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After hours emergencies: Contact Ocean State Veterinary Specialists (OSVS) 401-886-6787 or Emergency Veterinary Services (EVS) 401-732-1811

 Veterinary Acupuncture an Overview

  by Christine Fain, DVM, MS

 Acupuncture is the technique of piercing the skin with slender needles at predetermined  points to prevent and treat disease. It has been used in animals for over 3500 years, but  has only recently become a recognized theraputic modality in the North American  veterinary community. Although most often associated with the treatment of chronic  pain, acupuncture can be used as supplemental therapy for a wide variety of conditions  including metabolic, dermatologic, neurologic, reproductive, gastrointestinal, urinary, and  cardiac disorders. Acupuncture should not be considered a panacea, but rather an  effective component of a balanced medical treatment approach incorporating both  holistic and traditional modalities.

 How it Works

 From a scientific point of view acupuncture works primarily on the neurologic and  hormonal systems. Stimulaing acupoints aids in the production of endogenous cortisone  and other anti-inflamitory secretions throughout the body, improves immune function by  increasing white blood cell and antibody production and alters the processing of pain by  activating the central nervous systems's pain inhibitory pathways.

 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) explains acupuncture in an entirely different manner.  In TCM acupuncture is said to work by stimulating or sedating meridians (pathways) of  energy that flow throughout the body in order to bring about a state of harmony or  balance.

 What to Expect

 An appointment for veterinary acupuncture can be quite different from a typical  veterinary exam. Your initial visit will involve taking a complete history of any early  diseases, recurrent problems, or environmental preferences that your pet may have, as  well as the specific history pertaining to the presenting complaint(s). Any prior  diagnostics (such as radiographs, labwork, and medical records) will be reviewed. The  doctor will then give a thorough physical exam involving a traditional assessment as well  as checking for specific points of sensitivity, and evaluating the pulse and tongue for  subtle changes. These findings will aid in formulating a Traditional Chinese diagnosis of  the condition(s) being treated and are the basis for selecting acupoints for treatment.

 Once your pet is relaxed the treatment can begin. Anywhere from 1 to 20 or more very  thin, 32 gauge needles may be inserted into specific acupoints. Depending on the  condition being treated the needles may stay in place from 5 to 20 minutes. Your  companion animal will feel a variety of sensations during treatment. The initial "pinprick"  is followed by a relaxing of tension in the tissue around the needle and an almost  immediate release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. The day after treatment,  once the endorphins have worn off, is when the effects of the treatment can be best  evaluated. Most animals require several treatments before a significant response is  seen. Do not become discouraged if you do not see immediate improvement.

 

In order to practice acupuncture a considerable amount of specialized knowledge is required. In the United States the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) coodinates training and certification exams for veterinarians. Dr. Fain completed her IVAS approved acupuncture coursework through Tufts University and passed the IVAS certification exam in 2001. Since then she has been practicing veterinary acupuncture on cats and dogs as an adjunct to her conventional medicine and surgery.