There are more and more people taking their pets in for acupuncture treatment. Veterinarians use the same process and needles that are used on humans.
Out of 86,000 veterinaries worldwide, between 900 and 2,000 practice acupuncture, according to professional groups, whose numbers are also rising.
“More and more pet owners are looking at holistic modality. It’s growing. Three hundred veterinarians each year take a post-doctoral course in acupuncture. It’s been like this since 2002,” said International Veterinary Acupuncture Society executive director Vikki Weber.
Acupuncture is now recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Assocciation (AVMA) and was discussed at the 2009 AVMA Convention.
“I know when I started doing acupuncture in the mid-90s there was a lot of people who didn’t understand how it worked or helped, but now that we’ve seen successes there are a lot of veterinarians who want to learn more about it to try to help their clients,” Dr. Patti Schaefer, owner of Canisport Veterinary Services in Washington State says. “I have a lot of clients who have gone for acupuncture for themselves after they’ve seen how much it has helped their pets.”
So how do animals respond to acupuncture? Is it painful or uncomfortable to them when the needles are inserted? According to Natural News.com:
The treatment sessions can take 10 seconds to 30 minutes depending on what the pet is treated for. Sometimes it can take 4 to 6 treatments to notice results; however, some experience instant improvements such as increased energy and mobility. There may be a little pain when the needles are first introduced; however, most animals find it very relaxing after the needles have been put in place and many even fall asleep.
So, like anything else, if you’re considering acupuncture for your pet, check first with your veterinarian and read up on it. It is a treatment gaining popularity and worth considering.
