The goal of Veterinary Acupuncture is to keep dogs & cats happy, healthy and free of pain. I aim to enjoy a long term relationship with my clients and will continually strive to practice the highest quality veterinary medicine, focus on the most effective and least invasive methods available, and offer the finest products and services.

General Introduction

After practicing regular and emergency veterinary medicine for a few years, I began to feel somewhat boxed in by conventional medical and surgical routines. Through much study and practice, I became a certified acupuncturist. With this additional aspect of my career, I hope to accomplish my mission by seeing my patients regain strength, health and happiness...

Acupuncture, which is the insertion of fine needles into specific points of the body to achieve therapy and homeostasis, has been practiced in China for thousands of years! Since the late 70’s, the study and practice of acupuncture, both for humans and animals, has gained greater understanding and acceptance world-wide. The American Veterinary Medical Association has called acupuncture an integral part of veterinary medicine. Additionally, the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health have officially recognized acupuncture as an effective treatment for several diseases.

Benefits of Acupuncture

There is overwhelming scientific data supporting the efficacy of acupuncture, and the benefits are multiple. To name a few:

1) Sedation due to release of dopamine in the brain
2) Homeostasis due to its effects on the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system
3) Immune stimulation due to its effects on the reticulo-endothelial system, thereby increasing white blood cell count, phagocytosis, and interferon levels
4) Psychological “boost” due to release of opiate and regulation of metabolism of other neurotransmitters such as serotonine, noradrenalin and acetylcholine
5) Motor recovery due to stimulation of the regeneration of anterior horn cells in the spinal cord, for example, in cases of nerve paralysis.

Treatment Specifics

It is important to note that Veterinary Acupuncture is not a substitute for conventional veterinary medicine; it is an adjunct therapy that complements rather than replaces standard treatment. Therefore, this service does not replace your furry friends’ routine visits to their regular veterinarians!

First, an initial consultation and veterinary examination will take place; prior records, diagnoses and x-rays can be reviewed and discussed. A good physical exam and history of the patent’s problem is essential. Next, a veterinary treatment plan will be discussed and chosen. We will decide on our approach and then get started.

Veterinary acupuncture is virtually painless. Dogs and cats usually relax and may even get a little sleepy during treatment. Treatments vary in length, frequency and method of stimulation. Most patients average a 15-20 minute session, and depending upon the nature of the condition, require at least 4-6 treatments for best results. There are 3 general outcomes:

1) Animal appears brighter but there is no obvious change of symptoms
2) Symptoms improve for 24-48hr then worsen again
3) Symptoms worsen for 24-48hr then improve

For more chronic (long term) conditions, it is usually not possible to correct symptoms with only 1 or 2 treatments. We will fully discuss our expectations and proceed accordingly. Once stabilized, balanced or improved, many dogs and cats with chronic conditions are effectively maintained with just a few to several acupuncture treatments a year. Our initial meeting may take around 30-45 min, and subsequent visits usually last about 20-30 min.

Complications

Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medical treatment for animals if it is administered by a properly trained veterinarian. Side effects are rare but they do exist. Bending of needles may happen if the animal moves. For very aggressive or nervous patients, prior sedation may be required. Breaking of needles is very rare and only needles with the best quality available in the market are used. Mild bruising of the points may occur. Injuries of vital organs may occur if the practitioner is unfamiliar with the animal anatomy.

Common Conditions Treated by Acupuncture

- Musculoskeletal problems such as sore backs, degenerative joint disease, strains & tears
- Urinary tract problems such as feline lower urinary tract disease
- Respiratory tract problems such as sinusitis, rhinitis, feline asthma
- Cardiovascular problems such as congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, hypertension
- Skin problems such as allergic dermatitis
- Nervous disorders such as facial nerve paralysis
- Gastrointestinal problems such as colic, diarrhoea, ulcers
- Geriatric conditions such as idiopathic geriatric vestibular syndrome
- Immune system problems such as FIV, IBD, lymphocytic-plasmacytic gingivitis
- Reproductive problems such as uterine inertia, milk letdown

Choosing Your Veterinary Acupuncturist

There are 2 important criteria you should look for in a veterinary acupuncturist:

1) Your veterinary acupuncturist must be a licensed veterinarian.
2) Your veterinary acupuncturist should have formal training in the practice of acupuncture for animals. (For example, the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) is the only accredited certification program for veterinary acupuncturists.)