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Acupuncture for PetsEquiPet Veterinary Hospital offers acupuncture appointments with Dr Sarah Binns, MA VetMB, MS, MSc, MRCVSAcupuncture developed in Asia over 5000 years ago and played an important role in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), along with herbal and physical therapies. Interest in acupuncture increased in the West as China became more accessible during the 1970s. It is becoming increasingly accepted and integrated into conventional veterinary practice, particularly in the management of chronic pain and disease states, either to complement conventional treatments, or when conventional medicine fails. It involves the stimulation of specific points in the body, usually by the insertion of very fine, pre-sterilised, stainless steel needles. This generates many responses within the animal's nervous and endocrine system. It can affect muscles, and the circulatory, reproductive, digestive and urinary systems, as well as antibody production and hormone output. Acupuncture increases the body's release of natural painkillers and modifies pain pathways in the brain and spinal cord. The western scientific approach to acupuncture is used predominantly in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and, in particular, chronic pain states. Stimulating the skin at certain points stimulates the nerves supplying that area. This induces biochemical and nervous changes in the spinal cord controlling that area. These immediate changes bring about more long-lasting changes in the neurotransmitter environment at that segment of the cord. This changes the way the spinal cord controls healing of that part of the body. Acupuncture points are chosen as they stimulate the cord in such a way as to induce a healing response. Acupuncture in Practice Dr Sarah Binns works in parallel with the pet’s normal veterinary surgeon in a complementary fashion for the health of the pet concerned. She has access to the pet’s medical records in order to decide on the treatment needed in each individual case.
The needles Sarah uses are ultra-fine single use, sterile acupuncture needles. They are extremely thin, and yet are very strong and flexible. The needles are left in place for 10-20 minutes, and are intermittently lifted and replaced gently in order to continue the stimulation.
Animals often exhibit behavioural changes after treatment, with improved appetite and demeanour, as well as obvious pain relief. Some (about 10%) are very responsive to acupuncture and will show dramatic improvement after one treatment. Some animals may show an initial worsening of their condition; however this is generally transient and usually indicates that the patient will respond well to future treatments. The vast majority of pets (about 80%) will respond gradually over a period of time. On average 4-6 treatments are required before a sustained improvement in the condition occurs. Treatments are given weekly initially with gradually increasing intervals, until the desired effect is achieved. Regular top-ups are usually required to maintain the effect. Occasionally animals become very tired or drowsy for up to 24 hours after treatment. Animals are required to have had a full diagnostic work-up and conventional therapy before being referred for acupuncture. Acupuncture on animals may only be performed by a veterinary surgeon, with a thorough knowledge of veterinary anatomy and physiology. Please see below examples of conditions which have been reported to be successfully treated by acupuncture in some patients. Please do not take this as a guarantee that acupuncture will work for every patient: about 10% of pets with chronic diseases do not show any response to acupuncture treatment. Potentially treatable conditions in dogs and cats Back pain e.g. spondylitis, spondylosis and disc disease; arthritis e.g. hips, stifles, hocks, elbows, shoulders; hip dysplasia; muscle & ligament sprains/strains and spasms; paralysis/paresis, chronic gastrointestinal disease; lick granulomas and other chronic skin conditions; urinary and faecal incontinence; stress related disorders; chronic renal failure, immune dysfunction; chronic respiratory conditions/feline asthma Appointments Appointments are available with Dr Sarah Binns at the EquiPet Veterinary Hospital at evenings and weekends. The first appointment lasts an hour, follow up appointments last for 30 minutes. Most insurance companies cover the cost of the treatment, as long as it has been recommended by us. To book an appointment please telephone us on (01592) 641333.
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