Dog Acupuncture: The Benefits and Costs

If you have found this article, you are probably a pet parent trying to find out if dog acupuncture is the best choice for your dog’s care plan. There are many questions one has running through their mind during situations like this. How will my dog feel after acupuncture? Can senior dogs get acupuncture? What is the cost of dog acupuncture? What is dog acupuncture?

Veterinary acupuncture is a form of Chinese traditional medicine that involves inserting fine needles into specific parts of a dog’s body where the blood vessels and nerve bundles intersect. These are usually called acupuncture points, and research has shown that this method improves a pet’s quality of life. A veterinarian may recommend acupuncture if your dog has arthritis or neurological disorders.

This article outlines all you need to know about dog acupuncture, including the benefits and the cost. So, keep reading for more information.

An In-Depth Description of Dog Acupuncture

As stated above, acupuncture is a practice (holistic treatment method) of Chinese medicine which involves inserting sterile and thin noodles into certain parts of a dog’s body to manipulate pressure points and stimulate nerves, vessels, and tissues. This process does not draw blood and is a great way to treat neurological dysfunction, orthopedic pain, and inflammation.

This is because the acupuncture process produces and releases chemicals that act as anti-inflammatories – when the needle is inserted into the various acupuncture points, they are rotated, which causes the connective tissue under the skin to be stimulated. When the stimulation occurs, the nervous system can respond in different ways.

Acupuncture is not a new treatment method. It has been used for thousands of years to treat animals, and veterinarians may opt for acupuncture instead of pharmaceutical drugs as the latter has side effects.

Dogs’ side effects from an acupuncture session are nothing compared to prescribed medicines. An acupuncture session has some common side effects, such as mild bruising and soreness at the places where the needle was inserted. Your dog may feel a little tired for two days, but this rarely happens.

There are different types of veterinary acupuncture: aquapuncture, moxibustion, acupressure, laser, and electrostimulation. Ensure to discuss this with your veterinarian to know which of the different types is best for your dog.

What is the Cost of Dog Acupuncture?

The price of a dog acupuncture session depends on different factors such as the dog’s size, the specific condition being treated, the practitioner’s experience and training, the equipment used, the dog’s medical history, the dog’s temperament/personality, and if the dog will benefit from the treatment. Dog acupuncture can be as low as $50 to $75 for a session and as high as $300. An acupuncture session usually lasts about fifteen minutes to an hour, depending on the exact condition of your dog, and the average dog requires about eight acupuncture sessions.

Benefits of Dog Acupuncture

Now that you know the definition of dog acupuncture, what it entails, and the estimated cost for a session, let us look at how your dog can benefit from acupuncture.

Dog Acupuncture Helps With Several Medical Conditions

One significant benefit of dog acupuncture is that it is helpful for many medical conditions and problems. It helps reduce pain and appetite in senior dogs and assists dogs that no longer respond to pain medications. Here are some of the medical conditions that acupuncture can assist dogs with:

• Pain management: chronic, orthopedic, and acute pain
• Metabolic diseases such as pancreatitis or diabetes
• Respiratory issues like asthma or allergies
• Relieves from side effects of cancer treatments and chemotherapy
• Neurological diseases like epilepsy or seizures
• Endocrine disorders
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Treating physical traumas
• Skin issues, like granulomas
• Musculoskeletal disorders

Calming Process

Dog acupuncture sessions are usually calming processes that can sometimes lead to a dog falling asleep during the treatment. It rarely requires situations when you must help your dog to calm down.

Other Benefits of Dog Acupuncture Include:

• Dog acupuncture helps to accelerate healing while relieving pain in dogs.
• It is a great way to stimulate appetite, especially in senior dogs.
• It increases a dog’s blood flow, relaxes their muscles, and calms their nerves.
• It is a great way to ease the removal of waste.
• Lastly, it helps to reduce inflammation by releasing chemicals that act as anti-inflammatories.

Is Acupuncture Safe For My Dog?

Yes, dogs rarely experience severe side effects after an acupuncture session; such situations are scarce. All dogs will not react the same way after an acupuncture therapy session. Some may feel extremely sore or stiff, while others may experience severe side effects (it is infrequent) like an infection where the needle was inserted, muscle spasms, mild bruising, swelling, or bleeding at the site of needle insertion, etc.

Does Dog Acupuncture Work?

Dog acupuncture has been said to work for many medical conditions, and some of them are listed above. Research also shows that dog acupuncture reduces pain and improves a dog’s quality of life.

Some other research shows that dog acupuncture does not cure health problems. All dogs will not react the same way to a dog acupuncture therapy session, but generally, it takes about three to four sessions to see improvements.

Conclusion

There are many health benefits to finding a veterinary acupuncturist for your dog. If you have any questions about if your dog could benefit from acupuncture, it is best to reach out to your dog’s veterinarian.

Learn more about our acupuncture services here, or contact Embassy Lakes Animal Hospital in Cooper City, FL at (954) 432-5811! If you’d like to make an appointment, fill out our online appointment request form now!