Services : Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used for 3500 years in China as part of the traditional medicine and is still used alongside conventional medicine by 1 quarter of the worlds population.
It helps to relieve pain, stimulates the immune system and improves the function of organs through stimulation of points on the body surface.
In Veterinary medicine acupuncture is getting an increasing reputation for the relief of many musculoskeletal conditions including arthritis, joint and ligament damage and back pain.
It has also been found to be useful for self-traumatising behaviour, epilepsy, urinary disorders and gastrointestinal malfunctions such as constipation as well as chronic debilitating conditions.
It is to be used as a compliment to other forms of veterinary medicine, never as a substitute and it is important that a clinical diagnosis is reached to assess if other treatments such as surgery or drugs may be more effective.
Facts and legal bits
Acupuncture on animals can only be carried out by a qualified veterinary surgeon. Needles are not reused to maintain sterility and sharpness.
We do not use herbs such as moxa or heat the needles as done with people and, although electro-acupuncture is available in some places to provide a more intense stimulus, we do not have this facility at our surgery.
What the sessions involve
We usually allow 30 minutes for the acupuncture session, possibly longer if this is the first time we have seen you and your pet.
We will talk about your pets condition and what you feel the major problems or areas of discomfort are.
Your pet will then be clinically examined, as well as the usual examination this will involve palpation to determine the muscle groups and points that may be associated with the condition.
Very fine needles will then be inserted into selected points.
At subsequent session we will discuss any improvements or deterioration and we may alter the points used accordingly.
Surprisingly, many dogs seem to enjoy their treatments and will trot in happily for subsequent visits.
Who performs the acupuncture?
Patricia MacFadyen BVMS, Cert SAM, MRCVS has attended the Western Veterinary Acupuncture Group's training course and is the vet involved in the sessions.
She would be happy to talk to anyone considering this treatment for their pet (see How to book a session)
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my pet feel the needles?
The needles that are used are very fine and although there may be a light sensation through the skin most animals don't seem to notice them.
Occasionally there is a reaction if it is a particularly tender point in which case we would go back to that area at a later time.
Acupuncture creates a different sensation in different individuals but many animals appear to relax after the needles are in and may even go to sleep.
How long do the needles stay in?
We normally use between 5-15 needles depending on the problem and the size of the animal. The needles may be left in for just a few minutes or up to 20 minutes depending on the attitude of the individual animal.
What should I expect after a session?
Your pet may be sleepy or lethargy and relaxed as endorphins, which are the body's natural opiates are released.
Try not to take your pet for vigorous exercise or a long walk straight after a session.
Sometimes there may be a temporary aggravation before an improvement and sometimes there may be no improvement till a few days later.
How many sessions are usually needed?
We normally do between 3 and 5 sessions on a weekly basis.
The effects of the first session may decline gradually by the end of a week and subsequent sessions reinforce and prolong the duration of the effects.
The magnitude of improvement will depend on the age of the animal and length of time the condition has been present.
A young and athletic animal with an acute injury may only need 1 or 2 treatments, older debilitated animals with a long term illness may need 6 or more weeks.
Assuming animal responses are similar to human responses 10 of the population will be very sensitive to acupuncture and need gentle treatment and few sessions, conversely 10% will have a poor response and need more stimulation, more sessions or may not respond at all.
Is acupuncture suitable for my pet?
Acupuncture may be carried out on any kind of animal within reason! Point diagrams for elephants, horses and even chickens have been found in ancient Chinese texts.
Dogs, cats and rabbits would be suitable candidates.
The main proviso is that there is enough muscle mass to put the needles in (a very elderly cat may not have enough muscle to tolerate even very fine needles) and that the animals temperament allows the procedure to be safe.
If your pet will not normally allow the vet within 6 feet without becoming a mass of teeth and claws it is unlikely this will be the treatment of choice for it.
Other factors that may contraindicate acupuncture would be bleeding disorders, generalised infections and severe immunosuppression.
Pregnancy may be a relative contraindication as there are some points that are related to abortions in traditional Chinese medicine.
HOW TO BOOK A SESSION
If your pet normally attends Blackness veterinary Surgery and we have seen him or her recently about this problem ask at reception to book and initial consultation.
If you are not normally one of our clients we would ask you to tell your usual vet that you are considering acupuncture as they may be able to offer this themselves.
We advise them that you have approached us and ask for your clinical records both as a matter of professional courtesy and to make sure we are not interfering with a more suitable treatment for this condition.
For fee information please contact the surgery.
Some insurance companies include acupuncture in their cover, please check with your individual company to make sure this is the case.
