CREATING   SANCTUARY 

VETERINARY ACUPUNCTURE

by Dr. Bruce Rodger

Does acupuncture on animals really work? The answer to that question can start with another- does acupuncture on humans really work? The short answer to both is yes.

Acupuncture in its simplest sense is the treatment of conditions or symptoms by the insertion of very fine needles into specific points of the body in order to produce a response. (A response you say? Stick that in me and I’ll give you a response all right!) The points can also be stimulated by other things - pressure, laser, heat, cold, ultrasound, and more. These points have been well documented and charted by ancient Chinese scholars who realized a relationship conceptually and organized them into channels or “meridians”. Even though these scholars were not allowed to study internal anatomy, these meridians actually follow many nerve pathways.

Each acupuncture point has specific actions when stimulated. Combinations of points may be used in a treatment to take advantage of their synergistic reactions. The choice of points to use in a specific condition takes as much knowledge and skill as to choose the right drug from the pharmacy. Individual reactions may vary to acupuncture just like there is with drugs.

Veterinary Acupuncture is based on a long time history. The Chinese were treating horses, oxen, pigs, and even chickens thousands of years ago. Dogs and cats weren’t highly regarded and were not considered. In North America the use of acupuncture outside Asian communities was infrequent until the 1970’s. Since then with more use and clinical research showing positive results, the use of acupuncture in both humans and animals has increased dramatically.

Because of the differences in anatomy and the potential for harm, only a properly trained veterinarian should perform acupuncture on animals. The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) began training vets in 1975, and now courses are presented around the world. Here in Canada , AVAC (Association of Veterinary Acupuncturists) runs a course every two years. I was lucky enough to attend and graduate from the first Canadian course in 1998, and then attend the third as a teaching assistant.

The most common conditions acupuncture is used as treatment for in animals are musculoskeletal, neurological, reproductive, intestinal, dermatological, and lung conditions. Traumatic nerve injuries, disc disease, epilepsy, asthma, allergies, chronic pain, and arthritis are common conditions treated in animals. I have found that many cats and dogs with chronic renal disease benefit from acupuncture.

Acupuncture may be an alternative to surgery in some conditions, and while maybe not removing the need for anti-convulsant treatment in epilepsy, can reduce the dosage of drugs needed. It can be used after surgeries to help with pain control. Success will vary with the skill of the practitioner, the condition being treated, and the frequency of treatment. Early on, more frequent treatments may be needed which can then be tapered off. As a rule of thumb, about 25% show major improvement, 50% show significant improvement, and 25% show little or no improvement. I have seen the look of utter relief in a patient with the insertion of one needle in the right point, and I have been frustrated by no response.

Safety of acupuncture is often considered to be high. However, a proper diagnosis and assessment is crucial as acupuncture is capable of masking pain and other symptoms that would delay diagnosis and recovery. Elimination of pain may lead to increased activity on a body part that might delay healing or even worsen the original condition. Adverse reactions to acupuncture are rare, but may include transient bruising or swelling at the site, transient worsening of the condition for a few hours, injury to an underlying structure, and infection at the insertion site. Certain acupuncture points are contra-indicated in pregnancy.

It’s not an either/or situation with acupuncture. It is useful as a complementary therapy in conditions such as vomiting associated with chemotherapy, post-operative pain relief, and more. It is, however a good stand alone therapy in many conditions and useful in patients with adverse drug reactions. Traditional medical practitioners often remain skeptical if combination therapies are prescribed, as the thought is that theirs is the effective treatment. I can say one thing - humans may claim success of treatment from the placebo effect of acupuncture, but animals have no belief that it will or will not work. Success is real.

For more information on veterinary acupuncture, visit www.altvetmed.com .