petbrief
Is Acupuncture Right for Your Pet?
by Michel Selmer, DVM, CVA A
cupuncture is a holistic ap- proach to treat a variety of prob- lems in humans. The benefits do
not stop there, however. Many animals, including pets, see therapeutic ben- efits from acupuncture—from pain to digestive problems to seizures and even more. Dogs and cats see the most ben- efit in gastrointestinal and neurological conditions. The veterinarian may sug- gest acupuncture as the primary form of treatment or it may be used in addition to other treatment methods. Many pet owners will seek acu- puncture treatments for their pets in ad- dition to Western medicine. If a pet has a broken leg, it would be ideal to have the leg set and then utilize acupuncture afterward to promote healing and re- duce pain. Veterinarians that specialize in acupuncture know how to integrate the holistic approach into the standard health plan for pets.
So, how does it work? A certified veterinary acupuncturist will insert hair-thin needles into the skin at specific points around the body. It is virtually painless when done by an ex- perienced certified veterinary acupunc- turist. Inserting the needles is thought to correct imbalance and restore the flow of energy, called qi (pronounced chee) throughout the body. According to “Acupuncture: An
Ancient Treatment for a Current Prob- lem,” by Paulo Zanardi, AP, Acupunc-
52 Long Island Edition ture is thought to operate by:
Release of opioid peptides. There has been considerable evidence to sup- port that acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system, releasing these chemicals.
Alteration in the secretion of neu- rotransmitters and neurohormones. Acupuncture is said to activate the hypothalamus and pituitary gland and thereby alter secretion of these chemi- cals. Evidence has shown that acupunc- ture alters this secretion in a manner that reduces pain. Documentation has also shown that acupuncture positively affects immune functions in the body.
Stimulation of electromagnetic points on the body. The 2,000 points of the body that acupuncture focuses on are theorized to be strategic conductors of electromag- netic signals. Stimulation of these areas is believed to start the flow of endorphins— the body’s natural painkillers. The release of these natural chemi-
cals, which act like pain killers, will not only provide pain relief but will also result in relaxing and calming effects, causing a pet to feel good. Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine believes that where there is pain there is stagna- tion of blood and qi. Inserting the nee- dles at specific points will directly help to provide a free flow of blood circula- tion and will also cause the release of these naturally occurring pain relievers
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and “feel good” chemicals, which will result in a pet experiencing a reduction in anxiety stemming from pain.
What does
acupuncture treat? There are a number of conditions in which acupuncture can be beneficial, including gastro- intestinal issues; respiratory problems; neurological dis- orders, including epilepsy; musculoskeletal disorders; reproductive disorders; metabolic disorders; aller- gies; urinary disorders; and dermatological disorders.
Is acupuncture right for your pet? Before considering acupuncture for your pet, you will want to be sure to consult with a certified veterinary acupuncturist; he/she can tell you what your pet’s prognosis will be. There are times when acupuncture should not be administered. Just because acupunc- ture can be beneficial does not mean that it is ideal for all pets. Pregnant pets should only receive acupuncture if they are prepared for labor, and specific acupuncture points will need to be avoided in the pregnant animal to avoid pregnancy complications and/or spontaneous abortion. Pets that current- ly have a diagnosed infection should be treated with antibiotics prior to acu- puncture. If the degenerative disease is progressed immensely, acupuncture should only be utilized for symptom- atic relief.
While it is not a cure-all, acupunc-
ture can be just as beneficial to pets as to their human counterparts.
Dr. Michel Selmer is a Certified Vet- erinary Acupuncturist and is currently pursuing a master’s degree to become a master practitioner of Traditional Chi- nese Veterinary Medicine. His practice, Advanced Animal Care Center, is located at 260 Evergreen Ave., South Hunting- ton. For more information and to see if acupuncture is right for your pet, call 631-FOR-PETS (367-7387) or visit
AdvancedCareForPets.com. See ad on page 2.
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