East Meets West – Our Services

All God’s Creatures Holistic Healthcare offers a unique method of combining western medicine with traditional eastern therapies to provide your pet with the best possible care. From Surgeries to Acupuncture, or vaccinations to laser therapy, we have various methods we can use to benefit your pet.

For more information on these or other services, please call 812-536-2276.

Eastern Therapies

Acupuncture

Medical technique in which needles are inserted into the skin and underlying tissues, devised in China before 2500 BC. One or more small metal needles are inserted at precise points along 12 meridians (pathways) in the body, through which the vital life force (qi) is believed to flow, in order to restore yin-yang balance and treat disease caused by yin-yang imbalance. Acupuncture also relieves pain.

Theories to explain its effects include stimulation to release natural opiates, and blockage of pain-signal transmissions.

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A dog receiving dry acupuncture

Aqua Acupuncture

Form of acupuncture that involves the hypodermic injection of substances (e.g., vitamin preparations or liquid herbal extracts) at acupuncture points, purportedly to “stimulate” them by pressure from the injected substance.

Candidates for this procedure are pets that don’t hold still very well for acupuncture needles or the points are difficult to leave acupuncture needles in for the extended time period.

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A horse receiving aqua acupuncture

Electroacupuncture

“Electroacupuncture is quite similar to traditional acupuncture in that the same points are stimulated during treatment. As with traditional acupuncture, needles are inserted on specific points along the body. The needles are then attached to a device that generates continuous electric pulses using small clips. These devices are used to adjust the frequency and intensity of the impulse being delivered, depending on the condition being treated. Electroacupuncture uses two needles at a time so that the impulses can pass from one needle to the other. Several pairs of needles can be stimulated simultaneously, usually for no more than 30 minutes at a time.” That article adds:

“According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, illness is caused when chi does not flow properly throughout the body. Acupuncturists determine whether chi is weak, stagnant or otherwise out of balance, which indicates the points to be stimulated. Electroacupuncture is considered to be especially useful for conditions in which there is an accumulation of chi, such as in chronic pain syndromes, or in cases where the chi is difficult to stimulate.”[3]Electroacupuncture is also variously termed EA, electro-acupuncture or incorporated under the generic term electrotherapy. It is often used to help stimulate nerve functions.

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A dog receiving Electroacupuncture

Food Therapy

Food Therapy is a practice in the belief of healing through the use of natural foods instead of, or in addition to medications.

Chinese food or Nutrition therapy, is a modality of traditional Chinese medicine. Central to this belief system is the idea that certain foods have a “hot” or heat-inducing quality while others have a “cold” or chilling effect on the body and its organs and fluids. An imbalance of this “heat” and “cold” is said to increase susceptibility to sickness or to directly cause disease itself. Such an imbalance is not necessarily related to the subjective feeling of being hot (tending toward sweating) or cold (tending toward shivering).

​Dr. Schafer will recommend what foods and treats your pet should be eating depending on her Chinese Diagnose.

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A chart of different types of food

Chiropractic Adjustments

​These services are done by Dr. Pam Buss, DC. She is a professional member of American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. You have to have a veterinary referral to use her services. This is a State Law of Indiana. If you do not have a veterinary referral then you will need to be scheduled to see Dr. Schafer first.

Definition of Chiropractic: System of healing based on the theory that disease results from lack of normal nerve function, often caused by displaced vertebrae putting pressure on nerve roots. Treatment involves manipulations of body structures, primarily the spinal column, and use of other techniques when necessary. It concerns the relationship between musculoskeletal structures and functions of the body and the nervous system. The chiropractic method was propounded in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer (1845–1913). Practitioners are trained at accredited chiropractic colleges.

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A dog receiving Chiropractic Adjustments

Herbal Therapy

Herbal medicine — also called botanical medicine or phytomedicine — refers to using a plant’s seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes. Herbalism has a long tradition of use outside of conventional medicine.

It is becoming more mainstream as improvements in analysis and quality control along with advances in clinical research show the value of herbal medicine in the treating and preventing disease.

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different herbal remedies

Homeopathic Remedies

​Homeopathy is a system of medicine which involves treating the individual with highly diluted substances, given mainly in tablet or liquid form, with the aim of triggering the body’s natural system of healing.

Based on their specific symptoms, a homeopath will match the most appropriate remedy to each patient.

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A bottle of homeopathic medicine

Canine Rehabilitation Certification Program

Dr. Schafer has been going through this program so that All God’s Creatures Holistic Healthcare can offer canine rehabilitative services for those pets that would benefit from such services Although we do not have this service up and running at this time – stay tuned! We will be providing it in the near future.

Veterinary Services

Puppy & Kitten Care

Getting your new puppy or kitten off to a healthy start sets the stage for their lives as healthy adults. Regular physical examinations, core and elective vaccinations, fecal testing for parasites, and deworming are all important elements of ensuring good health for your puppy or kitten. Our knowledgeable staff can help your family learn about potty training your pup, performing nail trims on your puppy or kitten, dietary recommendations, and potential health hazards for your new pet.

Spaying and neutering are additional topics to consider; the appropriate age for the timing of sterilization surgery may vary upon the species and breed of your pet. You may also want to consider Pet Health Insurance – a great way to get your new little family member off to a good start. Last but not least, you’ll also want to consider whether your new puppy or kitten may need preventives such as monthly heartworm prevention, and flea/tick preventives. We realize that adding a new family pet can come with lots of questions… but don’t forget, we’re here to help, so please don’t hesitate to call.

Wellness Care

Preventive veterinary care is the cornerstone of keeping your pet their healthiest so that you and your pet can have more great years together. Since pets age more quickly than people do, it is critical to have regular physical examinations done to assess your pet’s health. During routine preventive exams, your veterinarian will assess:

  • Overall Body Condition
  • Eyes
  • Ears
  • Nose
  • Mouth
  • Throat
  • Heart and Lungs
  • Abdominal Organs
  • Musculoskeletal System
  • Neurologic System
  • Urogenital System
  • Lymph Nodes
  • Skin/Coat

When health problems are identified, a medical plan will be outlined to evaluate the problems in depth. If your pet appears to be healthy enough for routine preventive care, your veterinarian will discuss which immunizations are advised, as well as parasite prevention including heartworm disease, intestinal parasites, and ectoparasites (fleas, ticks, etc.). Annual age-appropriate lab tests, testing for heartworm and/or tick-borne diseases, and fecal tests for parasites may also be recommended for your pet. Finally, your pet’s nutrition, diet, and exercise routines can be assessed and optimized to help your pet be in best physical condition for their lifestyle and age. Remember, keeping up with preventive care for your pet is the best way to keep your pet happy and healthy for life.

Senior Pet Care

We love Senior Pets! Senior pets have special needs, and benefit from more regular veterinary visits compared to their younger counterparts. Age-associated conditions include:

  • Arthritis
  • Dental Disease
  • Heart Disease
  • Liver Disease
  • Kidney Disease
  • Endocrine Disorders

These conditions will start to become more prevalent as your pet gets older. For this reason, we recommend twice-yearly veterinary visits for pets over 7 years of age. Your aging pet may be showing early signs of osteoarthritis such as stiffness after rest or play, difficulty going up or down stairs and reduced activity. Early intervention with joint supplements and prescription arthritis medications when indicated, along with modified nutrition and exercise plans, can greatly improve your pet’s comfort and mobility. Likewise, performing annual screening lab work on your older pet can help identify early stages of medical problems that might go unrecognized, and progress significantly without treatment.

Some pets experience age-related behavioral changes that can be a sign of cognitive dysfunction, which is similar in some ways to dementia. Your veterinarian can recommend diet modification and supplements to help improve your older pet’s mental sharpness. Getting older doesn’t have to be fraught with troubles for your pet… see your vet regularly to help keep your senior pet healthy and comfortable.

Parasite Control

Pets are a part of our families, and preventing parasite infestations is an important part of keeping them healthy. Both ectoparasites (external parasites) and endoparasites (internal parasites) can affect your pet at some point in their life. Ectoparasites, such as fleas and ticks, are not only a nuisance to your pet, but can transmit vector-borne diseases to humans and pets such as Bartonella (cat scratch disease, transmitted by fleas); Lyme, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichia, and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever. Fleas can also cause a severe dermatologic condition for your pet resulting in very itchy, inflamed skin, due to flea allergy dermatitis.

Roundworms are the most prevalent endoparasite in pets. Others include hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. Pets are typically infected with these parasites through accidental ingestion of parasite eggs (which are microscopic) from areas that have fecal contamination from other infected animals. Alternatively, some parasites are acquired through ingestion of intermediate hosts such as rodents (Taenia tapeworm species; Toxocara roundworm species) or fleas (Dipyllidium tapeworm species). These parasites are also a health risk to humans and are considered zoonotic – meaning they can be transmitted from animals to people. For example, if a person accidentally ingests roundworm eggs, the larvae can migrate in the body and cause organ damage and potentially blindness. Hookworm larvae in the soil and grass can infect bare skin and cause a condition in people known as cutaneous larval migrans.

Heartworm is another important endoparasite, but one which is not zoonotic. Heartworm infections result from pets being bitten by infected mosquitos. The larval form of the heartworm travels through the bloodstream to the heart where it develops into an adult. The adult heartworms live in the right side of the heart and left untreated, result in progressive heart failure and death. In initial stages of heartworm disease, pets may be asymptomatic. As the condition progresses, symptoms may evolve including a cough and exercise intolerance in dogs, and vomiting/coughing in cats.  Treatment of heartworm disease can be very risky for the pet, and very costly.

Because of the health risk to your family and pets, it is important to keep your pet on a year-round parasite prevention program. There are several preventives that when used properly, are very effective at greatly reducing the risk of your pet acquiring heartworm disease, intestinal parasites, and tick transmitted diseases. Additionally, you can help prevent the risk of zoonotic disease to your family by practicing good hygiene (frequent hand washing), avoiding eating unwashed raw vegetables or undercooked meats and cleaning up pet feces in your yard. For more information about pets and parasites, visit petsandparasites.org, and consult with one of our friendly staff!

Pet Dental Care

One of the most common but also frequently overlooked health problems for companion animals is dental disease. By age 3, most pets have some degree of periodontal disease. This occurs as a result of bacterial infection along the gum line, due to the formation of plaque. Plaque is a sticky substance containing millions of bacteria that forms along the tooth surface and gum line. Without frequent removal, plaque eventually hardens into tartar. Left untreated, this leads to gradual destruction of the gum tissue and supportive structures around the teeth, which can result in tooth loss. Not only is periodontal disease harmful and painful because it results in loss of teeth, but it can also cause damage to important vital organs such as the:

  • Heart
  • Liver
  • Lungs
  • Kidneys

When it comes to dental disease, most pet owners don’t realize the extent of the problem until it is quite advanced; hence the importance of yearly to twice yearly physical examinations including a thorough oral health care assessment. In the early stages of dental disease, your veterinarian can recommend home dental health care measures such as tooth brushing, dental treats and rinses, and dental diets. When professional dental care is needed for your pet, general anesthesia is necessary. Your veterinarian will discuss the procedures involved in a COHAT (comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment) plan with you when dental care is needed. Most often, this will involve a day at the veterinary hospital to plan and perform the procedures, which may include doing:

  • Pre-Operative Lab Work
  • IV Catheterization
  • General Anesthesia
  • Dental X-Rays
  • Teeth Cleaning and Polishing
  • Dental Charting
  • Extractions when indicated

Upon discharge, the veterinary team will review any instructions pertaining to post-dental medications, special feeding instructions, and when to resume home dental care. Your pet will thank you for remembering to take care of his or her mouth, and live a longer and happier life as a result.

Diagnostic Care

When your pet is sick or injured, they can’t tell us what’s wrong. A thorough physical exam and history (symptoms you’ve noted at home) are the first important step. If the diagnosis is not immediately evident upon initial assessment, your veterinarian will recommend specific diagnostic tests. These may include:

  • Laboratory testing for baseline blood counts and organ function tests, or infectious disease. Blood and/or urine samples may be collected from your pet, for point-of-care testing, or reference lab tests. Point-of-care tests are those tests that are done on-site in our hospital so as to be able to determine results and make treatment recommendations in the most timely fashion possible. In other cases, lab samples may need to be sent off to off-site laboratories (reference laboratories) – when the test cannot be performed with in-hospital lab equipment, or when the test results are not needed urgently.
  • Imaging such as x-rays or ultrasound, which allows diagnosis of conditions of the heart and lungs, gastrointestinal obstruction, tumors of the internal organs or bones, fluid in the chest or abdominal cavity, urinary stones or gallstones, reproductive diseases, and bone/joint disorders. For most patients, gentle restraint can be used for these procedures, however, in some cases, sedation may be necessary.
  • Microscopy is quite useful in the evaluation of lab samples such as ear swabs, skin impressions and scrapes, and needle biopsies of tumors. These tests are helpful in diagnosis of dermatologic and otic (ear) conditions.
  • Ocular conditions may warrant evaluation for tear production (Schirmer Tear Test), corneal injuries (fluorescein stain), or abnormal intra-ocular pressures (Tonometry).

Diagnostic testing is an important step in the development of a treatment plan for your pet, allowing your veterinarian to most effectively target the underlying problem(s) and assess the probability of successful treatment. Your veterinarian can explain the purpose of each diagnostic test for your pet, and help prioritize which tests may be most helpful in determining the cause of your pet’s illness.

Surgery & Related Services

At some point in your pet’s life, they may need a surgical procedure. Whether your pet is having an elective surgery such as spay or neuter, or an emergency surgery for intestinal obstruction, you can rest assured that our staff will provide the very best care possible for your pet.

Our facility offers the following surgical services for companion animals:

  • Routine spay and neuter
  • Dentistry
  • Tumor removal
  • Abdominal and soft tissue procedures

In the best interests of our pet, we require a physical examination appointment with one of our doctors prior to scheduling procedures. Before the procedure is scheduled, our staff will explain the process including:

  • Any pre-surgical testing that is recommended – baseline laboratory testing is beneficial so that there are no surprises on surgery day. Knowing that your pet has normal blood test results can help prevent anesthetic complications or surgical complications such as excessive bleeding, which can occur when patients have low platelet counts or abnormal clotting. When there is liver or kidney disease, this may affect the choices of anesthetic drugs recommended by your veterinarian, to prevent anesthetic complications and promote a smooth anesthetic recovery.
  • Food and water intake restrictions prior to surgery – a period of fasting may be necessary prior to your pet’s procedure. Our staff will let you know what is advised.
  • What procedures are to be done on the day of surgery – from initial intake to sedation and general anesthesia, anesthesia monitoring, the procedure and recovery, the staff will walk you through what will happen with your pet once you leave the hospital.
  • Discharge and aftercare for your pet – some patients may be able to go home the same day as their procedure, whereas others may need an overnight stay or referral to a 24-hour care facility. The veterinary team will advise you as to what is best for your pet, and also discuss aftercare for your companion and any rechecks needed.

Emergency & Urgent Care

In emergency, seconds count. When you arrive with your pet on emergency or urgent care basis, our highly trained staff will perform an immediate triage assessment to assess the stability of your pet and need for emergency medical intervention. In life-threatening situations, you may be asked for consent to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

The first component of basic triage is assessing your pet’s level of consciousness, airway/breathing (labored breathing or choking, lack of oxygen), circulatory status (pale gums or weak pulses, racing heart), and pain score. Patients needing urgent medical attention, upon consent will be moved to our treatment area for immediate doctor assessment and commencement of emergency care.

Placing an IV catheter and administering IV fluids, giving oxygen supplementation, and pain relief medications may be elements of the initial stabilization of your pet. As your pet is stabilized, your veterinarian will review a diagnostic plan which may include imaging (radiographs, ultrasound) and laboratory evaluation (blood and/or urine tests) to ascertain the severity of the situation and tailor treatment for your pet.

At times, your pet may need advanced care at a referral or specialty center. When this is the case, our staff will discuss options for transfer and referral. Your primary veterinarian will stay abreast of your pet’s status at the emergency facility.

Thermal Imaging

What is Thermal Imaging?

Digital Thermal Imaging measures energy radiated from the patient’s tissues. Differences in radiated energy can be associated with differences in temperatures and viewed as color differences. Hotter areas depict increases in circulation and cooler depict decreases in circulation. See inside the body by evaluating the amount of heat conducted to the surface of the body.

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NutriScan Testing

All God’s Creatures Holistic Healthcare offers our clients the NutriScan device which can be used to determine if your pet has allergies to any foods. Small things such as chronic scratching, stomach issues, or even gas could point to allergies in what your pet could be eating.

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Stem Cell Therapy

Regenerative Medicine utilizes the body’s own cells to heal and regenerate damaged tissues in acute and chronic conditions.

Therapies include:

  • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
  • Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Stem Cells

What can regenerative medicine be used for?

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Acute and Chronic Soft Tissue Injuries
  • Tendon Injuries
  • Ligament Injuries
  • Muscle Injuries
  • Certain Spinal Conditions
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Alpha-Stim

​The Alpha-Stim® SCS is a medical microcurrent device that uses tiny electrical currents similar to those found naturally in the body. It is a proprietary waveform that works with the body to help regain a healthy circulatory current, stimulate endorphin release, and rebalance firing patterns.

Alpha-Stim technology is FDA cleared. These prescription medical devices have been used to help people suffering from pain, anxiety , insomnia and depression since 1981. In veterinary medicine the Alpha-Stim has been used with great success to treat pain (chronic or acute), inflammation, anxiety, nervousness and tension. In horses it is used for stall cribbing, pacing and stall walking, stomach distress, pulling back or flipping over, arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, sprains and strains to muscles, and wounds that fail to heal or slow healing wounds.

In pets it is used to treat anxiety associated with fear of storms, stress, separation, obsessive compulsive disorders, insomnia related to adrenal malfunction, cancer pain, chronic or acute pain, arthritis, inflammation, cognitive dysfunction, depression from loss or separation, and cellular healing. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) is another term and method of Alpha-Stim.

Learn more at http://www.alpha-stim.com. Alph-stim and CES is efficacious, easy to learn, can be administered in the clinic or at home, and highly cost effective. We carry these devices and will sell or loan the devices for a rental fee.

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The Alpha-Stim® SCS is a medical microcurrent device

Cold Laser Therapy

​Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a medical and veterinary treatment that uses low-level lasers or light-emitting diodes to alter cellular function. It is often called cold laser because it does not produce heat. Thus, it will not cause burns. The goal of laser therapy is to deliver light energy units, in the form of photons, to damaged cells. The effects of LLLT appear to be limited to a specified set of wavelengths of laser, The consensus of experts is that photons, absorbed by cells through laser therapy stimulate the mitochondria to accelerate production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP).

This biochemical increase in cell energy is used to help transform cells from a state of illness to a stable, healthy state. It is a drug free, non-invasive, side-effect free, pain free, safe and effective therapy that controls inflammation, speeds healing, accelerates pain relief, and increases joint flexibility. Pet conditions often treated using LLLT are arthritis, lick granulomas, acute and chronic otitis, gingivitis and periodontal disease, hot spots and dermatologic disorders, degenerative and acute disc disease or injury, soft tissue injuries(sprains and strains), hematomas, chronic pain, burns, neuropathy and myelopathy, pre-surgical analgesia, post-surgical trauma, oral lesions and stomatitis, back and muscle pain, wounds and fractures, and many more.

Ask us about laser therapy and what it can do to help your pet.

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A dog receiving cold laser therapy