Pet Acupuncture


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...continued from HomePage Acupuncture is performed by inserting a needle into a specific identified acupuncture point, located along its designated meridian. This results in increased blood flow or circulation, release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones, including endorphins, the bodies ‘natural pain-killing’ hormones. It can relieve muscle spasms, stimulates nerves and the bodies defense systems as well as having numerous other beneficial effects. According to Chinese medicine theory, disease is the imbalance of energy or Qi (Chi) in the body. Qi is defined as the circulation of energy along well defined channels on the skin surface called meridians. These meridians connect internally to the organs, muscles, joint structures and the nervous system. Acupuncture therapy is based on the balancing of Qi which therefore allows the body to heal itself. Acupuncture is not to be considered a ‘cure all’, but can be effective as a sole means of therapy, or more commonly, as an adjunct to conventional western medicine. Acupuncture is commonly utilized when conventional medications are not working, are resulting in undesirable effects or where surgery is not feasible. It can be used as the only modality of treatment or can be combined with other forms of therapy, such as herbal remedies, nutrition and spinal manipulation. Acupuncture can be combined with conventional medicine and surgery in order to enhance the body’s’ response to treatment or manage pain post operatively. The following are some conditions that have been found to benefit from acupuncture: • Musculoskeletal problems, including osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, vertebral disc pathology • Dermatologic problems such as allergic dermatitis and lick granulomas • Respiratory problems such as asthma, rhinitis, chronic coughing or pneumonia • Gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea or vomiting, inflammatory bowel disease, constipation • Neurological disorders, including vestibular syndrome, nystagmus, torticollis, nondegenerative myelopathies and seizure • Certain endocrine and reproductive disorders • Urinary disorders including kidney failure, cystitis and incontinence Q: Is acupuncture painful and will my pet tolerate the treatment? Acupuncture is most often performed with sterilized thin stainle ss steel needles. There is occasionally a brief moment of sensitivity as the needle penetrates the skin in certain sensitive areas. Once the needles are in place, most animals will become relaxed, often falling asleep during the treatment. Some animals with high levels of anxiety or fear may require more coaxing but they will often become increasingly more relaxed with subsequent treatments. Acupuncture is considered a safe form of medical treatment when performed by properly trained veterinarian. Because acupuncture balances the body’s own system of healing and no chemicals are administered, complications rarely, if every occur. An animals condition may seem to deteriorate temporarily after an initial treatment – often 24-48 hours. This is an indication that some physiologic changes are occurring and this is most often followed by improvement of the animals condition. Q: How long and how often are acupuncture treatments? The length and frequency of acupuncture treatments depends on the condition that is being treated. Acute cases may respond to one treatment, whereas chronic conditions may require several. Typically patients are treated 1-2 times weekly for 3-6 weeks, followed by every other week for several treatments. Then, pending on the case and outcome, ‘tune ups’ can be given on an as needed basis. Treatments may last from 10 seconds to 30 minutes depending on the condition being addressed. There are different forms of acupuncture used including dry needling, aquapuncture (injecting a solution into a point), electroacupuncture, and moxibustion (heating a point). Commonly a combination of techniques are utilized for each case.
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Acupuncture is performed by inserting a needle into a specific identified acupuncture point, located along its designated meridian. This results in increased blood flow or circulation, release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones, including endorphins, the bodies ‘natural pain-killing’ hormones. It can relieve muscle spasms, stimulates nerves and the bodies defense systems as well as having numerous other beneficial effects.

According to Chinese medicine theory, disease is the imbalance of energy or Qi (Chi) in the body. Qi is defined as the circulation of energy along well defined channels on the skin surface called meridians. These meridians connect internally to the organs, muscles, joint structures and the nervous system. Acupuncture therapy is based on the balancing of Qi which therefore allows the body to heal itself. Acupuncture is not to be considered a ‘cure all’, but can be effective as a sole means of therapy, or more commonly, as an adjunct to conventional western medicine. Acupuncture is commonly utilized when conventional medications are not working, are resulting in undesirable effects or where surgery is not feasible. It can be used as the only modality of treatment or can be combined with other forms of therapy, such as herbal remedies, nutrition and spinal manipulation. Acupuncture can be combined with conventional medicine and surgery in order to enhance the body’s’ response to treatment or manage pain post operatively.

The following are some conditions that have been found to benefit from acupuncture:
• Musculoskeletal problems, including osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, vertebral disc pathology
• Dermatologic problems such as allergic dermatitis and lick granulomas
• Respiratory problems such as asthma, rhinitis, chronic coughing or pneumonia
• Gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea or vomiting, inflammatory bowel disease, constipation
• Neurological disorders, including vestibular syndrome, nystagmus, torticollis, nondegenerative myelopathies and seizure
• Certain endocrine and reproductive disorders
• Urinary disorders including kidney failure, cystitis and incontinence

Q: Is acupuncture painful and will my pet tolerate the treatment?
Acupuncture is most often performed with sterilized thin stainle ss steel needles. There is occasionally a brief moment of sensitivity as the needle penetrates the skin in certain sensitive areas. Once the needles are in place, most animals will become relaxed, often falling asleep during the treatment. Some animals with high levels of anxiety or fear may require more coaxing but they will often become increasingly more relaxed with subsequent treatments. Acupuncture is considered a safe form of medical treatment when performed by properly trained veterinarian. Because acupuncture balances the body’s own system of healing and no chemicals are administered, complications rarely, if every occur. An animals condition may seem to deteriorate temporarily after an initial treatment – often 24-48 hours. This is an indication that some physiologic changes are occurring and this is most often followed by improvement of the animals condition.

The length and frequency of acupuncture treatments depends on the condition that is being treated. Acute cases may respond to one treatment, whereas chronic conditions may require several. Typically patients are treated 1-2 times weekly for 3-6 weeks, followed by every other week for several treatments. Then, pending on the case and outcome, ‘tune ups’ can be given on an as needed basis. Treatments may last from 10 seconds to 30 minutes depending on the condition being addressed. There are different forms of acupuncture used including dry needling, aquapuncture (injecting a solution into a point), electroacupuncture, and moxibustion (heating a point). Commonly a combination of techniques are utilized for each case.