Holistic Medicine for Pets in Bellevue

Whether your cat or dog is recovering from an injury or a surgery, you'll want them to heal as quickly as possible. A great way to help them heal is with laser therapy. Laser therapy uses a low-intensity laser or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to help relieve pain, stimulate and enhance cell function, and improve healing.

At Aerowood Animal Hospital, Dr. Marta Nobrega performs this procedure to treat a multitude of conditions aside from wound healing, such as muscle and joint pain, arthritis symptoms, and muscle spasms, all of which have been proven to improve with laser therapy.

In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is used as a way to promote the healing process for pets by renewing the balance of energy throughout their body. This ancient form of medicine is based on the philosophy that illness is caused by an imbalance of vital energies in the body. In modern terms, acupuncture can help by improving blood flow, which boosts oxygenation in tissues.

At Aerowood Animal Hospital, Dr. Marta Nobrega, who is a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, can perform acupuncture help stimulate your pet's natural healing processes and get them on the path to recovery.

What goes into your pet’s body plays an important role in their overall health and well-being. At Aerowood Animal Hospital, Dr. Marta Nobrega uses natural nutrition to support pets’ health, address individual dietary needs and help manage certain chronic conditions.

Because nutritional needs vary based on a pet’s age, breed, lifestyle and health status, Dr. Nobrega begins with a thorough physical examination and health assessment. She then develops a personalized nutrition plan designed to address specific concerns and promote your pet’s overall health and vitality.

Depending on your pet’s needs, recommendations may include prescription food, a raw or home-cooked diet, supplements or changes to feeding amounts. Nutritional guidance may help manage allergies, diabetes, joint discomfort and weight concerns while making it easier to choose appropriate foods and portions for your pet.

Your pet’s nutritional needs can change over time. We will periodically reassess the plan, including during annual wellness examinations, to ensure it continues to support your pet’s health and make adjustments when needed.

Herbal therapy has been used in many cultures for thousands of years and uses plant-based preparations to support health and help manage illness. At Aerowood Animal Hospital, Dr. Marta Nobrega incorporates Chinese herbal medicine into personalized treatment plans for cats and dogs.

Herbal medicine may be recommended for pets with chronic conditions or those requiring ongoing care. It can also be used alongside conventional veterinary treatments as part of an integrative approach, depending on the pet’s diagnosis, current medications and individual needs.

Conditions that may benefit from herbal therapy include seizures, chronic kidney or liver disease, persistent lameness, hormonal imbalances, behavioral concerns, allergic skin disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

When appropriate, herbal therapy may help support organ and immune function, promote healthy circulation, manage inflammation and improve comfort. Dr. Nobrega will evaluate your pet’s overall health before recommending herbal products and will monitor their response throughout treatment.

In most areas of life, getting a second opinion is a good idea. Similarly, if you've received a diagnosis or lab results for your cat or dog at another clinic and you're looking for another perspective, give us a call. Dr. Marta Nobrega can look over your pet's paperwork and let you know what she thinks.

Additionally, Dr. Nobrega is a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, and as such, can provide a number of holistic services your other veterinarian may not offer. If you're looking to take a more natural approach to your cat or dog's care, Dr. Nobrega can help.

Vaccinations help protect cats and dogs from serious diseases such as parvovirus, distemper and rabies. However, not every vaccine must be administered annually. The appropriate schedule depends on the vaccine, your pet’s age, health, lifestyle, exposure risk and vaccination history.

At Aerowood Animal Hospital, Dr. Marta Nobrega offers titer testing to help guide certain vaccination decisions. This simple blood test measures antibodies to specific diseases and can help determine whether your pet may still have an immune response from a previous vaccination.

Titer testing may be considered for pets with an unknown vaccination history, previous vaccine reactions, certain health conditions or immune-suppressing medications. It may also provide useful information for pets that have not developed expected antibody levels following vaccination. Titers do not measure protection against every disease or replace vaccinations required by law, including rabies requirements.

Vaccination is only one part of preventive care. Routine wellness examinations, parasite screenings and veterinarian-recommended flea, tick and heartworm prevention can also help protect your pet from infectious diseases. Dr. Nobrega will work with you to develop an individualized preventive care plan based on your pet’s specific needs.