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Integrative Veterinary Medicine

COMPREHENSIVE EQUINE VETERINARY CARE

Integrative Veterinary Medicine

At Shalako K Veterinary Medicine, we provide mobile integrative veterinary care designed to support the health, comfort, mobility, and overall well-being of animals throughout North Central Texas and South Central Oklahoma. By combining evidence-based Western medicine with complementary therapies, we develop personalized treatment plans that address each patient’s unique needs.

Led by Dr. Kaci Merk, DVM, our practice offers IVCA-certified veterinary chiropractic care, IVAS-certified veterinary acupuncture, rehabilitation, laser therapy, preventive care, diagnostics, and equine ambulatory services. Whether your animal is recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, maintaining peak performance, or simply staying healthy, our goal is to provide compassionate, individualized care wherever they are most comfortable.

IVCA-Certified Veterinary Chiropractic Care

Our chiropractic services focus on restoring healthy joint and spinal motion to improve mobility, reduce discomfort, and support proper musculoskeletal function. Chiropractic care is often incorporated into a comprehensive integrative treatment plan to help animals move more comfortably and perform at their best.

IVAS-Certified Veterinary Acupuncture & Laser Therapy

Dr. Kaci Merk is certified through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS), allowing her to combine Eastern and Western veterinary medicine to support healing, manage pain, and improve overall function. Acupuncture may benefit animals experiencing musculoskeletal conditions, neurologic disorders, chronic pain, and many other health concerns.

For patients who are not ideal candidates for needles, therapeutic laser therapy may be used to stimulate acupuncture points while promoting healing, reducing inflammation, and providing a comfortable, needle-free treatment option.

Rehabilitation

Our rehabilitation services are designed to help animals recover from injury or surgery, improve mobility, increase strength, and maintain long-term function. Every rehabilitation plan is customized to meet the individual needs and goals of each patient.

Preventive Care

Routine wellness services help support long-term health and detect potential concerns early. We provide preventive care recommendations tailored to each animal’s age, lifestyle, and individual needs.

Vaccinations

We offer customized vaccination programs to help protect animals against preventable diseases based on their species, lifestyle, and risk factors.

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) Testing / Coggins

We provide Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) testing, commonly known as Coggins testing, along with the required documentation to help keep horses healthy and meet travel or event requirements.

Health Certificates

We provide Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs) and Extended Equine Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (EECVIs) through GlobalVetLink (GVL) to help simplify interstate travel.

Diagnostic Services

Our mobile diagnostic capabilities help us evaluate injuries, illness, and performance concerns while guiding accurate treatment recommendations.

Digital Radiography

Digital radiography provides detailed images of bones and joints to assist in diagnosing fractures, arthritis, lameness, and other orthopedic conditions. Optional board-certified radiologist interpretation is available for more complex cases.

Ultrasonography

Ultrasound allows us to evaluate soft tissues, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and other internal structures while monitoring healing and recovery.

Reference Laboratory Testing

We partner with trusted reference laboratories for bloodwork, fecal testing, and other diagnostic services that help identify underlying health concerns and guide personalized treatment plans.

-- FAQ --

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Have questions? Find answers to commonly asked questions about
our mobile veterinary services, appointments, and care philosophy.

Shalako K | Veterinary Medicine is a mobile veterinary practice serving North Central Texas and South Central Oklahoma. We provide ambulatory veterinary services within approximately a 60-mile radius of Pilot Point, including Whitesboro, Denton, Gainesville, Sanger, Valley View, Collinsville, Celina, and surrounding communities.

Our mobile practice offers integrative veterinary care, including IVCA-certified veterinary chiropractic care, IVAS-certified veterinary acupuncture, rehabilitation, and laser therapy, for a variety of animal species right where they are most comfortable.

IVCA-certified veterinary chiropractic care is an important part of integrative veterinary medicine, helping improve comfort, mobility, and overall musculoskeletal function. When combined with treatments such as IVAS-certified veterinary acupuncture, rehabilitation, laser therapy, and Western veterinary medicine, chiropractic care can help animals move more comfortably and enjoy a better quality of life.

Some of the benefits include:

  • Improved Mobility: Helps restore normal joint motion and flexibility.
  • Pain Management: Helps relieve discomfort associated with musculoskeletal dysfunction.
  • Supports Recovery: Complements rehabilitation following injury, illness, or surgery.
  • Promotes Long-Term Wellness: Encourages healthy movement and may help reduce the risk of future mobility issues.

Every patient receives an individualized treatment plan based on their condition, lifestyle, and goals, ensuring the most appropriate integrative approach for their care.

It’s a common misconception that a chiropractic adjustment is only effective if you hear a “pop.” The sound, called cavitation, is simply the release of gas within a joint and is not an indicator of whether the adjustment was successful.

There are several reasons why animals often do not make this sound during treatment:

  • Different Anatomy: Animals have different joint structures and biomechanics than people, so joint cavitation is less common.
  • Species-Specific Techniques: Veterinary chiropractic adjustments use gentle, precise techniques that restore normal joint motion safely and comfortably rather than focusing on producing an audible sound.
  • Individual Patient Differences: Some animals may experience cavitation during an adjustment, while many do not. Both are completely normal and do not affect the outcome of treatment.

The goal of IVCA-certified veterinary chiropractic care is to improve mobility, reduce discomfort, and support healthy musculoskeletal function, not to create a “pop.” When appropriate, chiropractic care may be combined with IVAS-certified veterinary acupuncture, rehabilitation, and laser therapy as part of a personalized integrative treatment plan.

Yes; for any prescription based items, your animal must be seen by Dr. Kaci.

No. Shalako K | Veterinary Medicine does not provide reproductive or breeding services for any animal species. Our practice focuses on integrative veterinary medicine, including IVCA-certified veterinary chiropractic care, IVAS-certified veterinary acupuncture, rehabilitation, laser therapy, and personalized care to support your animal’s health, mobility, comfort, and overall well-being.

A Coggins test involves more than just laboratory testing. The cost includes the veterinary examination (when required), blood sample collection, laboratory processing, electronic submission through GlobalVetLink (GVL), documentation, and the veterinarian’s review and certification of the official paperwork. These steps help ensure accurate records and compliance with state and federal regulations.

The Coggins test screens for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), a contagious and reportable disease that affects horses. Current negative Coggins tests are often required for travel, competitions, boarding facilities, and other equine events.

To learn more about Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), visit the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website.

Yes, there is a farm call fee in addition to the other services provided.

No. However, Dr. Kaci does have a collegue that performs dentals on dogs and cats located in Garland TX. Dr. Kaci can perform a dental exam, grade the teeth, get a cost estimate, and do all the pre-anesthetic workup for a dental and refer you to have a dental done.