Acupuncture and Your Dog

You may have heard of or even experienced the benefits of acupuncture yourself and still have never thought of applying the medicine to your four-legged friend. Well, here at Lucky Dog Health, we believe that many of the very things that aid and improve our own lives can and should be used to aid and improve our dogs’. Of course, the practice of canine acupuncture does differ from its human counterpart in a couple of ways. First of all, while many dogs are surprisingly fine with the idea of having small needles stuck into them (some have been known to fall asleep during treatment!), others need a small amount of reassurance from their owners, while still others will need to be treated using photonic or laser therapy. Laser acupuncture therapy is more and more common in the dog acupuncture world. It works the same way, but without the actual needle, however its effects often last for a slightly shorter amount of time.

At the Acupuncturist

Your first appointment will be, like most initial veterinary visits, a consultation where the dog is assessed and therapy options are discussed. This might last 30-60 minutes. After that, be ready to dedicate yourself and your pet to about one session per week for at least 4-6 weeks, at which point progress can be determined and a continuing schedule arranged. The actual acupuncture sessions will last up to an hour, as the needles need to be left in for 15-20 minutes. There will be very little pain associated with the entire process. While there is what might best be considered a “sensation� upon each needle’s entrance, it is very rarely identified as painful or upsetting to the dog.
Find a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Acupuncture is a deep treatment technique that should be performed by a certified professional. To find a certified veterinary acupuncturist registered with the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture, or find a holistic veterinarian. Acupuncture by no means replaces regular veterinary care. However, it is a wonderful supplement that can be used to relieve pain, reduce muscle spasm, support healing, and strengthen the immune system.