When Is Acupuncture A Good Choice For Your Dog?
These days, there are so many different treatments available for dogs. Some are specifically designed to treat certain diseases and ailments, and others, like acupuncture, are more general. So, how do you know when pet acupuncture will be useful for your dog? Here are a few times when this versatile treatment is a wise choice.
Your dog has seemed depressed
Dogs can become depressed for any number of reasons. Maybe something in their life has changed. You may have adopted another pet or moved to a different home. Treating depression in dogs is not easy. Sometimes antidepressant medications help, and other times they do not. Acupuncture is a good choice for dogs who seem depressed. It can alter the action of various neural pathways related to mood, and it can also improve your dog's stress levels. Plus, acupuncture should not cause any side effects like antidepressants sometimes do.
Your dog has arthritis or joint pain
Arthritis is common in older dogs and in dogs who have done a lot of work over their lifetime. Acupuncture is a good way to manage arthritis, and it can be effective regardless of which joints are affected by the disease. You can't always tell, just by watching a dog, which joints are affected. So, a systemic treatment like acupuncture is often a better choice than treating one joint, hoping you guessed right, and then treating another joint later on. You can also safely pair acupuncture with other arthritis treatments like pain relievers or cortisone injections.
Your dog has had itchy skin
Itchy skin in dogs can be brought on by allergies or a skin infection. If your dog has one of these ailments, it is important to get the proper care from a vet. However, even with allergy meds or antibiotics, some dogs keep on itching, which only makes matters worse. Acupuncture can help break the itching and scratching cycle. It can calm your dog down, and it can also help ease the discomfort and inflammation in the skin so your dog does not feel drawn to itch. Some dogs even get regular acupuncture treatments during allergy season, basically as a preventative measure.
Acupuncture is a very versatile treatment for many problems that plague dogs. Look for a pet acupuncturist near you, and schedule a session for your furry friend. Most dogs do tolerate this treatment well, and it tends to take effect quite quickly.