365 Mile Branch Road, Canton, Georgia 30114, United States
Integrative Veterinary Medicine for Horses and Dogs
Schedule an appointment for your canine athlete at agility trials
For all other appointments see below or contact Dr Whiting
About Us
The Integrative Approach
I provide experienced integrative veterinary medicine services; including animal chiropractic, acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and cold laser for horses and dogs. Although I do not provide traditional veterinary care for animals, I embrace an integrated approach in working with your primary care veterinarian and in referral to veterinary specialists in order to provide your animal with the best health and function possible.
Jami Whiting, DVM
I grew up in California and received my undergraduate degree in Animal Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I completed my DVM degree at UC Davis, followed by an internship at the Littleton Equine Medical Center and the Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital in Australia. I completed an internal medicine residency program at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky.
In 2000, I was employed by the Dubai Equine Hospital as the Internal Medicine Specialist, providing internal medicine and critical care expertise to the region. Following training at the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine under Huisheng Xie, DVM., Ph.D., I began incorporating these traditions into my practice. I continued to expand my knowledge and experience in the healing arts by training at Options for Animals College of Animal Chiropractic. I have taught animal chiropractic and enjoy lecturing both to professionals and animal owners. I have done additional study in Canine Sports Massage, Canine Conditioning and Fitness, laser therapy and Equine Myofasical Massage. I use all my training and experience, along with my deep respect and love for the animal to serve as an advocate for their care.
I am certified by the Chi Institute of TCVM, as well as the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association. I am a member of the AATCVM, the IVCA, the AAEP, and the AVMA.
A Personal Approach
I have practiced in a variety of clinical settings, and find that I enjoy the freedom of being a solo practitioner. This allows me to set timing appropriate for each appointment and to meet both the patient and the client where they are in their needs and in how I can best facilitate meeting those needs. This also requires a great referral team. I love having a variety of other practitioners to refer patients, depending on clinical findings. I believe this is the best approach to enable the best in patient and client care. This team consists of orthopedic surgeons, specialty veterinarians, massage therapists, rehab specialists and whomever else we may need for optimal health, performance and quality of life. One of the most important members of this team is the animal owner.....You. Helping the owner understand and participate in the care for the animal is an intricate part of the animal's health and quality of life.
Services
Canine Biomechanics Assessment
Canine Biomechanics Assessment
Canine Biomechanics Assessment
Assessment of biomechanics in the canine evaluates asymmetries in structure, gait and movement that indicate alterations in structure and/or function of the musculoskeletal system (MSS). These alterations may be due to a primary issue or secondary due to compensation of the MSS in dealing with a primary problem. Both primary issues and secondary compensatory mechanisms may manifest as pain or lameness that affect the animal’s performance and health. Subtle asymmetries may also contribute to performance issues and can pre-dispose the animal to further, more complicated problems. These should be addressed as soon as possible to maintain optimal health and performance.
A general biomechanics assessment is included in your dog's first chiropractic exam and adjustment and sports massage. A briefer version is always included in each chiropractic adjustment and sports massage.
A in-depth biomechanics assessment is a part of a conditioning and fitness evaluation and program plan.
Chiropractic
Canine Biomechanics Assessment
Canine Biomechanics Assessment
In any system, form (structure) predicts and influences function. Chiropractic foundations are based on the intimate relationship of the spinal column (structure) to the nervous system (function), the role of the spinal column in biomechanics and movement, and the maintenance and restoration of health. Optimal health of any physiological system, the animal, is highly dependent on proper function of the nervous system. The nervous system is integral to the delivery of information to the brain, as well as the dissemination of functional information to the body from the brain. The information from the brain travels via the spinal cord and out to the body via the spinal nerves to progressively more specific nerves in the periphery. The spinal nerves are intimately associated with the vertebral column and as such, can be greatly affected by alterations or restrictions in the vertebral joints, also known as vertebral subluxation complexes (VSC).
Animal Chiropractors diagnose and treat VSCs and subluxation complexes in the extremities. A VSC or SC is an alteration or restriction in the normal range of motion of a joint that can cause movement issues or physiological issues; e.g. lameness or pain. VSCs may occur from acute traumatic events, constant, repetitive wear and tear on joints or in association with degenerative processes within the animal.
By making a chiropractic adjustment, the range of motion of the joint is returned to normal and the functionality of the nervous system is also restored. As if rebooting the nervous system. This allows for the body to perform at its optimal potential. Furthermore, chiropractic is designed to work with the inborn homeostasis of the animal, or the body’s innate intelligence to heal itself.
An adjustment is a high-velocity, low-amplitude, short-levered, highly controlled procedure in a very specific line of correction, on a specific bone in the animal. This allows for a quick, yet gentle thrust needed for the adjustment in the animal.
Acupuncture
Canine Biomechanics Assessment
Canine Sports Massage
Acupuncture uses a specific methodology to stimulate specific points on the body, resulting in a therapeutic homeostatic effect. These acupoints lie on specific pathways, or meridians, and these meridians are the pathways upon which Qi flows through the body. Research has shown that acupoints are located in areas with a high density of free nerve endings, mast cells, small arterioles and lymphatic vessels, and that most acupoints are motor points. Research also shows that the stimulation of acupoints releases potent neurotransmitters such as beta-endorphin or serotonin. These neurotransmitters have profound ameliorating effects on pain and inflammation.
Physiological effects induced by Acupuncture:
-Pain relief
-Regulation of gastrointestinal motility
-Anti-inflammatory effect
-Immune-Regulation
-Hormone and reproductive regulation
-Anti-pyrexic effect; promotes microcirculation
Canine Sports Massage
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
Canine Sports Massage
Canine sports massage is an important part of your maintaining your athlete's musculoskeletal system in optimal condition. Having hands on the musculoskeletal system on a regular basis helps to identify any subtle or sub-clinical issues that may be contributing to performance changes or issues. Finding changes early in their development decreases progression to a larger issue and helps to identify chronic structural and movement compensations that may contribute to a greater issue.
These appointments are generally 1 1/2-2 hrs, consisting of biomechanics assessment, sports massage and a chiropractic adjustment as needed. Laser therapy may be used on trigger points and incorporated into treatment.
Trigger point needle therapy with an acupuncture needle may also be used in treatment.
TCVM-Chinese Herbal Medicine
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
CHM is another primary therapy within TCVM. As early as 4000 years ago, the Chinese recorded their knowledge of herbal medicines. Modern formulas of CHM are still guided by the historical wisdom of the properties of herbs used. Clinical studies have shown the efficacy of CHM in a variety of areas: cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, musculoskeletal issues, gastroenterology, reproduction, oncology, behavior, respiratory issues and sports medicine.
Treatment with CHM requires a TCVM diagnosis and CHM uses the specific properties of chinese herbal medicines restore balance to the body’s system. Characteristics such as an herb’s temperature/energy, taste, direction of energy and Channels entered are used to determine which herbal medicines are appropriate for use with which clinical conditions.
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
Low-level laser therapy can be beneficial to decrease pain and inflammation, as well as encouraging the cellular regeneration to promote healing of an injury.
LLLT is a form of photo-therapy used to stimulate tissue repair and provide pain management. The laser focuses red and infrared light to stimulate tissue at and below the surface of the skin. The biochemical effect of LLLT increases the production of cellular energy and thus promotes cellular regeneration, production of collagen for tissue repair, and vascular dilation and synthesis for improved circulation. LLLT also encourages production of the body's natural pain-relievers.
LLLT may require a series of treatments for optimal effect and healing.
Ask about rental My Pet lasers to treat your animal at home.
Appointments
Scheduling an appointment
Please send us a message, email, text or call us for an appointment, or with any questions regarding our services
Dr Whiting sees horses on-site at barns in the north, west and southwest regions around Atlanta.
A travel fee based on travel time is added to the price of the treatment, but will be split between clients if multiple horses are treated in the vicinity.
Dr Whiting sees dogs at the following locations:
Bells Ferry Veterinary Hospital ~ Wednesdays 11-5pm
6410 Hwy 92, Acworth GA 30102 ~ 770.926.5311
Please contact BFVH directly for an appointment with Dr Whiting as they do the booking for this locale
Home Office ~
Dr Whiting sees dog in her home office at varying times during the week. Her schedule changes weekly due to balancing horse and dog clients
Sirius Dog Agility ~ Every 4-8 weeks
1880 Montreal Court, Tucker GA 30084
Please contact Dr Whiting to get on her email list for this facility
Dr Whiting regularly attends agility trials in Franklin and Murfreesboro, Tennessee throughout the year, treating dogs during the trial. Generally, she does chiropractic, laser and acupuncture
She also attends some agility trials in Georgia
These trials will be posted here and on Facebook
