ACUPUNCTURE FOR PETS
DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK FOR PETS?
Acupuncture is the most common reason for Four Seasons Holistic Veterinary Care to see a pet. We see improvement in most of our acupuncture cases. Acupuncture is supported by review articles and case studies in veterinary literature, as well as being approved by NICE for use in some conditions on the NHS (for humans!).
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
Acupuncture has several effects on the body. Insertion of the thin surgical steel needles causes an increase in local blood flow which helps to stimulate tissue healing. Acupuncture can stimulate the release of endorphins which make the pet feel good and relieve pain. Acupuncture can also alter pain perception at the spinal cord and brain level.
Traditional Acupuncture talks about meridians and the flow of chi, which can sound unscientific. However, the traditional meridians follow the path of nerves and blood vessels through the body, and chi means energy. If we then think of acupucture improving blood flow to provide oxygen to tissues and stimulating nerves which work through electrical pulses, then acupuncture doesn’t sound so magical!
WHAT CONDITIONS IN PETS CAN ACUPUNCTURE TREAT?
At Four Seasons Holistic Veterinary Care we mainly treat acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain cases using acupuncture. We have also had success with lick granulomas, and bowel and bladder conditions. Although acupuncture has been reported to help a wide range of conditions we find herbs and diet more effective for many diseases.
WILL MY PET ALLOW ACUPUNCTURE?
If you have a pet who will allow strangers to touch them and who can stay quiet for around 15 minutes after needle placement then we can try acupuncture. There are needle placements that are useful for anxious or fidgety animals. Although dogs are our most frequent patients, we have used acupuncture successfully in cats and rabbits.
CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP MY PET?
If your pet has a muscle injury or osteoarthritis acupuncture is very likely to help. Results are less consistent for neurological, skin, endocrine, and metablic conditions. If we see no response after three sessions we would recommend looking at other therapies.
ARE THERE ANY RISKS TO MY PET FROM ACUPUNCTURE?
The risks from acupuncture treatment are low. Pain during needle insertion and bleeding from the needling site are uncommon unwanted effects. Pets can feel sleepy after treatment and some human patients report nausea or fainting, but I have never seen an animal patient be sick or faint.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN ACUPUNCTURE SESSION?
At the first session I will meet your pet, go over the history, and make a hands on assessment. If I think acupuncture will be useful the first treatment can be given in the same session. Initial appointments are around 1 hour, with subsequent appointments lasting around 30minutes, each with up to 15minutes treatment time.
HOW DO I BOOK ACUPUNCTURE FOR MY PET?
Email health@holisticvetsussex.co.uk for a referral form and current price list. Your pet must be under the care of a primary care veterinary practice who have out of hours arrangements. Once the referral form is returned we will book a mutually convenient time for a home visit and assessment.
APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE!
The return to lockdown means that all the bookings Vet Vicky had to work and compete her dogs have been cancelled until at least December. This means our diary is suddenly a bit empty.
We are not as restricted in the services we can offer during this lockdown so we would love to see some new patients for acupuncture, behavioural assessment, and holistic consultations. We are happy to offer phone or WhatsApp consultations for some behavioural issues, holistic consultations, and puppy support.
Email health@holisticvetsussex.co.uk for information.
Use us or lose us!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
RESOLUTIONS?
Have you made any resolutions? Lose weight, get fit, read more, take up a new hobby? Ours is to write a blog post once a month! And to upgrade the website over the next few months.
BETTER PET HEALTH IN 2020!
What could be a better resolution that to commit to improving your pet’s health in 2020?
Four Seasons Holistic Veterinary Care is here to help you every step of the way!
MOBILITY
We offer acupuncture, physical therapy, herbal medicine, and weight loss advice to aid mobility in all pet species. This is Vicky’s main area of work and one of the most satisfying. She loves working with sporting dogs as well as the golden oldies. Email health@holisticvetsussex.co.uk for a referral form.
CHRONIC ILLNESS
Would you like to manage your pet’s diabetes, epilepsy, liver problems, kidney problems, skin issues, or other chronic disease using changes to diet and holistic therapies alongside conventional treatments? Email health@holisticvetsussex.co.uk for a referral form. We work alongside your vet to improve the health of your pet.
PROBLEM BEHAVIOUR
Our vet Vicky Payne is one of a small number of behaviourists to hold a level 6 qualification in companion animal behaviour and training from COAPE. She backs this up with many years of practical experience working with dogs, cats, and small pets. Unlike many behaviourists, Vicky can assess your pet for pain and understand the behavioural side effects of illnesses and medications. She can prescribe herbal or conventional medications where pets need a helping hand to start their behavioural recovery. Email health@holisticvetsussex.co.uk for a behavioural questionnaire and a referral form.
We wish you a very happy and healthy 2020, but we are also looking forward to helping more animals and their owners when things go wrong.