Introduction to the Fifth Element Consultation Process

After booking your initial consultation, we recommend you forward your regular vets details so we can obtain your pets medical and surgical history as well as any current medications, treatments and diagnostics e.g. blood work (we can do this after the first consult but it may delay the completion of a treatment plan).

It is advisable to perform an initial consultation as a home visit.  A holistic view of your animal(s) is more efficiently performed observing the patient in their natural environment. In addition to a more detailed history than we are used to taking in regular Western consults, we rely heavily on personality assessment, household interactions, tongue and pulse diagnosis all of which are confounded by stress, anxiety or excitement in a clinic or hospital setting. It is also frankly nicer when having to get through a long, in-depth history-taking and examination to do it in a relaxed environment (or to witness daily stressors if this is not the case at home)!  If this is not possible, please let us know and we will find an easy solution.

Within the next few days to a fortnight (maximum) you will receive an initial assessment report and we will agree upon and commence the treatment plan.

You will then receive and be invoiced for all necessary herbal formulas, medications and treatments.

Treatment plans often involve dietary and lifestyle changes along with herbal formulas, medications and physical therapy protocols. Further diagnostics and recheck consults may be scheduled at this point.

Herbal formulas can be used in conjunction with Western medications and treatments including chemotherapy and can be extremely effective in chronic, complex medical cases.  They can also help to aid recovery or provide support prior to, during and after aggressive surgeries and treatments.  Each case is thoroughly assessed for any possible herb – medication interactions, at this point any further information will have been gathered along with any necessary communication with your regular vets to clarify any possible issues.

It can sometimes take up to a fortnight to order rarer compounded herbs. All in all,  please expect the process to be just as gentle, considered and integrated as the herbs themselves.

With treatment going to plan we will usually touch base via phone or email for an initial progress report around three days after starting treatment. From here our first recheck consultation is usually in a fortnight. Of course each situation and case is different and timelines are adjusted accordingly.

We hope you enjoyed a deeper insight into our process! Keep checking back, or subscribe for more juicy insights into our work and the world of integrative veterinary medicine!