Getting Prepared for your Pet’s Gold Bead Therapy

“The Best Preparation for Tomorrow is Knowing Today”

Food Before Your Pet’s Procedure

  • Please do not feed (or feed a small meatball size food with medication) the morning of the procedure if the sedation is prior to 12pm. This is to prevent an upset stomach.
  • If your appointment is AFTER 12pm, please give your pet their normal morning meal and medications as previously prescribed.

Morning Medications / Supplements

If your pet’s procedure is Scheduled BEFORE Noon:

If your pet normally takes the following medications/supplements, please DO NOT give them the morning of the procedure. You may resume with dinner that night or breakfast the following morning.

  • Glucosamine and /or Fish Oil Supplements
  • Probiotics
  • Denamarin
  • Ursodiol
  • Any Herbals / Homeopathics
  • Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory (Vetprofen/Carprofen, Meloxicam, etc.)
  • Pain Medications (Gabapentin, Tramadol, Amantadine, etc.)
  • Antibiotics

If your pet normally takes the following medications/ supplement, PLEASE GIVE their regular dose in the AM in a small meatball size of food (*not a full meal).

  • Heart/Blood Pressure medications (Vetmedin, Lasix, Enalapril, Amlodopine, etc.)
  • Thyroid medication (Levothyroxine, Methimazole)
  • Seizure medication (Phenobarbital, Zonisamide, Keppra, Potassium Bromide, etc.)
  • Addison’s medication (Prednisone, Fludrocortisone)
  • Cushing’s medication (Trilostane)

For diabetic patients, please give insulin at the NORMAL time with their regular breakfast. If your pet normally takes insulin after your drop-off time, please bring the bottle of insulin, insulin syringe, and food, and let our staff know exactly when you normally give it. We do not want dogs on insulin to have interruptions in their normal pattern.

If your pet suffers from a condition and/or medication not listed above and you are unsure if you should give the medication that morning, please confirm with our surgery nurse prior to the day of surgery by texting or calling our main line at (775) 853-6900.

Gold Bead Appointment Expectations:

  • Sedation is typically used to relax your pet and facilitate the precise placement of the beads. Sedation helps minimize stress and movement, ensuring accurate placement without the need for complete anesthesia.
  • Depending upon your pet’s condition, the gold bead implantation typically takes 45 minutes; however, the entire procedure is typically scheduled for 2 hours to allow time for sedation and recovery.
  • Although we recommend you stay on the premises, there are several local coffee shops and walking trails nearby. Should you leave the premises during your pet’s procedure, please let our staff know.
  • Your pet typically is discharged immediately following recovery from sedation. We recommend they go home and rest following the procedure, limiting activity and extreme play for the first 48 hours.
  • You will be provided detailed Home Care instructions following your pet’s procedure.

Gold Bead Therapy

Gold bead implants for acupuncture in animals are indeed a fascinating approach with roots in traditional Chinese medicine and modern veterinary practice. Here are some key points summarizing their use and effectiveness:

  • Nature of Treatment: Gold bead implants are small (about the size of a pinhead) and are implanted on specific acupuncture points on the animal’s body that are specific to their disease. These implants provide continuous stimulation to the acupuncture points.
  • Long-Term Stimulation: Once implanted, the gold beads remain in place permanently, providing ongoing stimulation to the acupuncture points. This is different from traditional acupuncture where needles are inserted temporarily.
  • Conditions Treated: Originally pioneered in the 1970s, gold bead implants have been used to treat a variety of conditions in dogs. These include allergic dermatitis, arthritis, asthma, certain types of paralysis, hip dysplasia, and more chronic conditions like non-healing fractures and long-term injuries.
  • Implantation Process: The process involves precise placement of three gold beads per location using a needle. Accuracy is crucial, with placement within 1/16th of an inch being essential for effectiveness.
  • Mechanism of Action: While the exact mechanism of how gold bead implants work is not fully understood, it’s believed that the gold beads may emit a minute electrical charge. This could potentially influence the acupuncture points, which are thought to have excess negative charges in conditions where the implants are effective.
  • Effectiveness and Considerations: Like all treatments, the effectiveness of gold bead implants can vary from dog to dog. Some owners have reported positive outcomes, particularly in conditions like seizures (epilepsy), where the implants are believed to help balance internal heat and reduce symptoms like excess wind.
  • Safety and Material: Gold is chosen for its non-reactive properties with the body, ensuring minimal risk of adverse reactions or rejection over time.

Gold bead implants offer a unique approach to acupuncture therapy in dogs, providing a potentially long-term solution for chronic conditions. While their precise mechanism remains under study, they represent a blend of ancient wisdom and modern veterinary care, offering hope for improving the quality of life for pets with various health challenges.

We look forward to helping your pet live a long and happy life. Please call or text our main line at 775-853-6900 if you have any questions.