Ways a Dog Acupuncturist Can Help Your Pet (Pasadena, MD)

Advancements in modern veterinary medicine have allowed us to ensure our pets are living their happiest, healthiest lives. For example, acupuncture, an ancient treatment dating back thousands of years, that could be the perfect solution for many of the ailments from which your dog may suffer.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture relies on needles inserted into strategic places on the body to create balance and energy. This energy, which is also known as the life force or chi/qi, flows through certain points in the body. It is at these points, called meridians, that acupuncture needles are placed.

Benefits of Dog Acupuncture

You may ask yourself, “How does it help?” Some of the ways that acupuncture help include:

Improved Blood Flow

As blood flows better through the body, it provides more oxygen to the tissues and organs. This also creates better balance between the amount of waste the body produces and the amount of waste it removes.

Pain & Inflammation Reduction

While it may seem that inserting needles may be a painful experience, it is the opposite. Acupuncture relaxes muscles near the insertion site, and in other parts of the body, which can reduce pain and inflammation. The other benefit to this is that with by naturally relieving pain and inflammation, acupuncture may also reduce the amount of medication your day may need for their treatment.

No Systemic Side Effects

Medications for dogs, while safe, can sometimes result in damage to organs. So, if your dog is being treated with medications, your veterinarian is likely closely monitoring their organ function. With acupuncture, however, there are no systemic side effects. This makes acupuncture great for dogs who may have other existing conditions and may respond negatively to certain medications needed for recovery and overall health.

Depending on your dog’s condition, your veterinarian will put together a treatment plan, which could take place over several weeks, and involve multiple visits. However, dog acupuncture often produces some improvements within a few visits, and may require fewer treatments as your pet’s health gets better.

Conditions Acupuncture Can Treat in Dogs

So, how can this kind of treatment work for dogs? Acupuncture has been practiced for centuries, and this ancient technique can be used to treat various conditions, including the following:

Pain Management

Like in humans, acupuncture is commonly used to treat chronic pain. It is often combined with other treatments that, like chemotherapy, that can cause pain and discomfort in patients. With lessened pain, your dog will not only be more comfortable, but will be able to rest and fight off any sicknesses.

Gastrointestinal Issues

If your dog struggles with digestive issues, acupuncture may be a solution. The process helps boost blood flow, which may result in your dog’s body better regulating their digestive system.

Musculoskeletal Conditions

Some dogs, especially larger breeds, are more susceptible to problems with arthritis, nerve damage, and hip dysplasia. While a pet is recovering, acupuncture is used to aid in the rehabilitation to avoid the possibility of being re-injured.

Respiratory Issues

Respiratory problems can sometimes plague dogs. Conditions like asthma and allergies can be treated with acupuncture. Since acupuncture can help to build the stimulate the immune system, and has anti-inflammatory properties, it is often a good option for treating these issues in dogs.

Skin Conditions

It can be heartbreaking to watch a dog suffer with skin issues related to allergies and other conditions. Acupuncture can aid in the healing process. Just like with other conditions, acupuncture can reduce pain for your dog, as well as boost circulation to help healing any allergic dermatitis, hot spots, and other skin issues.

In addition to these issues, veterinarians have also used acupuncture for degenerative disc disease, which can affect your dog’s mobility, hormonal, and metabolic conditions, like diabetes mellitus or kidney disease, and epilepsy. In some cases, acupuncture can also help with weight loss, behavioral disorders, neurological issues, and their general health.

What to Expect During Your Dog’s Acupuncture Treatment

Your initial visit to the veterinarian may take up to an hour or longer, as it will involve getting to know your pet’s needs and creating a treatment plan. Before any treatment begins, your dog will be given a full medical assessment to ensure that acupuncture is something that will work for their condition. Once your veterinarian is comfortable with moving forward, they will go over the plan and the results you can expect.

Depending on your dog’s treatment plan, subsequent visits can be anywhere from 20 minutes to 45 minutes. During these visits, the dog acupuncturist will insert needles into specific points of your dog’s body. Experts say you do not have to worry about your dog’s pain. These needles are nearly painless, and, if you are relaxed and comfortable, your dog is likely to feel the same way.

Some dogs may experience some stiffness or soreness after the procedure, as well as a mild amount of bleeding and bruising at the point where the needles were inserted. You may also notice that your dog is a little more tired than usual for one- or two-days following acupuncture. Most of these side effects are gone within about 48 hours.

A Dog Acupuncturist in Pasadena, MD

Lake Shore Pet Hospital offers dog acupuncture to help manage your pet’s condition. To book an appointment with our dog acupuncturist in Pasadena, MD call (410) 317-2028 or use our online form!