Sometimes, through injury or old age, our pets can become hurt. While traditional prescription medicine may be able to soothe your pet’s suffering, occasionally alternative treatment options, like acupuncture, may be able to help your pet. Although viewed as an alternative treatment option, many pets find relief with this minimally invasive technique. Let’s take a closer look at pet acupuncture and help you determine if pet acupuncture is right for your pet.
What is Pet Acupuncture?
Just like acupuncture intended for people, acupuncture for pets involves placing small needles in specific pressure points throughout the body. A trained professional will locate these points throughout the body, so they align with your pet’s particular ailments. Often, your pet cannot even feel the needle. As part of pet acupuncture, soothing liquids like diluted vitamin B are injected into the skin to help soothe, heal, and regenerate tissue.
What Conditions Can Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture can be used for various conditions, injuries, and ailments and has had continued success with pet pain management. Some of the most common conditions that acupuncture for pets can help treat include:
- Arthritis
- Metabolic Disease
- Injury
- Cancer
- Degenerative Joint Disease like Hip or Elbow Dysplasia
Many pet owners turn to acupuncture for pets because it is minimally invasive and can have soothing qualities. Acupuncture doesn’t require prescription medication for pain management, which can often have undesirable side effects. Further, acupuncture can be used in conjunction with other treatment methods to give your pet a well-rounded and holistic approach to health care.
What Does an Appointment Look Like?
If you think that acupuncture may be the right solution for your pet, the first step is to set up an initial appointment with a professional. You and the veterinarian will discuss your pet’s ailment and triggers. During the first appointment, your veterinarian probably won’t insert a single needle. Instead, your vet will simply want your pet to become used to the environment and procedure and ensure your pet is comfortable with people touching their body.
During your next appointment, your vet will administer treatment. Expect about 20 minutes for your vet to insert the necessary needles and liquid. Depending on the severity of your pet’s condition or injury, follow-up appointments may be required. Most pet owners find that symptoms improve with just two or three treatments. Acupuncture can be discontinued once the injury heals or can continue as routine care to help alleviate pain from generative disease and conditions.
Are Alternative Treatment Options Available?
Acupuncture is an excellent option to help treat and manage your pet’s pain but isn’t the only alternative treatment option available for pets. Some other treatments for pet pain management include:
- Laser Treatment – A gentle laser is used to target troublesome or painful areas on your pet’s body. The laser promotes healthy cell production and can regenerate tissue, promoting faster healing and growth.
- Moxibustion – This treatment method utilizes Chinese herbs injected by a needle just under your pet’s skin. The herbs can provide soothing and healing qualities that can help relieve your pet’s pain.
- Acupressure – Like a medical massage, acupressure treatment focuses on identifying areas of the body where your pet is experiencing pain and applying pressure. The pressure can help release toxins in the joint, which are gently rubbed away. This treatment method is often combined with other alternative treatment options to produce the best results.