Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapeutic technique that is a safe and non-invasive treatment option for your pet, with virtually no side effects.
Animal acupuncture is effective in managing:
- Renal (kidney) disease
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Pain management
- Arthritis
- Skin disease (dermatitis)
- Epilepsy
- Cancer
Acupuncture, a recognized treatment by the American Veterinary Medical Association, is the stimulation of specific points on the body. The points are near nerve endings, vessels and other important body areas.
The Chinese found 361 points on people and 173 points on animals. Research shows stimulating these points releases serotonin, beta-endorphin and other neurotransmitters involved in the transmission of nerve impulses.
What to Expect
An acupuncture session for your pet lasts between 30 and 40 minutes. A variety of different techniques are used including:
- Dry needling
- Aqua-acupuncture
- Electro-stimulation
Aqua-acupuncture often consists of injecting a fluid such as vitamin B-12 at specific acupuncture points. Electro-stimulation connects dry needles to an electrical machine and sends low wave currents to the patient.
Acute conditions can often be treated with one or two treatments. However, more chronic conditions such as renal disease and cancer dictate more sessions over a longer period of time.
A Safe Treatment Option
There is little to no risk involved in acupuncture. It is extremely safe, and produces very few side effects.
Acupuncture is not extremely painful, and most animals tolerate it extremely well. In fact a great number of them will fall asleep or lay down during the treatment.