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Acupuncture
Acupuncture services
Acupuncture can be used as part of your pet’s treatment plan, and can be beneficial for senior pets and other pets with osteoarthritis or chronic pain.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points for therapeutic purposes.
Only veterinary surgeons can perform acupuncture on animals as part of a conventional treatment plan.
The application of acupuncture needles results in the body producing natural substances, such as pain-relieving endorphins. It’s likely that these naturally released substances are responsible for the beneficial effects experienced with acupuncture.
Acupuncture can be especially helpful for long term pain relief in animals that don’t tolerate conventional medicines as well, or to speed up recovery after some kinds of surgery.
Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points for therapeutic purposes.
Only veterinary surgeons can perform acupuncture on animals as part of a conventional treatment plan.
The application of acupuncture needles results in the body producing natural substances, such as pain-relieving endorphins. It’s likely that these naturally released substances are responsible for the beneficial effects experienced with acupuncture.
Acupuncture can be especially helpful for long term pain relief in animals that don’t tolerate conventional medicines as well, or to speed up recovery after some kinds of surgery.
Is acupuncture safe?
A course of acupuncture should always follow an accurate diagnosis and discussion of available treatment options. Acupuncture is very safe when practiced correctly and can only be performed on animals in the UK by a qualified veterinary surgeon. Most animals tolerate the treatment well, and it tends to produce relaxation. In most cases, acupuncture is used alongside conventional medical treatment. Many pets, especially as they age, can benefit from the additional benefits acupuncture provides. As with any treatment, a small percentage of animals will not respond to acupuncture.
You can find more information on the potential benefits of acupuncture here.
A course of acupuncture should always follow an accurate diagnosis and discussion of available treatment options. Acupuncture is very safe when practiced correctly and can only be performed on animals in the UK by a qualified veterinary surgeon. Most animals tolerate the treatment well, and it tends to produce relaxation. In most cases, acupuncture is used alongside conventional medical treatment. Many pets, especially as they age, can benefit from the additional benefits acupuncture provides. As with any treatment, a small percentage of animals will not respond to acupuncture.
You can find more information on the potential benefits of acupuncture here.
How long does it take and how many sessions will my pet need?
An initial acupuncture consultation will last approximately one hour, and follow up treatments are 45 minutes. Acupuncture needles are in place for five to 20 minutes each session.
Further sessions, one to two weeks apart, are arranged according to an animal’s response to treatment.
In acute disease or injury two to three treatments will often be sufficient. In long standing conditions and for older animals, a longer course of four to six treatments is usually needed, followed by less frequent maintenance treatments.
As acupuncture is now recognised as a treatment for many conditions, the majority of pet insurance policies will cover the cost. Check your policy or contact your insurer for more information.
Acupuncture is thought to be beneficial in the treatment of:
- Osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia.
- Rehabilitation following surgery.
- Back pain and intervertebral disc disease.
In our experience, they can also be beneficial as part of the management of:
- Chronic kidney disease and constipation in cats.
- Chronic pain, for senior support and palliative care.
- Incontinence and urinary retention.
- Some types of nerve damage.
An initial acupuncture consultation will last approximately one hour, and follow up treatments are 45 minutes. Acupuncture needles are in place for five to 20 minutes each session.
Further sessions, one to two weeks apart, are arranged according to an animal’s response to treatment.
In acute disease or injury two to three treatments will often be sufficient. In long standing conditions and for older animals, a longer course of four to six treatments is usually needed, followed by less frequent maintenance treatments.
As acupuncture is now recognised as a treatment for many conditions, the majority of pet insurance policies will cover the cost. Check your policy or contact your insurer for more information.
Acupuncture is thought to be beneficial in the treatment of:
- Osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia.
- Rehabilitation following surgery.
- Back pain and intervertebral disc disease.
In our experience, they can also be beneficial as part of the management of:
- Chronic kidney disease and constipation in cats.
- Chronic pain, for senior support and palliative care.
- Incontinence and urinary retention.
- Some types of nerve damage.
