caring for your house cat

Did you know that dogs, just like humans, can be treated using acupuncture? Here are a four things that you need to know about acupuncture for dogs before you take your dog in for a treatment session.

#1 Acupuncture Can Be Used to Treat a Variety of Ailments

Acupuncture can be used to treat a wide variety of ailments in your dog. It can be used to treat conditions such as

• arthritis pain,
• back pain,
• skin disease,
• irritable bowel syndrome, and
• postsurgery pain.

This is not an exhaustive list; acupuncture may be used to treat other conditions as well. 

#2 Only Use a Fully Qualified Practitioner 

Next, you need to make sure that you only take your dog to an acupuncturist that is fully qualified and certified in the practice and who also has undergone training to specifically treat animals. Be sure to ask about their training and ask to see evidence of their certifications before you proceed with an appointment. 

#3 Be Prepared for a Longer Appointment the First Time

The first time you go to see your pet acupuncturist, be prepared for a longer appointment. During your first appointment, the acupuncturist will go over your pet's medical history so that he or she has a complete understanding of your pet's physical state. Next, the acupuncturist will give your dog an examination to assess its current medical condition. Finally, your dog will undergo a short acupuncture session.

On your next visit after the initial consultation, the acupuncturist should be able to get right to work and the appointments should not be too long. 

#4 Don't Expect Immediate Results

Finally, you shouldn't expect immediate results. Just like with acupuncture for humans, acupuncture on dogs can take a while to work. 

Do not expect your dog to be better immediately after its first treatment. Your dog may need to undergo multiple treatments before results are obvious to you. Acupuncture is designed to work gradually over time. Additionally, it may take a few treatments for your acupuncturist to find the exact points that work to ease your dog's symptoms.

To review, keep in mind that acupuncture is one way to help treat some of your dog's specific symptoms. Make sure that the acupuncturist you use is trained in the art of acupuncture and is trained specifically to treat animals. Finally, remember that acupuncture is a process, and it may take a few sessions for you to see changes in your dog. If you have more questions or would like to set up an appointment, contact a representative from an establishment like Clayton Veterinary Associates.