“Very few dogs don’t take acupuncture well, and the same with cats,” WA-based veterinarian Dr Clare Middle told Paws N’ All.
“In fact, dogs often respond better than people – we have a higher rate of success in dogs.”
She has been using acupuncture to treat pets for around 40 years and likens it to an electrician rechannelling electricity to where it is needed and away from where it is not.
So, how does acupuncture in pets work?
Acupuncture in pets is very similar to acupuncture in humans, Dr Middle says.
She uses the same needles that are used for humans. And pet fur is not necessarily problematic, just as hair isn’t for cranial (head) acupuncture in people.
Interestingly, unlike most other medical treatments for cats and dogs, Dr Middle says that acupuncture generally does not require them to be sedated.
“They usually get quite relaxed and sleep for 20 minutes,” she explains.
“Dogs and cats actually have quite a good sense of their energy. They seem to understand that I’m shifting their energy in an appropriate way – they can feel it working and helping.”
While some dogs and cats may be hesitant at their first treatment, she says the majority are “more than happy to come back again” for follow-up treatments, having experienced pain relief and understanding the changed energy flows within their body.
What can be treated using acupuncture in pets?
According to Dr Middle, acupuncture is particularly useful for treating bad backs in cats and dogs.
Arthritis, especially in the hips, is another common use.
However, Dr Middle suggests that a wide number of injuries and ailments can benefit from the use of acupuncture.
As with any treatment though, it should be undertaken by an experienced professional.
