Pet-friendly acupuncturist gets tails wagging

‘Western medical practices can’t do much

In this photograph taken on Aug 26, Li Temiao embraces her partially paralysed dog Danfoen as it receives acupuncture treatment with needles known as meridians at the Shanghai

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Neurology and Acupuncture Animal Health Centre in Shanghai. (AFP)

SHANGHAI, Aug 28, (AFP): Looking like a furry brown pincushion, eight-month-old French bulldog “Dan Jiao” whimpers nervously as he waits for the end of a Chinese acupuncture session aimed at curing partial paralysis caused by a puppyhood injury.

“Dan Jiao” (“Egg Dumpling”), would obviously rather be chewing on a bone somewhere than sitting strapped against his will into a harness that resembles a medieval torture device, pricked by several long needles hooked up to a mild electric current.

But the Shanghai clinic of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner Jin Rishan at least provides hopeful owners an alternative to putting down the beloved family dog or cat, the typical fate of pets immobilised by severe spinal and nervous-system injuries.

“We’re getting more and more customers,” said Jin, 53, whose Shanghai TCM Neurology and Acupuncture Animal Health Centre is operating at full capacity of around 20 patients per day, and growing.

Many dogs suffer from tough-to-treat back injuries or spinal deterioration that can render them unable to walk. A range of breeds including Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Collies, Basset Hounds and Shi Tzus are particularly prone.

Paralysis

“Seventy percent of the animals here suffer from spinal disc herniation, leading to paralysis of the hind legs or all four legs,” Jin said, adding that acupuncture is “more effective” than modern medicine.

“Western medical practices can’t do much,” he said.

It appears to be working for “Dan Jiao,” who was completely paralysed when his owner Michael Xu first brought him in for treatment after a fall that broke his back.

“After three days of acupuncture, he was slowly able to crawl on his front paws. By the seventh day he was able to limp on all four legs.”

On Friday, patients ranging from a gangly black Labrador to a tiny teacup poodle were carried in by their owners or carted in baby prams.

They were eventually strapped into harnesses before the thin acupuncture needles were inserted into their problem spots.

Others sniffed nervously as smoking moxibustion cups -- a form of heat therapy that involves burning aromatic plants -- were applied to their hides.

But the place had not completely gone to the dogs. The day’s sole feline patient looked particularly put out, being completely strapped down to prevent it squirming around.

Wang Ping, the owner of “Mei Mei” (“Little Sister”), has fresh hope of getting the fivemonth-old teacup poodle back on her tiny feet after a paralysing neck injury suffered three months ago.

“I went to traditional clinics with “Mei Mei” but the vets said she was too small for surgery,” Wang said.

Doctors initially recommended euthanasia before referring Wang to Jin’s clinic.

“So I came over and she’s much better, at least she can lift her head and crawl a bit now.”

Jin’s practice is based on the feeling that a pet is like a human member of the family, entitled to the same loving care.

“In the past, Chinese people had a very weak notion of what a pet was. But now more and more families treat pets as a companion or family member. So they care so much about their pets, it is not like in the past.”

In this photograph taken on Aug 26, a partially paralysed dog receives acupuncture treatment with needles known as meridians at the Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine

(TCM) Neurology and Acupuncture Animal Health Center in Shanghai. (AFP)

SHANGHAI:

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Pet owners in China are turning to acupuncture to help soothe the aches and pains of their beloved cats and dogs.

“China is famous for acupuncture. I took the cat here immediately to have a try,” said Wang Xijuan, 74, holding the paw of her feline friend during a session at a Shanghai clinic.

After four treatments, Wang said her cat can “walk now, jump and even fight with other cats”.

Traditional practitioners believe acupuncture, which involves inserting long, fine needles at specific places, known as meridians, of the body, can stimulate blood circulation to promote healing and relieve some aches and pains.

On its website, the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society said acupuncture has been used in veterinary practice in China “for thousands of years to treat many ailments”.

Jin Rishan, a specialist at the Shanghai TCM Neurology and Acupuncture Animal Health Center, said they have treated more than 2,000 cats and dogs since the clinic opened four years ago.

A single session costs 260 yuan ($39) and last for about 45 minutes.

Jin said about 80 percent of their patients have shown some improvement after treatment.

“Making a paralysed and dependent dog stand up is our ultimate goal,” Jin said.