LSU VTH Integrative Medicine & Rehabilitation

06/13/2026

Help us wish a very Happy Birthday to one of our favorite patients, Boomer! We hope your day is filled with treats, belly rubs, and all of your favorite things. We hope it’s the best one yet. 💜💛🎉

05/13/2026

A huge congratulations to Dr. Koh on his appointment as President of Chi University!

Dr. Koh holds a very special place in our hospital's story. As the founding clinician of our Integrative Medicine & Rehabilitation service, he set a standard of excellence and compassion that continues to shape the way we care for our patients and their families to this day.

The students and colleagues who get to learn alongside him are truly lucky. We could not be more proud of you, Dr. Koh!

Explore holistic veterinary CE courses offered by Chi including modalities such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, tui-na, and food therapy. Visit the Chi website to learn more and enroll.

05/08/2026

The Patient Journey -- A Dog with Arthritis & Pain

Episode 5 -- Observing the Body Appearance

Before we even begin a hands on assessment we start by simply observing. You might be surprised how much information a patient's overall appearance can give us before we ever lay a hand on them.

We start by looking at the body as a whole. A dog that appears strong and well muscled tells us one story. A dog that appears weak, thin, or underconditioned tells us another and may point toward what we call a Deficiency Pattern or a Cold Pattern, meaning the body's vital resources may be running low.

We then take a close look at the skin and coat. In a healthy dog the skin is soft and elastic and the coat is healthy and full. When we see hair loss, coarse or dull hair, or skin that feels dry and inelastic that can indicate a Deficiency of Qi and Blood, meaning the body is not producing or circulating enough of its vital nourishing energy. If the skin appears swollen, hot and painful, it points towards Heat Toxin.

Next we assess the eyes. Remember in Episode 2 when we talked about Shen? Dull or cloudy eyes can represent Shen Loss, a sign that the patient's spirit and vitality are compromised. Red or swollen conjunctiva points toward Liver Heat or Liver Yang Rising. When we observe cataracts, that gives us insight into the Kidney Jing, which simply refers to their foundational energy reserves.

The ears tell us a great deal as well. Ears that feel hot combined with a patient that startles easily can suggest Heart Heat. Cold ears on the other hand point toward Yang Deficiency. An odor or wet discharge from the ears can indicate what we call Gallbladder Damp Heat.

Finally we take a look at the nose. Watery nasal discharge, depigmentation, or crusting of the nose all give us valuable clues about what is happening internally.

We know this is probably a lot of new information and we have only just scratched the surface! You do not need to understand every detail or pattern. Our goal is to give you a glimpse into what goes into a TCVM exam and how we arrive at a diagnosis and treatment plan that is unique to each and every patient we see. We also hope to teach you a few things along the way.

05/03/2026

The Patient Journey -- A Dog with Arthritis & Pain

Episode 4 -- Reading the Pulse

If the tongue is one window into your pet's health, the pulse is another.

In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine pulse assessment goes far beyond simply counting heartbeats. We are feeling for qualities. Is the pulse deep or closer to the surface? Is it strong and full or thin and weak? Is it moving quickly or slowly? Does it feel smooth or a little tense?

Each of these qualities corresponds to something happening in the body. Together they help us understand not just what is wrong but why it is happening and what the body truly needs to find its way back to balance.

Here is what that looks like in practice. A pulse that feels deep and weak can suggest the body's energy and vitality are depleted and need support. A rapid pulse often points to heat or inflammation somewhere in the body. A slow pulse can indicate cold or sluggish circulation of Qi and Blood. A wiry or tense pulse tells us that pain or stress may be present. Each quality adds another layer to the story your dog's body is telling us.

04/29/2026

The Patient Journey --A Dog with Arthritis & Pain

Episode 3 -- Reading the Tongue 👅

With your dog's history in hand we move into one of the most unique aspects of the Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine exam, the tongue assessment.

The color, moisture, coating, and shape all tell us something meaningful about what is happening inside the body.

A pale tongue might suggest the body is not circulating Qi (energy) and Blood as well as it should. A red tone can point to heat or inflammation. A purple tone can indicate stagnation of Qi or Blood. A tongue with a coating usually points toward a digestive imbalance.

It sounds a little different from what you might expect at a vet visit and that is completely ok. These are tools that have been used for thousands of years and they give us a window into your pet's health that a standard exam simply cannot.

04/25/2026

The Patient Journey

Episode 2 -- The Western vs Eastern Approach

Most pet owners are familiar with a conventional veterinary exam. But a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine exam looks quite different. Alongside standard assessments we are also evaluating things like tongue color and coating, pulse quality, the temperature of different areas of the body, and how the patient responds to touch at specific points.

We also assess constitution and Shen. Every pet is born with a unique constitution, think of it as their individual blueprint. It describes their natural physical and energetic makeup that influences how they experience health and disease. It tells us whether they tend to run hot or cold, whether they are bold or timid, strong or delicate. This is why you can have two pets with the same condition, but can present completely different and respond better to different treatments. Shen in Traditional Chinese Medicine reflects the spirit and mental emotional state of the patient. A bright clear Shen tells us the patient is mentally present and emotionally balanced, while a dull or cloudy Shen can indicate pain, illness, or emotional distress. It reflects their joy, their spirit, and their will to engage with the world around them.

Each of these findings tells us something about the underlying imbalance in the body and guides our treatment decisions. It gives us a complete and detailed picture of your pet’s overall health and wellbeing.

What do you think your pets constitution is?

04/21/2026

Welcome to The Patient Journey series where we will be taking you through the full integrative veterinary experience. During this journey you will see what happens behind the scenes and how each treatment is uniquely tailored to your individual pet each and every visit.

Part 1 — A Dog with Arthritis & Pain

Episode 1 — Meeting the Patient

Every integrative medicine journey begins with a conversation. When a dog comes to us for the first time we take the time to truly listen. We want to know everything! When did you first notice they were slowing down? Where do they seem uncomfortable? Are they eating well? How are they moving through their day? How are they sleeping and do they wake up around the same time every night? Do they prefer cool surfaces or warmer ones? Do they pant often and is it more during the day or at night?

This detailed history is the foundation of everything we do and is just as important as any physical examination. In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine we treat the whole patient, not just the symptoms.

04/21/2026

👀 Be on the look out for our new series where we will take you through the full integrative veterinary experience step by step. From taking a detailed history and conducting a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine exam, to arriving at a diagnosis, mapping acupuncture points, and finally treating your pet. Think of it as your inside look into the world of integrative medicine.

Make sure you are following us so you don’t miss any episodes! 💜💛

04/12/2026

We want to hear from you!🐾

What would you like to see more of on our page? Education post? Patient success stories? Behind the scenes content? Treatment explainers?

And if you have ever had a question about integrative veterinary medicine whether it is about acupuncture, rehabilitation, food therapy, or anything in between, drop it in the comments below.

Our goal is to make sure every pet parent feels heard, educated, and supported. No question about alternative or integrative care is too small and we are here to help guide you every step of the way for the health and wellbeing of your beloved pet. 💜💛

04/08/2026

Did you know cats have over 150 acupuncture points mapped on their body? 🐱

Each point has a specific purpose. Some reduce pain, some support organ function, and some calm the nervous system.

Every treatment plan is uniquely tailored to your cat, each and every visit. ☯️

And the best part? Most cats tolerate acupuncture incredibly well and many even fall asleep during their session. 😴