Acupuncture is a great adjunct or treatment for many diseases or conditions affecting our pets today.

Acupuncture works through the nervous system to modify the body’s immune and organ responses; for example, decreasing pain and inflammation. In a sense, acupuncture helps to return balance or homeostasis to the body, in face of disease or illness. The end result is to increase the quality of life and activity. In the case of large animals, acupuncture can increase production and usefulness of the animal.

Small animal-Exotic-Pocket Pets

• Local pain from arthritis and other inflammatory conditions
• Respiratory disorders such as Feline asthma and bronchitis
• Dental pain, TMJ, sinusitis, and chronic upper respiratory disease
• Various eye conditions and diseases to help minimize inflammation and help to speed healing process
• Chronic, non-healing wounds
• Various nerve and spinal cord injuries
• Various reproduction, urinary, and kidney issues and conditions
• Skin conditions that are related to allergies and immune dysfunction
• Gastrointestinal issues, such as irritable bowel disease, diarrhea, motility, and constipation

Food Animal-Equine-Camelids

• Local pain from arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, such as laminitis, navicular disease, ringbone, and tendonitis
• Respiratory disorders such as Heaves and COPD
• Dental pain, TMJ, sinusitis, and chronic upper respiratory disease
• Various eye conditions and diseases, to minimize inflammation and help to speed healing process
• Chronic non-healing wounds
• Various nerve and spinal cord injuries, such as facial nerve paralysis, radial nerve injury, and “Sweeny” condition
• Various reproduction, urinary and kidney issues and conditions
• Edema and “stocking up” conditions
• Gastrointestinal issues, such as motility and aiding in treatment of medical colic

Case Example #1:

This is “Lola”, a 7 year old Shepard mix with severe osteoarthritis of her knee. She was so painful upon her initial examination that she would not use her back leg to bear weight. She was already on the standard pain medication at the time without much success. By the 2nd acupuncture treatment, she was more comfortable and willing to use her leg with a slight limp. By the 4th acupuncture treatment, the swelling and pain in her knee and muscles was greatly reduced. She was starting to use her leg fully. With treatment of acupuncture along with stretching and massage at home, “Lola” is running and playing ball again. Her pain and inflammation are under control. At this time, we are working to find her maintenance treatment schedule. She is currently having acupuncture treatments done every 2 months. We hope to be able to minimize acupuncture treatments to once every 6 months in the future.

Case Example #2:

“Jack” was first seen July 7th of 2012 for a slipped disc (back injury) and complete paralysis of his rear legs. After a course of steroids and cage rest, he still was not able to walk, at this point, acupuncture treatments were elected. The first acupuncture treatment was on July 17th and home exercises were started as well, which included passive range of motion and water therapy. By his third acupuncture appointment on July 26th, he was starting to walk again, though still uncoordinated. On August 9th, “Jack” was in for his fourth acupuncture treatment and was starting to jog and run with mild incoordination. By his fifth acupuncture treatment on September 6th, “Jack” was 90% back to his normal self.
“Jack” made it a full year before his back injury flared up again. This time he was less affected and responded to acupuncture even quicker than before. “Jack” is now on a maintenance schedule.

Without the acupuncture and home rehabilitation, “Jack” would have needed two back surgeries, which can cost over $2,000 per surgery, not including the extensive rehabilitation and medication costs afterward. The acupuncture treatments for “Jack’s” care cost less than $800 total( for both incidents in which he injured his back).