Veterinary Acupuncture: Client Information Handout

What is Veterinary Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a therapeutic technique that involves inserting thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body to promote healing and improve function. It is based on Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) principles but is also supported by modern scientific research.

Acupuncture has evolved from the ancient art of placing needles into special locations on the body to alleviate pain, improve recovery rates and increase resistance to disease. It has been practiced by the Chinese and other Eastern cultures for thousands of years and may be used to treat a wide variety of illnesses.

Acupuncture treatment should always follow an accurate diagnosis of the problem and a full appraisal of all treatment options. In many cases acupuncture is best used in conjunction with conventional medicine however, in some situations, it can be used as a sole treatment.

Adding acupuncture to a treatment plan can help to reduce the patient’s requirements for medications which may have undesirable side effects.

What to Expect During a Session:

Sessions typically last 20–45 minutes.

Your pet may lie down, relax, or even fall asleep during treatment.

Some animals show immediate improvement, while others may need multiple sessions to see results.

A treatment plan will be tailored to your pet’s condition and response to therapy.

• Your dog or cat may initially be a little stiffer or uncomfortable. This may indicate that they need less stimulation at the next treatment, but does suggest that they are likely to respond well in the longer term. After a day or two this will improve, so just allow them to rest.
• There may be no response. This does not mean that your animal will never respond, but it may take a little longer. Many animals can take up to the fourth treatment to show a significant improvement. There are a small percentage of pets (as with humans) who will not respond at all.
• There may be an improvement – this may occur any time within a few days of the treatment. The improvement may not last until the next treatment but this is normal in the early stages. Later in the process, the effects should last for longer so there can gradually be longer between treatments.

Who Performs the Acupuncture?

Only a registered veterinary surgeon who has completed specialised training in veterinary acupuncture will treat your pet. This ensures both safety and effectiveness.

How Many Treatments Will My Pet Need?

This depends on the condition being treated:

Acute issues may resolve in just 1–3 sessions.

Chronic conditions often require a series of treatments over weeks or months, followed by maintenance sessions.

Uncommon ir Rare Risks

Though rare, the following can occur:

• Needle sensitivity or pain
• Some animals are more sensitive to acupuncture needles. Adjustments in needle size or placement can usually resolve this.
• Mild bleeding or bruising
• A tiny drop of blood may appear at a needle site, especially in pets with thin skin or on blood-thinning medications.
• Needle breakage – Extremely rare, especially when single-use sterile needles are used by a trained professional.
• Infection (very rare) – Only sterile, single-use needles are used, making infection extremely unlikely.

Who Should Not Receive Acupuncture?

• Acupuncture is not recommended for:
• Animals with bleeding disorders (unless discussed with the veterinarian)
• Pets with certain infections or tumors at the needle site
• Animals who are extremely fearful or aggressive and cannot be safely handled

Patients need to be clean and dry for an acupuncture session.  This may mean dogs might not be able to go for a walk before a session if it is raining.

If you have any further questions or want to know if your pet is suitable for acupuncture please contact the surgery.

If you are not a registered client with us please ask your vet to complete the referral form. We cannot see your pet for an acupuncture session without the consent of your usual veterinary surgeon.