Vets have long been using acupuncture to treat pets for various ailments. Dog owners are also starting to see that this alternative therapy can make their dogs happier and healthier.
However, not all vet clinics have this service. Ensure that your vet is qualified with experience in acupuncture treatment, like Limehouse Veterinary Clinic.
What is Vet Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a part of a pet’s holistic care, involving inserting fine needles into different points on your dog’s body associated with their illness or condition. It is based on TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) theory, which holds energy known as Qi flowing through channels in your dog’s body (meridians). If this flow becomes blocked or unbalanced, it can cause disease. The insertion of needles rebalances the meridians and restores your dog’s health.
Acupuncture is used to relieve pain, reduce stress, or relax muscles to correct imbalances within the body. This can be helpful for dogs who have joint problems, digestive issues, or skin allergies. Visit this website to learn more about holistic medicine for dogs & cats.
What Can Vet Acupuncture Treat?
- Allergies – including atopic dermatitis
- Bone and muscle problems – arthritis, hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy (DM), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Eye conditions – blindness caused by retinal atrophy due to old age or cataracts
- General pain management
- Heart failure
- Immune system conditions like Addison’s Disease.
- Acupuncture can also help boost your dog’s immune system. It works on their adrenal glands connected to the body’s immune response.
- Anxiety- acupuncture helps with stress reduction, so it is suitable for dogs who have separation anxiety or are anxious in loud environments like dog shows or kennels.
- It is also helpful for noise phobias
How Does Vet Acupuncture Work?
Before you start treatment, your vet will talk to you about what symptoms your dog experiences and make a diagnosis. The vet will need to know whether your pet is overweight or obese as this can affect where they put the needles. They should also make sure that there are no contraindications for acupuncture, such as heart conditions or other health problems.
During the session, your dog might feel a little discomfort from the needle reactions, which could include twitching or flinching at first. However, it will not be painful and should subside quickly. You may even see your pet fall asleep.
How Long Does a Session of Vet Acupuncture Last?
A session can last from 30 minutes to an hour. Some dogs will need just one session, though those with chronic health problems may require more.
The vet might also include other alternative therapies such as Tui Na massage, which works on the meridians and muscles instead of needles. This is often done after acupuncture as it promotes healing and can help your dog feel better faster.
What Are the Side Effects of Vet Acupuncture?
With proper acupuncture techniques, there should not be any side effects. It takes many years to become fully qualified, so you know that your practitioner knows what they are doing and will choose the correct points for your pet.
Note that acupuncture can lower the effectiveness of some medications, including anti-coagulants, so your vet should know this before treatment. Most importantly, it is not suitable for pregnant or lactating dogs.
Conclusion
Veterinary acupuncture has been around for thousands of years in China. It is now widely used in the west as more scientific evidence shows that it can positively affect dogs with certain illnesses.
It is an effective and safe way to help your pet with many conditions, especially chronic problems. Part of the reason it works is that dogs (and cats) can get better without side effects or complications. It’s especially beneficial for treating certain health conditions in their internal organs, arthritis, and anxiety or stress disorders.
If your dogs have current conditions on their internal organs, it’s best to visit specialists. If you’re looking for veterinary internal medicine in Glendale, you may go to Limehouse Veterinary Clinic.
