What is dog acupuncture?
Dog acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine where we use points along meridians on the body to restore the natural homeostasis of the body. Acupuncture is a great method of treating various medical conditions for patients who are amenable to it, first of all, and who might not do well on traditional Western medications. Some pets might get upset tummies on them. You might have some lab imbalances that preclude use of certain medications. And there's no real contraindication to using acupuncture as long as the patient is comfortable and allows us to safely place the needles where we need them to be. There's no age limitations whatsoever. You know, as long as if you have a rambunctious puppy, we don't want needles to be flying everywhere. So that might be an issue. But we could do acupuncture on puppies if need be. We can do acupuncture on seniors, which is the more common thing that we do.
What conditions can traditional acupuncture treat?
Traditional acupuncture can be used to treat any number of conditions, whether it's skin issues and itchiness or gastrointestinal issues. The most common thing that we treat are arthritic and neurologic conditions, either as a sole treatment or as an adjunct treatment to traditional Western medications. So a lot of dogs are already on a lot of pain medications. You might have a dog on anti-inflammatory and even a secondary pain medication. But there's no one size fits all for any arthritic old dog or old cat. And so the use of acupuncture can really benefit and work synergistically with traditional Western medications.
What happens during an acupuncture appointment?
When I do an acupuncture appointment, it's not only to pursue the acupuncture. It's usually an appointment for arthritic dogs and cats. And there's more than just giving pain medications and giving pain treatments for those patients. It's also setting up the home environment for success for our arthritic patients to prevent injuries at home and to allow people, say with bigger dogs, to be able to get their dog outside. And so when we have an acupuncture appointment, it's not just the acupuncture. We're also going to talk about all the things that we can do at home to help out with our pets as they get older and deal with various medical conditions.
Thank you for listening to this talk on dog and cat acupuncture. There's always more to discuss. And so if you guys have any questions or concerns or want to figure out if it's right for your pet, don't hesitate to call our front desk, set up an appointment. We can definitely talk about all the needs that you guys have for your pets and how we can best address them going forward.
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Dog Acupuncture — Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions does acupuncture treat in dogs?
Acupuncture is most commonly used for musculoskeletal pain, arthritis, intervertebral disc disease, hip dysplasia, nerve injuries, and post-surgical recovery. It can also help with nausea and certain skin conditions.
Does acupuncture hurt dogs?
The needles used are very fine — much thinner than hypodermic needles — and most dogs tolerate treatment well. Many become relaxed or even sleepy during sessions. Discomfort is minimal and brief if it occurs at all.
How many sessions will my dog need?
Many dogs respond within three to six sessions. Acute conditions may resolve faster, while chronic conditions like arthritis typically benefit from ongoing maintenance treatments. Your vet will develop a schedule based on your dog's response.
Can acupuncture replace my dog's other medications?
Acupuncture works best as part of an integrated treatment plan, not necessarily as a replacement. Many dogs are able to reduce their reliance on pain medications over time with acupuncture, but this should always be guided by your vet.
Is acupuncture safe for senior dogs?
Yes. It is one of the safest therapies available for older dogs who may not tolerate high doses of pain medications well. Senior dogs with arthritis or mobility issues often respond especially well to acupuncture.