We want our dogs to live a long and healthy life free of pain and discomfort, and to help with this we may look to new therapeutic approaches such as acupuncture. Today, our Bedford vets discuss what acupuncture is and five health benefits of acupuncture for dogs.
Acupuncture has been a therapy that has been utilized for thousands of years in China to induce a therapeutic response in the body. Each year, an increasing number of domestic animals receive acupuncture, with excellent results. Because of this, more and more pet owners are looking to acupuncture as a potential treatment option.
Curious about how acupuncture can benefit your dog? In this blog post, we will discuss some of the potential benefits of acupuncture for your dog.
Is Acupuncture For Dogs Safe?
Acupuncture has been used successfully on a variety of different animal species, including cats, dogs, rabbits, and horses. Your Bedford veterinarian will be able to inform you whether acupuncture is a suitable therapy option for your specific circumstances.
While this treatment is performed with needles, they are extremely small and so your dog will not feel any pain associated with the treatment.
How Many Treatment Sessions Are Typically Recommended?
The number of sessions that your dog is recommended will depend on the condition that they are experiencing. 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.
What Are Some of the Main Benefits of Acupuncture For Dogs?
Here of some of the ways that acupuncture can help your dog:
1. Pain & Inflammation Relief
Acupuncture has been demonstrated to trigger the body's own pain-relieving endorphins and anti-inflammatory chemicals, which can aid in the relief of chronic pain. Strong medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, which can be painful, are frequently combined with acupuncture to help make a pet more comfortable. Acupuncture can also help with chronic inflammatory disorders like arthritis.
2. Increase in Digestive Response
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. Respiratory System Improvement
Acupuncture can benefit pets suffering from respiratory issues such as asthma and allergies. Acupuncture has been demonstrated to offer relaxing and immune-system calming characteristics, as well as the ability to treat animals with breathing problems. Acupuncture's immune-calming and anti-inflammatory properties assist dogs as well.
4. Increased Rate of 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.
5. Skin Condition Relief
Acupuncture is a popular treatment for dogs who have skin issues such as allergic dermatitis, granulomas, or hot spots. Your dog may also show an increase in blood circulation which can increase the rate of healing.
Bonus Benefit: Can Help With Musculoskeletal Issues
Acupuncture can help with musculoskeletal issues such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, and nerve damage. It is frequently used during injury rehabilitation.