Meet Jacquie Allgire,DVM.

Dr. Jacquie is here to offer veterinary acupunture, herbal medicine, nutritonal therapy, and, chiropractic care for small animal patients.

VETERINARY ACUPUNCTURE

What is acupuncture?





Acupuncture is defined as placing fine needles into specific areas of the body to achieve therapeutic effect. Originating in China, acupuncture has been used in veterinary practice for at least 3,000 years. Today, acupuncture is used all over the world to treat disease either alone or as a compliment to Western medicine. An acupuncturist uses sterile needles, hypodermic needles, electricity, heat, lasers, and massage to stimulate acupuncture points.

When should acupuncture be considered?


Acupuncture is not a cure-all, but can work very well when it is indicated. In small animals, acupuncture is often used to treat pain and can also be considered for the following conditions:

•Musculoskeletal problems, such as osteoarthritis, sprains, or disc disease
•Dermatological problems, such as lick granulomas
•Respiratory problems, such as feline asthma
•Gastrointestinal problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease or inappetance
•Cardiovascular, renal disease and epilepsy as well as certain behavioral problems




How does acupuncture work?

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, disease is the result of an energetic imbalance in the body. The body no longer works in harmony. Acupuncture is believed to balance this energy thus allowing the body to heal. In Western terms, acupuncture can assist the body's natural ability to heal itself by stimulating nerves, increasing blood flow, relieving muscle spasms, and causing a release of hormones such as endorphins (a natural pain control chemical) and cortisol (a natural anti-inflammatory chemical).

What are the side effects of acupuncture?




When acupuncture is performed by a properly trained veterinarian it is one of the safest medical treatments for animals. Side effects are rare, but can occur. An animal may necome sleepy or lethargic for 24 hours after acupuncture or their condition may seem worse up to 48 hours after treatment. These effects indicate that some physiological changes are occurring and are most often followed by an improvement in the animal's condition.

How long do acupuncture treatments take and how often are they given?




The length and frequency of acupuncture treatments depends on the patient's condition. Acupuncture visits may take 15 to 60 minutes each visit. Stimulation of an acupuncture point may take as little as 1 minute to 30 minutes. Acute conditions may need only 1-2 treatments, where as a more severe or chronic condition may require weeks of treatments. Patients will often begin with 1-3 treatments each week for 4-6 weeks. Response to treatment is usually seen after the first to fourth treatment. Once a maximum positive response is achieved, treatments are decreased. Chronic conditions can often be maintained with 4-6 treatments each year.



CATS, CATS, CATS . . . . . don’t forget about treating cats with acupuncture for their aches and pain. Acupuncture can be extremely effective for osteoarthritis and kidney disease.And most cats find acupuncture to be a very enjoyable experience!





CATS, CATS, CATS . . . .

For your convienance we have provided you with the information that you will need for your first consultation with Dr. Jacquie.


Patient Medical History

Sedona, the Grateful Canine Pin Cushion

Just before she turned four years old, our little fox terrier began acting differently. She wasn�ft interested in playing with her ring anymore (her favorite toy), and she seemed cold all the time because she shivered. We took her to our long�]time vet, who said there was no point in testing for Valley Fever �] since she didn�ft have a fever �] so he only took multiple x�]rays. He diagnosed a back injury. When Sedona got up one morning and couldn�ft extend her back left leg, we were understandably panicked. Another trip to our vet and this time he diagnosed a deep tissue injury in her hip, and his colleague seconded the opinion.

The only remedy our dog had been prescribed was a heavy�]duty pain medication that didn�ft seem to take her pain away much, it just made her groggy.

As soon as we received the e�]mail from Noble Beast announcing Dr. Jacquie Allgire�fs lecture on alternative therapies and treatment for animals in pain, we knew we had to go. Poor Sedona was obviously suffering, and our vet wasn�ft offering her any real relief. We attended the lecture and then scheduled an appointment with Dr. Jacquie. After hearing the details of Sedona�fs case, she suggested we test for Valley Fever . . . and the test came back positive. This simple step �] which could have been taken months prior by our regular vet and likely would have saved Sedona quite a bit of misery �] began our very
happy association with Dr. Jacquie and all of the other wonderful people at Alta Vista. The doctor suggested we try acupuncture as a way of easing Sedona�fs pain, and we
didn�ft hesitate.
Our dog�fs symptoms manifested in November and had persisted for weeks but after her FIRST acupuncture session in February, we had our dog back. That same day, Sedona began racing around the house, leaping up and over furniture, pulling out all of her toys and, most heart�]warming to us, obsessing over her beloved ring again. We currently bring Sedona into Alta Vista every two weeks for a 20�]minute �gpin cushion�h session, and Sedona actually enjoys her visits. (Such nice people, so many interesting smells and tasty treats). She remains fairly relaxed during the session, then usually has a burst of crazy energy as soon as we get home. Along with a specially compounded medication, Dr.
Jacquie has prescribed supplements to help Sedona�fs system tolerate the medicine, and our adored dog is back to being as happy as she was before she became ill.
We do not overstate it when we say we feel Sedona�fs acupuncture treatment has been like a miracle in the relief it�fs given her. We are truly grateful to Dr. Jacquie and have
recommended her to virtually every pet owner we know.

To Dr. Jacquie and everyone at Alta Vista: thank you!
Mike Shellans and Nan van der Steur (and Sedona, too!)

Thank you, Dr. Jacquie, for taking such good care of me!