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When discussing the Liver in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is important to understand that this concept extends beyond the anatomical liver recognized in Western medicine. In conventional medicine, the liver (lowercase L) is a physical organ responsible for many functions, including nutrient metabolism, bile production, blood sugar regulation, and the processing of various substancesRead More »The Liver in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Vitamin D is one of the few nutrients where both deficiency and excess can create health concerns. Unlike people, dogs and cats do not effectively produce meaningful amounts of Vitamin D from sunlight. Their levels depend almost entirely on diet, digestion, absorption, and how the body processes nutrients.  At Balanced Pet NW, Vitamin D testingRead More »Vitamin D Testing in Dogs and Cats

Food energetics is one of the traditional approaches to nutrition in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), where foods are often simplified into warming, neutral, or cooling categories according to their energetic properties. These energetic categories help guide food selection according to each patient's TCVM pattern and individual needs. Neutral Foods Neutral foods are often suitableRead More »Food Energetics in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine

Cranial cruciate ligament injuries are one of the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs. The cranial cruciate ligament is a stabilizing structure within the knee, and injury to this ligament can lead to pain, inflammation, and joint instability. These injuries can range from partial tears to complete rupture, depending on severity. Many families are toldRead More »Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Dogs

Evaluating whether a dog or cat is receiving adequate nutrition involves looking at many different signs throughout the body. Nutritional imbalances can present in a variety of ways, so assessment may include diet evaluation, detailed histories provided by the pet owner, physical examination findings, and nutritional testing. Dr. Watson’s training in Traditional Chinese Veterinary MedicineRead More »Approaching Nutrition from a TCVM Perspective

Seasonal allergies are often viewed as entirely caused by environmental allergens such as pollen. Environmental exposure certainly contributes to symptoms, although inflammation may also affect how strongly the body reacts. Some individuals develop significant irritation during allergy season, while others exposed to the same environment can experience very few symptoms. From an integrative perspective, allergyRead More »A Different Perspective on Allergies

Spaying and neutering have long been considered standard veterinary care, primarily as a way to prevent unwanted litters and behaviors. Many families are familiar with the traditional approach, which involves the removal of the reproductive organs to achieve sterilization. While that method remains widely used and often appropriate, emerging research has prompted a more nuancedRead More »Ovary-Sparing Spay and Vasectomy

There is a pattern in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) that tends to show up in many of our patients, but it does not always get recognized right away. It is called Blood deficiency, or Xue Xu (pronounced “shooay shoo”). Blood is not just the physical substance we measure in lab work. In TCVM, itRead More »TCVM Blood Deficiency

Parasite prevention is an important part of maintaining overall health, but it does not always need to follow a one-size-fits-all model. A testing-based approach allows care to be adjusted to each individual dog in support of a low-toxicity lifestyle. Annual Testing Heartworm and fecal testing are recommended for all adult dogs. This is important enoughRead More »Parasites