Acupuncture
- What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture involves placing thin needles into the skin at specific areas in order to stimulate the nervous system and immune system, increase bloodflow to the area, and reduce inflammation, pain and swelling. Acupuncture is most commonly used in animals for arthritic or joint pain, spinal disease such as IVDD, and in general to increase mobility and comfort, but it is helpful for many kinds of acute or chronic conditions. For example, if your dog suffers from constant itchy skin and allergies, or your cat keeps biting at their tail, acupuncture can likely help your pet! We will work with you and your regular veterinarian to make sure your pet lives their best life. If your pet is dealing with any kind of illness and you are looking for additional support, we would love to help you! - Are there any side effects?
Acupuncture comes with very few risks. The biggest risk, though very rare, is if your pet consumes a needle, so we will need your help in keeping them distracted through the treatment. Please make sure someone in your home will be present for the appointment. Your pet will never be left alone during treatment, and we will make sure all needles are accounted for before we leave. More common side effects are your pet feeling more sleepy or more active than usual for the days following the treatment. - What happens in an acupuncture session?
For the first visit we will discuss your concerns and goals for your pet. We will them examine your pet in order to determine the best acupuncture treatment. Your pet can sit or lay where they are comfortable and you may want to have some treats nearby to keep their attention. We will then place very thin needles into specific areas of their skin, and the needles will stay there for between 10 and 25 minutes. We will then remove all needles, and you and your pet can continue with your day! For subsequent visits, we will have a short discussion on how your pet is doing and what changes you are seeing, and they will receive another acupuncture treatment. - How many sessions does my pet need?
Most pets will typically respond in about 4-6 weekly sessions. Sometimes results are seen sooner and sometimes more sessions are needed. We would encourage you to commit to at least 4 sessions before deciding if acupuncture is helping your pet or not. Most pets benefit from weekly sessions initially, then biweekly sessions to maintain good health. Pets who are good candidates for in home acupuncture are calm and are not afraid or aggressive. If your pet dislikes being touched or does not like strangers in their home, please call us to discuss how we can best help your pet.