Acupuncture for Dogs and Cats in La Palma, CA
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When it comes to your pets, there is likely nothing you wouldn’t do to keep them from experiencing pain or discomfort. Acupuncture is one of the most common alternative treatments to enhance recovery and manage pain. This treatment has been used in veterinary practice in China for thousands of years to treat many pet ailments.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a safe and effective therapy that provides long-lasting relief from the pain or discomfort associated with injury and illness. It’s usually combined with conventional veterinary care to provide a more holistic, full-body approach to treating medical conditions in animals.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of ultra-thin needles into specific points on the body where blood vessels and nerves convene to produce a healing response within the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems. It stimulates nerves, increases blood circulation, relieves muscle spasms, and causes the release of hormones, such as endorphins and cortisol.
Which acupuncture points are stimulated, the depth of needle insertion, the type of stimulation applied to the needles, and the duration of each treatment session depends on the patient’s tolerance and the treatment condition.
How Does Acupuncture Help Pets?
As a treatment, acupuncture is beneficial at all stages of your pet’s life, from puppies and kittens to adult and senior pets. Each acupuncture point has specific actions when stimulated, and combinations of points are often promoted to take advantage of synergistic reactions between them. There are several ways acupuncture can help your pets:
- It stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers and anti-inflammatory substances.
- The acupuncture process creates elevated blood flow, increased oxygenation, and improved metabolic and toxic waste removal.
- Unlike prescription medications, acupuncture doesn’t have adverse side effects on your pet’s internal organs.
- Acupuncture also has no possibility of adverse interactions with other medications or supplements, making it a safe treatment for various illnesses and disorders.
- Apart from stimulating the release of endorphins and cortisol, acupuncture also relaxes the muscles in the needle insertion site resulting in localized pain relief.
What Does Acupuncture for Pets Treat?
Acupuncture can be used to treat several conditions in pets, including:
- Musculoskeletal problems, such as arthritis, intervertebral disk disease, or traumatic nerve injury
- Chronic or acute pain
- Respiratory problems, such as feline asthma and allergies
- Cancer
- Skin problems such as lick granulomas, hot spots, and allergic dermatitis
- Reproductive issues
- Gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea
- Immune dysfunction
- Neurological injury or disease
What Is an Acupuncture Appointment for Pets Like?
During your pet’s acupuncture appointment, Dr. Lam will insert extremely fine needles into your pet. While this may sound a bit scary, the insertion of acupuncture needles is virtually painless, and most pets don’t require any pain relief or sedation to undergo an acupuncture session. Some find it so relaxing that they even nod off during the treatment!
Is My Pet a Good Candidate for Acupuncture Therapy?
Acupuncture therapy, while effective, is not suitable for every pet. For instance, acupuncture may not be a good idea if your pet has an acute condition, such as an infection, or is sensitive to touch and cannot remain still during the appointment. Dr. Lam will carefully examine your pet to determine if acupuncture is the proper treatment.
Call Us to Schedule a Veterinary Acupuncture Appointment!
If your cat or dog is suffering from chronic pain, illness, or injury, acupuncture from Aspire Veterinary Center in La Palma, CA, can help alleviate their suffering. For more information on the benefits of pet acupuncture or to schedule an appointment to see if acupuncture would be helpful for your fur baby, please don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an appointment!