Dr. Richter sat down with our writer, Naomi, to discuss his holistic practice and how “the Loop” helps his patients recover better, faster.   Dr. Richter, it’s wonderful to meet you and to see your clinic. In addition to your formal veterinary training, what modalities are you certified in? I’m trained in acupuncture, chiropractic and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. I also do a lot with herbs, both Western and Chinese. I’m not trained in rehabilitation. I have other people at my clinic to do that.   When did you decide to become a holistic veterinarian? It’s interesting. I was and still am a very Western-minded individual. That said, when I was a Senior in Veterinary school I saw an acupuncturist bring a horse back from the dead, so to speak. It was an animal that the entire vet school staff had written off and I saw a veterinary acupuncturist use acupuncture and herbs. Within two days this horse was going home. That definitely grabbed my attention. But it wasn’t until years down the road, after having practiced Western medicine for about nine years, that I had the time in my life to get back to holistic studies. I think it had always been in the back of my head as something that I really wanted to look at.   How did you first hear about the loop? I first heard about it from Joe Thompson. I’ve known Joe for years and what I like about him is that he only deals with things that he really believes in. So when Joe came to me with the Assisi loop, that was enough for me to pay attention. We got a couple and tried them out, were really happy with the results, and the rest is history!   Do you remember those first cases? I think the first ones were both with dogs who had arthritis and joint pain. I also used one or two of the first Loops on animals that had neck and back issues-disc issues-and they did really well. This was about two years ago now.   Do you have any current patients who are being treated with the loop? Recently we had a Chihuahua come in that had blown a disc. The little dog had gone to see a neurologist who recommended surgery. The dog wasn’t completely paralyzed, but was very, very weak, having some issues with urinary and fecal incontinence, having a real hard time getting around, and was pretty painful. The owner had decided that for a number of reasons he didn’t want the dog to go to surgery, so instead we treated that dog with a combination of chiropractic, herbal therapy and the Assisi Loop.

Dr. Gary Richter, MS, DVM, is a Holistic Veterinarian practicing in Oakland, California and has recently won his second Best Veterinarian in the East Bay award from Oakland Magazine. He is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelors of Science, a Masters of Science in Veterinary Medical Science and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating with honors,   Dr. Richter combines a rigorous background in Western medicine with holistic and Chinese medicine to give his patients the best care possible. His clinic, Holistic Veterinary Care and Rehabilitation Center, has used the Assisi Loop for several years.   Over a period of two or three weeks, that dog got significantly better and less painful, to the point of where I’d say non-painful He was also urinating and defecating normally. His gait is not perfect–he’s still a little ataxic in the back end–but much better. The owner was ecstatic because surgery didn’t have to happen and basically she got her dog back.   Have you found a specific injury or malady that responds particularly well to the Assisi Loop? I tend to use the Loops most on dogs with spinal issues, particularly disc problems. I find it to be really, really helpful with that. Another advantage is more about the client than the patient: when we have an animal that needs to be treated frequently and it’s going to be difficult for the client to come back a couple of times a week–which is true for a lot of people–the Loop is a really good alternative in that it allows the dog to get treated twice a day instead of maybe once a week, if that. These may be owners with a work-schedule issue or people who don’t live nearby.   Plus, people like something that they can do at home. They like to feel that they are doing something, especially with the rehab cases. And we like to give owners homework, exercises to do with the dog and get them involved. The results are often better when there’s hands-on involvement. From a pain control standpoint the Loop is great because we can do acupuncture here, but what about the six or eight days until we see them again, or two weeks? Now there is a way for care to continue. It’s a good marriage of traditional medicine and technology.

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Oh the joy of having pets!! Imagine coming home after work to see your pooch running to you with a lot of excitement. Or looking forward to coming home after a long day to snuggle up with your kitty cat. Whatever your reasons may be, you love your pets and want to see them happy, healthy and full of life! Can you agree?

Unfortunately, some of the most difficult moments in life are when we see our pets in pain and can’t figure out what type of animal therapy they need. For example, with time, your furry canine may no longer run to you the way he used to and your loving cat has put on some extra weight because moving has become more difficult.

So, what could be the problem?

Arthritis, which can sneak up on middle aged dogs and cats!

Now, before we go any further, let’s not jump to conclusions and assume that if your pet exhibits any of the signs above, he or she has arthritis and needs animal therapy. Always take your pet to a veterinary hospital, such as Holistic Veterinary Care in Oakland California in order to get an accurate diagnosis.

Also, do not diagnose your pet yourself by reading information online! We know, it’s tempting, even with this article, yet the information online is only meant to offer insight, yet a real veterinarian is your go-to person for your animal therapy and diagnosis.

One recommended animal therapy for arthritis that is holistic and a natural home treatment, which can help ease your pet’s pain from aching joints is to do the following:

Arf-ritis Pain Relief

1) Take a breath

2)      Know that there are animal therapy methods to truly help your pet (and you’re about to find out how)

3)      Smile

At Holistic Vet Care, Dr. Richter recommends  Arf-ritis Pain Relief (1 oz).

It’s magic in a bottle and here is what our very own Dr. Richter of Holistic Veterinary Care has to say about Arf-ritis Pain Relief:

“Arf-ritis and other natural products can be excellent alternatives for prescription anti-inflammatory medications. In many cases they can also be used in conjunction with other pain medications with great results.” – Dr. Richter

Allow your pet to enjoy their life again with the right animal therapy!

How Does The Arf-ritis Pain Relief Work?

Using this animal therapy, gently massage the oil on to your pet’s body twice a day. Your pet will absolutely love it and he/she may even think you have magical hands. Don’t worry, we won’t tell your furry friend your little secret, our lips are sealed!

Arthritis is a serious problem for both humans and animals, yet there is always something you can do and Arf-ritis Pain Relief can definitely help!

Click here to see how Arf-ritis Pain Relief can be the right animal therapy and alleviate your pet’s pain.

The post Animal Therapy: How to Help Your Pet’s Arthritis appeared first on Holistic Veterinary Care.

Acupuncture for dogs can be very helpful.

Call 510-339-2600 for a free consultation!

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Randy D. Aronson, VMD from P.A.W.S. Veterinary Center Dr. Aronson talks about Surgery-free treatment for osteochondrosis dessecans in canines Osteochondrosis dessecans (OCD lesion) is a painful condition occurring primarily in young large and giant breed dogs. In OCD the bulb of the humerus bone (the humeral head), which connects to the shoulder socket, develops a “flap” that may detach from the bone entirely. This occurs due to a defect in the process that turns cartilage to bone during the growing phase. This defect results in abnormal cartilage thickening and essentially “starves”  cells within the cartilage. Normal wear and tear of running, sitting and walking turn this weak area into a gap at the junction of the bone and cartilage. The resulting inflammation is very uncomfortable for the dog and an owner may notice their dog develop a limp between 4-8 months of age. It can lead to more degenerative joint problems later on if not corrected.   Osteochondrosis dessecans is almost exclusively treated with surgery. The veterinary  surgeon will clean out the flap and sometimes fill in the area with stem cells to encourage the growth of new healthy bone. But what about non-surgical options, and pain management for the animal? Since osteochondrosis dessecans is a problem of inflammation and delayed repair, the Assisi Loops is primed to treat the condition.   This is exactly what Dr. Randy D. Aronson, DVM, of P.A.W.S. Tuscon found when he first began using the Assisi Loop at his clinic: “One of the first cases I used it on was a young golden retriever, about 8 or 9 months old, who had an osteochondrosis dessecans lesion in his shoulder. That’s a condition where the  blood vessels don’t innervate the bone properly and therefore he has a deficit in the bone itself, as if he had a piece of bone missing.

Dr. Randy Aronson graduated from George Washington University and received his Veterinary Medical Degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He shares his practical insights with wisdom and humor as the Radio Pet Vet on KQTH,104.1 FM in Tucson and on the Internet at http://www.1041thetruth.com on Saturday mornings, between 8-10 am PST . Dr. Aronson has owned a successful practice helping and healing animals for 30 years. He is often able to suggest another approach to your difficult pet problems and uses his training in acupuncture, e-stem, laser therapy, nutritional counseling, vitamins, supplements, rehabilitation medicine and traditional Chinese medicine to solve health problems. To ensure quality and accountability for the safety and benefit of his patients, he directs and co-formulates 2Docs, a comprehensive line of pet vitamins and dietary supplements. Osteochondrosis dessecans information and graphics from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. It’s very painful. He was scheduled for surgery where the vet will go in and excise that area, sometimes even pack it with stem cells.       I talked to the client about several different possibilities including pulsed signal therapy (PST) for this dog. I said, ‘We have a couple of months before this dog has to go into surgery for this. We have initial radiographs so we know the size of the initial defect. Why don’t we put the Assisi Loop on there and see what we can do?’ In a month, it had almost completely filled in and the dog never went to surgery.    In general, we have the Loop as part of our pain management protocol. It assists the body in increasing blood flow, producing natural endorphin release and nitric oxide production, which involves calcium molecules in the anti-inflammatory cascade. We certainly think that the pain and inflammation is improved with the Assisi Loop.” If surgery is necessary, the Assisi Loop is helpful for dealing with pain pre- and post-operation. Contact us to learn more about how the Assisi Loop can help your pet and  the clinical studies behind the FDA cleared device.

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First Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber for Pets in the Bay Area has been called Life Changing Miracle Treatment

Oakland, Calif, March 7, 2013 – The award-winning Holistic Veterinary Care in Oakland, California is pleased to announce it is adding to its cutting-edge medical treatments for pets by offering Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a safe, painless and often life-changing treatment used for pets recovering from surgery and wounds in addition to other illnesses. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is the practice of treating patients with pressurized 100% pure oxygen. The immediate effect of the treatment is to increase blood oxygen levels by more than 400%.

Increased oxygen levels lead to improved tissue healing and the mobilization of stem cells that further encourage healing. There is a very long list of treatment indication for HBOT including wound healing, arthritis, bone infection, spinal cord compression, trauma, stroke, sepsis, etc.

“At Holistic Veterinary Care, we are dedicated to offering alternatives for pets with chronic pain and diseases that do not respond well to conventional treatment,” said Dr. Gary Richter, MS, DVM. “Our team of holistic professionals is thrilled to offer effective solutions to help the pets in our community to stay healthy. Hyperbaric oxygen provides the opportunity to improve quality and quantity of life. Just a few years ago, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Stem Cell Therapy seemed like science fiction and now it is useful in helping to create effective treatments to increase rates of healing and to decrease pain and soreness.”

Treatments generally last one hour. During treatment, pets remain in the pressurized chamber while breathing 100% oxygen. HBOT is proven to stimulate stem cell production up to eight times, which enhances the healing process and allows the body to heal itself.

For additional information, call us at 510-339-2600 or click here to set up a free phone consultation.

The post Holistic Veterinary Care in Oakland, CA, Announces Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, To Improve Pet’s Quality of Life and Healing appeared first on Holistic Veterinary Care.

Holistic Veterinary Care also won the “Best Alternative Medicine Provider” AND “Best Canine Therapy Facility”

From all of us at Holistic Vet Care…

Thank You Bay Woof and Thank You To All Of Our Supporters!!

The post Holistic Vet Care Takes Home Three Awards Today! appeared first on Holistic Veterinary Care.

This is a happy dog!

How do you choose a pet sitter in San Francisco or in any area?

Imagine, it’s vacation time and you need a pet sitter. Or perhaps you don’t have to imagine because you’re already planning a vacation and need to find the right pet sitter right now. If you are not going out of town right now, bookmark this blog for future reference because when that time does come, you’d want to come back and have your questions answered.

Tic toc tic toc, what do you do to find the perfect pet sitter in San Francisco?

Finding someone who can watch your pet may be easy, yet finding the right pet sitter, now that’s another story. Is there really someone good enough to take care of your furry little companion while you’re away? After all, you want the best person, who knows how to think on their feet and will give your furry pet plenty of love and affection while you’re away.

So how do you find the right pet sitter you can trust? You are about to find out!

We understand the importance of choosing the right pet sitter. Who would be the first person you’d ask? A neighbor? A relative? A friend? Are they qualified?

You want a pet sitter who knows how to handle various situations, especially if your pet requires special attention. As you research pet sitters in San Francisco or in your area, you’ll want to ensure that the company proceeded with a background check for all of their pet sitters. Describe your needs specifically and ask them who they can recommend.

Retrieve as much information as possible and provide your pet’s sitter all of the information about your pet’s needs, such your pet’s routine, scheduled appointments, health information, etc. Usually companies provide a document about their pet sitters, which would give you an overview of the pet sitter you may potentially hire. However, it’s always wise to speak with the pet sitter directly prior to them arriving to your home for the job. Make sure your pet sitter knows your preferences when it comes to keeping your pets warm in the winter.

Make sure your pet sitter is licensed and bonded, and always check references. After all, we only want the very best for your furry pal. For example, Sittercity provides information about their pet sitters instantly and this is information such as, how long the person has been a pet sitter, their qualifications, if they own a pet themselves, reviews, educational background and a lot more. If you need a pet sitter, click here to go to Sittercity and view pet sitters in your area.

Let’s keep your pet happy, healthy and in good hands with the right pet sitter in San Francisco or in your area as well.

The post Pet Sitter in San Francisco, Bay Area: How Do You Choose? appeared first on Holistic Veterinary Care.

Brrrr, it’s still January and it’s COLD!  As you decide to take a walk outside with your pet and put on that warm winter coat, perhaps even a scarf, a hat, and boots, what is your pet wearing? If you are cold, chances are, so is your pet. Some breeds, like Huskies and Samoyeds, manage better in cold climates, however, many breeds of dogs don’t have enough fur to keep them warm once the temperature drops low. With that in mind, pay attention to your pet’s needs during the winter months.

Coats and booties can help your pet stay warm. If your dog has short hair, consider getting a coat or a sweater for them.

Brush your dog regularly, because the air in many homes tends to become dry during the colder months, which reduce moisture from a dog’s fur and skin. Once you brush your dog’s hair, you help to improve the skin, coat and circulation.

If your cat or dog is arthritic, it is especially important for you to keep them warm, because the cold air stiffens their joints and makes them tender. This becomes very uncomfortable and painful for your pet, so be particularly gentle with them this time around.

If you need to groom your pet, don’t have him shaved to the skin since a longer coat will provide him with more warmth.

Pay attention to your pet’s behavior. Animals can’t talk (surprise!), so it’s up to us to watch their body language and behavior to identify whether they are comfortable or if something is bothering them.

Lastly, if you notice something out of the ordinary with your pet, always consult a veterinarian.

Now, go snuggle up with your furry pal(s) and keep each other warm. The cold weather of January is no match for you!

The post Keeping Pets Warm in the Winter appeared first on Holistic Veterinary Care.

Here are some tips to keeping your pet happy, stress free and safe around the holiday season:

- If you take your pet to a holiday party, watch your pet’s behavior around people, especially children. Is your pet enjoying themselves or are they resistant to the people?  Do not place your pet in a situation where they may feel uncomfortable or scared.  Sometimes frightened animals will bite out of fear.

- Are there children present at the party? Make sure they do not feed your pet what they aren’t supposed to!

- Don’t give your pet table food scraps.

- Give your pet a toy to occupy their mind.

- Give them plenty of exercise to reduce their stress. If it means hiring a dog walker, because you can’t walk your dog, or taking them to a veterinarian for an indoor pool, keeping them active will keep them happy.

- Don’t change your pet’s diet. Let your pet see that even in the mayhem of all the holiday excitement, they still get the meal they know and love. 

- If your pet is stressed, there are natural options to help them cope.  It is best to consult with an animal health professional to determine which herbs or supplements would be best for your pet in particular.

Now go ahead and enjoy some quality time with your furry little friend.

From all of us at Holistic Vet Care, Happy Holidays!

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