PAWS TO PONDER No. 16
by Lilanne Merida

Conversations with Dr. Robert Spiegel

I first met Dr. Robert Spiegel at the Chi Institute in Reddick, where he is the Director of the Post Graduate Program for Veterinarians who want to learn Traditional Chinese medicine or TCVM for short. This encompasses the use of acupuncture, herbs, diet and massage to resolve a myriad of maladies for which conventional medicine either has no defined diagnosis or the treatment options have unwanted side effects and/or significant risks. Dr. Spiegel’s motto is the old adage “First do no harm” and he adds with a big warm smile “or make the choice of doing the most good or the least harm”.

Dr. Spiegel moved to Florida from Connecticut two years ago and recently opened EarthVets in Gainesville, filling a huge void for holistic veterinary care in that area.
He graciously accepted my invitation to participate in my column.

LM: “Acupuncture is just one of the modalities of what we now have come to know as alternative, complimentary or holistic treatments. Which term do you like to use?

RS: “Integrative healthcare management, as it indicates that the goal is to use any and all reasonable approaches to satisfy the needs of the patient, with the least amount of risk. The body has built in most of what is necessary to heal itself. So when there is an imbalance (ill health), my job is to find the gentlest approach to help the body get back into balance and then get out of the way!”

LM: “What conditions can be addressed with TCM?”
RS: “ Traditional Chinese Medicine may address a multitude of disorders through Acupuncture, Herbal medicines, Massage Therapy and Dietary therapy.

LM: “Are there any conditions that you consider TCM a superior treatment to conventional medical procedures?”
RS: “As in human practice, the majority of the clinical cases in veterinary acupuncture serve musculo-skeletal disorders and pain management.”

LM: “What is the difference between the conventional veterinary approach and a holistic approach during a consultation?”
RS: A good doctor always takes a thorough history and completes a physical exam of the patient and if possible, its environment. Often ancillary tests are ordered to obtain a definitive diagnosis. A holistic approach may include the same, however, the trained clinician in a particular discipline (TCM, chiropractic, homeopathy) may interpret the data from the history and physical findings differently. This may be what is thought to be alternative, but in reality is just another perspective of the same individual. The choice of therapeutics will be based upon the solution that best serves the patients needs. At times this will be a combined approach and many times specific discipline of care will be chosen when conventional therapeutics have failed or carry too much risk for the patient to endure. Ultimately in veterinary medicine, the doctor, owner and patient need to be accepting of whatever path is chosen. The best results need the combined benefit of skill, compassion and knowledge.”

Dr. Robert Spiegel DVM may be contacted at: Earth Vets. 500 NW 60th St. Suite D Gainesville, FL 32607. Ph. 352-332-9991.

lilianne.merida@starbanner.com

PAWS TO PONDER No. 15
by Lilanne Merida

Acupunture For Pets

Although many are familiar with acupuncture as a complimentary healing modality for humans, not everyone knows it is also available for pets. The Chinese first developed acupuncture more than 3000 years ago. These eastern practitioners have created “maps” of the body locating precise points or “acupoints” which are the backbone of acupuncture treatments.

According to Western medicine, health problems are caused by disease. A diagnose is made based on given complaints and drugs or surgery are prescribed. By contrast, Eastern medicine is based on the discovery that specific “points” on the body surface are related to specific organs and their function. Through extensive studies of different disease states, traditional Eastern medicine has established that these points are located along “energy pathways” called meridians. The life force, known in ancient Chinese medicine as Chi (pronounced “chee”) flows along these meridians. Uninterrupted and strong flow of energy along all meridians is the key to optimal health. Any blockage or loss of energy along these pathways will result in a diseased state. To correct these imbalances, an acupuncture practitioner will insert very fine filament-like needles in specific acupoints. These trigger the release of opiate-like compounds called endorphins, which help alleviate pain and provide a sense of wellbeing. Usually several needles are inserted along the meridians stimulating different systems helping release the blockage and re-establishing the flow of Chi.

Because the needles are so fine, patients barely feel a quick prick while the needles are inserted. Pets respond surprisingly well to acupuncture sessions because there is no placebo effect. That is they cannot mentally block the effect of the treatment, so results are likely even after just one treatment. Typically acupuncture requires multiple treatments, but it is an excellent alternative for those seeking less invasive and drug-free treatments for their pets.

There are a wide variety of aliments that can be treated with acupuncture: gastrointestinal conditions like colitis and inflammatory bowel syndrome, neurological problems like degenerative myelopathy and epilepsy and inflammatory diseases like asthma.

Acupuncture is especially effective in older and aging animals suffering from inflammatory conditions such as spinal problems, hip and elbow displasia and other form of arthritis as well as any type of pain, including post surgical pain.

This type of treatment usually works very well with both conventional and holistic modalities. In the next Paws to Ponder I will interview Dr. Robert Spiegel who can give us more information on this complementary healing modality.