Chinese Herbal Medicine

For more than 2,000 years, herbs have been used in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) to treat a wide variety of ailments in all types of animals. To this day, much of our Western pharmaceuticals are rooted in the use of plants found in nature. Here at Embrun Veterinary Hospital, our team uses herbal medicine in combination with Western methods in our therapies for your furry family members. Simply call us at 613.443.5459 for more details.

How does Chinese Herbal Medicine work for pets?

Herbal medicine combines different plants in a strategic way, to target specific diagnoses.

Emperor or King: This herb has the most significant effect against the health problem at hand.
Ministers: These herbs enhance the effects of the Emperor herb.
Assistants: These plants address complications associated with the primary diagnosis and suppress any toxic effects of the Emperor or Minister herbs. They also help create a more balanced formula. For example, if the main actions are cooling, some warm herbs may be added into the formulation.
Messengers/Transporters: They help send the actions to appropriate areas of the body.

How can herbal medicine help my pet?

Furry friends diagnosed with kidney disease, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, chronic pain, skin conditions and more can all benefit from the incorporation of herbal medicine into their treatment protocol. For example, pets who are undergoing chemotherapy may benefit from herbal medicine, as it can minimize negative side effects of chemotherapy and help boost its healing impact.

What are the side effects of herbal medicine in pets?

For the most part, herbal medicine has fewer side effects than pharmaceutical drugs or other types of Western medicine. This is because, as we mentioned earlier, herbal treatments comprise of “assistant herbs” that minimize or suppress any harmful effects of the main herb used in the treatment. That being said minor side effects like vomiting or soft stools are experienced on rare occasions. These will dissipate right away once treatment is stopped.