Veterinary Acupuncture in Reno, NV

Soothing pain, accelerating healing.

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Ancient healing meets modern veterinary care when your pet receives acupuncture treatment, offering a gentle yet powerful approach to managing pain, improving mobility, and enhancing overall wellness. Pet owners throughout Reno, Sparks, and surrounding areas are discovering how this time-tested therapy can help their companions overcome chronic conditions and maintain optimal health without relying solely on medications or invasive procedures.

At Mountain View Animal Hospital & Holistic Pet Care, we integrate traditional Chinese veterinary medicine with conventional treatments to provide comprehensive care for your pet through our integrative approach using Holistic services. Our Holistic services approach focuses on treating the whole animal, addressing not just symptoms but the underlying imbalances that contribute to health issues.

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How Does Veterinary Acupuncture Work for Pets?

Veterinary acupuncture involves the precise insertion of thin, sterile needles into specific points along your pet’s body to stimulate natural healing processes. These acupuncture points correspond to areas where nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels converge, creating powerful therapeutic effects when properly stimulated.

The treatment works by releasing natural pain-relieving chemicals called endorphins, improving blood circulation, and reducing inflammation throughout the body. Many pet owners are surprised to learn their animals often find the process relaxing, with some pets even falling asleep during sessions.

What Conditions Can Acupuncture Help Treat?

Acupuncture offers remarkable benefits for numerous health conditions affecting pets of all ages. The therapy proves particularly effective in managing chronic pain and supporting healing in various bodily systems.

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The Acupuncture Experience at Mountain View

Common conditions that respond well to acupuncture include:

Arthritis and joint pain
Hip dysplasia and mobility issues
Neurological disorders and nerve damage
Digestive problems and gastrointestinal upset
Skin conditions and allergies
Respiratory issues and breathing difficulties

The treatment also supports pets recovering from surgery, experiencing anxiety, or dealing with age-related health challenges. Rather than replacing conventional treatments, acupuncture works in conjunction with traditional veterinary care to enhance your pet’s overall treatment plan.

Is Acupuncture Safe for All Pets?

Veterinary acupuncture maintains an excellent safety record when performed by trained professionals, making it suitable for most pets regardless of age or size. The treatment uses ultra-thin, sterile needles that cause minimal discomfort, and serious side effects remain exceptionally rare.

Most pets tolerate acupuncture very well, showing signs of relaxation and improved comfort during and after sessions. The non-invasive nature of the treatment means it can be safely combined with most medications and other therapies your pet may be receiving.

How Many Sessions Will My Pet Need?

Treatment plans vary based on your pet’s specific condition, overall health, and response to therapy. Acute conditions often show improvement within a few sessions, while chronic issues may require ongoing treatment to maintain optimal results.

Many pets begin showing positive changes after their first few treatments, with continued improvement as sessions progress. Our veterinary team works closely with you to monitor your pet’s response and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.

What to Expect During Your Pet’s Acupuncture Visit

Your pet’s first acupuncture appointment begins with a thorough evaluation to determine the best treatment approach. Our veterinarians examine your pet’s overall condition, review their medical history, and discuss your goals for the therapy.

During the actual treatment, your pet will be positioned comfortably while our trained veterinarian carefully places needles at specific therapeutic points. The needles typically remain in place for 15 to 30 minutes, during which time many pets relax completely or even sleep.

How Does Acupuncture Complement Other Treatments?

Acupuncture integrates beautifully with conventional veterinary medicine, often enhancing the effectiveness of other treatments while potentially reducing the need for higher medication doses. This collaborative approach allows us to address your pet’s condition from multiple angles simultaneously.

The therapy works exceptionally well alongside physical rehabilitation, Holistic services, and conventional pain management protocols. By combining treatments, we often achieve better results than using any single approach alone.

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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Scientific research continues to validate the effectiveness of acupuncture for various animal health conditions. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, veterinary acupuncture demonstrates measurable benefits for pain management, neurological conditions, and overall wellness in companion animals.

Studies have shown that acupuncture can significantly reduce pain scores, improve mobility, and enhance the quality of life for pets with chronic conditions. This evidence-based approach gives pet owners confidence in choosing acupuncture as part of their pet's comprehensive healthcare plan.

Research Supporting Veterinary Acupuncture

Schedule a Veterinary Acupuncture Consultation With Mountain View Animal Hospital & Holistic Pet Care

Acupuncture offers pet owners in Reno a gentle and effective way to support their companion’s health and well-being through natural healing methods. This ancient therapy provides comprehensive care that addresses the root causes of health issues while supporting your pet’s natural healing abilities. Whether your pet struggles with chronic pain, mobility issues, or other health challenges, acupuncture may offer the relief and improved quality of life you’ve been seeking.

Ready to explore how acupuncture can benefit your pet? Our experienced team at Mountain View Animal Hospital & Holistic Pet Care is here to answer your questions and develop a personalized treatment plan for your companion. Call our Reno office at (775) 853-6900 or complete a contact form to schedule a consultation and discover the healing potential of veterinary acupuncture 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.

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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