Defining the Integrative Veterinary Practice
An integrative veterinary practice can be characterized by the seamless blending of traditional veterinary medicine with complementary therapies. For example, prescribing NSAIDs for osteoarthritis while concurrently offering rehabilitation utilizing underwater treadmill therapy, cold laser therapy, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy and specific home exercises. The emphasis is on individualization of care, tailoring interventions to each patient’s unique history, lifestyle and health status.
Core Principles
The core principles of integrative veterinary practice include a whole-patient focus with attention to physical, emotional and all environmental influences on patients’ health. In addition, evidence-informed medicine is used tempered with clinical judgement where evidence is emerging. Preventive care is also prioritized, with early detection and proactive interventions to delay or prevent the onset of disease.Collaborative client relationships are highlighted to help engage pet parents in partnering for their pet’s health management and, ultimately, utilizing multimodal therapies to integrate conventional and complementary treatments for optimal wellness.
Established Integrative Therapies
Nutraceuticals, including omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and joint supplements utilizing UC-II and turmeric have been widely accepted. Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture have been shown in controlled studies to help with musculoskeletal pain and improve mobility. Utilizing this modality helps balance the body and examine the causes of disease, adhering to traditional Chinese medical protocols.Cold class IV laser therapy has been shown to be beneficial in wound healing (photomodulation), treating arthritis, and improving mobility and post-operative recovery. In addition, chiropractic and massage therapy to improve mobility outcomes and diminish pain are often incorporated.
Rehabilitation therapies, such as underwater treadmills, PEMF (pulsed electricomagnetic field) and shockwave therapy utilize sound waves to alleviate pain, strengthen muscles and tendons, improve joint function, and have been more widely accepted in practices.
Emerging Therapies and Ideologies
There are many new emerging therapies being incorporated daily. Herbal medicine, both Western and Chinese herbs, is added to treatment modalities to treat immune function, anxiety and chronic kidney disease, and help lessen our dependence on prescription drugs.Medicinal mushrooms, with their beta-glucans and many other compounds, help treat fungal disease by improving immunity and cancer therapy. Ozone, which is labeled as a “toxic gas” but only if inhaled, is antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic, and is used worldwide to help alleviate various maladies.
Microbiome analysis and treatment have become a mainstay in some practices. With the discovery of dysbiosis contributing to IBD, IBS, colitis, and even small bowel lymphoma, fecal microbiome transfer (FMT) in both direct and capsule forms, along with specific probiotics and prebiotics, have been utilized with great success.
Individualized nutrition, where an emphasis on diets tailored to genetic predispositions, life stage and chronic conditions, is also being seen more frequently. Finally, many veterinarians are utilizing the mind-body connection, helping pet parents recognize the causes of stress, improve their pet’s environment and become better caregivers.
Challenges and Considerations
There are barriers associated with these protocols, however, starting with the need for scientific validation, which mostly emanates from evidence-based practice. There is limited data, and we lack large-scale, peer-reviewed trials, as well as regulatory challenges from peers, regulating bodies and some professional associations. We have an ethical responsibility to obtain informed consent, be mindful of animal welfare, refrain from substituting proven therapies with invalidated methods and maintain our professional integrity.Currently, there are educational gaps in veterinary schools, resulting in little to no training, which necessitates the need for integrative practitioners to seek additional training and competency. This also highlights the importance of establishing standards for consistency in practice, precise client communication about risks and benefits, and building trust and credibility.
Integrative veterinary practice is not a departure from science, but rather an expansion of it. By merging conventional and complementary modalities, veterinarians can better address patient wellness, extend longevity and improve healthspan. As the evidence base grows, integrative approaches are poised to become increasingly central to high-quality veterinary care.
