Program overview
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), simply put, uses the theories and methods of Chinese medicine to treat animals. You might wonder: can acupuncture and herbal medicine really be used on cows, horses, and pets? Absolutely—and with great results. This program teaches you how to apply foundational Chinese medicine concepts like yin-yang, five elements, and zang-fu organs and meridians to animal diagnosis and treatment. Core courses include Basic Theory of TCVM, Chinese Materia Medica, Herbal Formulas, Acupuncture, as well as modern veterinary subjects like anatomy, pathology, and pharmacology. You'll also learn how to perform acupuncture and cupping on animals and formulate herbal prescriptions. Universities like China Agricultural University and Nanjing Agricultural University have strong faculty and clinical resources in this field, especially for large animals (e.g., cattle, horses) and pets (cats, dogs). It's ideal for students interested in traditional medicine, who love animals, and enjoy hands-on practice. If you want to learn a unique skill set and help animals in the future, this program will be fascinating.