Ostrander Veterinary Clinic

Acupuncture

Veterinary Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of a variety of therapies that we can use to treat your animal. Acupuncture is the insertion of needles into specific points on the body in order to bring about a desired healing effect. Veterinary acupuncture has been used for over 3000 years to treat and prevent a variety of animal conditions. At the Ostrander Veterinary Clinic we use acupuncture techniques and herbal remedies in conjunction with Western medicine to offer your animal the best of both worlds.

When to use acupuncture.
Acupuncture bridges a gap between medicine and surgery and can often be used when medications are not working or are contraindicated due to possible side effects. According to Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, illness is a result of an imbalance of the vital energy of the body. Disruption in the flow of this energy or Qi may cause illness internally or weaken the animal’s defenses allowing an outside pathogen to cause disease. We now understand that the insertion of needles at specific acupuncture points stimulates nerves communicating with the central nervous system which can change blood flow within the body, relieve muscle spasm or change the levels of internal chemical regulators such as cortisol and endorphins. Understanding the science of how acupuncture works helps us to understand why for thousands of years the Chinese have been using this methodology to treat the following types of problems.

Small Animals

-musculoskeletal problems, such as arthritis or back disease

-respiratory problems, such as asthma

-skin problems, such as allergic dermatitis or lick granulomas

-gastrointestinal problems, such as chronic diarrhea or constipation

-neurologic disease, such as epilepsy or paralysis

-selected reproductive and eye diseases

Horses

-musculoskeletal problems such as bowed tendons, laminitis, arthritis

-gastrointestinal problems, such as non surgical colic

-respiratory diseases, such as heaves and “bleeders”

-nervous problems, such as nerve paralysis, muscle atrophy and EPM

-immune conditions, such as allergies

Is acupuncture painful?

The placement of the needles causes very little, if any, discomfort. There is occasionally a brief moment of sensitivity as the needle penetrates the skin in certain areas. Once the needles are in place there should be no pain. During a treatment most animals become very relaxed; they may even become sleepy and yawn.

Is acupuncture safe?

Acupuncture is performed using small, sterilized, disposable stainless steel needles. It is one of the safest forms of medical treatment when administered by a properly trained veterinarian. Dr. Allyson MacDonald has passed her exam with the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and is now skilled in acupuncture treatment and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine diagnosis. Occasionally, an animal’s condition may seem worse for up to 48 hours after a treatment. Other animals may become sleepy for 24 hours after acupuncture. These effects are an indication that some physiological changes are developing, and they are most often followed by an improvement in the animal’s condition.

How long does an acupuncture treatment last and how often are they given?

The number of needles, their placement and the needling technique employed varies from case to case, as does the duration of treatment. The duration of treatment can be as short as a few seconds but usually takes a minimum of 20 minutes and in some animals may last half an hour. Treatment may include electrical stimulation of the points (electroacupuncture), aquapuncture (injection of a therapeutic drug at the site of an acupuncture point) or heat treatment (moxibustion). The frequency of treatments required begins intensively and are tapered to a maximum efficiency. Patients usually start with one treatment per week for three weeks and then taper according to response. A positive response is usually seen after the first to third treatment but up to eight weeks may be required for maximum positive response. Animals with chronic conditions may be maintained with 2 – 4 treatments per year.

Animals as Athletes

Animals undergoing athletic training can benefit from acupuncture as often as twice a week. The frequency depends on the intensity of the training and the condition of the athlete. Acupuncture treatments can treat minor sports injuries as they occur and help keep muscles and tendons resistant to injury. If your animals are involved in any athletic endeavor, such as racing, jumping or showing, acupuncture can help keep them in top physical condition.

If you have questions about acupuncture in general or how it might help your animal please feel free to call Allyson MacDonald. Animals not currently patients of the Ostrander Veterinary Clinic will require referral by their regular veterinarian.