Pet Acupuncture

Our veterinary acupuncturist, Dr. Jennifer, is a licensed veterinarian with additional training/certification in veterinary acupuncture.  Acupuncture has been practiced on animals nearly as long as it has been practiced on people.

Before considering acupuncture therapy, patients should have a comprehensive examination and diagnostic workup to include complete bloodwork  analysis and radiographic evaluation.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Pets

While acupuncture is known for having beneficial effects for a wide variety of conditions and diseases, it is most commonly used for alleviation of pain. Dr. Jennifer is currently using acupuncture for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

  • Degenerative joint disease
  • Muscle soreness
  • Intervertebral disc disease
  • Paralysis
  • Chronic pain syndromes
  • Allergies

In addition, general conditions like epilepsy, acral lick granulomas, respiratory problems such as asthma, and diarrhea/constipation can respond very well to acupuncture in pets.  Also, cancer patients may benefit with pain relief and a decrease in side effects from chemotherapy.

How Many Treatments will My Pet Need?

Patients usually start with 1-2 treatments per week for 4-6 weeks. A positive response is often noticed within the first 3-6 treatments and sometimes sooner. Once a maximum response is achieved, treatments are tapered off and pets may only need to be seen occasionally.

Is Acupuncture Safe for My Pet?

Acupuncture is one of the safest therapies utilized in medicine when practiced by a properly trained and certified veterinarian like Dr. Jennifer. Side effects are rare. Some animals may become sleepy or lethargic for 24-48 hours. These circumstances are usually followed by an improvement in the condition and are an indication that the treatment is working.

Acupuncture has been recognized as a beneficial treatment modality by world-renowned medical associations including the American Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the National Institutes of Health.

Happy Tails