Veterinary Acupuncture

Yes, It works for pets too

Are you hoping to get your dog back out on the trail with you? Longing for your elderly kitty to jump up on the couch to cuddle again? Do you wish that your dog would leap up to greet you at the door? Me too! And Veterinary Acupuncture can help make that happen.

Veterinary Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) that has been used as a therapy for over 3,000 years. The basis of this type of medicine is to treat the whole patient by identifying and addressing the underlying root of the problem. This means that I will focus not only on the outward symptoms that your pet is having (like limping or digestive issues), but also your pet’s personality, habits, diet, medical history and environment. My goal is to help achieve maximum health, balance and self-healing for your pet. Many times, this is achieved by using acupuncture as a complement to medications or other therapies.

Some of the most common conditions that acupuncture can help include:

Back or neck pain from chronic disk disease or tight muscles

Weakness or lack of energy brought on by old age

Lameness and pain associated with arthritis

Immune-mediated diseases

Paresis or paralysis

Fevers

Ailments associated with cancer, or side effects of medications

Digestive issues such as vomiting, diarrhea or constipation

Skin issues such as infections, itching or allergies

Urinary tract disease such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or inappropriate urination

Respiratory problems including asthma, bronchitis or rhinitis

Pain after surgery

Seizures

Chronic liver or kidney disease

Behavioral problems

Your First Session

When I first meet your pet, I will do a thorough physical exam, and discuss your pet’s medical history, your primary concerns and treatment goals with you. One of my main goals is for your pet to enjoy their acupuncture session and I will work with each pet individually to make sure they are comfortable and happy. Most pets tolerate acupuncture very well and they recognize it as a therapy that brings relief. Many will even fall asleep!

After your pet’s treatment, we can discuss a plan for future acupuncture sessions and I can also work with your pet’s regular veterinarian to formulate a plan to optimize your pet’s health. These treatments may include a combination of Traditional Acupuncture, Electroacupuncture and Aquapuncture. Read on for more details on each.

Traditional Acupuncture

Traditional acupuncture involves the insertion of a very thin needle through the skin at predetermined sites for the treatment or prevention of disease or pain.

Electroacupuncture

Electroacupuncture is a form of acupuncture where a small electric current is passed between a pair of acupuncture needles. It can be more effective than traditional acupuncture for certain conditions.

Aquapuncture

Aquapuncture is the injection of a liquid (typically vitamin B12 or saline) at acupuncture points. Aquapuncture can lengthen and strengthen the acupuncture treatment.