Acupuncture has been used as part of traditional Chinese medicine for over two thousand years and is now recognised in Western medicine as a treatment option. Here at Ardmore Vets we have used acupuncture over several years and Richard, Simon and Frances all practice acupuncture on our patients.
Acupuncture for your pet
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the practise
of inserting fine, solid needles into the body for pain relief or, in some
cases, to help the body deal with other diseases.
How does acupuncture work?
It works through the nervous
system. The needles block the pain messages and encourage the brain and central
nervous system to produce more of the body’s natural painkillers. In conditions
that are not painful, acupuncture may help to reset the body’s normal
functioning.
Will it hurt my pet?
Acupuncture needles stimulate
nerves that do not cause the unpleasant feelings of pain that we are trying to
treat. They stimulate other nerves that send a more important message to the
brain, which is how they block pain. Sometimes animals may react to this
sensation as though they are expecting pain, but then relax because it does not
occur. Most of the time they accept the fine needles very well and often become
relaxed and sleepy during the treatment. Often they appear to look forward to
the next treatment when they come back to the practice.
Would my pet need to be sedated for this treatment?
It is uncommon for animals to
need to be sedated. This would only usually happen if they were so painful that
any touch or stimulus causes them to be painful. Perhaps surprisingly, cats and
rabbits often accept acupuncture treatment very well.
How often would my pet be treated?
The usual course is once a
week for four to six weeks. After four weeks we will know whether acupuncture
is working for your pet and then, depending on the condition and how they have
responded, we will work out a plan that usually involves tailing off the
treatment so that the effect is maintained for as long as possible.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is very safe, in
the right hands. Legally it must be performed by a veterinary surgeon. There
have been no official reports of problems in animals, but there are some in
humans and these can usually be avoided with care and a good knowledge of
anatomy. There are a very few cases in which we would have to be very cautious
about using acupuncture, but your veterinary acupuncturist can advise you of
these.
What kinds of conditions
are treated with acupuncture?
Pain is the most common
indication for acupuncture. Usually this means pain associated with arthritis,
but also muscle strains, pain secondary to disc disease and bony changes of the
spine. Other kinds of pain may also respond.
Functional conditions such
as constipation in cats and irritable bowel type problems in dogs may also
respond.
What can I expect during
treatment?
After examination, needles
will be put into various parts of the body and moved or stimulated a few times.
There is not a set “dose” of acupuncture as there is for medication, so your
vet will judge how much to do based on your pet’s response both at the time and
after the treatment. They may become sleepy and relaxed during the treatment.
And after the treatment?
It is not uncommon for pets
to go home and sleep very soundly for a long time. This is a good sign and shows
that your pet will probably respond well to acupuncture. But do not worry if
they are not sleepy – this does not mean that they will not respond. Sometimes
your pet may seem a little more euphoric than usual; this is also a good sign,
but keep them quiet for the rest of the day or they may overdo things.
Otherwise treat your pet
normally after acupuncture. Do not change exercise, diet or medication unless
it has been discussed with your vet.
What about response?
Your pet may show one of
three responses to treatment:
- They may seem a little stiffer or more
uncomfortable. This just means that the dose was a bit too much, but also
shows that they should respond to treatment. After a day or two they will
improve again and should be better than before. However, you must tell
your vet so that they can adjust the treatment next time.
- You may see no response. This is always
disappointing but does not mean your pet will not respond; it may just be
that they will take a little longer or that their improvement after the
first treatment was too brief or small for you to see. We cannot say that
they will not respond until after the fourth treatment. Not all animals or
humans are acupuncture “responders”, but about 80% will be.
- You may see an improvement. This may occur anytime
in the three days after treatment. The signs that we are trying to treat
may then return before the next treatment, but this is fine. After each
subsequent treatment the effects should last for longer, so that your pet
may eventually not need more treatments for some time.
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