Acupuncture for Pets

Here at Pipe Creek Animal Clinic, we are proud to offer acupuncture. Acupuncture may be new to the world of veterinary medicine, but it’s been around for thousands of years. This ancient practice can be very beneficial for our furry patients! Here, a Helotes, TX vet discusses acupuncture for pets.

Basics

As you may know, acupuncture is centered on the use of thin needles, which are inserted into the body at specific points. We know, that doesn’t sound very relaxing. However, the needles are so slim that they are painless. How do they work? The answer to that question varies a bit, depending on whether you look at Eastern or Western medicine. The traditional Chinese belief is that acupuncture manipulates the flow of energy, or Qi, through the body, much like the way wires and circuit breakers regulate the flow of electricity through your house. To look at it from a Western point of view, the needles are inserted into nerve centers, which improves circulation and reduces pain and inflammation.

Uses

Acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of illness in pets. It’s often utilized to help dogs with arthritis or hip dysplasia. However, it’s also been used in treating a variety of other issues, including cancer; sprains; spasms; soft tissue problems; degenerative disc disease; and diabetes. It can also accelerate healing and decrease pain in pets that are recovering from trauma or surgery.

Benefits

There are some truly wonderful benefits to acupuncture. First and foremost, the treatments are completely painless. In fact, some of our patients fall asleep during their sessions. Your pet will not need to be drugged or medicated, and will not need any recovery time, aside from perhaps an extra treat. Another great thing about acupuncture is that it can be used in conjunction with modern Western medicine. This allows us to give our patients the best of both worlds. Plus, treatments can be repeated as needed, often with continued improvements.

Tips

Acupuncture is truly a wonderful treatment. However, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be right for every pet. Treatments should always be offered on a case-by-case basis. That said, if you think your pet may benefit, ask your vet for more information.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns about your pet’s health or care. As your Helotes, TX animal clinic, we’re here to help!