Grahams Road Veterinary Clinic 01324 623163

Acupuncture

Grahams Road Veterinary Clinic now offers Western Acupuncture treatment for dogs, cats and rabbits

Acupuncture

Grahams Road Veterinary Clinic now offers Western Acupuncture treatment for dogs, cats and rabbits

Acupuncture for your Pet

Grahams Road Veterinary Clinic now offers Western Acupuncture treatment for dogs, cats and rabbits and welcomes enquiries on the suitability of this for your pet. Our acupuncture treatment consultations are led by our Clinical Director Rebecca McPeake, BVMS CertAVP MRCVS together with Catriona Plenderleith BVM&S MRCVS. Rebecca and Catriona are keen to offer a holistic approach to pain management in all companion animals and is delighted to bring this service to Grahams Road Veterinary Clinic. 

What conditions are treated with Acupuncture?

Pain is the most common indicator for treatment, in particular osteoarthritic pain, closely followed by muscle strains. Pain secondary to disc disease and bony changes of the spine can also be treated. Some other conditions found to respond include inflammatory bowel disease in dogs, pancreatitis and chronic skin wounds.

What is it and how does it work?

Western acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine, solid needles into the body for pain relief and treatment of specific conditions. It has been used for hundreds of years in humans and now our pets can realise these benefits too. Acupuncture works through the nervous system. The needles are precisly placed to help block the pain messages and encourage the brain and central nervous system to produce more of the bodies own natural endorphin pain relief.

Will the treatment hurt my pet?

Acupuncture needles stimulate nerves that send a message to the brain to block pain. Some animals may react to the initial skin sensation but then relax as pain does not occur. Most patients become relaxed and sleepy during their treatments and often they appear to look forward to their next session! If your pet is especially painful we also have a range of needle sizes we can use to make it less intensive if required.

How often will my pet need treated?

An initial course consists of four treatments once a week over a month. This allows us to assess if the treatment is working and if your pet is responding. We then tailor a plan for reducing the frequency of treatment sessions, whilst maintaining the positive effects as long as possible.

Is it safe?

Acupuncture is very safe in the right trained hands and will be administered by a veterinary surgeon with an expansive knowledge of the anatomy and the conditions of your specific pet.

What can I expect to see after my pets treatment?

Some pets go home and sleep profoundly after their treatment. This is a good sign and shows your pet will probably respond well to acupuncture. Conversely some will not be sleepy at all, don’t worry this doesn’t mean they will not respond but we may need to adjust their dose accordingly. Some patients can become euphoric – this is a good sign too but you will still need to ideally keep them quieter for the rest of the day to avoid them overdoing things!

How will my pet respond?

One of three responses will occur;

  1. Initial stiffness or feeling uncomfortable. This indicates a positive initial response to the treatment and usually eases after a day or two. Always tell your veterinary surgeon of this response so the treatment dose at the next session can be adjusted.
  2. No apparent reaction. Until your forth session it may be unclear if your pet will respond. Some pets will not respond however approximately 80% of those treated do.
  3. You may see a real improvement – excellent! This can happen anytime up to 3-5days after their treatment. Symptoms may reappear before your pets next session – this too is normal. After each subsequent treatment the beneficial effects should last longer. The average interval between treatments for the majority of patients is 4-6weeks however some will stretch to 12-16weeks, it is individual.

If you have any further questions or would like to go ahead and book a consultation please give us a ring at the surgery on 01324 623163 or email us at  enquiries@grahamsroadvets.co.uk