While thumbing through a magazine from Johns Hopkins Medical School, I noticed that acupuncture is now being offered on a small scale to human cancer patients to help manage their pain. While I tend to be a traditionalist when it comes to caring for my pets and myself, the time is ripe for even traditionalists to open their minds to the possibilities of some of these alternative therapies as they become part of regular medical and veterinary practice.  Recently, I had the opportunity to find out more about how acupuncture is used in veterinary practice. Below is a summary of my conversation with veterinarian and veterinary acupuncturist, Leeann Oliver, DVM, of Twinbrook Animal Clinic, Inc. in Valencia, PA (www.twinbrookanimalclinic.com, click on Therapeutic Options for acupuncture information).     

NM:  Dr. Oliver, what is veterinary acupuncture?

Dr. Oliver:  Acupuncture is the insertion of needles into specific points on the body to cause a desired healing effect.  It is an ancient practice used on domestic animals and humans for over 3000 years.  Although it is not a cure-all, it can be very helpful in many cases.  It is becoming more accepted as part of the overall treatment plan for many conditions that affect dogs, cats, horses, cows - even pigs and llamas! 

NM:  How does acupuncture work?

Dr. Oliver:  I guess you could say it “goes with the flow”.  According to ancient Chinese medical philosophy, disease is the result of an obstruction to the flow of Qi, (pronounced “chee”), a form of energy in the body.  Acupuncture is believed to balance this energy flow and assist the body to heal disease.  In Western terms, acupuncture is thought to work by increasing blood circulation or flow, stimulating nerves, relieving muscle spasms, and releasing hormones and chemicals the body uses to control pain and speed healing. 

NM:  What conditions in our pets are treated with veterinary acupuncture?

Dr. Oliver:  Acupuncture is used to treat many of the same complaints in both people and their pets.  Some of the more common veterinary conditions include arthritis and joint disease, vertebral disc disease, feline asthma, diarrhea, allergies, nausea from chemotherapy and selected reproductive conditions.

In a traditional veterinary practice, acupuncture is used to complement traditional therapies.  It is often added when medications are not effective, have unacceptable side effects or surgery is not an option. 

Treatment schedules can vary widely depending on the ailment.  For example, a young dog with a sprain or strain might only get one treatment, whereas a geriatric dog with severe arthritis might require weekly treatments at first, tapering off the frequency as he improves.  The needles are left in anywhere from a few seconds to 20 minutes or more depending on the case.

NM:  All those needles!  Does acupuncture hurt a pet?

Dr. Oliver:  Acupuncture is well-tolerated by animals.  There is an occasional sting as the acupuncture needles are inserted through the skin, usually no more than a centimeter or so.  The feeling is usually fleeting and minimal, if felt at all.  In all animals, once the needles are in place, there should be no pain. Once the needle has been inserted, it is the goal of the acupuncturist to elicit ‘de Qi’, translated as “the arrival of Qi”. A variety of sensations may attend the arrival of Qi, including warmth, tingling, aching, electrical sensations or numbness.  The treatment is generally done with their owner present and in a quiet setting where most animals become very relaxed and may even get sleepy. 

NM: What side affects can we expect in our pets after acupuncture treatment?

Dr. Oliver: Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medical treatment for animals when it is administered by a properly-trained veterinarian.  Often the only side effect is that the animal may become sleepy or lethargic or may seem slightly worse for 24-48 hours after a treatment, after which improvement is seen.  Serious side effects of acupuncture are rare, but they do exist.

NM:  In the case of our breed, a number of dogs suffer from Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) or Ischemic Myelopathy(IS)/Fibro-cartilaginous Embolism(FCE).  To what extent can acupuncture help these dogs?

Dr. Oliver:  DM is not an uncommon diagnosis in dogs, but as you know it is a diagnosis of exclusion.  Because of the cost of advanced diagnostics (e.g, MRIs), many cases are referred to us without MRI's or having had other diagnoses definitively ruled out.  Many veterinary acupuncturists feel that DM is not treatable with acupuncture and that improvement is seen in those that are actually suffering from undiagnosed Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) or underlying musculoskeletal conditions more amenable to treatment with acupuncture.  Some others believe that there is an improvement, however fleeting and mild, due to its effects on remaining neuromotor pathways, not those that have been already affected.  If a cell body is not irreversibly damaged, it may be possible to have an effect on it.  I do treat them, however, as we can have an effect on pain management for underlying osteoarthritis if it exists, overall geriatric balance and in a few cases, incontinence.  I have had cases improve in the areas of strength and continence for brief periods of time likely for those reasons. 

On the other hand, with IS/FCE, the earlier aggressive rehabilitation is started the better the chance of return of any function.  Acupuncture can help address any pain issues present in the early stages and it would not be wrong to include it in a rehabilitation protocol.  From my reading, as with most neurological conditions, there is mixed reaction to it's effectiveness.  Irreversibly damaged cell bodies cannot be regenerated, however, we can try to make the best of what is left.  Some use electro-acupuncture and others feel dry needle works best for them.   Traditional rehabilitation protocols rather than acupuncture are generally the treatment of first choice for IS/FCE.

NM:  I have an older dog with arthritis that might benefit from this treatment.  How do I find a competent veterinary acupuncturist?  What advice can you offer our readers?

Dr. Oliver:  Your veterinary acupuncturist should be a licensed veterinarian who has received extensive, formal training on acupuncture for animals.  Several training and certification courses are available throughout the country.  In order for a practitioner to “stay sharp”, there are also many continuing education classes offered throughout the year.  You can ask your pet’s regular veterinarian for a referral or contact the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (www.IVAS.org) or the American Association of Veterinary Acupuncturists (www.AAVA.org) for a practitioner in your area.

© 2006 Nancy Paule Melone (Reprinted with Permission)