Veterinary Acupuncture

Soothing pain, accelerating healing.

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Veterinary acupuncture involves inserting ultra-thin, sterile needles into specific points on your pet's body. These points correspond to areas that can stimulate nerves, increase blood circulation, and trigger the release of natural pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory substances.

The practice originated approximately 3,000 years ago in traditional Chinese medicine but has gained scientific recognition and validation in Western veterinary medicine. Modern research has shown that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, influences hormone production, and helps regulate various physiological systems in the body.

For pets, the procedure is typically relaxing and causes minimal, if any, discomfort. Most animals remain calm during treatment, and many become deeply relaxed or even fall asleep.

When your pet experiences pain, mobility issues, or chronic health conditions, finding effective treatment options becomes a priority. Veterinary acupuncture offers a gentle, non-invasive approach to address numerous health concerns in pets, often providing relief when other treatments have failed.

At Mountain View Animal Hospital & Holistic Pet Care, we proudly offer veterinary acupuncture as part of our integrative approach to medicine. Our team combines traditional Western veterinary practices with holistic therapies to provide comprehensive care tailored to your pet's unique needs.

What Is Veterinary Acupuncture?

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Conditions Treated With Veterinary Acupuncture

Acupuncture can address a wide range of health concerns in pets, including:

Arthritis and joint pain
Back and neck problems, including intervertebral disc disease
Post-surgical pain and recovery
Neurological disorders
Digestive issues
Respiratory problems
Skin conditions
Immune system support
Anxiety and stress-related conditions
Age-related health issues

This holistic treatment works well as both a primary therapy and a complementary approach alongside conventional veterinary medicine.

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The Acupuncture Experience at Mountain View

When you bring your pet to Mountain View Animal Hospital & Holistic Pet Care for acupuncture, you can expect an in-depth evaluation that considers both Western and Eastern medical perspectives.

Our veterinarians with specialized training in acupuncture will first conduct a comprehensive examination, reviewing your pet’s medical history and current condition. We may recommend additional diagnostics such as bloodwork or imaging to complete our understanding of your pet’s health.

Based on this evaluation, we develop a personalized treatment plan. Acupuncture sessions typically last 20-30 minutes, during which most pets relax comfortably. Many pet owners report that their animals enjoy these sessions and even look forward to them.

We may recommend an initial series of treatments followed by maintenance sessions for optimal results. The frequency and duration of treatments vary depending on your pet’s condition and response to therapy.

Benefits of Veterinary Acupuncture

Choosing acupuncture for your pet offers several advantages, including:

Non-pharmaceutical approach to pain management
Minimal to no side effects
Can limit the need for medications and their potential side effects
Complements other treatments
May improve the quality of life for pets with chronic conditions
Supports overall wellness and preventative care
Especially helpful for senior pets or those with multiple health concerns

Many pet owners report seeing improved mobility, decreased pain, better appetite, and increased energy levels in their pets following acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture FAQs

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting small needles into the skin at specific points along the body. These acupuncture points are located along channels, or meridians, and carry energy or Qi(pronounced ‘chee’) to specific locations for healing properties and various effects. Acupuncture is believed to have originated in China around the Stone Age and has been used in animals for over 3,000 years. Originally developed in the veterinary field to cure the Emperor’s horses of various ailments, acupuncture is now utilized for various conditions across many domestic and exotic animals of all sizes.

For which conditions is acupuncture indicated?

Acupuncture is generally thought of as having a place in the management of Acute or Chronic pain and Musculoskeletal disorders such as Arthritis, Muscle atrophy or Degeneration. However, various indications for acupuncture exist in the treatment of many other medical conditions:

Arthritis
Chronic diseases such as kidney, liver or heart failure
Obesity management
Allergies
Skin allergies
Behavioral disorders
Endocrine diseases such as Diabetes, Cushing’s or Addison’s disease
Seizures and epilepsy
Liver disease
Kidney disease
Intervertebral disc disease
Hypothyroidism
Incontinence
Treatment of various cancers and the side effects of chemotherapy
Chronic pain
Idiopathic Vestibular Syndrome (“stroke-like” disorder)
Neurological conditions such as IBD, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
Maintenance of health and decreasing the use of traditional medications for chronic disease

Who is licensed to perform Veterinary Acupuncture?

A Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist is a veterinarian or veterinary student nearing completion of their veterinary curriculum, who has completed extensive training in veterinary acupuncture, indications and treatment modalities, as well as the their traditional veterinary training.

Is it safe?

Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medical treatment when administered by an appropriately trained veterinarian. Very few side effects exist with acupuncture. Occasionally, your pet may seem worse for up to 48 hours following a treatment session. Other animals may become sleepy or lethargic for about 24 hours following therapy. These effects are rare, but when they occur, they indicate that physiological changes are occurring and are most often followed by an improvement in the patient’s condition and energy level.

Contraindications to acupuncture may arise regarding electroacupuncture. Certain conditions may prevent the use of this type of therapy. These conditions may include pregnancy, seizure disorders, heart disease, and certain types of tumors. These conditions would include pregnancy, seizure disorders, heart disease and certain types of tumors. If any of these conditions exist in your pet, please inform the acupuncturist so that they may best adjust your pet’s treatment protocol.

Does it hurt?

For most patients, the insertion of acupuncture needles is virtually painless. For some animals, very mild pain is associated with passing the needle through the skin. In all animals, including humans, once the needles are placed, there should be no pain. Most animals become very relaxed and may even fall asleep. Some sensations can occur, such as tingling, numbness or local contraction of muscles around the needles, but most human patients report a feeling of heaviness and sedation which frequently causes relaxation and comfort for our patients throughout treatment.

How quickly can I expect results and how many treatments are recommended?

Results are frequently noted within minutes to hours following treatment. For some acute conditions such as intervertebral disc disease, nausea, vomiting, fever, or pain, clinical signs can be alleviated as quickly as they appear. For chronic conditions which may take longer to develop, multiple treatment sessions are required to notice small improvements over time.

It is recommended for any condition, that a minimum of 3 treatment sessions be tried before determining if acupuncture will work for your pet. Based on the nature of your pet’s condition and the severity of their clinical signs, treatments may be recommended anywhere from a few times a week to every 2-6 months. Initially, most patients are recommended to return for a recheck exam and treatment every two weeks until improvement in clinical signs is noted. Over time, these sessions are spread out until maintenance appointments every 3-6 months are sufficient. Treatment intensity can be adjusted in order to accommodate schedule availability, finances, and travel schedules.

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While acupuncture benefits many animals, we understand each pet is unique. During your consultation, our veterinarians will discuss whether acupuncture may be helpful for your pet's specific condition and how it can be integrated with other treatments.

Acupuncture may be especially valuable for:

- Pets that cannot tolerate certain medications

- Senior animals with multiple health concerns

- Pets with chronic pain conditions

- Animals recovering from surgery or injury

- Those seeking preventative wellness care

We believe in transparent communication and will always discuss all available treatment options, including both conventional and holistic approaches.

Is Acupuncture Right for Your Pet?

Frequently Asked Questions About Veterinary Acupuncture

Is veterinary acupuncture safe?

Yes, when performed by a properly trained veterinarian, acupuncture is extremely safe with minimal risk of side effects. Some pets may experience mild drowsiness following treatment, which typically resolves within 24 hours.

How quickly will I see results from acupuncture?

Some pets show improvement after just one treatment, while others may require several sessions before noticeable changes occur. Acute conditions tend to respond more quickly than chronic issues. We’ll monitor your pet’s progress throughout treatment and adjust our approach as needed.

Can acupuncture be used alongside traditional medicine?

Absolutely! One of the strengths of acupuncture is that it works well as a complementary therapy alongside traditional veterinary treatments. At Mountain View Animal Hospital, our integrative approach means we can combine the best of both conventional and holistic medicine for optimal results.

How many acupuncture treatments will my pet need?

The number of treatments varies depending on your pet’s condition and individual response to therapy. Acute problems may resolve with 1-3 treatments, while chronic conditions typically require an initial series of 4-6 treatments followed by maintenance sessions. Our veterinarians will recommend a treatment schedule based on your pet’s specific needs.

Is acupuncture painful for my pet?

Most pets experience minimal to no discomfort during acupuncture. The needles used are extremely thin, and many animals become relaxed during treatment. Some pets even fall asleep during their sessions! Our team is trained to make the experience as comfortable as possible.

Experience the Benefits of Veterinary Acupuncture at Mountain View Animal Hospital & Holistic Pet Care

If you’re interested in exploring how acupuncture may help your pet, we’re here to answer your questions and provide compassionate care. Mountain View Animal Hospital & Holistic Pet Care is dedicated to offering both traditional and holistic options to ensure your pet gets the highest-quality treatment for their individual needs.

To learn more about veterinary acupuncture or to schedule a consultation, call us today at (775) 853-6900 or request an appointment through our online contact form. Our team looks forward to helping your pet experience the benefits of this gentle, effective therapy.

Gold Bead Therapy FAQs

What are common conditions treated with gold bead implants?

Hip Dysplasia
Elbow Dysplasia
Spondylosis
Intervertebral disc disease
Wobblers Disease
Epilepsy (seizures)

What is involved?

Your pet would be placed under sedation and/or anesthesia depending on your individual pet’s needs. Four to six gold beads are placed through large bore needles directly into specific acupuncture points. The number and location of points for placement of gold beads varies based upon your pet’s specific needs.

How long does it take to see improvement?

It varies A LOT! Sometimes we see improvement within 24 hours, while other times it is a progressive improvement over a matter of weeks or months.

What are the potential complications?

Complications are very rare in acupuncture treatment. It is recommended to NOT bathe your pet or allow your pet to get wet (no swimming) for 14 days from the date of the procedure. Antibiotics will be prescribed to your pet for 10-14 days to prevent infection.

Contraindications in the future?

Remember that gold beads once implanted, cannot be removed. Your pet may receive radiographs (x-rays) and CT scans. The only contraindication is an MRI.

Will they require follow up acupuncture?

Additional holistic therapy may be needed such as herbal therapy, ozone, or western therapy to receive the maximum treatment response. Results will vary, and sometimes only partial or no results are seen as with any treatment, western or eastern. We typically expect that if your pet responds to acupuncture or acupressure, they will continue to have the same response with life-long effects.

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