Dog Arthritis & Acupuncture

Dogs find acupuncture relaxing, and many sleep through the treatment.

Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, dogs are living longer than ever. This increased life span, however, gives the dog's body a chance to gradually break down in much the same way as a human's. Arthritis is common in older dogs and, if left untreated, can advance to crippling proportions. Pain, lameness and irritability are all common symptoms, and though there is a lack of hard scientific data, many dog owners find that acupuncture brings relief.

Arthritis

Arthritis is the result of the loss of cartilage and cartilage-producing cells in a joint, usually the hip. With no cartilage to cushion movement, the joint loses lubrication, and pain results from the bone-on-bone grinding of every movement. Although it most commonly affects older dogs, young dogs with hip dysplasia can also start experiencing symptoms.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that involves the insertion of paper-thin needles into certain points on the body to balance and regulate the flow of "chi," or energy. Proponents say it effectively reduces stress, pain and inflammation, and can help the dog regain range of motion in the affected joints. Anyone performing acupuncture should be a certified veterinary acupuncturist.

Treatment

Acupuncture treatment usually lasts about an hour per visit. The acupuncturist will visually examine the dog to assess his overall health, and palpate and manipulate the joints to determine exactly where the problem lies. She will gently insert a number of sterile needles into the dog's skin at predetermined points and let the dog sit and relax while the treatment takes effect. In severe cases, a mild electrical current may be passed through the needles to stimulate circulation and muscle movement. Most dogs find the experience quite relaxing and may even fall asleep.

Results

There has never been a reputable study about the effectiveness of acupuncture on dogs with arthritis, but owners of arthritic dogs rely on it for treatment. Dramatic increases in movement and decreases in pain are regularly reported, and some owners credit acupuncture with giving their old dog a new life. The availability of veterinary acupuncture services is increasing because of increased demand, and even staunchly traditional veterinarians are referring patients to acupuncturists. Larger animal hospitals in some cases include a permanent acupuncturist on staff, and some traditional veterinarians are becoming certified in animal acupuncture.

Alternatives

Traditional medicine offers a number of medications designed to alleviate pain and lubricate the joints. Carprofen, aspirin, and etodolac are common pain relievers, but because they are taken internally, they can all cause gastrointestinal or liver issues. Glucosamine chondroiton is a widely used supplement that may help lubricate the joints and slow the loss of cartilage if taken over time, but there is no reliable data to support this claim. All forms of traditional therapy can be used in conjunction with acupuncture with no ill effects.

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