Animal Acupuncture Wales
Information Corner
Check here for more information about acupuncture and chronic pain.
You might also find the following website useful for lots of resources on managing dogs with arthritis.
https://canine arthritis.co.uk
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine, solid needles into the body to relieve pain or to help restore function.
How does it work?
Acupuncture works by acting on the body’s nervous system.
-
In painful conditions (such as arthritis or injury) the needles block the pain signals coming from the painful or injured area and also cause the release of the body’s own natural painkillers.
-
In non painful conditions where the body’s normal function is disturbed (such as in some bladder and bowel conditions) the needles can help to restore normal function via the nervous system.
-
Acupuncture also has a beneficial effect on wound healing by stimulating nerve and blood vessel growth into the injured area.
-
Acupuncture has an anti-nausea effect which can improve appetite.
Is it safe?
Acupuncture is very safe, in the right hands. Legally it must be performed by a veterinary surgeon.
Which conditions can be treated?
-
Pain is the most common indication for acupuncture. Often this is pain associated with arthritis, but also muscular strains, injuries and back pain can be treated. Remember that animals exhibit pain in many different ways. Read our leaflet entitled “How to recognise pain in your pet” for further information.
-
Functional problems such as constipation and irritable bowel type conditions may also respond.
-
Acupuncture can be used to aid wound healing.
-
Some allergic skin conditions may respond to acupuncture.
Will my pet respond to treatment?
Not all animals or humans are acupuncture responders, but about 80% will be.
Where will treatment take place?
Usually, pets attend the clinic for treatment, however home treatments are possible for animals or owners who have difficulty traveling.
Will it hurt?
Acupuncture needles stimulate different nerves than the ones that cause unpleasant feelings of pain. This stimulation sends messages to the brain to block pain. Some animals will react to the sensation of the needles as if they are expecting pain, but then relax when the pain does not occur.
The needles we use for acupuncture are much finer than the needles usually used for injections and most animals accept them very well. Often they will become visibly relaxed and sleepy during the treatment and appear to be pleased to return to the practice for the next treatment.
What will the treatment involve?
After reviewing your pet’s history, Liz will discuss your areas of concern and reasons for presenting your pet for acupuncture.
Your pet will then be given a full examination. Often, when an animal is in pain from a particular area, they alter their posture to protect that and cause secondary strain in many different muscle groups. It is common to find many areas of pain in addition to the expected painful area.
Following the examination, needles will be put into various areas of the body and moved or stimulated a few times. The number of needles used, the length of time they are inserted and the amount of stimulation of the needles will vary depending on your pet’s response at the time and following the treatment.
Your pet may become sleepy during the treatment.
What about afterwards?
It is not unusual for pets to go home and sleep deeply for a long time. This is a good sign and indicates that your pet will probably respond well to acupuncture. Don’t worry if your pet is not sleepy, this doesn’t mean that they will not respond.
Sometimes your pet may seem more lively than usual. This is also a good sign but you should not let them overdo things, it is best to keep them quiet for the rest of the day.
Otherwise, treat your pet normally following acupuncture. You shouldn’t change their exercise, diet or medication without discussing it with your vet.
Your pet may show one of three responses to treatment:
-
Occasionally, your pet may seem a little stiffer after treatment. This means that they are likely to respond to the treatment but that the ‘dose’ of acupuncture was a bit too much. In this case the amount of stimulation can be reduced at the next treatment.
-
You may see no response. This does not mean that your pet will not respond; they may just take a little longer.
-
You may see an improvement. This can occur anytime in the three days after treatment. The signs we are treating may then return before the next treatment. This is fine. After each subsequent treatment the effects should last for longer.
How many treatments will be required?
The usual course is one treatment a week for four to six weeks. After four weeks we will know whether acupuncture is working for your pet. If your pet is responding to treatment after the initial course, the treatment will be tailed off to maintain the effect for as long as possible.
For chronic conditions, the frequency of treatments needed for long term maintenance will depend on the severity of the condition and how well the pet responds.
Referrals
We will need your vet’s permission to treat your pet with acupuncture. A referral form is available here.
Why do we need to recognise pain?
Pain is an unpleasant experience that causes suffering. We need to recognise the signs of pain in our pets so that we can improve their quality of life by controlling their pain.
Chronic pain causes many detrimental effects in addition to the direct suffering caused. These include:
-
Reduced appetite, leading to weight loss and muscle breakdown.
-
Reduced wound healing and reduced immune system function.
-
Altered behaviour including anxiety, depression or aggression.
-
Increased lying down leading to pressure sores and retention of urine and faeces.
Isn’t he just old?
Animals don’t become stiff just because they are old, it is because they are in pain. Because the conditions that cause pain are more common in older animals, it is often thought to be a normal part of ageing.
How may pain be displayed?
Pain in animals may be displayed in many ways that vary depending on the animal’s species, temperament and situation.
Pain may be indicated by physical characteristics such as limping, by changes in personality or behaviour and by changes in ability to exercise.
The signs may be subtle, especially in animals that are prey species since they have evolved to hide the signs of pain and injury in order to survive.
Pain in dogs
A reduction in your dog’s ability to exercise is a sign that they may be in pain. Signs include:
-
Reluctance to go for a walk
-
Tiring sooner than usual.
-
Taking an increased amount of time to complete a regular walk.
-
Reluctance to jump into the car or to climb the stairs.
Remember that some breeds with a high motivation for exercise (e.g. Collies) will exercise normally even when in pain because their drive to exercise is so strong.
A change in your dog’s behaviour is often a sign that they are experiencing pain though the signs may be subtle and dependent on the underlying temperament of the animal. Signs include:
-
Sleeping more during the day and being more restless at night.
-
Increased anxiety or becoming grumpy with people or other pets.
-
Reduced interaction with people and other pets.
-
Reduced appetite.
-
Vocalising (groaning, whining or crying). This is more common with acute pain.
-
Compulsive behaviour such as repetitive licking may be seen (not necessarily licking of the painful area).
Physical changes may also be seen, including:
-
Limping or stiffness. This indicates pain. Dogs do not limp “for attention” or just because they are old. Remember that some pain may not result in limping, such as back pain or pain in multiple limbs.
-
Weight loss, particularly over their hindquarters and back. This is due to a reduction in appetite and an increase in muscle breakdown.
-
Abnormal posture such as hunching or praying and altered facial expression.
Pain in cats
Cats are very unpredictable in their response to pain and are very good at hiding signs of pain. Recent studies have indicated that up to 90% of geriatric cats have signs of arthritis that would be expected to be painful.
Cats rarely limp and exercise intolerance is not a useful measure in them.
Changes in behaviour are the most useful indicators of pain. The signs to look out for include:
-
Reluctance to jump to favourite places such as beds or window sills.
-
Hiding and reduced interaction with people or other pets.
-
Growling or hissing when stroked or moved.
-
Reduced grooming leading to a poor coat appearance, or sometimes over grooming a particular spot leading to hair loss.
-
Soiling in the house.
-
Increased sleeping time or sleeping in only one position.
-
Hunched back posture or altered facial expression.
-
Reduced appetite and weight loss.
Pain in rabbits
As a prey species, rabbits are particularly adept at hiding their pain. Signs of pain are subtle, but include:
-
Increased breathing rate.
-
Reduced grooming.
-
Faecal soiling around hindquarters.
-
Reluctance to move or restlessness.
-
Reduced appetite.
-
Hunched posture.
-
Squinting their eyes.
-
Loud tooth grinding.
-
Abnormal response to handling.
-
Unexplained aggression.
-
Reduced interaction with surroundings.
What can I do?
A lot!
Owners often feel afraid to present their pet to the vet because of pain, feeling that the only option will be euthanasia.
This is not the case. We have many options for treating pain in our pets, including:
-
Medication. There are many different medications available for controlling pain. Many of these can be used together to provide individual relief tailored to your pet’s pain.
-
Acupuncture. Acupuncture is now widely accepted as an effective treatment for the control of pain both in human and animal species. For further information please read our leaflet entitled “Acupuncture for your pet”.
-
Lifestyle changes. Weight control and exercise management can greatly improve some painful conditions such as arthritis.
-
Environmental accommodations such as ramps, soft beds and raised bowls can all help.
-
Neutraceuticals such as glucosamine and chondroitin and omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation in joints and slow down progression of arthritis.
-
Physical therapy, hydrotherapy and massage can all have a beneficial effect on pain management.