Pet acupuncture and other complementary treatments provide innovative and noninvasive solutions to improve rehabilitation and manage discomfort. Today, our Plains vets share a few ways in which acupuncture can be beneficial for dogs.
Veterinary Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been utilized for thousands of years in China where it is thought to have originated) to induce a therapeutic response in the body. Each year, an increasing number of domestic animals receive acupuncture, with excellent results. As a result, a growing number of dog owners are experimenting with acupuncture.
Are you curious about the benefits that acupuncture can provide for your dog? In the following article, we will discuss some of the potential benefits that acupuncture can offer for your dog.
How Safe Is Acupuncture for Dogs?
Acupuncture has been used successfully on a variety of different animal species, including cats, dogs, rabbits, and horses. Your veterinarian will be able to inform you whether acupuncture is a suitable therapy option for your specific circumstances.
Since the needles utilized in acupuncture are so fine, the majority of pets do not need to be sedated or given pain medication to endure an acupuncture session.
How Many Sessions Your Dog May Need
Since every pet is unique and has distinct reasons for seeking acupuncture therapy, the number of sessions required to treat your pet will vary greatly. Your veterinarian can give you an estimate of how many sessions will benefit your pet, but keep in mind that this may change as the treatment progresses.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Dogs
The following is a list of a few ways in which acupuncture can be beneficial to your dog's health.
1. Pain Management & Relief
Acupuncture has been demonstrated to trigger the body's pain-relieving endorphins and anti-inflammatory chemicals, which can aid in the relief of chronic pain. Strong medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, which can be painful, are frequently combined with acupuncture to help make a pet more comfortable. Acupuncture can also help with chronic inflammatory disorders like arthritis.
2. Improved Digestive Function
Acupuncture may aid in the normalization of digestive activity by stimulating digestive secretions and increasing blood flow to the body. Acupuncture's enhanced blood flow can help with gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and nausea.
3. Improved Respiratory Function
Acupuncture can benefit pets suffering from respiratory issues such as asthma and allergies. Acupuncture has been demonstrated to offer relaxing and immune-system calming characteristics, as well as the ability to treat animals with breathing problems. Acupuncture's immune-calming and anti-inflammatory properties assist dogs as well.
4. Promotes Healing
The insertion of needles at pre-determined places is thought to boost blood flow, which is essential for healing and can speed up the process. It also stimulates your pet's natural waste disposal mechanism, which assists in the removal of all poisons and waste from their body.
5. Helps With Skin Problems
The use of acupuncture as a treatment option for dogs suffering from skin conditions such as allergic dermatitis, granulomas, or hot spots is becoming increasingly common. The improved circulation may speed up the healing process.
Bonus: Can Help With Musculoskeletal Issues
Musculoskeletal conditions, such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, and nerve damage, may respond favorably to acupuncture treatment. Injured patients often use it as part of their rehabilitation process.