How Acupuncture Can Ease Arthritis Pain in Dogs and Cats.
Many pets suffer from osteoarthritis, especially as they age. Thankfully, there are many natural ways that are effective and non-toxic that can help to ease pain and discomfort. In this blog, we’ll discuss how acupuncture can help cats and dogs with arthritis pain.
Acupuncture for pain
When a pet is in constant discomfort, it can be hard to adjust and find comfort. Your veterinarian may recommend acupuncture as an alternative treatment option for your dog or cat who has arthritis.
VCA explains that “Acupuncture is often used to treat dogs with arthritis and joint inflammation. For example, dogs with hip dysplasia or degenerative joint disease are good candidates for acupuncture, which may alleviate pain and improve joint range of motion. Dogs with chronic back pain and even dogs with serious spinal cord conditions also benefit from acupuncture.”
What is acupuncture for pets?
Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves stimulating specific points on the body with needles to increase an individual’s well-being. There are different acupuncture techniques, but one popular treatment option uses fine acupuncture needles at acupoints which promote circulation by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
Acupuncture and arthritis in dogs
Acupuncture can be used to treat your dog with arthritis, and acupuncture has been shown to ease discomfort in dogs by gently stimulating three key acupuncture points.
A veterinarian typically does the acupuncture treatment for arthritis in dogs, and an acupuncture needle may be inserted into particular acupuncture point locations.
Additionally, acupuncture for arthritis in dogs may include cupping, a type of acupuncture treatment that stimulates blood flow and circulation. Cupping involves using a cup placed on acupuncture points, and the air inside them is heated to produce suction.
This stimulates blood flow and circulation as well as stimulates acupuncture points.
Acupuncture is a non-toxic treatment option for arthritis in dogs, which can ensure your dog is treated with few or no side effects.
For acupuncture in dogs, the treatment may be repeated several times throughout your dog’s lifetime to ensure comfort and pain relief can continue.
Acupuncture for arthritis in dogs is a safe, gentle treatment option that your veterinarian may recommend to ensure you and your dog can live a comfortable life.
Acupuncture for arthritis in cats
Acupuncture may be an excellent treatment option for your senior cat who is suffering from arthritis. In acupuncture, needles are inserted into acupuncture points to stimulate acupuncture points. When acupuncture is used for arthritis in cats, three key acupuncture points may be stimulated: Lu 11, St 36, and Bladder 42.
These acupuncture points are gently stimulated to reduce your cat’s discomfort from arthritis pain in acupuncture for cats.
A veterinarian typically does the acupuncture treatment for arthritis in cats, and the acupuncture needle may be inserted into particular acupuncture point locations. Additionally, acupuncture for arthritis in cats may also include cupping.
Osteoarthritis in pets
When a pet has osteoarthritis, his joints hurt because he is experiencing a deterioration of the cartilage that creates a smooth gliding surface, along with the loss of synovial fluid that lubricates his joints. This leads to inflammation and pain.
Studies demonstrate that 20% of dogs experience arthritis before the age of seven, while the incidence goes up to 65% after that age. Dog breeds most prone to arthritis include the following:
. German shepherds
. Golden retrievers
. Labrador retrievers
. Daschunds
Additionally, 90% of cats over the age of twelve exhibit osteoarthritis. Because cats tend to be silent sufferers, it may be more difficult to spot when they’re in pain. With cats, it usually affects:
. Spine
. Hip
. Elbows
The most common cat breeds affected include:
. Maine coon
. Abyssinian
. Himalayan
. Persian
. Siamese
Stimulate blood flow
Arthritis can be especially harmful to a dog or cat who spends the day lying down, as it puts continuous pressure on his joints during these movements. The acupuncture points used for arthritis stimulate blood flow in cartilage cells and activate enzyme production that helps rebuild cartilage—eliminating stressors from the joint while stimulating the production of joint fluid.
Acupuncture points
Your acupuncture practitioner will determine which acupuncture points are appropriate for your dog or cat’s condition and then perform a treatment that relieves pain without causing side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, or constipation—which can occur when conventional medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used.
Final thoughts
Acupuncture is a safe and natural way to reduce pain in your dog or cat, without the need for prescription medication with dangerous side effects such as liver damage and stomach ulcers. It’s a good alternative for treating arthritis because it stimulates acupuncture points without causing harmful side effects like those associated with conventional medications used to treat this condition.