Our educational articles and latest updates can be found here!
Vitamin E Deficiency & Muscle Health in Horses
|APRIL 2026|
Vitamin E plays a critical role in muscle function, nerve health, and overall performance in horses. Deficiencies can contribute to muscle weakness, poor topline development, exercise intolerance, stiffness, and in more severe cases, conditions such as muscle wasting or neuromuscular disease.
While fresh pasture grass does contain vitamin E, levels can vary significantly depending on season, soil quality, storage, and management practices. For many horses—especially those in regular work, on limited pasture, or in performance programs—grass alone may not provide sufficient intake. In these cases, a ration balancer or appropriately formulated vitamin/mineral supplement, guided by your veterinarian’s recommendations, can help maintain adequate levels.
Testing vitamin E status (via blood test) is an important step when muscle issues or performance concerns are present, as it helps guide targeted and effective supplementation rather than guessing.
Supplementation should always be tailored carefully. Vitamin E alone differs significantly from products that combine vitamin E with selenium, and selenium supplementation in particular must be approached with caution due to its narrow safety margin and potential for toxicity if over-supplemented.
If you have questions about whether your horse may benefit from testing or supplementation, our team is happy to help guide appropriate options based on individual needs.
Advancing Care with Equine Advanced Acupuncture Training
|December 2025|
Dr. Allie recently completed the Equine Advanced Acupuncture course through Chi University, further elevating the level of care offered to our equine patients.
This advanced training builds on foundational acupuncture techniques with more refined diagnostic and treatment approaches tailored to the equine athlete. It allows for more precise targeting of performance limitations, pain patterns, and recovery needs, supporting improved movement, resilience, and overall function.
By integrating these advanced techniques into our sports medicine and rehabilitation approach, we’re able to provide a higher level of individualized care designed to help horses perform at their best and maintain long-term soundness.
Welcoming Sofia to the Practice
| JUNE 2025|
We’re excited to officially welcome Sofia to Veterinary Acupuncture and Rehabiliation Services! Sofia joined the practice in June 2025 as our administrative assistant and has quickly become an integral part of the team.
She supports scheduling, client communication, and the day-to-day coordination that helps everything run smoothly behind the scenes. With a background that blends hands-on care and administrative experience, Sofia brings both efficiency and a thoughtful, client-focused approach to her role.
Sofia lives locally in Napa with her husband, young son, and two energetic dogs on a vineyard. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and hiking.
We’re so grateful to have her on board and look forward to having you connect with her as part of your experience with the practice.
Librela Update
|Febuary 2025|
For the past year and a half, we’ve been offering Librela to select patients, and the results have been truly remarkable. This once-a-month injectable treatment has provided lasting relief for many dogs suffering from osteoarthritis (OA), significantly improving their comfort and quality of life.
Librela (bedinvetmab injection) is a monoclonal antibody medication specifically designed to manage OA-related pain in dogs. While it has proven highly effective for many, we want to ensure it’s the right fit for your pet. Dr. Allie will carefully assess your dog’s condition, discuss potential side effects, and determine whether Librela is a safe and beneficial option for your pet.
To help you make an informed decision, we provided a Client Information Sheet with essential details about the medication, monitoring guidelines, and signs to watch for.
Interested in learning more? Contact us today to see if Librela could help your furry friend move with ease again!
Did you know? There’s also a feline version of this treatment called Solensia, designed to help cats with OA-related pain.
Dr. Allie Exapands Services with Equine Spinal Manipulation Certification
| June 2023|
We’re excited to share that Dr. Allie has completed her certification in Equine Spinal Manipulation (aka chiropractic care) through Chi University. This advanced training adds another powerful tool to the practice, allowing for more precise evaluation and treatment of spinal mobility, alignment, and performance-related issues in horses.
Integrating spinal manipulation with acupuncture, rehabilitation, and sports medicine supports a more comprehensive, whole-horse approach, helping improve comfort, movement, and overall performance.
We’re thrilled to continue expanding the ways we can support our equine patients and their long-term soundness.
COVID UPDATE
| JUNE 2021 |
California’s COVID pandemic restrictions have been lifted as of June 15th, 2021. Veterinary Acupuncture and Rehabilitation Services’ protocols will be adjusted accordingly. We will continue to respect any mandates while also continuing to follow the recommended biosecurity protocols in the area.
We also ask that if any client has any specific COVID safety measure requests to please let us know when scheduling your appointments so that we can accommodate you! Thank you for all of your understanding and support!
What is your animal’s Element & Constitution?
| August 2020 |
In TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine), each individual or animal has a dominant elemental constitution that is based off of their characteristics and personality. This constitution of an animal can influence certain types of imbalances and therefore the TCVM practitioner (Dr. Allie) will consider the patient’s constitution when determining their treatment plan(s).
Wood- These animals are often choose to lead and carry a strong spirit with confidence. These typically are strong athletes who strive to be best in their field and they typically are adaptable and quick to respond to varying stimuli.
When Wood types become unbalanced, they are mostly prone to diseases affecting the Liver and Gallbladder meridians, which can be signs of aggression/irritability, hoof/ligament/tendon problems, and eye problems.
Fire- These animals are personable, friendly, are very social and like being the center of attention. They are often talkative/voice their opinions and also can be very sensitive.
When Fire types become unbalanced they are prone to diseases affecting their Heart meridians, which can be signs of behavioral problems/separation anxiety and cardiovascular disease.
Earth- These animals are very easy going, friendly and tolerant of changes. They are often easily satisfied and eager to please while enjoying to sleep and relax.
When Earth types become unbalanced they are prone to diseases affecting their Stomach and Spleen meridians, which can be signs of excessive worry, weakness of limbs, and GI upset (abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc).
Metal- These animals are broad minded, consistent, are independent and prefers order. They are typically quiet and disciplined.
When Metal types become unbalanced they are prone to diseases affecting their Lung and Large intestine meridians, which can be signs of excessive grief, skin allergies, upper airway infections, cough and other lung diseases.
Water- These animals are quiet, timid and can be fearful and hesitant. They typically are deep thinkers but prefer to run from danger or bite/kick when unable to free themselves.
When Water types become unbalanced they are prone to diseases affecting their Kidney and Bladder meridians, which can be signs of total withdrawal, urinary tract infections, arthritis, back pain and infertility.
Your animal may not perfectly fit into one of the elemental constitutions, but some may show more dominating attributes to one of the elements when compared to the others.
We hope and strive for your horse or pet is balanced within these elements and are content. If not, it may be a good time for a maintenance acupuncture treatment to help bring them back into harmony.
COVID 19 update- We are here for you and your animals
| March 2020 |
Since San Mateo County has now placed a “Shelter-in place” order through May 31st, I wanted to reach out to ensure you that I am doing my part to help minimize the risk for my clients and help reduce the spread of the virus. Veterinary Acupuncture and Rehabilitation Services is an allowed essential “healthcare operation” under this order, and we agree that your pet and horse’s care is of absolute importance. Starting March 17th, we will be implementing the following modifications to our appointments in order to maximize taking precautionary measures.
In addition, before and the day of your appointment we will be asking specific screening questions regarding you and your loved one’s status of health, history of recent travel, etc. in order to help reduce the doctors exposure as well as protecting each client and their families.
New patient Rehabilitation Assessments and Acupuncture Appointments:
All new consults and new or established acupuncture appointments will have modifications to maximize social distancing. This will include keeping 6 feet away from each other and ideally working in a comfortable, outside location if possible. In addition, we ask that only one client be present with their animal during this session. Precautions must be taken to minimize contact between the doctor and client.
We ask that you please fill out our new client form online prior to your appointment if you haven’t already done so, click HERE.
Payments due will be taken over the phone or via online invoices.
All scheduling will be done over email or phone.
Recheck appointments:
Recheck appointments will be done over a phone or video consultation (telemedicine). We have set up a simple, easy to use platform for this that allows us to email you a direct link to the video consult, without any required log in/membership.
This option is $80 per 30-45 minute session.
Medication/Herbal and Supplement Refills:
Please email or call us for any refill requests allie@vetacupuncturesvc.com | (650) 479-6677. We will have these delivered directly to you.
You may also place your orders for medications, supplements and non-prescription and prescription diets by visiting our ONLINE PHARMACY.
Again, to help protect others and focus on preventing the spread of germs and viruses, I ask that any clients who our experiencing any cold or flu symptoms (mild to severe) to please cancel their appointment for their dog or cat. For for my horse clients, a different handler or arrangements can be utilized if you are sick yourself.There will be no cancellation fee for those who cancel due to symptoms and/or recent exposure or travel.
Please feel free to call or email us with any questions or concerns. We appreciate your understanding and support during this time.
Click HERE for Pet Owner Frequently Asked Questions regarding the COVID 19 Pandemic.
Stay healthy and safe,
-Dr. Allie Turner
Dr. Allie is now certified AS A canine rehabilitation therapist!
| JANUARY 2019 |
If you have not heard already, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Allie successfully completed her certification as a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) in June 2019. This was an intensive 8 month course where she traveled to and from Florida, as well as to Belgium for her studies.
This certification will allow Dr. Allie to also incorporate additional tools and modalities to get your dog feeling as strong and pain free as possible.
In addition to providing Canine Rehab/physical therapy services, Dr. Allie will certainly be continuing acupuncture and Chinese herb consultations for both her canine and equine patients.
Let us know if you are interested in scheduling a consultation and treatment!
Introduction TO ACUPUNCTURE
| July 2018 |
We have provided the following article to explain and introduce acupuncture, explain the science behind it, and some common issues in dogs and horses where acupuncture treatments can be utilized.