San Jose Mercury News
Squirmy cats may not seem like the ideal acupuncture patients, but Los Gatos veterinarian Dr. Hilary Wheeler knows just how to get them settled down — the first needle goes midway between the cat's eyes and ears. It's a calming point that is known as "yin tang."
"It causes endorphin release and it relaxes them," Wheeler said. "Surprisingly, cats do very well with acupuncture. Some fall asleep and some just become very relaxed."
She said dogs also respond well to acupuncture.
"Usually when I do acupuncture on dogs, they lie on the floor on cushions and their owner is with them so they're comfortable, too."
Wheeler just opened a new clinic in town called the Whole Pet Vet at 325 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, near the Massol Avenue intersection.
"We're the first fully integrated practice in town," Wheeler said. "My whole perspective in this is there's been a shift from disease treatment to disease prevention, and we're learning that many of the diseases in animals are directly related to exercise, diet and stress."
Wheeler says her main message is wellness.
"We are trying to find options that are less invasive and less toxic than traditional treatments." In addition to acupuncture, Wheeler uses herbal remedies to treat cats and dogs. "Some will still need medicine, but you can decrease the dose," she said. "The majority of my acupuncture patients come in for pain control — arthritis, back pain and hip dysplasia. I also treat a lot of animals for allergies, inflammatory conditions and autoimmune disorders. With acupuncture and herbs a lot of those conditions can be managed without side effects."
Wheeler has been giving acupuncture treatments to a 9-year-old Newfoundland named Dewey for about five months now. It may be combined, if necessary, with a program of pet glucosamine.
"He has degenerative arthritis in his hips and spine," owner Joyce Taylor said. "I know it absolutely, positively works. After his first treatment he could move better and walk better. He could get up a lot easier, and he went from limping to trotting around the yard."
In the beginning, Dewey received four acupuncture treatments in four weeks. Now he gets them as needed, usually every six weeks or so.
Wheeler begins the treatment by rubbing her hand all over Dewey's coat, which helps bring the blood flowing to his body's surface. It relaxes him, too. The rubbing also helps her determine if he has any hot spots, which is an indication of sore muscles. "Damaged muscles may be cold," Wheeler said.
One area Wheeler focuses on is Dewey's legs because he has tremors. Other needles go into his back. In all, Wheeler usually uses 10, 1-inch needles on Dewey.
The initial treatment is $175 and includes a complete physical exam and medical history. Follow-up treatments are $95. Wheeler plans to offer packages to customers' whose pets receive regular acupuncture treatments.
Although Taylor calls Dewey "a child in a fur suit," he was well behaved and after a few minutes settled his big head on his big paws and appeared content.
Taylor, who grooms Newfoundlands, has also had Wheeler treat two other of her Newfoundland dogs. "Arthritis is more common in giant breeds," Taylor said.
Wheeler is also giving Dewey herbs for his allergies.
She said the herbal remedies she offers are mostly based on Chinese formulas, but the herbs are grown in the United States for quality control purposes. Other options include dog glucosamine.
Wheeler contracts with an herbal specialist who can recommend specific formulas based on test outcomes. "If I see a diabetic cat I can consult with my specialist in New York, who recommends a formula," she said.
Wheeler started using holistic treatments at the South County Animal Hospital in Morgan Hill. Later she moved to the Central Animal Hospital in Campbell.
Her new clinic has three exam rooms, a separate nontraditional treatment room where the acupuncture is performed, plus a garden area with artificial turf so dogs can get some exercise.
A state-of-the-art digital X-ray machine uses about 25 percent less radiation and develops pictures much more quickly than traditional X-ray machines.
"It's a much greener way to go, and it's less stressful on the patients," Wheeler said.
Wheeler can also process lab tests in house and performs surgery. There's even a temperature- controlled isolation unit to house animals with contagious diseases such as parvovirus, which affects dogs.
Wheeler is certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society.
She has a part-time assistant, Dr. Kirsten Krick, who is certified in acupuncture. In addition, Krick specializes in treating small animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits and chinchillas.
Holistic medicine for animals is an emerging field, and Wheeler says that there are only a couple of other vets in the Bay Area whose practice includes acupuncture and herbal treatments.
"It causes endorphin release and it relaxes them," Wheeler said. "Surprisingly, cats do very well with acupuncture. Some fall asleep and some just become very relaxed."
She said dogs also respond well to acupuncture.
"Usually when I do acupuncture on dogs, they lie on the floor on cushions and their owner is with them so they're comfortable, too."
Wheeler just opened a new clinic in town called the Whole Pet Vet at 325 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, near the Massol Avenue intersection.
"We're the first fully integrated practice in town," Wheeler said. "My whole perspective in this is there's been a shift from disease treatment to disease prevention, and we're learning that many of the diseases in animals are directly related to exercise, diet and stress."
Wheeler says her main message is wellness.
"We are trying to find options that are less invasive and less toxic than traditional treatments." In addition to acupuncture, Wheeler uses herbal remedies to treat cats and dogs. "Some will still need medicine, but you can decrease the dose," she said. "The majority of my acupuncture patients come in for pain control — arthritis, back pain and hip dysplasia. I also treat a lot of animals for allergies, inflammatory conditions and autoimmune disorders. With acupuncture and herbs a lot of those conditions can be managed without side effects."
Wheeler has been giving acupuncture treatments to a 9-year-old Newfoundland named Dewey for about five months now. It may be combined, if necessary, with a program of pet glucosamine.
"He has degenerative arthritis in his hips and spine," owner Joyce Taylor said. "I know it absolutely, positively works. After his first treatment he could move better and walk better. He could get up a lot easier, and he went from limping to trotting around the yard."
In the beginning, Dewey received four acupuncture treatments in four weeks. Now he gets them as needed, usually every six weeks or so.
Wheeler begins the treatment by rubbing her hand all over Dewey's coat, which helps bring the blood flowing to his body's surface. It relaxes him, too. The rubbing also helps her determine if he has any hot spots, which is an indication of sore muscles. "Damaged muscles may be cold," Wheeler said.
One area Wheeler focuses on is Dewey's legs because he has tremors. Other needles go into his back. In all, Wheeler usually uses 10, 1-inch needles on Dewey.
The initial treatment is $175 and includes a complete physical exam and medical history. Follow-up treatments are $95. Wheeler plans to offer packages to customers' whose pets receive regular acupuncture treatments.
Although Taylor calls Dewey "a child in a fur suit," he was well behaved and after a few minutes settled his big head on his big paws and appeared content.
Taylor, who grooms Newfoundlands, has also had Wheeler treat two other of her Newfoundland dogs. "Arthritis is more common in giant breeds," Taylor said.
Wheeler is also giving Dewey herbs for his allergies.
She said the herbal remedies she offers are mostly based on Chinese formulas, but the herbs are grown in the United States for quality control purposes. Other options include dog glucosamine.
Wheeler contracts with an herbal specialist who can recommend specific formulas based on test outcomes. "If I see a diabetic cat I can consult with my specialist in New York, who recommends a formula," she said.
Wheeler started using holistic treatments at the South County Animal Hospital in Morgan Hill. Later she moved to the Central Animal Hospital in Campbell.
Her new clinic has three exam rooms, a separate nontraditional treatment room where the acupuncture is performed, plus a garden area with artificial turf so dogs can get some exercise.
A state-of-the-art digital X-ray machine uses about 25 percent less radiation and develops pictures much more quickly than traditional X-ray machines.
"It's a much greener way to go, and it's less stressful on the patients," Wheeler said.
Wheeler can also process lab tests in house and performs surgery. There's even a temperature- controlled isolation unit to house animals with contagious diseases such as parvovirus, which affects dogs.
Wheeler is certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society.
She has a part-time assistant, Dr. Kirsten Krick, who is certified in acupuncture. In addition, Krick specializes in treating small animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits and chinchillas.
Holistic medicine for animals is an emerging field, and Wheeler says that there are only a couple of other vets in the Bay Area whose practice includes acupuncture and herbal treatments.
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