Veterinary Acupuncture

Katherine A. de Jong, DVM

What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points on the body that have the ability to alter various biochemical and physiological conditions to achieve a desired effect. It is a means of helping the body to heal itself. Acupuncture has been used successfully for thousands of years on humans and animals. It is now being increasingly utilized by veterinarians, alongside with Western medicine.

How can acupuncture help my pet? What conditions respond to acupuncture?
In animals, acupuncture is most commonly used for musculoskeletal problems (e.g. arthritis), nervous system disorders (e.g. disc disease, epilepsy), skin and ear problems, kidney disease, respiratory problems, immune problems (e.g. FIV, FELV, autoimmune disease), reproductive disorders, behavioral problems and other internal medicine problems such as gastrointestinal disease and cardiac disease. Acupuncture can also be used to help improve your pet’s general well being and help to stimulate appetite. It can be used in cancer patients to help stimulate the immune system and control pain associated with the different types of cancers. Acupuncture therapy is not directed at treating the cancer itself. Acupuncture is used primarily as an adjunct to Western medicine and is easily integrated into conventional treatments and therapies. It can be especially helpful when medications are not working or are no longer as effective, when medications are contraindicated because of possible side effects, or when surgery is not feasible.

How does it work?
Acupuncture is known to affect all major physiologic systems. It works primarily via the central nervous system, affecting the musculoskeletal, hormonal, and cardiovascular systems. Acupuncture is recognized mostly for relieving pain but there are many other beneficial effects that can occur. Depending on the point(s) stimulated, acupuncture results in increased circulation, causes release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones (some of which are endorphins, the body’s “natural” painkiller), relieves muscle spasms, stimulates nerves and stimulates the immune system.

How is it performed? How will my pet react?
Acupuncture is often performed with sterilized, thin, filamentous stainless steel needles. Occasionally, your pet will experience a brief moment of sensitivity as the needle penetrates the skin in certain sensitive areas. Once the needles are placed, most pets will relax, often falling asleep during treatment. For some nervous pets, it may take several treatments before they feel comfortable enough to fully relax. Other methods that may be used include: electroacupuncture (stimulation using an electrical current), aquapuncture (injecting Vitamin B12 into the point), moxibustion (heating the point), and laser acupuncture/photon therapy (stimulation using special wavelengths of infrared light).

Is it safe?
Acupuncture is one of the safest therapies available if performed by a trained acupuncturist. Side effects are very rare. Occasionally, an animal’s condition may worsen temporarily before positive results are seen. If your pet is extremely weak due to advanced disease, only a small number of needles may be used during each treatment. Other possible (but extremely remote) complications include eye injuries, air in the chest cavity, joint infections and broken needles. They are included here for the sake of completeness and to impress upon the pet owner that no treatment modality is completely risk free.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a natural form of treatment that utilizes your pet’s own healing pathways to restore balance and manage disease processes. It can easily be integrated into your pet’s current treatments and therapies and may provide a treatment option when there is little more that can be done from a Western medical perspective. One disadvantage can be that it may often take multiple treatments to achieve and/or maintain the desired result. Therefore, an owner must be willing to commit to multiple treatments prior to determining if acupuncture is benefiting your pet.

How often and for how long will my pet need treatment?
Treatment of particular points may last from 10 seconds to 30 minutes depending on the condition treated and the method used. Pets may be treated as frequently as one to three times a week (depending again on the condition being treated), but typically are treated once weekly for four to six weeks. After the initial treatment period, the intervals between acupuncture treatments are then extended based upon your pet’s response to treatment and what is needed to maintain improvement. Most pets are seen once every two-six months for continued maintenance therapy, although there are some pets that no longer need acupuncture therapy once their condition has resolved. It is not uncommon for owners to observe improvement in their pet’s condition after the first or second acupuncture treatment; however, three to four treatments must be completed before accurately determining if acupuncture is helping your pet. Some pets with severe and chronic conditions may need upwards of six to eight treatments before any improvement is seen. The longer a condition has been going on, the longer it is likely to be before improvement is noted.

What information about my pet is needed prior to treatment?
Before acupuncture treatment is started on your pet, a comprehensive medical and acupuncture examination will be performed. During this time, it is important for you to provide any pertinent medical history about your pet’s current medical condition (including bloodwork and x-rays if applicable) and current medications and treatment therapies. It is also necessary to provide any medical history of allergies, major surgeries or illnesses requiring hospitalization, and husbandry details such as diet information and activity level. If your pet has, or has had cancer, you must inform the veterinarian prior to acupuncture treatment. There is a concern that increasing blood flow and flow of energy to the body may help the cancer grow. Whether or not to treat your pet with acupuncture when it has or had cancer needs to be a decision made by you and the veterinarian. However, as stated before, acupuncture is used to help reduce nausea and relieve pain associated with certain cancers. It has also been used to help alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

What other information should I know before bringing my pet in for acupuncture?
Initial acupuncture exams and treatments generally take about one hour. Follow up treatments usually take 30 minutes. To make your pet feel more comfortable during the acupuncture treatment, please feel free to bring in a favorite blanket or bed for them to lie on. It is preferred that the owner be present with their pet during the entire exam and treatment session to keep their pet calm and happy. Many pets will go home and be very relaxed or sleepy after their acupuncture treatments. Please keep track of your pet’s progress so any changes in your pet’s health can be discussed prior to the next treatment. If a housecall appointment is desired, please state this when you schedule for the acupuncture treatment. In many cases, this can be done if it makes it easier for the pet and the owner.

Dr. Kathy de Jong is a 2002 graduate of Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She obtained her training in veterinary acupuncture through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS), which consisted of over 140 hours of training in veterinary acupuncture. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS), American Association of Veterinary Acupuncture (AAVA) and the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM).