Alternative Medicine

Acupuncture

VCA Katy Trail Animal Hospital offers medical acupuncture for pets. Medical acupuncture is the use of acupuncture therapy to help pets recover from injury and illness. Each medical acupuncture treatment is tailored to your pet’s unique needs based on a thorough medical history, physical examination and examination and assessment of their neurological and musculoskeletal systems.

We use acupuncture either by itself or in conjunction with traditional veterinary medical procedures to treat a wide variety of conditions your pet may be experiencing. Medical acupuncture is not a cure-all, but can work very well when it is indicated. It is a virtually pain-free treatment and most pets relax and sometimes fall asleep during treatment. It is one of the safest forms of medical treatments for pets when it is administered by a properly-trained veterinarian.

Medical acupuncture can be defined as the insertion of slim, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points along the pet’s body which cause a desired healing effect. While relatively new to the Western medical world, this technique has been used in veterinary practice in China for at least 3000 years to treat many ailments. It enhances blood and lymph flow at the local level, causes the release of anti-pain and anti-inflammatory molecules from the brain stem and local tissues, and improves the balance of the nervous systems. There are several points along your pet’s body that may be utilized during an acupuncture treatment. There are points that promote relaxation, rejuvenation points, soothing points, and points to help ease pain and improve mobility.

Simply speaking, after receiving medical acupuncture treatments, your pet may experience:

  • Improved mood, improved comfort
  • Improved quality of life
  • Decreased pain and inflammation
  • Better circulation
  • Improved nerve function

For which conditions is acupuncture indicated? Acupuncture is utilized for pets with a variety of medical conditions, including:

  • Arthritis
  • Chronic pain and pain management
  • Musculoskeletal problems, such as arthritis or vertebral disc disease
  • Allergies and skin problems, such as lick granulomas
  • Behavioral problems, such as separation anxiety or storm phobias
  • Post trauma pain recovery
  • Surgical recovery
  • Respiratory problems, such as feline asthma
  • Gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea, nausea or decreased appetite
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Cancer
  • Selected reproductive problems
  • Minor sports injuries
  • Athletic performance

If you feel your pet may benefit from medical acupuncture or have any questions concerning the treatment, please give us a call today.