Acupuncture For Your Dog

“Wow, I’ve never seen him so relaxed,” is a common statement made by Baltimore dog owners who take their dog for their first acupuncture treatment. Perhaps this reaction is why so many are beginning to believe in this “new” medicine, which dates back over 3,000 years. Most of animal acupuncturists’ patients are older and suffering from problems that plague their human companions, including arthritis, pain, and lack of mobility.  As acupuncture becomes more and more accepted in the U.S., people are choosing it for their pets.

Mention acupuncture and many people immediately begin to shiver from the thought of needles and wonder how acupuncturists make the pets sit still. In most cases, a side-by-side comparison between the dreaded injection needle and an acupuncture needle can cure some of the pet owner’s fears. Acupuncture needles are no thicker than a few strands of hair and are designed to come to a fine point in order to gently push skin out of the way without damage and with very little sensation. Injection needles are larger and have a sharp edge designed to cut the skin and deliver a liquid, which also disturbs the tissue. Due to the size and design of the acupuncture needles, patients, on two legs and four, feel very little while receiving treatment.

A study on human brain waves may give us some insight on why animals experience a deep state of relaxation. During an acupuncture treatment, a patient’s brain waves switch from a state of mental chatter where alpha and beta waves are dominant to the theta wave stage, which appears when a person enters a deep sleep or a meditative state. It’s quite possible that an animal can experience this same effect, and seeing so many dogs fall asleep during treatment could be proof that they are really relaxed.
 

More Than Just Pain Management

While relaxation is a benefit, it is more of an added bonus than the sole reason to get your dog acupuncture. With trips to the vet getting so expensive that it  sometimes limits treatment options, pet owners are looking for an alternative to drugs, surgeries, and in extreme cases, euthanasia. As mentioned earlier, many practitioners treat a large amount of pain and arthritis with great success, but there are other conditions that greatly respond to acupuncture. Skin conditions (such as “hot spots”), allergies (which cause hair loss), and even ringworm (a fungal infection), show dramatic improvement with acupuncture. Neurological conditions also seem to respond very well, including seizures, nerve-related paralysis and conditions like wobblers (hind leg weakness often seen in German Shepherds). There is also a strong effect on animals suffering from some emotional conditions. Acupuncture may help dogs that are terrified of thunderstorms, have separation anxiety or exhibit some odd behavior not associated with their breed.

Before Starting Treatment

There are several important things to consider before deciding whether or not acupuncture is right for your pet. First and foremost, acupuncture has a cumulative effect, meaning that regular treatments may be necessary before your dog receives relief from the symptoms. Generally, acupuncturists will tell owners that treatments are needed about once a week until the dog shows improvement. Pets may show dramatic improvement within 4–5 treatments, but every pet and condition is different. Depending on the severity of the condition along with other factors such as age, weight, breed and overall health, the acupuncturist will tailor a treatment plan to fit your dog. It is also important to note that the sooner a condition is addressed with acupuncture, the easier it is to treat.

Another consideration that may need to be discussed with the acupuncturist is a realistic health goal for your pet. A 12 year-old arthritic Mastiff will never be just like a puppy again, but may be able to move more easily or with considerably less pain. Setting a realistic health goal for your dog will allow you to enjoy your relationship with your pet while addressing the inevitable effects of time.

There are also conditions that are part of a particular breed’s “charm” which cannot realistically be helped with acupuncture. Most Jack Russell Terriers will be very active, Border Collies will want to herd, and Beagles will howl till they drop. No amount of acupuncture will change what is coded in their DNA.

Choosing a Practitioner

In Maryland, pet owners have a wide choice in who may perform acupuncture on their dog. Currently, two groups of professionals can treat companion animals. The first are veterinarians certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) and the second are licensed acupuncturists who have an additional certification in animal acupuncture. Both certification courses help bridge the gap between western veterinary sciences and oriental medical theory. Choosing either a vet or a certified animal acupuncturist is a matter of personal preference. The small difference, from a legal aspect, is that an animal acupuncturist will need either a receipt or letter from a vet dated within 14 days prior to your dog’s first acupuncture treatment. There are more important factors in choosing whom to care for your dog. Questions which will help you choose a practitioner include:

Will the acupuncturist make house calls or do they require an office visit? Many pets feel more comfortable in their own homes. Sometimes animals get very anxious in a vet’s office. Some practitioners set up their office like a cozy room where your dog can relax. If there are mobility problems, do you want to put the stress of a car ride on yourself and your dog?

Does your dog like the practitioner?  Sometimes pets respond better and allow access to guarded areas if they like the acupuncturist. Some pets prefer a specific gender. You may have to audition a few practitioners before you find one that both you and your pet find suitable. Don’t worry about getting one treatment from a different practitioner; they should all have some positive effect.

What are the practitioner’s hours and availability?  One of the most important factors affecting the outcome of treatment is the ability to get consistent care. If the acupuncturist is only available at a time that is not convenient for you or your pet, ask them if they can refer you to another acupuncturist that may better fit your schedule.

What do they charge?  An animal acupuncture treatment can cost between $60 and $200. Higher prices may not mean better quality treatment; these prices may reflect how much overhead the practitioner carries. An acupuncturist treating in a high-end vet clinic may charge more because of rent. House call prices may vary by the distance the acupuncturist has to travel. Some practitioners have an hour set aside for your dog while others may only have half an hour for your pet. All of these factors play into how and why an acupuncturist charges a certain amount. While this is a significant cost, compared to surgery with anesthesia and follow-up visits, it is more conservative both in cost and physical and emotional stress on your dog.

The First Treatment: What to Expect

Aside from the normal paperwork and, of course, your dog, very little may be required of you for the treatment. Your dog’s acupuncturist will probably have some interesting questions for you which will span from basic health questions to your dog’s role or job in your household and even the relationship your dog has with you, your family, and other pets. Since acupuncture theories suggest that all diseases have an underlying psycho-emotional cause, the Q&A portion of your first visit may sound a bit more like a doggie psychiatry session. Understand that while your dog may be limping, knowing what his favorite place in the house is may give clues to his constitution and allow the acupuncturist to provide a more complete treatment. In general, treatments have two goals: the first is to balance and build a pet’s energy and the second is to treat the symptoms. Most acupuncturists would agree that the first part of the treatment is most important because the balancing that is done in this stage not only helps your pet heal itself of the current condition, but also keeps other problems from occurring.

After a short “getting-to-know-you” between the acupuncturist and your dog, the next step is setting the needles. As explained earlier, there is nothing for you or your dog to worry about. The needles are placed quickly and smoothly, and in most cases the dog barely notices them. On occasion, there might be a slight twitch in the skin around the needle. Don’t worry; this is not a pain reaction. Dogs (as well as other animals like horses and cats) have developed a thin muscle layer just below the skin which allows sections of the skin to twitch when a fly lands on it – a rather nice evolutionary trait.

What happens next is really up to your dog. Many dogs become quite relaxed and may stare off into space or fall asleep, while others may act a little out of sorts, often looking around the room as if wondering what’s going on. Some of your more energetic dogs may need to be bribed with a treat or a bone to lie down, but do settle down even if only for a few minutes. The duration of the treatment will depend on your dog. Some snap out of the “zone” after a few minutes, while others take a 20-minute power nap. The acupuncturist (depending on what school of thought they subscribe to) may either set all the needles at once or periodically remove and add needles.

After the Treatment

As stated earlier, acupuncture is not a one-shot deal, but there are signs that owners should look for after the first treatment. Your dog may be less active for a day or two after the first treatment. This is a positive sign and may indicate that the body is “steering” more of its energy to repair rather than regular daily activities. On occasion, a large improvement of symptoms may be seen after the first treatment. These improvements may appear immediately after the treatment, but may take several days before a change is noticed. A very small number of dogs may experience a flare-up of the symptoms from 24 to 48 hours after treatment. This is often followed by drastic improvement and is sometimes referred to as a “healing crisis.” You can contact your acupuncturist if this occurs, but in most cases it passes without incident. During the time between acupuncture treatments your dog may need to drink more water or go to the bathroom more frequently, so please accommodate them. With continued treatment, steady progress should be made, as each treatment should help your dog move toward a reasonable health goal.

Future Care

A maintenance plan is good for everyone, including people, pets and even cars. After your dog has reached his or her realistic health goals, monthly or seasonal “tune-up” treatments will help your dog stay healthy. Remember to contact your vet and your acupuncturist if any new conditions arise or if there is a sudden recurrence of old symptoms. Hopefully, this information will take the “pinch” out of acupuncture for your pet.