Acupuncture for Animals

Everyone has heard about this strange Oriental treatment where they put needles in your body.
Not everyone has heard that you can also use it in animals. Yes, dogs, cats and horses are being treated successfully every day in the UK and throughout the world by vets trained in Acupuncture.
In the UK, the law states that only vets trained in acupuncture can treat animals with needles. Human-trained acupuncturists can treat people, but not animals, surprisingly.

Does Acupuncture hurt?

For small animals, the insertion of acupuncture needles is virtually painless. The larger needles necessary for large animals may cause some pain as the needle passes through the skin. In all animals, once the needles are in place, there should be no pain. Most animals become very relaxed and may even become sleepy. Nevertheless, acupuncture treatment may cause some sensation, presumed to be those such as tingles, cramps, or numbness which can occur in humans and which may be uncomfortable to some animals.

How safe is Acupuncture?

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