Pets get the needle
ANIMAL lovers are turning in ever increasing numbers to acupuncture – for their pets.
The Chinese art of inserting needles in the skin has been used to help humans for thousands of years.
Now more and more vets are starting to recommend it as a way to treat animals suffering all sorts of conditions from arthritis to spinal injuries.
Dogs, cats and horses are the most common patients but acupuncture can also be used on more exotic creatures including elephants, reptiles and birds.
Today the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists has 360 members, compared with only 40 three decades ago.
ABVA education director Dietrich Graf Von Schweinitz – who recently treated his first alpaca – said: “Acupuncture is not limited by what kind of animal it is.
“Every animal has a nervous system and reflexes to stimulation. It’s how, OUR vet Brian Faulkner, from Petplan, has 16 years of experience and is a freelance working all over the country. Send your questions to Brian at: Petplan, Great West House, Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9DX or via Petplan’s Facebook page facebook.com/ PetplanUK. where and when one creates a certain stimulus as to what effect it has.”
Acupuncture is based on the belief that the needles, which can also have small electric currents running through them, help align the body’s energy and so clear up ailments.
Dietrich went on: “With an animal which has constant digestive problems I can treat it because I know where on its spine the nerves apply to the bowels. You can use that understanding of anatomy and physiology to help any animal.
“Chronic visceral diseases like IBS plus recurrent respiratory problems and ear infections can also be treated. “And there’s a lot of geriatric care in acupuncture because animals are living longer.”
Even so, Dietrich cautioned pet owners against rushing off to seek acupuncture without consulting their vets properly first.
He warned: “It should be an integrated practice used alongside conventional veterinary medicine – a complement, not an alternative.” MY puppy has developed something which sounds like hiccups. They can go on for 20 minutes. Is it something to worry about?