Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medical treatment for animals when it is administered by a properly trained acupuncturist. Side effects of acupuncture are rare, but they do exist. An animal’s condition may seem worse for up to 48 hours after treatment. Other animals may become sleepy or lethargic 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.

In almost  all cases, no. Some animals may experience minor discomfort when needles are being inserted, but the needles are so thin that most patients tolerate them very well. Acupuncture is known to have a relaxing effect to the point that some animals even fall asleep during treatment, specially when EA is being used. They are usually rare but sometimes there are animals who won’t tolerate any kind of manipulation or needles. In those cases, we can use laser instead of needles.

There are different techniques. Typically, acupuncture treatments utilize dry needles. When is necessary another method may be chosen, including:

• Acupressure (manual): The stimulation of acupoints using finger pressure to maintain or improve the acupuncture treatment an animal receives. It is often taught to pet owners to use at home.
• Aqua-acupuncture: Liquids such as saline or vitamin B-12 are injected into an acupuncture point.
• Moxibustion: Artemisia vulgaris, a chinese herb that has been used over centuries, is used over the acupuncture point without touching it.
• Electroacupuncture (EA): The needles, previously inserted in the same points as acupuncture, are attached to a device that generates continuous electric pulses using small clips. These devices are used to adjust the frequency and intensity of the impulse being delivered, depending on the condition being treated.
• Gold Beads (implantation): Long-term stimulation of acupuncture points can be achieved by implanting gold beads or wire. In general, it is reserved for severe and chronic conditions which require frequent stimulation, like hip and elbow dysplasia, and spondylosis. It is also recommended for use in animals that won’t tolerate regular acupuncture treatments, or those that have advanced osteoarthritis. Gold beads are also used to control seizures.

Stimulation of an individual acupoint can take as little as 10 seconds or can last up to 60 minutes. It depends on the technique used and the condition treated. A typical treatment lasts 15-20 minutes.

The length and frequency of acupuncture depends on the condition and the technique of acupuncture used. Typically, most animals need acupuncture at least once weekly for 4-6 treatments as a minimum. As your pet shows improvement, treatments can be spaced further apart, or even discontinued. Chinese herbs can be used to enhance the effects of acupuncture and help extend the duration of time between acupuncture treatments.

Obviously it depends on what condition is being treated and how your pet will individually respond to this kind of treatment. In some cases, results can be immediate. In other cases they improve after three or more treatments. When the conditions are chronic, which is common, the results may take longer to appear.

For chronic cases, yes. Acupuncture is typically done weekly until a maximum therapeutic response is achieved and then tapered off to the least number of treatments necessary to maintain the animals condition.

I always remind the pet owners/clients that acupuncture and western medicine don’t compete with each other – they complement each other and they can be combined to the maximum benefit of the patients who are being treated. They have the same goals (to eliminate disease and support the best quality of life) – with different approaches.

The key point is to choose properly which approach is suited to specific circumstances. However, each approach is suited to specific circumstances. Western medicine is ideal for acute disease diagnostics and surgery. Acupuncture can be very effective in treating chronic conditions that Western medicine can help but not cure. Traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, focuses on the underlying cause of disease, not just the symptoms manifested in each individual patient.

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Conventional Western drugs act quickly but sometimes come with unwanted side effects. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy can be used to avoid or improve some of those side effects.