Acupuncture for your pet
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine, solid needles into the body for pain relief or, in some cases, to help the body deal with other diseases.
How does acupuncture work?
It works through the nervous system. The needles block the pain messages and encourage the brain and central nervous system to produce more of the body’s natural painkillers. In conditions that are not painful, acupuncture may help to reset the body’s normal functioning.
Will it hurt my pet?
Acupuncture needles stimulate nerves that do not cause the unpleasant feelings of pain that we are trying to treat. They stimulate other nerves that send a more important message to the brain, which is how they block pain. Sometimes animals may react to this sensation as though they are expecting pain, but then relax because it does not occur. Most of the time they accept the fine needles very well and often become relaxed and sleepy during the treatment.
Would my pet need to be sedated for this treatment?
It is uncommon for animals to need to be sedated. This would only usually happen if they were so painful that any touch or stimulus causes them to be painful. Perhaps surprisingly, cats and rabbits often accept acupuncture treatment very well.
How often would my pet be treated?
The usual course is once a week for four to six weeks. After four weeks we will know whether acupuncture is working for your pet and then, depending on the condition and how they have responded, we will work out a plan that usually involves tailing off the treatment so that the effect is maintained for as long as possible.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is very safe, in the right hands. Legally it must be performed by a veterinary surgeon. There have been no official reports of problems in animals, but there are some in humans and these can usually be avoided with care and a good knowledge of anatomy. There are a very few cases in which we would have to be very cautious about using acupuncture, but your veterinary acupuncturist can advise you of these.
What kinds of conditions are treated with acupuncture?
Pain is the most common indication for acupuncture. Usually this means pain associated with arthritis, but also muscle strains, pain secondary to disc disease and bony changes of the spine (spondylosis). Other kinds of pain may also respond. Read more about pain management for pets.
Functional conditions such as constipation and cystitis in cats and irritable bowel type problems, colic and acral lick dermatitis (lick granuloma) in dogs may also respond. Vomiting, diarrhoea and urinary incontinence can also be successfully treated.
What can I expect during treatment?
After examination, needles will be put into various parts of the body and moved or stimulated a few times. There is not a set “dose” of acupuncture as there is for medication, so your vet will judge how much to do based on your pet’s response both at the time and after the treatment. They may become sleepy and relaxed during the treatment.
And after the treatment?
It is not uncommon for pets to go home and sleep very soundly for a long time. This is a good sign and shows that your pet will probably respond well to acupuncture. But do not worry if they are not sleepy - this does not mean that they will not respond. Sometimes your pet may seem a little more euphoric than usual; this is also a good sign, but keep them quiet for the rest of the day or they may overdo things. Some pets can be stiff or sore for 24-48 hours after a treatment.
Otherwise treat your pet normally after acupuncture. Do not change exercise, diet or medication unless it has been discussed with your vet.
Acupuncture has an effect on the whole body. It can unmask underlying problems that were previously insignificant. For example a dog being treated for hind leg problems might start to limp on a front leg as the hind legs improve. The front leg problem was already present but prior to treatment the hind leg issues were the bigger problem. The focus of treatment can be adapted to also treat the front leg.
What about response?
Your pet may show one of three responses to treatment:
1.They may seem a little stiffer or more uncomfortable. This just means that the intervention was a bit too much, but also shows that they should respond to treatment. After a day or two they will improve again and should be better than before. Very importantly, you must tell your vet so that they can adjust the treatment next time.
2.You may see no response. This is always disappointing but does not mean your pet will not respond; it may just be that they will take a little longer or that their improvement after the first treatment was too brief or small for you to see. We cannot say that they will not respond until after the fourth treatment. Not all animals or humans are acupuncture “responders”, but about 80% will be.
3.You may see an improvement. This may occur anytime in the three days after treatment. The signs that we are trying to treat may then return before the next treatment, but this is fine. After each subsequent treatment the effects should last for longer, so that your pet may eventually not need more treatments for some time. On average, pets show the most response after the third or fourth weekly acupuncture treatments.
Appointments
Acupuncture is offered within the normal working hours of Southern Cross Veterinary Clinic. For clients of Southern Cross making an appointment is as simple as calling reception and asking to make an acupuncture appointment. For your convenience after the initial evaluation, we offer a day service. This means that you can leave your pet with us for the day while he or she receives acupuncture.
If you are registered with another veterinary practice, but think that acupuncture might be of benefit to your pet, please speak to your vet regarding referral. All treatment is by veterinary referral as the health of your pet is our top priority. Veterinary referral ensures that there is clear and complete communication between the professionals who care for your pet and makes sure that he or she is safe at all times. Throughout your pet’s treatment we will give your vet regular reports on his or her progress, and your vet will remain in charge of all other aspects of your pet’s care, such as the supply of any medications, vaccinations, supplements and diets. To make an appointment ask your vet to complete our veterinary referral form and then contact us to make a booking.
Packages of 6 and 10 acupuncture sessions are offered. The package session is at a discounted rate compared to individual sessions. Packages exclude laser treatment, muscle stimulation, acupuncture needles, medications, supplements and herbal/homeopathic treatments.
Contact us for more information about acupuncture for your pet.
Veterinary referral form for acupuncture for your pet
New client registration form for acupuncture
Helsinki Chronic Pain Index for Dogs
Measuring Quality of Life
back to Pet Info
back to Services
back to Home
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine, solid needles into the body for pain relief or, in some cases, to help the body deal with other diseases.
How does acupuncture work?
It works through the nervous system. The needles block the pain messages and encourage the brain and central nervous system to produce more of the body’s natural painkillers. In conditions that are not painful, acupuncture may help to reset the body’s normal functioning.
Will it hurt my pet?
Acupuncture needles stimulate nerves that do not cause the unpleasant feelings of pain that we are trying to treat. They stimulate other nerves that send a more important message to the brain, which is how they block pain. Sometimes animals may react to this sensation as though they are expecting pain, but then relax because it does not occur. Most of the time they accept the fine needles very well and often become relaxed and sleepy during the treatment.
Would my pet need to be sedated for this treatment?
It is uncommon for animals to need to be sedated. This would only usually happen if they were so painful that any touch or stimulus causes them to be painful. Perhaps surprisingly, cats and rabbits often accept acupuncture treatment very well.
How often would my pet be treated?
The usual course is once a week for four to six weeks. After four weeks we will know whether acupuncture is working for your pet and then, depending on the condition and how they have responded, we will work out a plan that usually involves tailing off the treatment so that the effect is maintained for as long as possible.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is very safe, in the right hands. Legally it must be performed by a veterinary surgeon. There have been no official reports of problems in animals, but there are some in humans and these can usually be avoided with care and a good knowledge of anatomy. There are a very few cases in which we would have to be very cautious about using acupuncture, but your veterinary acupuncturist can advise you of these.
What kinds of conditions are treated with acupuncture?
Pain is the most common indication for acupuncture. Usually this means pain associated with arthritis, but also muscle strains, pain secondary to disc disease and bony changes of the spine (spondylosis). Other kinds of pain may also respond. Read more about pain management for pets.
Functional conditions such as constipation and cystitis in cats and irritable bowel type problems, colic and acral lick dermatitis (lick granuloma) in dogs may also respond. Vomiting, diarrhoea and urinary incontinence can also be successfully treated.
What can I expect during treatment?
After examination, needles will be put into various parts of the body and moved or stimulated a few times. There is not a set “dose” of acupuncture as there is for medication, so your vet will judge how much to do based on your pet’s response both at the time and after the treatment. They may become sleepy and relaxed during the treatment.
And after the treatment?
It is not uncommon for pets to go home and sleep very soundly for a long time. This is a good sign and shows that your pet will probably respond well to acupuncture. But do not worry if they are not sleepy - this does not mean that they will not respond. Sometimes your pet may seem a little more euphoric than usual; this is also a good sign, but keep them quiet for the rest of the day or they may overdo things. Some pets can be stiff or sore for 24-48 hours after a treatment.
Otherwise treat your pet normally after acupuncture. Do not change exercise, diet or medication unless it has been discussed with your vet.
Acupuncture has an effect on the whole body. It can unmask underlying problems that were previously insignificant. For example a dog being treated for hind leg problems might start to limp on a front leg as the hind legs improve. The front leg problem was already present but prior to treatment the hind leg issues were the bigger problem. The focus of treatment can be adapted to also treat the front leg.
What about response?
Your pet may show one of three responses to treatment:
1.They may seem a little stiffer or more uncomfortable. This just means that the intervention was a bit too much, but also shows that they should respond to treatment. After a day or two they will improve again and should be better than before. Very importantly, you must tell your vet so that they can adjust the treatment next time.
2.You may see no response. This is always disappointing but does not mean your pet will not respond; it may just be that they will take a little longer or that their improvement after the first treatment was too brief or small for you to see. We cannot say that they will not respond until after the fourth treatment. Not all animals or humans are acupuncture “responders”, but about 80% will be.
3.You may see an improvement. This may occur anytime in the three days after treatment. The signs that we are trying to treat may then return before the next treatment, but this is fine. After each subsequent treatment the effects should last for longer, so that your pet may eventually not need more treatments for some time. On average, pets show the most response after the third or fourth weekly acupuncture treatments.
Appointments
Acupuncture is offered within the normal working hours of Southern Cross Veterinary Clinic. For clients of Southern Cross making an appointment is as simple as calling reception and asking to make an acupuncture appointment. For your convenience after the initial evaluation, we offer a day service. This means that you can leave your pet with us for the day while he or she receives acupuncture.
If you are registered with another veterinary practice, but think that acupuncture might be of benefit to your pet, please speak to your vet regarding referral. All treatment is by veterinary referral as the health of your pet is our top priority. Veterinary referral ensures that there is clear and complete communication between the professionals who care for your pet and makes sure that he or she is safe at all times. Throughout your pet’s treatment we will give your vet regular reports on his or her progress, and your vet will remain in charge of all other aspects of your pet’s care, such as the supply of any medications, vaccinations, supplements and diets. To make an appointment ask your vet to complete our veterinary referral form and then contact us to make a booking.
Packages of 6 and 10 acupuncture sessions are offered. The package session is at a discounted rate compared to individual sessions. Packages exclude laser treatment, muscle stimulation, acupuncture needles, medications, supplements and herbal/homeopathic treatments.
Contact us for more information about acupuncture for your pet.
Veterinary referral form for acupuncture for your pet
New client registration form for acupuncture
Helsinki Chronic Pain Index for Dogs
Measuring Quality of Life
back to Pet Info
back to Services
back to Home
