Everything You Need to Know About Pet Acupuncture

Everything You Need to Know About Pet Acupuncture

Your vet may recommend acupuncture if your pet struggles with joint inflammation, allergies, digestive difficulties, hip dysplasia, or neurological conditions. The ancient Chinese technique is often an adjunct to conventional veterinary treatments such as medication and surgery.

While alternative therapy is beneficial, it is not suitable for all pets. Acupuncture should not be used for severe illnesses like infections. Some pets may refuse to cooperate when an acupuncturist asks them to remain stationary for 20 minutes.

According to research, acupuncture can help reduce pain and inflammation while improving a pet’s quality of life.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture originates from the Latin words “acus” for “needle” and “punctura” for “to prick.”

Acupuncture has been used effectively in Eastern medicine on people and animals for approximately 4,000 years. Medical and veterinary acupuncture, also referred to as neuroanatomical acupuncture, stimulates the animal’s nervous system. Acupuncture is utilized for pain alleviation and seizure treatment combined with standard vet treatment.

In its most standard form, acupuncture treats diseases or symptoms by inserting extremely thin needles into specific spots on the body. Acupuncture points can also be stimulated without needles by acupressure, cupping, or by administering heat, cold, water, ultrasound, or other methods at the practitioner’s discretion. 

Veterinary laser therapy, a treatment that promotes cell regeneration and circulation, is also utilized by some acupuncturists instead of needles. Visit websites like berkeleydogandcat.com for more information about cold laser treatment.

What conditions respond well to acupuncture?

Acupuncture is used not just for pain alleviation. Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with conventional veterinary therapy to help address clinical problems and provide our patients with a higher quality of life.

Acupuncture is often utilized in small animals for neurological problems such as muscular strains, arthritis, postoperative orthopedic ailments, and nervous system diseases such as postoperative neurologic conditions and seizure management. Acupuncture can also be used to treat various medical conditions, including kidney or liver disease, dermatological diseases, and pain management.

Acupuncture is most utilized in big animals to treat musculoskeletal and reproductive problems. Treatment is likewise available for facial paralysis, TMJ discomfort, and nasal difficulties, among other things.

How safe is acupuncture?

When performed by a Berkeley veterinarian acupuncturist, this procedure is one of the safest treatments available. Since acupuncture balances the body’s intrinsic healing system, few side effects exist. Occasionally, an animal’s health might appear to deteriorate briefly before recovering.

Key Takeaways

  • Is my pet a suitable candidate? Acupuncture may not be the perfect solution for senior pets or those suffering from significant conditions or accidents. It is specifically beneficial in pets suffering from orthopedic problems such as joint inflammation and back discomfort.
  • What about the adverse effects of needle insertion? While your pet might suffer an infection at a needle site, acupuncture reactions are rare.
  • How long will it take for the procedure to work? The number of sessions your pet may require to obtain alleviation varies on the diagnosis. Typically, improvements happen after three to four sessions.
  • What additional treatments would be beneficial? Veterinary acupuncturists may propose electro-acupuncture, which transmits moderate electric currents through the needles for higher stimulation, or herbal medicines to augment acupuncture and accelerate healing.