Posts Tagged: acupuncture for dogs
4 Ways to Keep Your Dog’s Joints Healthy
It may only be November, but the cold weather has made an early appearance this year. With the blowing snow and frigid temperatures, it’s easy for us to fall into a routine of warming up under a blanket by the fire or reading a book with a cup of coffee. Many times, our pets don’t want to go outside any more than we do. When we become sedentary, it can be harsh on our joints. This is also true for our pets. Just like our doctor encourages us to get exercise and take vitamins, there are several things you can do to keep your pet’s joints healthy as well.
1. Exercise. Take advantage of those warm, sunny days when they are here by taking your dog for a short walk. Keep your dog active
indoors with interactive games. Try hiding treats throughout the house and encourage him to sniff out the treats. Play fetch or tug if you have a room big enough. Doggy daycare is another good way to get them exercise and stimulation with other dogs.
2. Synovi G4: This is a chewable supplement filled with glucosamine, turmeric and antioxidants to help keep your pet’s joints healthy. It’s as easy as giving him a treat! We carry these supplements in the clinic and are
easily purchased with a prescription at SDMVC.
3. Acupuncture: This can help with a variety of health problems in pets. Acupuncture is performed by the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body to stimulate specific points on the body. It can be very beneficial for dogs that have joint pain. We offer acupuncture at South Des Moines Veterinary Center with Dr. Franck.
4. Therapeutics: We have a wide variety of prescription medications that can help your dog’s joints if needed from anti-inflammatory medications to pain medications.
If you would like to discuss your pet’s joint health care, set up an appointment today!
Acupuncture: What Is It And How Can Your Pet Benefit From It?
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into specific points on a patient to produce a physiological response. It is an ancient Chinese medical technique that has been used for over 3,000 years. It is known to have therapeutic effects in a wide variety of animal diseases and is a valuable tool in veterinary medicine.
How does it work?
Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points on the body located along pathways that correspond to specific organs. In traditional Oriental medicine, acupuncture is based on the flow of energy, or “Chi”, running through channels called meridians. These can be thought of as rivers of energy. These rivers can become blocked like a dam and acupuncture releases the obstruction.
In modern scientific terms, placing needles in designated points on the body will lead to the release of chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain, which can stimulate healing. It has been shown to increase blood and lymphatic flow to tissue, stimulate nerve function, increase the release of neurotransmitters and pain 
modulators, influence inflammatory responses and help release hormones.
Acupuncture is typically used in conjunction with traditional western veterinary medicine.
Common conditions that respond well to acupuncture include:
- Musculoskeletal problems (osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc disease)
- Neurological problems (nerve injury, degenerative neurological conditions)
- Immune system disorders (allergies, skin conditions)
- Systemic diseases (bladder problems, chronic kidney disease, liver disease)
To set up an acupuncture treatment for your pet click here