What are the benefits of acupuncture for your pet?
More and more UK vets are using acupuncture as it can be an effective way of helping to alleviate pain. Acupuncture can ease your pet’s illness where conventional treatments fall short. Examples include chronic (long-term) conditions, such as arthritis, back pain, and behavioural issues. It can also be indicated in skin problems such as allergies or lick granuloma, or other problems such as chronic diarrhea, constipation and cystitis in cats and irritable bowel problems in dogs. Acupuncture is now a well established treatment with many vets now recommending it and most insurers covering your pet for acupuncture if its been recommended by your vet. We still recommend you check your insurance policy.
What happens during treatment?
Treatment is safe and involves placing fine needles in strategic points on the body. They are then moved a few times by your vet, depending on how your pet responds. Placing the needles is gentle and pain free. In fact, pets often feel so relaxed that they fall asleep during treatment. The needles block pain messages to the brain. In turn, this encourages the brain and central nervous system to produce endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
What do pets think of it?
Acupuncture is very safe, but must only be performed by a veterinary surgeon. Most pets aren’t bothered by the needles and even become very relaxed and sleepy. Because of this, it is very unusual for an animal to need to be sedated to undergo acupuncture. Session generally last around 15 – 30 minutes and there are generally very little side effects, although some pets may feel sleepy afterwards.
To discuss if acupuncture could help your pet then please contact the practice to arrange an appointment.