For one thing, it has worked before, on exotic and domesticated animals alike. A Brazilian aquarium made the news this week for successfully using acupuncture to treat an alligator with scoliosis. The albino gator, called Bino, has a hunchback. Two of his legs and his tail were paralyzed. Veterinarians tried acupuncture treatments, and eventually his pain was diminished, and he was able to have full mobility again.
Earlier this year, a cat overcame mobility issues through acupuncture, here in the United States. A stray cat was picked up by a concerned person, who brought the cat to a veterinarian. Eventually named Pretzel, this cat had problems moving her hind legs, and her spine and limbs were so injured that she looked twisted up. A vet on the case surmised that a car had struck her earlier. Suffering from other medical problems, Pretzel owes part of her regained mobility and health to regular electrostimulation acupuncture treatments.
About 900 veterinarians are currently members of the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture, and horses, cats, and dogs are only some of the animals that have been treated with success through this ancient procedure. Whether your pet is young, mature, or older, acupuncture might be able to treat a number of conditions. Acupuncture has been used to deal with spinal and skin issues, as well as pain. Veterinary acupuncture has been known to help with arthritis, degenerative joint disease, and even trauma, such as in the aftermath of surgery, an auto collision, a fight, or a severe fall. Cancer can cause your pet's tissue to become inflamed and can deal a great amount of pain to his or her organs. This cancerous swelling, pain, as well as nausea and lethargy can be treated with acupuncture too. A number of metabolic diseases can be treated through this as well, such as if your pet's kidney or liver has failed, or if an animal has pancreatitis, Cushing's disease, Addison's disease, and so much more.
Acupuncture is a way in which the body can be coaxed into helping itself. According to Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine training, this method can help blood circulation and the nervous system. It can also cause hormones to be directed to deal with areas that are inflamed or in pain.
There is also more to acupuncture than sticking needles in a pet, even as seen in the example of Pretzel the cat. For instance, acupressure refers to putting pressure on acupuncture points, which can do nearly the same thing as placing needles there can. Aquapuncture refers to treatment where certain liquids, such as homeopathic mixtures, diluted vitamin B12, and others, are released into the body. Moxibustion is something that may be of especial value to older animals, as this treatment involves heating up needles with a Chines herbal mixture. This can be a particularly good method for stiff joints and sore muscles.
The treatment that Pretzel received, electrostimulation, entails sending a pulse of electric currents between the points of acupuncture. What this does is loosen up muscles and help reenergize areas where the nerves have been harmed, especially along the spinal cord. For animals or animal-owners who do not want needles to be used, laser treatments can be a good way to go. Despite the name, not very much heat is involved, and it simply applies the laser to acupuncture points to provide much of the same benefits as acupuncture.
For dogs and cats, you would probably start off with a few acupuncture treatments a week, and then eventually lessen the number of treatments as needed. You can learn more about how this would work when you consult a professional. If you are curious about how acupuncture might benefit your pet, contact a veterinarian today!