Mandala Integrative Veterinary Care
Holistic Veterinary Care for Dogs, Cats and Horses in Boulder & Nederland
Mandala Integrative Veterinary Care (MIVC) is an integrative and holistic veterinary practice for dogs, cats and horses. Our healing clinic is located in the foothills west of downtown Boulder, Colorado near Nederland. Dr Kelly Keeney specializes in integrative and holistic veterinary medicine with a focus on balanced preventative and individualized veterinary care. Dr. Keeney offers a wide range of healing modalities including acupuncture, laser therapy, Chinese and Western herbal medicine (including customized herbal treatment plans) and food therapy/nutrition counseling. House and farm calls in Boulder and some surrounding areas are also available on a limited schedule.
Acupuncture
A key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that stimulates specific points throughout the body with placement of needles to treat a wide variety of conditions. Click here to learn more.
Comprehensive Physical Examination
A thorough physical examination is the most important part of your pet's medical care. Dr Keeney will carefully examine all of your pet's body systems from both a Western and Chinese medical perspective. She will spend time reviewing medical records and/or pertinent medical history, and carefully assess your pet's diet, lifestyle and behaviors. Dr. Keeney places a large emphasis on holistic preventative medicine, and she will make wellness recommendations tailored to your pet's individual needs and constitution.
Conventional Diagnostics and Treatments
Depending on your pet's situation, Dr. Keeney may recommend diagnostic procedures such as bloodwork, urinalysis, fecal testing, cytology, biopsy etc... We require all patients be aligned with a full service general practitioner veterinarian as we do not have the infrastructure or staff to offer conventional diagnostics or treatments in most cases. Blood collection may or may not be possible depending on the patient since there is no support staff onsite etc...
In some cases, Dr. Keeney will provide testing/treatments depending on the situation, but most often we will send families and patients to their regular GP veterinarian for any conventional care needs or any procedures/diagnostics that are recommended.
However, Dr. Keeney may provide ancillary testing or vaccine options that are not offered at most conventional veterinary practices.
Food Therapy
An appropriate diet and well-balanced nutritional plan is the most fundamental pillar of health. Many people do not realize how much food affects their animal's entire physical experience including their mood and general vitality.
The effects of different diets and foods can have as large of an impact on health as prescription drugs and herbal medicines. Food therapy is most effectively utilized when the body is able to break down and completely absorb the nutrients being offered. Therefore, the best approach to feeding is to focus on fresh/minimally processed foods that are appropriately balanced and bioavailable. In many cases additional supplements may be added in order to enhance gut health and aid in digestion.
The medicinal and healing properties of a carefully crafted diet can be a hugely beneficial adjunct to all treatment plans.
Hospice and Transition
Dr. Keeney's hospice and transition work involves helping to sculpt an individualized, integrative care plan focusing on quality of life and treatments/supports that strive to nourish the vital force for patients and families that are most often dealing with complex draining disease processes. She also works to counsel families on options and offer her intuitive take on things - helping to serve as a guide as they navigate the inevitable uncertainties of the process. In assisting patients to cross, she creates and holds a sacred space for families working to ensure that her patients are able to release their physical bodies in a loving, peaceful and complete way. It can look different depending on how the family shows up, but she uses her shamanic practice to assist in holding that space for everyone and to allow the animals she is assisting to cross on a wave of love and gratitude.
Veterinary Herbal Medicine
The goal of implementing herbal medicine into the care plan for patients is to enhance health through both the targeted and effective medicinal properties of the chosen plants (in harmonious synergy with one another when combined in formulations), while also providing the body with a supportive path to self healing.
While herbal medicine can be used as a sole therapy, it goes far beyond simply replacing conventional therapies. Herbal medicine shines when used in an integrative way alongside diet, other supplements as needed, body work and lifestyle changes. At times, herbs are combined with conventional medications since many herbs can provide a synergistic effect allowing us to use lower doses of other pharmaceuticals that may be needed. It is critical to consider the whole individual and sculpt an herbal plan that is safe and effective keeping in mind the short and long term treatment goals for regaining a state of balanced heath.
Chinese Herbal Therapy is an important and powerful part of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) and often herbs are prescribed to enhance and extend the effects of acupuncture.
In addition to her extensive training in TCVM including her training in acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Food Therapy, Dr. Keeney has earned her Graduate Diploma in Western Veterinary Herbal Medicine. She is also certified in Rocky Mountain Field Botany and Wildcrafting.
Cold Laser Therapy
Dr. Keeney employs cold laser therapy to treat a number of conditions for her patients. This non-invasive treatment modality is used to help reduce acute and chronic pain. It essentially uses an intense beam of light directed deep into the tissues which reduces pain, decreases inflammation and promotes healing. It is quite comforting to most patients as they feel only a warm soothing sensation at the area being lasered. It is fantastic when used in addition to acupuncture or as "laser acupuncture" when needling certain points is not an option for some individuals who may be too nervous or painful.
Laser can be used to treat the following conditions and more: Injuries (muscles, ligaments, tendons- sprains, strains and soft tissue), post surgery, degenerative joint diseases/arthritis, open wounds, ulcerated areas, hotspots, infections (ex. skin, ears, anal glands, oral), and the list goes on and on.
Compassionate Euthanasia
The decision to euthanize a beloved pet is always very difficult. As hard as the choice is to make, it can offer a gentle and loving end to our pet's suffering. When the time comes, Dr. Keeney can help to support you in this important decision-making process and help to ensure that your loved one's passing is peaceful and painless.
In the event that Dr. Keeney is not available, you may need to seek other home euthanasia or hospice support in the Boulder area. If the need arises, you can reach out to the following practices for support:
Dr. Jason Cordeiro of One Last Gift
Home pet euthanasia services offered primarily in: Adams County, Boulder County, Broomfield County, Denver County and Weld County in Colorado. Accommodations may be made for home euthanasia services in outlying areas in Colorado with sufficient advance notice.
Home to Heaven
In-home pet hospice and euthanasia services: Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Windsor, Wellington, Berthoud, Longmont, Boulder, Platteville, Evans, Louisville, Lafayette, Niwot, Fort Morgan, Dacono, Frederick, Firestone, Erie, and Estes Park. If we cannot travel to your location, we will refer you to another excellent local service in your area.
Guardian Pet Aquamation
(Gentle pet aftercare & euthanasia services)
http://guardianpetaquamation.com/euthanasia-services/
In home euthanasia services in Northern Colorado.
The Guardian Pet euthanasia experience is gentle, calm, and supportive for your pet and family.
Urgencies and Emergencies*
*Please note: Dr. Keeney is not equipped to deal with most emergencies. She makes every attempt to be available if an urgent situation arises with one of her patients, but please seek care at an emergency veterinary hospital if you feel your pet needs immediate care.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
(888) 426-4435
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435. A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.
Boulder Emergency Pet Clinic- nights, weekends, and holidays
https://www.boulderemergencypets.com
1658 30th Street, Boulder CO 80301
(303) 440-7722
emergency exams and on-site laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, surgery and animal hospitalization services
Alpenglow Veterinary Specialty + Emergency Center, PC (AVSEC)- 24/7
http://alpenglowvets.com
3640 Walnut Street Boulder CO 80301
(303) 443-4569
24-hour veterinary facility offering veterinary emergency and critical care 365 days a year, as well as board-certified specialists in veterinary cardiology, internal medicine and surgery.