Although still regarded as experimental, veterinary acupuncture has been shown to be clinically safe and effective modality for specific conditions if used properly and competently.

The most common uses for acupuncture in small animals are

1. paralysis and pain associated usually with ruptured disks or trauma;
2. large dog paralysis or weakness caused by disk rupture, spinal instability, or degenerative myelopathy (common to the German Shepherd breed);

3.  pain caused by  hip dysplasia  and resulting arthritis;
4. other arthritic pain conditions;
5. conditions not responding to conventional therapy, including allergy, epilepsy (seizures), stomach and intestinal problems, nerve injuries, and miscellaneous pain syndromes.

Treatment by an individual competent in the art of acupuncture is essential.  Your veterinarian may be able to refer you to a qualified individual in your area. Most Veterinary teaching institutions now have acupuncture capability.

In cases of acute injury, treatments every 2 to 3 days is usually necessary.  Improvement varies on the situation and frequency of treatments.  In chronic conditions, improvement is generally slower until the desired effects are seen.

In two large scale studies, acceptable improvement was seen in 50 % to 64 % of the cases treated.  Most of these cases had previously been un-responsive to more conventional therapies.