Americans are turning more and more to alternative medical therapies, spending upwards of $48 billion a year on treatments that complement those of Western medicine. It’s probably not surprising then that people are starting to look for similar alternatives for treating their pets. While in some parts of the country, you would be lucky to find certain veterinary specialists within driving distance, here in the North Bay, we are rich in veterinary resources — including a popular clinic offering holistic medicine for pets.

“The main thing I do for my geriatric patients is improve the quality of their lives,” says Pamela Bouchard, DVM, of Tender Care Veterinary Clinic, an integrative medicine practice in San Rafael. After 14 years of practicing Western medicine, Dr. Bouchard began to offer alternative therapies to her clients in 1993 as well. Now the four-legged patients in her flourishing practice can also benefit from traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic and nutrition therapy.

“Western medicine is incredibly useful, but sometimes it gets overdone without a thought to the whole picture,” she says. “It’s so exciting as a vet to be able to do something to work more deeply to help prevent problems from recurring rather than just treating the symptoms.”

Musculoskeletal issues represent the most common problem shared by older animals. “If they can move, they can stay happier and more fit,” says Dr. Bouchard.

Dogs and cats are hard on their bodies and keeping them moving is a challenge as they advance in age. While the new medications on the market can be extremely effective, they’re often not without their side effects. Acupuncture and traditional Chinese herbs are less risky alternatives.

“Acupuncture is very effective at helping to decrease pain and increase mobility,” explains Dr. Bouchard. “It can also help to prevent disease, and help with issues related to digestion, the skin, the heart, etc. Acupuncture can also be used after surgery to alleviate pain.”

Traditional Chinese herbs often complement acupuncture. “The herbs can do something that acupuncture can’t and vice versa,” says Dr. Bouchard. “Herbs treat the roots of conditions while Western medicine treats the branches. We restore balance with Chinese medicine.”

Chiropractic medicine can also be used to alleviate pain and increase mobility. “It does some things well that you wouldn’t expect, like cure incontinence in some animals,” says Dr. Bouchard.

As for the practice of homeopathy, Dr. Bouchard describes it as giving a remedy that ignites a cure from within or that triggers their own healing from the inside out. “It’s the hardest thing to do well and for people to understand, but when it works, it’s miraculous,” she says.

Good nutrition plays an enormous role in keeping an animal healthy. “At the root of good health is a whole, fresh diet of organic, hormone-free, antioxidant-rich foods,” says Dr. Bouchard. “Instead of giving them a whole bunch of vitamins and supplements, feed your animals real food, which they will love and will make them younger!”

Many cats and dogs do well with either raw or cooked food diets. What about the high-quality dried dog foods available today? “Would you enjoy eating only dehydrated food your whole life?” she asks gently.

But when it comes right down to it, the very best medicine of all turns out to be love — with exercise and lots of interaction thrown into the mix. “They need to feel like they matter,” says Dr. Bouchard. “Nothing keeps a dog or cat younger than being involved in their world and connecting with their family.”

Tails of Marin appears every Saturday in the Home & Garden section of the Marin Independent Journal