What We Treat
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the insertion of very thin needles into specific points on the body for the purposes of healing. Acupuncture provides nervous system stimulation, enhances blood flow and releases Anti-inflammatory and paint relieving hormones, such as serotonin, which will reduce pair in your pet.
Aquapuncture
Aqua-puncture is and acupuncture technique in which a liquid agent is utilized to stimulate the acupuncture points. I utilized cobalamin or vitamin b12 to do this. Treatments are quick and effective and provide prolonged stimulation to the acupuncture points. This technique works well in pets that are restless and cannot be expected to keep still for regular dry needs acupuncture which lasts 15 – 20 minutes. Aqua-puncture can take less that 5 minutes.
Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture is a form of acupuncture in which a very small electrical current is passed between pairs of acupuncture needles. Treatments last 15 – 20 minutes.
Wellness Examinations
All Veterinary graduates learn how to perform a physical examination during their years of training. Dr. Rose DiLeva’s training, however, enables her to also offer a complete Traditional Chinese Medical Examination, in addition to, a Western Veterinary Medicine Physical Examination.
Dr. DiLeva’s conventional Western examination will assess your pet’s eyes, ears, nose, mouth, teeth and gums. She will palpate their lymph nodes to make sure there are no abnormalities or enlargements. She will feel around their abdomen, limbs, skin, hair coat. She will, by observation and testing, determine if any abnormalities exist with the nervous system. Dr. DiLeva will listen with a stethoscope to your pet’s heart for any irregularities or murmurs, as well as, their lungs for the correct movement of air flow. She will also feel around your pet’s body to detect any irregular lumps or bumps that may have developed.
A Traditional Chinese Medical Examination, on the other hand, involves examination of the pulse and tongue. There are 18 different pulses in Chinese Medicine. They are detected by placing three fingers on the femoral pulses in the hindlegs. The positions and depths are each indicative of an organ system in the body or a meridian. You may notice that Dr. DiLeva may spend some time doing this palpation of the pulses. Literally, books have been written about the different types of pulses and what they indicate. Such terms as wiry, slippery, forceful or thin are used. Tongue diagnosis is also very important in Traditional Chinese Medicine. You may see Dr DiLeva staring at your pet’s mouth. She is observing your pet’e tongue and its color, width, shape, coating, markings and the location of such. Tongue descriptions can include terms like pale, purple, deep red, dry, wet, white coating or yellow coating. All this information allows Dr DiLeva to determine if and where there are imbalances in the body and what would be the appropriate Chinese Herbal Formula to utilize to correct the imbalance.
Since Dr. DiLeva’s approach to medicine is holistic in nature, she will ask questions and discuss your pet’s diet, vaccine status, usage of flea/tick products, environment and personality. She will give you advice on natural flea/tick products, discuss vaccine titers testing and address Rabies waivers and how they may or may not apply to your pet. Dr. DiLeva always wants the pet owner to be a part of this process. She welcomes questions and hopes you will become part of our Wellness family.
Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM)
VOM is a healing technology that locates areas of the animal’s nervous system that has fallen out of communication, and re-establishes neuronal communication and this induces healing. VOM is fast, effective and safe.
VOM Can Treat: Lameness, Intervertebral Disc Disease, Hip Dysplasia problems, Urinary and Fecal Incontinence, Wobbler’s Disease, Knee Diseases, Digestive Disorders, Esophageal Disease, Behavioral Problems, Endocrine Disease and more…
The hand-held device that reduces all subluxations is called an activator. It will apply a specified amount of force into the sublimated joint to correct the subluxation.
Laser Therapy
LLLT is also called Cold Laser or Photobiomodulation therapy. It is completely non-invasive. The beams are directed at treatment areas without the need to touch your pet. The process stimulates most cells, muscles, ligaments, nerves and cartilage to promote the body’s natural healing.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese Medicine therapy. It involves applying heat to the acupuncture needle using the herb, Mugwort. This technique relieves pain and increases circulation to the area.
Ozone Therapies
Rabies Waivers, when warranted.
Rabies is an almost fatal disease for humans and animals, as such, vaccinating animals is a critical step in preventing infection and protecting public health. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) does recognize that some animals might require an exemption because the vaccination may endanger the animal’s life.
Rabies vaccination must be administered by a licensed veterinarian or under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian. The veterinarian is required to provide the pet owner with a certificate of rabies vaccination and a metal Rabies tag bearing the year of vaccination. During 2013 there were significant changes to the Rabies Act. One of those changes involved permitting Rabies Medical Exemptions in the state of Pennsylvania.
In order to be granted an exemption/waiver for a dog or cat, Dr. DiLeva needs to examine the pet and determine that it would be medically contraindicated to vaccinate. The owner of an exempt animal would not be cited for having their pet not vaccinated. These pets, however, would still have a 6 month quarantine if they were exposed to rabies (this can usually be done in the pet’s home). The exemption must contain all pertinent information of the pet, as well as, the signature of the owner and the veterinarian. Medical exemptions for Rabies last 1 year and can be requested again the following year if medical reasons permit. A copy of the wavier certificate is kept by the owner, a copy is kept in the medical record and a copy is sent to the Office of Dog Law Enforcement in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):
TCM is a healing medical approach that has existed for more that 3,000 years in China. It aims to restore balance and harmony in the body. TCM strives to balance the flow of energy Life Force, known as Qi (Chee), throughout the body.
Vaccine Titer Testing:
A Titer Test is a simple blood test that checks for the presence of specific antibodies in the blood. This is a test to see if your pet has immunity to certain diseases. If antibodies are present, your pet has immunity and would not require re-vaccinations.
The Titer Tests we provide include Distemper virus, Adenovirus and Parvo Virus. Results are available within 24 – 48 hours. I recommend a yearly check.
Gold Bead Implantations
Veterinary acupuncture has been practiced in China for thousands of years. Thousands of published reports have come out of China, Japan, and Korea demonstrating the benefits of acupuncture in both humans and animals. Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points on the body utilizing thin flexible needles for the purposes of healing. Stimulation of an acupuncture point causes affects which alter physiological or biochemical conditions within the body. Acupuncture releases neurochemicals, neurotransmitters and neurohormones into the blood stream and cerebral spinal fluid. Acupuncture stimulates nerves, relieves muscle spasms, stimulates the body’s immune system, relieves pain and helps to maintain the bodies homeostasis. Acupuncture points can be stimulated by dry needles, aquapuncture, moxibustion, electricity, lasers and the implantation of gold or other metals.
The use of gold beads in veterinary medicine as a form of acupuncture stimulation was first attempted by Dr. Grady Young from Thomasville, Georgia. His techniques were modified and researched by Dr. Terry Durkes in 1975. I had the good fortune of learning from this great master in 2001. his original cases were performed on German Shepherd’s with hip dysplasia. 75% success rate was achieved.
Gold bead implantation is an extension of the acupuncture procedure. Correctly placed, the gold beads provide long-term stimulation to the acupuncture points on a permanent basis. The patient is placed under general anesthesia. The area to be treated is surgically scrubbed and prepared. The gold beads are 1/16 of an inch in diameter and gold plated. The beads are slightly magnetized to impart a positive electrical charge to the area. Areas that require treatment and respond to implants are areas that have excessive negative charge. 3 to 4 beads are injected into each acupuncture point to be treated. Patients go home the same day as the procedure.
Medical conditions that benefit from gold bead implantation include: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, wobbler disease, degenerative joint disease, intervertebral disc disease, seizures, lick granuloma, traumatic nerve injury and asthma.
Holistic Pain Management
Allergy Testing
Chinese Herbology
Take advantage of time-tested Chinese herbology treatments for your pet. You can always rely on our spectacular doctor for tremendously compassionate service.
Vaccinations
Rabies Vaccine at Animal Wellness Center
Rabies is an almost fatal disease for humans and animals, as such, vaccinating animals is a critical step in preventing infection and protecting public health. Here at Animal Wellness Center, Dr. DiLeva orders for her patients the rabies vaccine that is thimerosal-free. Thimerosal is a mercury- based preservative that contains approximately 50% mercury by weight. It was introduced into vaccines as a preservative back in the 1930”s. Presevatives are used to prevent contamination from bacteria, fungi or microorganisms. Thimerosal is a known neurotoxin and has the ability to cause genetic mutations. It’s use in human, and now, veterinary vaccines has become a point of interest. Personally, I believe this should be seriously investigated.
There are a few companies that make a rabies vaccine for dogs, cats and ferrets, that is thimerosal-free. Dr. DiLeva utilizes Merial”s Imrab-3 TF for her patients. It is a killed vaccine and lasts 3 years. All dogs and cats must get vaccinated for rabies between 12-16 weeks of age. This vaccine is given again 12 months later. After that point, the vaccine is a 3 year vaccine.
Prolozone therapy
Prolozone therapy is a recognized orthopedic procedure that stimulates the body’s own healing processes to strengthen and repair injured and painful joints and connective tissue. It involves injecting a combination of local anesthetic, anti-inflammatory medications, homeopathics, vitamins, proliferatives and ozone/oxygen gas into the degenerated or injured joint. Prolozone therapy is excellent for all forms of musculoskeletal conditions, anterior cruciate ligament ruptures, joint pain, degenerative and arthritic hips, knees, shoulders and degenerated discs.
Glaucoma Testing
Glaucoma is a disease of the eye in which the intraocular pressure is increased. Measurement of Intraocular Pressure is indicated in any patient with red, painful eyes. It is always a part of my examination in geriatric dogs and cats. Glaucoma is painful and should be addressed as soon as signs are noticed.
Symptoms/signs of glaucoma include redness of the eye, cloudiness to the cornea, squinting, tearing, avoidance of light, bulging swollen eye, pupils may appear different sizes, eyes may flutter, vessels may appear in the white of the eye, pet may bump into objects/furniture, may have difficulty finding things, walks cautiously
A number of breeds have a higher a genetic predisposition to glaucoma, these include: Great Dane, Siberian Husky, Flat-coated Retriever, Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Shih Tzu, Miniature Schnauzer, English Cocker Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Shar Pei, Boston Terrier, Dalmatian, Poodle, Samoyed, Giant Schnauzer, Bouvier des Flandres, Basset Hound, Italian Greyhound, Miniature Pincher.
Dr DiLeva will place a few drops of a numbing agent into both eyes. An instrument called a Tonopen then gently touches the eyeball and measures the pressure within that eye. Normal values are between 15-25 mmHg.
Holistic Cancer Treatment
Intravenous Ascorbate (Vitamin C) Infusions
Cancer is the leading cause of death in companion animals today in the United States. In order to combat cancer one must be aggressive in your approach using a multi-modal approach.
Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant, one of the strongest available. Antioxidants counter oxidation which is a process that naturally occurs when cells begin to wear out from aging, illness, arthritis, skin disease, and most importantly cancer. Drugs such as antibiotics, chemotherapy, and radiation diminish the body’s ability to scavenge this oxidation process and the need for antioxidants.
I have utilized intravenous vitamin C therapy as part of my cancer protocol for the past 22 years. At high doses and given intravenously vitamin C selectively kills cancer cells leaving healthy cells alone and shows no toxicity. The levels necessary to kill cancer cells can only be reached if the vitamin C is given intravenously, not by mouth. High doses of vitamin C in the blood causes the body to generate more hydrogen peroxide which selectively attacks cancer cells and leaves healthy cells intact. Intravenous vitamin C treatments help cancer patients by enhancing the immune system, by inhibiting cancer-causing viruses, improves wound healing, reduces the toxicity of some chemotherapeutic drugs, neutralizes free radicals reducing oxidative damage, neutralizes carcinogenic substances, is antibacterial, anti-viral, an antifungal, increases production of infection fighting white blood cells, and balances the bodies acidity and alkalinity.
On the day patients receive vitamin C intravenous therapy they will be admitted to the hospital. An intravenous catheter will be placed, and vitamin C will be administered intravenously at a slow rate. Treatment times range from two hours to five hours depending upon the weight of your pet. Some pets will drink more water the day of and the day after the vitamin C infusion.
Microchipping
Microchipping is both easy and affordable at Animal Wellness Center. We utilize Home Again (www.homeagain.com) microchips. Your pet will be comfortable. We will first place a topical numbing agent, 2% lidocaine, onto your pet’s skin located between the shoulder blades. The microchip (134.3 kHz microchip) is then injected under the skin. The pet owner is then given a sheet to fill out and send to Home Again to register their pet and pay for Home Again membership. The cost of placing the microchip is $45.