Acupuncture for cats and dogs is a service we offer at Tonbridge Veterinary Surgery with Branch Head Vet, Abi Delderfield.
Acupuncture has been used to treat humans and animals in the far east for thousands of years using traditional techniques, however in more recent years, a medical foundation has been found to explain why acupuncture can be used in the treatment of many conditions. It is the act of inserting a needle into part of the body and it is believed the needles stimulate the body’s own systems – including the immune and neurological systems – to help with analgesia (pain relief) and repair of tissues.
Acupuncture can be used as a sole treatment, or in conjunction with other treatments – it can often be used to reduce the requirement or dose of other medications – but it should be used only once an accurate diagnosis has been made. It is very safe and most animals tolerate it very well, with little to no discomfort due to the size of the needles. Each treatment is adjusted to your pet at each session, and therefore different numbers of needles and slightly different points may be used depending on where they are having issues. Each session will take approximately 20 – 30 minutes, with the initial session taking slightly longer to ensure a full case discussion is had to make sure we are prioritising the main problem areas. Initially, treatment is done weekly for 4 weeks; after this point, the frequency is adjusted based on response.
Acupuncture is most commonly used for pain, and as chronic pains is a major issue seen with many of our pets, there are a large number of animals that may benefit from it. It is used in patients suffering from osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal conditions, neurological conditions such as intervertebral disc disease and other nerve injuries, as well as a wide range of other conditions.
If you are wondering of it may be beneficial to your pet, please don not hesitate to contact us.