Acupuncture has existed as a method of treatment for more than 2,000 years. It involves using needles to stimulate certain points on the body. These points are chosen based on your pet’s Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) diagnosis. This diagnosis is obtained by performing a thorough physical examination of your pet and taking a thorough history from you. Using the diagnosis, a treatment plan is formulated. This may involve one or more of the following types of acupuncture:

• Dry needle: placing very fine, small needles through the skin into the chosen treatment points. The needles are then left in place for 20-30 minutes (or as long as your pet will tolerate)
• Electro-acupuncture: attaching electrical wires to the fine, metal needles to pass a small electric current between them. This increases the stimulation at the points and usually lasts longer than dry needle. This method is not recommended for animals with seizures.
• Injectable acupuncture: using small 24-26ga needles to inject a certain amount of liquid (saline, vitamin B12, or the animal’s own blood) into each of the treatment points. This creates stimulation at the points just as dry needle does, but lasts a bit longer than dry needle. This method is very useful and helpful if your pet does not like to sit still.
• Moxibustion: stimulating acupuncture points by burning Moxa, which is crushed dried leaves of an herb called Artemisia argyi. This can be used in addition to the needles. It is often used if your pet is cold or very weak.

Please contact Dr. Cara to schedule a consult to determine what method of treatment would work best for your pet.