veterinarian commonly prescribes antibiotics, steroids or other pharmaceuticals and may recommend surgery. The TCVM practitioner may use herbs, acupuncture and/or special management practices as the therapeutic modality (ies).

"Generally, the goals of TCVM and WVM are the same, both hope to promote health and to prevent disease," says Huisheng Xie, DVM, Ph.D., founder of the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine. "They are merely two different ways of viewing the world, and each system has its own strengths and weaknesses. Western medicine deals well with acute diseases and can utilize advanced surgical techniques. TCVM can be beneficial for chronic diseases, especially those that Western medicine can only partially control, but not cure.

"Due to the more individual nature of TCVM, Western medicine can better handle herd health problems. Although Western veterinarians promote disease prevention through yearly physical exams and vaccines, TCVM is highly beneficial for identification of potential problems and preventing disease through dietary modifications or preventative therapies. The therapeutics of TCVM can avoid some of the deleterious side effects of Western drugs, however Western drugs act much more quickly. Therefore, through integration of the two systems, one may take advantage of the strengths of each, while minimizing the weaknesses. Practitioners who are able to bridge the mental gap between Eastern and Western medicine may find that this combination brings better results than either one alone. In addition, when veterinarians practice traditional Chinese meditational exercises, such as Tai Qi Quan or Qi Gong, they are able to remain centered and better able to assist their patients." This is because these methods reduce stress (typical of Western veterinary practices) and promote available physical and mental energy.

Those who practice and understand TCVM believe in helping an animal to heal by correcting imbalances in the body. The practitioner seeks to discover the true basis of the disorder that is affecting an animal, not just how to suppress the symptoms. Eliminating the symptoms is the goal of WVM when a definitive, causative agent or problem cannot be identified. Correcting the imbalances of the body allows the animal to heal itself. A knowledge and understanding of the Five Elemental relationships, the Zang/Fu organ systems, and the systematic classification of disease patterns based on clinical symptoms are key diagnostic assessments to identify the underlying basis of disease.

"Balance is the key and the best of both worlds," says Bob Spiegel, DVM, a graduate of the Chi Institute whose veterinary clinic is located in West Hartford, Connecticut. Spiegel's main concern is what is going to benefit the animal the most, whether that be TCVM, Western medicine, or a combination of both. "I incorporate traditional Chinese medicine with Western Medicine. That's my biggest job, to introduce the possibility that we can think about health care in a way that embraces both options. I find situations every single day to include Chinese herbs and acupuncture in my practice."