What is integrative veterinary care?

The practice of integrative veterinary care involves integrating conventional and complementary therapies to promote optimal health, and prevent and treat disease.

Dr. Kassell is passionate about preventive health care.  Working with her clients, she creates unique well-pet plans for each pet based on nutrition, vaccination, flea and tick control, heartworm prevention, fresh air, sunshine, exercise, and love. In treating her patients for specific conditions, Dr. Kassell utilizes nutrition, nutraceuticals, and herbs, as well as conventional medications and therapies.

You can get additional information about integrative veterinary care at the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association’s website.

Nutrition, nutraceuticals, and herbs

There are many options in feeding pets ranging from kibble to dry to home-cooked to raw.  Dr. Kassell prefers that clients feed their pets diets based on whole, fresh foods in their naturals forms whenever possible, including raw meaty bones, muscle meat, organs and vegetables. (For more information, see Dr. Kassell’s helpful article about the whys and hows of raw foods.) However, she recognizes that for reasons ranging from health to logistical to financial, raw feeding is not for every dog or cat, at least not for every meal. Dr. Kassell’s goal is to educate her clients about feeding options and to help them establish nutrition plans that work for them and their pets.

In addition to the daily diet, or in treating specific health condition, Dr. Kassell may recommend nutraceuticals, which are nutritional supplements such as vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids, glandular extracts and probiotics.  Examples of herbs are calendula to assist with wound healing and milk thistle for liver support.

Additional options

If Dr. Kassell feels it would be in your pet’s best interest, she may recommend that you make an appointment with a veterinarian who specializes in alternative therapies.  Examples include acupuncture and rehabilitation, which can be useful for treating arthritis and pain.