Studies show that vet acupuncture benefits the brain and nervous systems in dogs. Dogs are very susceptible to neurological diseases. While these diseases can differ in severity, they often share common symptoms such as loss of balance or muscle control.
Dog’s neurology is more complex than a human’s. In humans, the brain controls our nervous system and receives sensory input from our whole body through nerves running all over our skin surfaces and hair follicles inside our mouth, nose, eyes, etc.
In a dog’s brain, the cells that sense sensations from exterior parts of their bodies are not localized in one area. This means that injuries to some areas of a dog’s body have different effects on how a dog will feel. For instance, if a dog has an injury in the mouth, it may cause problems with its ability to feel or taste food. For a comprehensive pet care plan, you may visit this Glendale pet hospital if you’re nearby.
What Is Vet Acupuncture?
Vet acupuncture is part of holistic veterinary care that aims to treat a dog’s mind and body. It is based on the traditional Chinese practice of inserting thin needles into specific points of a dog’s body to help treat medical conditions and relieve pain.
Some veterinary practices use vet acupuncture to help with dogs’ nervous system disorders. These include lumbosacral disease, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), neuropathy, epilepsy, myelopathy, facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy), and more.
How Does Vet Acupuncture Work?
Vet Acupuncture stimulates certain areas of the bodies’ meridians by inserting extremely fine needles into them. There are 12 meridians in total, each associated with a different organ. Veterinarians will insert the needles into the dog’s skin and connect them to specific organs by inserting wires on some of their needles.
At first, vets may start applying acupuncture at specific points related to dogs’ muscular problems and then move up to deeper points that treat internal issues like liver or kidney problems. These sessions can go on for weeks and be used alongside traditional treatment methods like medication and vitamins.
Benefits of Vet Acupuncture to Dog’s Neurological Diseases
1. Helps Reduce Pain
For chronic pain relief, vets may insert needles into certain parts of their tails, elbows, and even stomachs. The dog’s body releases endorphins that give them some relief from their pain.
2. Aids In Muscle Control
Acupuncture can help stimulate muscles and give dogs control over their movements. With the combination of acupuncture and rehabilitation exercises, a dog’s muscles function better to increase mobility and decrease pain.
3. Cures Some Neurological Diseases
Vet acupuncture has been used in China for thousands of years to treat neurological diseases. If your dog suffers from epilepsy or myelin sheath degeneration, vets may use it as an alternative treatment method alongside traditional methods like medication.
4. Reduces Inflammation in the Nervous System
Acupuncture can also reduce inflammation that occurs in the nervous system of dogs. The stimulation from placing needles into acupuncture points helps to improve blood flow and reduces the amount of damage from outside harmful substances.
Scientists used MRI scans to learn how acupuncture affects a dog’s brain and nervous system in a recent study. According to this study, inserting needles into a dog’s “Zusanli” point positively affects their nervous systems by increasing blood flow through their bodies and easing muscle spasms.
5. Increases Blood Flow to the Brain
Inserting needles into a dog’s ear points has been proven to increase the amount of blood that goes to their brain. Scientists have also found that acupuncture can slow down the effects of aging. It increases the number of chromosomes in cells and protects them from harmful external factors like radiation, which helps prevent diseases like cancer.
6. Speeds Up Repair of Damaged Cells In the Dog’s Nervous System
Scientists have found that acupuncture can help prevent damage to the nervous system of dogs by promoting the production of new cells in their brains. It also prevents apoptosis or cell death, associated with diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
7. Other Diseases Vet Acupuncture Can Help Treat
In addition to neurological diseases, vet acupuncture can also treat a dog’s digestive and respiratory systems. It is an effective and safe alternative to surgery for pets with chronic conditions like pancreatitis and arthritis.
In addition, inserting needles into acupuncture points like the “Hegu” and “Lieque” have been proven to help a dog’s respiratory system by increasing its lung capacity. Vets can also use it to treat other diseases that traditional medicine doesn’t work well with, such as chronic gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and diabetes.
Conclusion
Vet acupuncture is a relatively new treatment method that is quickly gaining popularity. Although it does not cure diseases, it can be beneficial for dogs experiencing chronic pains or have other conditions that traditional medical treatments don’t treat well.
Through using these needles, vets can help decrease inflammation in their bodies and increase blood flow to certain organs. This allows more oxygen and nutrients to circulate, so their cells regenerate faster and develop properly. It also reduces muscle spasms caused by neurological diseases to improve mobility and reduce pain.
Make sure to choose a vet clinic with specialists, such as Limehouse Veterinary Clinic, which has many years of dealing with internal medicine. This way, you know that your dog is in good hands and receiving the best treatment possible. It’s also important to check the cleanliness of their facility to ensure they use sterilized needles.