture, acupressure, exercise, food therapy, herbs and other natural substances to maintain health and treat disease.

The TCM practitioner views health as a state of harmony or balance between the body’s internal environment and the external environment. Unfavorable climactic conditions, emotional upset, physical trauma, infectious organisms, poor nutrition, inappropriate lifestyle, heredity, and other pathogenic factors can disrupt this state of harmony.

TCM invokes a metaphoric or schematic model of how the internal body works that incorporates the same principles of balance and harmony that govern the ecology of the natural world. Health and disease are viewed as two different, self-perpetuating cycles, both of which are resistant to change. 

Organ interactions are the stepping stones in each cycle. When organ interactions are balanced, the organism can resist or overcome illness; when they are antagonistic, the spinning of the cycle makes the organism resistant to all therapies except those that directly address the stepping stones (organ interactions) in the cycle of disease. From the TCM perspective, chronic disease is not chaos, but a highly stable state, which explains why it is so difficult to resolve.

"Health and disease are viewed as two different, self-perpetuating cycles, 
both of which are resistant to change."

TCM diagnosticians assess behaviors, appetite, past illnesses, and even how the tongue looks or how the pulse feels. They take a comprehensive history and perform a detailed physical examination to disclose as many of these manifestations as possible. The goal is to understand what metaphoric mechanism can best explain all that has happened or is currently happening with a patient. This dynamic state is then treated, usually using acupuncture, herbs, or diet. 

Preventive measures are then introduced, such as an appropriate diet, improved social situation, and a healthier lifestyle, to help the body regulate and thus compensate for these weaknesses and reduce disease susceptibility in the future.

What is veterinary TCM?

Traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) adapts the principles and practices of TCM to the diagnosis and treatment of animals. 

In China, practitioners of veterinary medicine undergo an exhaustive training program in TCVM, which parallels the training programs for TCM. In the Western world, veterinary practitioners of TCM generally take auxiliary training in the theory and practice of TCM after receiving their veterinary degrees.

On which species is traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) practiced?

TCVM is regularly practiced on all species of domesticated animals.

Who practices TCVM and do I need a referral?

Practitioners of human TCM may not practice on other species, as there are significant differences between humans and other species. The American Veterinary Medical Association and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association both consider the practice of TCVM, including Chinese herbal therapy and acupuncture, to be the practice of veterinary medicine.

As a type of veterinary medicine, TCVM can only be practiced by a licensed veterinarian, or under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian, according to the regulations in the specific jurisdiction. Practitioners of TCVM must possess the necessary training and experience in this form of medicine. In North America, as TCVM becomes more accepted, there are increasing numbers of veterinarians in private practice who possess this expertise. In many cases, a referral is not necessary.

What conditions are most often treated with TCVM?

TCVM may be used to treat almost any imbalance in health except that which requires surgery. Acupuncture may be useful to achieve sedation or pain alleviation in patients. Typical conditions that may be treated with TCVM include inflammatory bowel disease, hormonal disorders, epilepsy, allergies, cancer, kidney and liver failure, behavioral problems, and chronic lameness.

How can my pet benefit from TCVM?

Pets may benefit from TCVM because it emphasizes both the prevention and treatment of disease. TCM considers the interrelationship of all the patient's symptoms, and treatment is aimed at restoring health rather than merely alleviating symptoms. TCVM should not be viewed as an alternative to conventional medicine, but instead, something to consider integrating with conventional medicine to obtain the best result.

How successful is TCVM?

Although there is insufficient scientific support, practitioners of TCVM believe it can be very successful in the hands of the appropriately trained practitioner. Success in treating chronic conditions will vary according to the age of the patient, prior treatment history, degree of pathology and commitment to incorporating all facets of TCVM into the patient's lifestyle.

How safe is TCVM?

TCVM practitioners believe this practice is safe when used by properly trained practitioners and adverse reactions are uncommon. If administered incorrectly, therapies can worsen conditions rather than improving them. Caution should be used if the patient is pregnant or has serious illness.

"Caution should be used if the patient is pregnant or has serious illness."

In contrast to conventional medications, herbal treatments are not strictly regulated and may not contain what they are supposed to, or worse, contain toxic compounds harmful to the patient. Indirect harm may occur if TCVM is used without the benefit of proven conventional treatments. Delaying conventional treatment such as cancer treatment or fracture surgery could result in unnecessary patient suffering.

What is the cost of TCVM?

Comprehensive TCVM treatment involves a thorough history and physical examination, followed by a patient assessment and formulation of a treatment plan. It rarely involves a single visit, and costs vary according to the condition being treated, the recommendations for acupuncture or traditional medicines, and the response of the patient. Fees associated with diagnosis and treatments are set by individual practitioners, and often reflect the skill, experience, and training of the practitioner. 

Can TCVM be combined with other types of veterinary medicine?

It is possible and even common to combine TCVM with other treatment modalities, but some precautions should be observed. Acupuncture and some herbal formulas are very potent forms of treatment, and inappropriate combinations with other types of medicine may cause unexpected reactions. Combinations of treatments can make it difficult to determine what is working well, or whether the different treatments are interfering with each other.

TCVM practitioners have the knowledge and skill to understand the interactions between different forms of treatment and to interpret the patient's response to therapy. If your pet receives treatment from a practitioner other than your regular veterinarian, it is imperative that you keep both individuals up-to-date about the ongoing treatment so they can provide coordinated care of your pet, properly evaluate treatment, and minimize avoidable interactions.