Pet Acupuncture

The 1988 American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) "Guidelines on Alternative Therapies" states that "acupuncture (is) considered a valid modality..."

Despite this, the potential for abuse exists and extensive educational programs should be undertaken before a veterinarian is considered competent to practice acupuncture. This is why we help you find proper treatment for your pet. We will find the veterinarian who has had proper training and is a member of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society which is the only accredited certification program for veterinary acupuncturists. And, your vet should know about the traditional Chinese philosophies and Western scientific bases for acupuncture.

Acupuncture is indicated mainly for functional problems such as those that involve disability in a joint, paralysis, non-infectious inflammation (such as allergies), and pain. For more information refer to the links at the bottom of the page.

For small animals, the following are some of the general conditions which may be treated with acupuncture:

• Musculoskeletal problems, such as arthritis or vertebral disc pathology
• Skin problems, such as lick granuloma
• Respiratory problems, such as feline asthma
• Gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea
• Selected reproductive problems

For large animals, some of the general conditions where it might be applied are the following:

• Musculoskeletal problems, such as sore backs or downer cow syndrome
• Nervous system problems, such as facial nerve paralysis
• Skin problems, such as allergic dermatitis
• Respiratory problems, such as heaves and "Bleeders"
• Gastrointestinal problems, such as nonsurgical colic
• Selected reproductive problems

In addition, regular acupuncture treatments can treat minor sports injuries as they occur and help to keep muscles and tendons resistant to injury. World class professional and amateur athletes often use acupuncture as a routine part of their training. If your animals are involved in any athletic endeavor, such as racing, jumping, or showing, acupuncture can help keep them in top physical condition.

For small animals, the insertion of acupuncture needles is virtually painless. The larger needles neccessary for large animals may cause some pain as the needles passes through the skin. In all animals, once the needles are in place, there should be no pain. Most animals become very relaxed and may even become sleepy. Nevertheless, acupuncture treatment may cause some sensation, presumed to be those such as tingles, cramps, or numbness which can occur in humans and may be uncomfortable to some animals.

That said, acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medical treatment when it is administered by a properly trained veterinarian. Side effects of acupuncture are rare, but they do exist. An animal's condition may seem worse for up to 48 hours after a treatment. Other animals may become sleepy or lethargic for 24 hours after acupuncture. These effects are the indication that some physiological changes are developing., and they are most often followed by improvement in the animal's condition.

The length and frequency of acupuncture treatments depends on the condition of the patient and the method of stimulation that is used by the veterinary acupuncturist. Stimulation of an individual acupuncture point may take as little as 10 seconds or as much as 30 minutes. A simple acute problem, such as a sprain, may require only one treatment, whereas more severe or chronic ailments may need several or even several dozen treatments.

When multiple treatments are necessary, patients often start with 1 - 4 treatments per week for 4 - 6 weeks. A positive response is usually seen after the first to third treatment. Once a maximum positive response is achieved (usually after 4 - 8 treatments), treatments are tapered off so that the greatest amount of symptom-free time lapses between them. Many animals with chronic conditions can taper off to 2 - 4 treatments per year.