What is veterinary acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing method used to prevent and treat many different health conditions by inserting fine needles into specific “acupuncture” points on the body. Your pet’s body has thousands of acupuncture points but only about 200 are used on a regular basis in veterinary acupuncture.
These points, which are made up of a number of nerve endings and blood vessels, are divided up into 12 main energy channels, called meridians, which are associated with different organs in the body.
Each acupuncture point has a specific action when stimulated such as helping to increase blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms, or release hormones such as endorphins (pain control) and cortisol (a natural steroid that can help relieve inflammation). In many cases, combinations of points are used to achieve a “synergistic” response to help heal the pet’s ailment.
Under what circumstances is acupuncture used?
Acupuncture is used to relieve pain and can be a very effective treatment for many health conditions when used alone or in combination with most conventional and other complementary therapies.
In small animals, acupuncture can help with:
- musculoskeletal problems such as arthritis, intervertebral disc disease, or traumatic nerve injury
- respiratory problems such as asthma
- skin problems such as lick granulomas and allergic dermatitis
- gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea
- some reproductive problems
If your pet is involved in sports such as agility or flyball, acupuncture can help keep him in shape, which can enhance performance and prevent injury. Acupuncture may eliminate the need for surgery in certain cases and post surgery, acupuncture can help speed up recovery and make the pet more comfortable.
The successful treatment of chronic conditions in pets depends on the skill of the veterinary acupuncturist, the particular health condition being treated and the number and frequency of acupuncture treatments. And the earlier acupuncture treatments start in the course of a disease, the better the response.
Are there any side effects from veterinary acupuncture?
Acupuncture should only be administered by a certified veterinary acupuncturist because if treatments are done incorrectly, your pet may be injured. In the hands of a skilled practitioner, side effects are rare but may include:
- mild bruising or swelling at the needle insertion site
- mild worsening of the pet’s condition for a short time after treatment
- difficulty removing needles because of muscle spasm
- injury to an underlying tissue or organ
- infection at the needle site
- lethargic for a short time after treatment
Acupuncture treatments can mask pain or other clinical signs of disease so it’s important that your pet is examined by a veterinarian and his condition is properly diagnosed before undergoing acupuncture treatments.
What is the cost of veterinary acupuncture?
The initial consultation fee with vary depending on the veterinarian and each subsequent treatment will cost about $75. For acute problems pets usually receive treatment one to three times a week until they improve and for chronic conditions such as arthritis or skin problems, pets will visit the acupuncturist for a minimum of four treatments, about one to two weeks apart.
How does veterinary acupuncture help pets with cancer?
Acupuncture can be used as a complementary therapy to conventional cancer treatment as a way to alleviate pain, support the musculoskeletal system and control vomiting associated with chemotherapy. One of the concerns of performing acupuncture on pets with cancer is if you do acupuncture on the same meridian as the origin of the cancer, you could stimulate the cancer.
Before beginning any complementary therapy program it’s advised to check with your veterinarian or veterinary oncologist first.
Is the practice of veterinary acupuncture regulated?
If you are looking for a veterinary acupuncturist, choose one who is a licensed veterinarian, certified in veterinary acupuncture.
Sources:
- Bow Bottom Veterinary Hospital, Calgary, AB, Veterinary Acupuncture, by Lifelearn Inc., based on material written by Dr. Steve Marsden, DVM, ND, MSOM, LAc, DiplCH, AHG, Dr. Shawn Messonnier, DVM and Dr. Cheryl Yuill, DVM, MSc, CVH.
- American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture, Fayetteville, TN, What is animal acupuncture?
- Citizen Pet & Equine magazine, Summer 2014 issue, Acupuncture gets to the point, by Sherry Warner.
- International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, Fort Collins, CO, What is veterinary acupuncture?
This page has been reviewed by our Panel of Experts for accuracy. Our Panel of Experts is comprised of practitioners with varying specialties and perspectives. As such, the views expressed here may not be shared by all members of our Panel.
The content on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.