Our services
We come to you
In-home acupuncture using a variety of techniques: dry needle, aquapuncture, electroacupuncture, laser.
Essential oils
Advice on essential oil use is included, with samples to get you started.
Treatment plans
Includes dietary changes if needed, conventional meds and/or herbal medicine*, techniques to carry out at home, and a time line for treatment.
*Can be posted for a small charge
Senior pet care
Senior pets: arthritis, cancer and supportive treatments.
Palliative care
Palliative care: end-of -life support
In-home comfort
Euthanasia when needed, includes a mild sedation.
For cremation facilities contact edenhills.com.au
What conditions are suitable for acupuncture?
Osteoarthritis: Pain and inflammation are alleviated with regular acupuncture treatments
Down dogs: Paralysis or weakness can be helped with acupuncture treatment, ideally early on. Electroacupuncture is invaluable in these cases.
Pain conditions: Pain is stagnation in TCVM terms, almost all conditions benefit from acupuncture which releases blocked/stagnated areas.
Dental patients: Acupuncture causes the release of analgesics and anti-inflammatory markers. Can be used both pre- and post- dental procedures.
Atopy patients: Skin conditions are challenging because they can be so global and affect many systems. Acupuncture helps restore harmony and balance (homeostasis) so that the skin can heal itself.
Otitis patients: Painful and inflamed ears are a symptom of internal disharmony and can be helped both directly (local effects) and indirectly (systemic effects).
Cancer patients: Whilst there is no cure, there are many side effects from both the cancer and any chemotherapy drugs that can be reduced with both acupuncture and herbal therapy.
IBD patients: This very common modern problem reflects a general imbalance we have inflicted on our pets through unnatural diets. It can be addressed through both acupuncture and food therapy to alleviate nausea, inappetence, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Seizure patients: Again there is no cure, but seizures can be reduced in frequency with both acupuncture and herbal therapy, allowing more targeted use of anti-epileptic drugs.
CKD patients: Animals with chronic kidney disease have a declining quality of life over many months or years. Acupuncture can boost their energy and well-being and give your pet a brighter old age.
Anxious patients: Anxiety is a symptom of several underlying disharmonies. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are very effective in calming anxious animals, whilst addressing their underlying issues in a drug free way.
Crashing patients: In an emergency situation there are several powerful acupuncture points that can make a life-saving difference. by stimulating cardiac contractility and breathing. However it is important to be in a hospital situation for all the ancillary treatment required (oxygen, fluids, drugs as required)
Asthmatic patients: Acupuncture and herbal medicine can help open airways, decrease coughing and reduce inflammation.
What to expect during an acupuncture visit?
1
On the day we ask that you are prepared for our visit. Once you have booked a time slot with us, we will email you instructions for a smooth and productive session.
2
When your pet is booked in for an acupuncture and/or herbal consultation, they will have a slightly different experience from a conventional visit. They will still undergo a full physical examination, but now the vet is looking for patterns rather than problems.
3
Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), a model of health and disease that has evolved and been tested over thousands of years.
Other branches of TCVM are Food Therapy, Chinese Herbs, and Tui-Na (manual therapy).
4
TCVM is about understanding the pattern of disease that this particular animal in this particular situation is experiencing. Once the Pattern has a name, a treatment plan can be instigated to undo the damage.
5
Your pets treatment plan may involve a multimodal approach: acupuncture, herbal medicine, food therapy, and conventional medicine advice. Currently I do not stock conventional medicines but will direct you to your referring clinic.
6
Usually several visits are required, depending on the length your pet has had a problem, and the severity of the problem(s).
What is involved?
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the insertion of a fine needle into specific points using palpation, and according to the Pattern diagnosis. These needles are very fine, solid, single use, individually packaged and gas-sterilized. This technique is called dry needle acupuncture and is the most widely used.
Additionally we can use electro-acupuncture where a very small current is passed between 2 points, this is very useful for spinal or surgical ‘blockages’.
Your acupuncture vet also uses cold laser acupuncture for stress-free sessions if the pet is sensitive to their feet being touched.
Herbal medicine
Herbal formulations are specific for the Pattern your pet produces on the day they are diagnosed. As your pets correct themselves, the Pattern will change, so it becomes important to re-evaluate their need for a particular formula if another would be more appropriate, or none at all. It is counter-productive and wasteful to continue beyond what is ‘needed’.
Creating Herbal formulations is highly skilled activities, and much effort goes into the choice of particular combinations for your pet.
Food therapy
Like herbal formulae, food strongly affects the health of your pet.
If they are eating highly processed carbohydrate laden foods, then you can expect similar issues to humans eating highly processed carbohydrate laden foods. We strive to improve your pets’ lives in the simplest of ways, and that is to improve their food. We are however mindful of the whole family situation, their history, and many other factors, so we always work together without judgement.
Food therapy involves matching appropriate foods to the Pattern that your pet is showing on the day. For many people this is intuitive, but there is much evidence to support this approach. Again the Pattern is critical to correct choices.
Pricing
Consultations and treatments in your own home (most suitable for non-ambulatory animals, cats in particular, and fearful pets generally):
First hour-long appointment $180.
Subsequent appointments $140.
Multipet discount
Second animal at 50% discount.
However be mindful of the need to provide healing time for the most needy, so don’t add an entire flock of chickens!
Packages
(if paid during initial consult)
Almost all conditions require a minimum of 3 treatments, regardless of the interval between appointments (usually weekly or fortnightly, but in urgent cases may be more frequent). Packages are all inclusive, but are tailored to need, generally 30% discount. We can discuss this at the first appointment.
Inclusions
I will review your pet’s history as thoroughly as possible allowing for your ability to provide it in advance.
I will come up with a pattern according to TCVM, with a short-term and long-term treatment plan
I will employ various techniques depending on suitability to both your pet’s age and temperament and the condition that needs treating. These may include dry needle acupuncture, aquapuncture, electroacupuncture, laser, moxibustion and massage techniques.
Extras
I will always discuss extras: supplements, herbal formulae and food therapy, and create a treatment plan for your pet. There is no extra charge for this plan, but the purchase of the products I advise that will help your pet, will incur a cost to you. I don’t stock a wide range of products, so most likely you will be given a link to ‘drop ship’ the product directly to you.
