Welcome to Mendocino Coast Equine Acupuncture
Mendocino Coast Equine Acupuncture, led by Sarah E. Quentin, D.V.M., offers veterinary acupuncture and complementary medicine for your horse. Using a combination of traditional Chinese medicine, conventional western medicine and other complementary therapies, Dr. Quentin seeks to create an optimally healthy and balanced horse.
Mendocino Coast Equine Acupuncture comes to your barn or home in the Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt and Sonoma County areas. For appointments or more information please phone (707) 964-5792 or click on "Contact Us" to email.
What Can Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of equine health problems. It is also used to prevent disease and lamenesses in the performance horse.
Here is a partial list:
*Arthritis
*Lameness
*Acute Inflammation
*Laminitis/Founder
*Bursitis
*Back Pain
*Gastric Ulcers/EGUS
*Heaves/COPD
*Chronic Fatigue/Performance Problems
*Reproductive Problems
How is a Treatment Done?
An evaluation is done before treatment can begin. Through a systematic process of history, observation, and palpation, a diagnosis and treatment plan is initiated. A specific group of acupuncture points is chosen to correct imbalances. Through a series of acupuncture treatments, the patient, in effect, heals itself, not through palliation or suppression of symptoms, but by correcting what is fundamentally wrong.
Treatment is done with very small sterile acupuncture needles. The needles are used only once, then disposed of. Several needles are placed at prescribed acupuncture points for 10-30 minutes.
Most horses go through a typical sequence of reactions during a treatment. At first, some are apprehensive, followed by a deep relaxation. Many horses act sedated and sleepy after a few minutes of treatment. Some horses are fatigued for a day or two after treatment, so riding is not recommended during this time.
The frequency and duration of treatments depends on the horse. A treatment plan will be developed for the individual, since each animal heals at a different rate. Typically two to eight treatments is recommended. They may be anywhere from two to fourteen days apart.
Types of Acupuncture
There are several ways to stimulate acupuncture points. Some of the methods used by Dr. Quentin are sterile dry needles, acupressure, photonic/light, injection of solutions (aquapuncture), and electroacupuncture (applying a mild electrical current).
Complementary Therapy
Acupuncture may be used with other complementary therapies to allow healing to occur. Nutritional supplements, herbs, homeopathics and Reiki are used in conjunction with acupuncture for optimum results.
Western medicine works best in certain situations. For emergency situations such as colic or broken bones, acute or severe infections/conditions, and for getting the correct diagnosis through X rays, endoscopic evaluations, or advanced diagnostic imaging, western medicine excels.
In addition, there is no substitute for well balanced hoof trimming for conditions such as navicular disease and proper saddle fit for back soreness. It is imperative to look at the whole horse for optimum health and performance.
I am happy to work with your regular veterinarian or farrier to devise the best plan for the health of your horse.
**For Appointments or more information please phone (707) 964-5792**
