Pet Acupuncture 101
Acupuncture for humans has been rapidly increasing in popularity over the last few decades, so it only follows that concerned pet owners are exploring acupuncture as a treatment option for their furry friends. Acupuncture can be performed on your pet for the same reasons people seek this therapy. Acupuncture is just one aspect of eastern medicine. As in western medicine, acupuncture and Chinese medicine is heteropathic medicine meaning you treat with the opposite. For example, you treat pain with pain relievers, or heat with cooling. The difference between eastern and western medicine is that eastern medicine considers the body as a whole, while western medicine concentrates on seeking a specific disease process.
Acupuncture points are areas on the body that are energy dense. Most of these points are derived from human practice, and changed for animal anatomy, but animals also have specific points that humans don’t have and vice versa. They have been shown in studies to have increased electrical conductivity and a high density of free nerve endings, arterioles, lymphatic vessels, and inflammatory mediators. Studies have shown that acupuncture increases endogenous endorphins, enkephalins, opioids, serotonin, and norepinephrine. It has also been proven to cause immune suppression in allergic conditions, reduce inflammation, increase WBC counts, and induce ovulation.
Acupuncture is best used as a preventative treatment, to maintain normal energy flow and hormone levels in the body in order to prevent diseases. Acupuncture helps maintain or regain homeostasis in the body. If the body is in balance, disease can be prevented or treated. Tiny needles are used to stimulate acupuncture points on the body. Additional modalities such as electrical acupuncture or aqua-acupuncture can provide longer-lasting effects when indicated.
While acupuncture is effective for acute diseases such as infections, our modern medicine is extremely effective for these types of diseases, and is usually the first (and only necessary) line of defense. In our society, acupuncture is most frequently used to treat chronic disease. While any disease can be treated with acupuncture, numerous studies have been performed to evaluate its use in musculoskeletal and neurologic disorders including: back pain, paralysis, weakness, lameness, auto-immune disease, and tendonitis.
The National Institute of Health has shown acupuncture to be effective for gastrointestinal problems, pain, reproductive disorders, and immunomodulation. In general, acupuncture is very effective for anything modulated by hormones such as: anxiety, GI disorders, appetite, weight loss, incontinence, insomnia, immune-modulation, muscle cramps, scars, and the side effects of cancer or chemotherapy such as nausea.
For preventative medicine, acupuncture is recommended every 6 months. If treating a disease the treatment schedule varies. Most treatments are started weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. The goal with most diseases is to reach the point of treating every 3-6 months for maintenance. A traditional Chinese veterinary medicine history and examination is performed at each treatment, and the treatments change as the findings change. Unlike western medicine where a disease is treated the same in each animal, eastern medicine dictates that the treatment plan be specific for the way that patient presents that day.
Veterinary acupuncture can only be performed legally in the United States by a licensed veterinarian. Finding a veterinarian who has completed a certified acupuncture training course or who has been certified as an acupuncturist is recommended. Along with acupuncture, as a traditional Chinese veterinary medicine practitioner I also use herbs, massage, and diet modulation as treatment options. Most diseases are best treated with a combination of these options, specifically tailored to the patient.
Erin V. Husted, DVM, CVA
Charlotte Street Animal Hospital
www.BalancedPets.webs.com
Companion Animal Food and Supplies Drive
Charlotte Street Animal Hospital is proud to sponsor a chilly weather pet food and supplies drive for the needy animals of our region!
From November 15, 2011 to April 15, 2012, Charlotte Street Animal Hospital will be collecting donations for six local animal rescue organizations including Animal Compassion Network, Asheville Humane Society, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, Catman2, Meals on Wheels for Pets, and Phoenix Landing Parrot Rescue.
Each organization's wishlists are outlined below. Please make donations at our hospital or via phone. And thank you! for helping ensure that the furry members of our community stay nourished, cozy, and happy this cold season!
Animal Compassion Network:
-Scoopable kitty litter
-Dog & Cat food (our dogs & cats LOVE Chicken Soup for the Soul!)
-Blankets & towels
-Nutrical
-Mother's Milk Replacer (puppies and kittens)
-Stamps (1st class & higher)
-Long-distance calling cards
-Collars & leashes
-Printer toner and ink (call 274-3647 for specifics!)
-Cleaning supplies
-Gas cards for transport program
-Kongs and other interactive toys for dogs and cats
Asheville Humane Society:
-Towels/blankets
-Canned dog & cat food (please, no fish)
-Clay kitty litter
-Latex exam gloves (size small & medium)
-Hot dogs
-Bleach
-55-gallon trash bags
-White copy paper
-Beef and chicken bullion
-Hard plastic toys (Nylabones are awesome!)
-Peanut butter
-Cat toys that dangle
-Cardboard scratching posts (only the ones that lay on the ground)
-Rawhides and pig ears
-Kong/interactive toys
-Rope toys
-Paper towels
-Chewy dog treats/dried liver
-Monetary donations
Brother Wolf Animal Rescue:
-Blankets/towels
-Dry & canned puppy, kitten, dog and cat food (Pedigree is preferred, but any is welcome)
-Dog treats
-Peanut butter
-Dog toys (Kongs, Nylabones, squeaky toys, etc)
-Leashes
-Non-slip collars
-Scoopable (clumping) kitty litter
-Cat treats
-Cat toys (including disposable catnip scratch pads and teaser toys)
-Thundershirts for anxious/scared doggies
-Bleach & Pine Sol
-Laundry detergent
-Gift cards to Petsmart & Petco
-Gas cards for the Northern Transport program
-Office supplies & 1st class stamps
-Universal Microchip scanner
-Monetary donations
Catman2:
-Friskies canned food
-Purina/Meow Mix/Iams/Friskies dry food
-Old pillow cases/blankets/towels/crib sheets
-Litter deodorizer
-New or gently used crib mattresses
-Laundry detergent
-Gift cards to purchase supplies (Lowe's & Wal-Mart)
-Non-toxic cleaners (ex. Simple Green, Greenworks, etc)
-Paper towels
-Litter scoops
-Sterilite/Rubbermaid tubs (we use them as litter boxes)
-White vinegar
-Office supplies (printer paper, binders, tape, etc)
-Air fresheners (citrus blocks, sprays, etc)
Meals on Wheels for Pets:
-Dog and cat food of any kind
Phoenix Landing Parrot Rescue:
*Any perishable items will be picked up by a volunteer upon donation
-Clean, unused bird toys
-Raw, unsalted nuts (our birds LOVE walnuts!!)
-Grains (quinoa, millet, kamut, etc)
-Fold-down carriers (for transport)
-Grocery store gift cards
-Fresh fruits & vegetables
-Monetary donations for vet bills
Veterinary Topics
Clinic Hours
| Monday | 7 - 8
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| Tuesday | 7 - 6
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| Wednesday | 7 - 8
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| Thursday | 7 - 8
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| Friday | 7 - 6
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| Saturday | 9 - 1
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| Sunday | Closed |
Call Us:
828-232-0440 Request
Appt.