Services
Cat Clare Clinic is a holistic feline housecall service that also offers telemedicine and phone consults. Our holistic practice evaluates the “whole” animal taking into account your pet’s diet, exercise, history, emotional and physical stressors, genetic background, past medical history, as well their owners’ lifestyle. We offer an integrative approach using the best therapies Eastern and Western Medicine can offer to create unique and individualized treatment plans for your pet.
In order to focus on holistic therapies for your pet, we have limited our Western Medicine therapies to vaccines, laboratory testing, and pharmaceuticals where indicated. We are happy to give you referrals for surgery, dentistry, radiology, euthanasia, cremation services, or chiropractic care.
In order to focus on holistic therapies for your pet, we have limited our Western Medicine therapies to vaccines, laboratory testing, and pharmaceuticals where indicated. We are happy to give you referrals for surgery, dentistry, radiology, euthanasia, cremation services, or chiropractic care.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was developed more than 5000 years ago for an agrarian society that had little education. This highly effective medical system uses simple familiar terms such as heat, cold, dry, dampness, and wind to accurately describe complex medical conditions. TCM also looks at the whole patient- diet, exercise, shelter, patient relationships, and lifestyle in recommending therapy for a patient. The TCM modalities that Dr. Swanson incorporates into her practice include Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, and Dietary Therapy.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been practiced on animals as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapy for nearly 4,000 years. TCM contends abnormal flow of qi (energy) stuck in the body causes pain or disease. By applying fine needles to specific points on the body, acupuncture moves qi and relieves pain or disease. Traditionally, it was used to treat musculo-skeletal problems such as arthritis. Today, acupuncture is used to treat most medical problems from respiratory to gastrointestinal disease and skin conditions. |
Herbal Medicine
Plants have played an important role in the medical practice of Indigenous American, European, Indian, Chinese, and many other cultures for millennia. These cultures employ plants for food, medicine, shelter, clothing, and use in spiritual practices. Dr Swanson has studied herbalism in the European and Chinese traditions. She makes therapeutic remedies tailored to each individual pet’s medical needs. She is also skilled at employing various forms of herbs that are easily administered to cats. |
Dietary Therapy
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), all foods have a flavor (sweet, sour, salty, or bitter) and as thermal quality. The thermal quality of a food (hot, warm, neutral, or cold) reflects the effect that food has on the body. For example, tomatoes have a cooling effect on the body. Once a TCM practitioner has examined a patient and determined a diagnosis, they then prescribe a diet that will help balance the patient’s condition. Diet therapy is one of the most therapeutic tools TCM practitioners use to treat their patients |
Two Different Kinds of Herbal Therapy
Chinese Herbal Therapy
Chinese herbs have been used for millennia to treat all manner of physical, emotional, and mental illnesses in humans and animals. Chinese herbs are generally combined into formulas for specific therapeutic use. They are traditionally dispensed as powders, pills, or plant parts for making teas. Because of their strong taste, Chinese herbs can be difficult to get into some animals. Dr Swanson uses a radionics machine to make an energetic copy of the herbs for use transdermally (on the skin) in many of her patients. This still gives the animal a beneficial therapeutic effect while making it less stressful for the owner to administer |
Western Herbal Therapy
Plants have played an important role in the healing practices of most indigenous cultures for millennia. Dr Swanson has studied herbs from Native American, European, Chinese, Ayurvedic, and South American cultures. She chooses to use sustainably grown local herbs most of which she grows and harvests herself. Dr Swanson has found that tinctures, an alcohol extract of the herb, are easiest to use for most cats and some dogs. Although herbal pills, powders, teas, and poultices can also be used with animals. |
Nutritional Therapy
A balanced, healthy diet is the foundation for good health. If an animal (or human) is not eating a balanced, high quality, minimally processed diet, it will be difficult for that individual to maintain good health. Dr Swanson highly recommends raw (pre-made), raw cooked, or freeze-dried foods. Foods should also be free from by-products and artificial preservatives. While kibble (dry food) and canned food are more convenient for the owners, many pets have difficulty digesting and absorbing adequate nutrients from these foods.
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Dr Swanson has studied nutrition extensively and can make specific dietary recommendations for your pet. The simple addition of these nutritional supplements can enhance your pet’s quality of life and longevity.
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Processing foods damages or makes many essential nutrients unavailable to the body. That’s why the ingredient list for most processed food is very long. All of the nutrients lost in processing the food must be added back into the diet to make it complete and balanced. Many of the synthetic ingredients are not assimilated and utilized by the body in the same way as nutrients sourced from the original food ingredient. Many diseases of humans and animals can be traced directly to specific vitamin, mineral or nutrient deficiencies.
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Bach Flower Essences
Flower Essences were discovered by a physician, Dr Edward Bach, in the 1930s. He believed that symptoms of disease were due to a disharmony between body and mind. The symptoms of an illness were the external expressions of negative emotional states. He developed 38 flower remedies which are made from sunlight infusions of fresh blossoms in spring water. Dr Swanson uses Bach Flower Essences for emotional and behavioral issues in pets. The most well known of Dr Bach’s remedies is called Rescue Remedy. It is a combination of 5 flower essences for fear and anxiety. It is calming in pets (and people) eliminating the need for sedation. Dr Swanson uses a 5 flower remedy (same as Rescue Remedy) called Calming Essence to help patients remain calm during their examinations or procedures.
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One major benefit of flower essences is their ease of use as they can be applied transdermally, orally, or in drinking water. They have an immediate effect which can be amplified through using sequential doses.
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Behavior Counseling
Today, behavioral problems are the number one reason why cats and many dogs are euthanized. Problems such as eliminating outside the litterbox, scratching furniture, excessive vocalization, and aggression can be successfully treated using herbs, flower essences, and behavior modification techniques.