You love your dog, and there's probably nothing we wouldn't do to keep them from feeling discomfort or pain. To that end, many vets are adopting therapeutic approaches. Pet acupuncture and other treatments offer innovative and non-invasive options to aid rehabilitation and manage discomfort. Here, we discuss five benefits of acupuncture for dogs.
Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in China (where it's thought to have originated) to cause a therapeutic response within the body. An increasing number of domestic animals receive acupuncture treatments every year, with exceptional results. This has lead a growing number of dog owners to experiment with acupuncture.
If you're curious about how acupuncture can benefit your dog, you're in luck. In this post, we'll share several advantages that acupuncture can bring for your dog.
Is Acupuncture Safe for My Dog?
A variety of different animal species, including dogs, cats, horses and rabbits, are able to have acupuncture treatments. Your veterinarian can advise you on whether acupuncture is appropriate for your pet's specific circumstances.
Most pets will not need pain treatment or sedation to endure an acupuncture session, since the needles used in acupuncture are so small.
How Many Sessions Will My Dog Need?
Because every pet is unique and has distinct reasons for seeking acupuncture therapy, the number of sessions required to treat your pet will vary greatly. Your veterinarian can give you an estimate of how many sessions will benefit your pet, but keep in mind that this may change as the treatment progresses.
How Can Acupuncture Benefit My Dog?
There are a few benefits of acupuncture for dogs. They include:
1. Pain Management & Relief
Acupuncture is known to trigger the body's own anti-inflammatory chemicals and pain-relieving endorphins, which can help relieve chronic pain. Chemotherapy and other strong medical treatments can unfortunately also be painful. They are frequently combined with acupuncture to help a pet feel more comfortable.
Acupuncture can also help reduce pain that accompanies chronic inflammatory disorders such as arthritis.
2. Improved Digestive Function
Acupuncture may aid in the normalization of digestive activity by stimulating digestive secretions and increasing blood flow to the body. Acupuncture's enhanced blood flow can help with gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and nausea.
3. Improved Respiratory Function
Acupuncture can benefit pets suffering from respiratory issues such as asthma and allergies. This therapy also offers anti-inflammatory properties, relaxing and immune-system calming characteristics, as well as the ability to treat animals with breathing problems.
4. Promotes Healing
The insertion of needles at pre-determined places is thought to boost blood flow, which is essential for healing and can actually speed up the process. It also stimulates your pet's natural waste disposal mechanism, which assists in the removal of all poisons and waste from their body. Acupuncture is also frequently used during injury rehabilitation.
5. Can Aid in Skin Problems
Acupuncture is a popular treatment for dogs who have skin issues such as allergic dermatitis, granulomas, or hot spots. The increased circulation can promote healing.
Bonus: Can Help With Musculoskeletal Issues
Musculoskeletal problems such as hip dysplasia, arthritis and nerve damage can be accompanied by severe pain. Veterinary acupuncture can help with these as well.