Pricking Pins Improve Pet Pains
Animal Acupuncture Could Cure Your Four-Legged Friend's Ailments
Posted: 4:49 p.m. CDT May 28, 2003Updated: 5:05 p.m. CDT May 28, 2003
MADISON, Wis. -- Acupuncture is the answer for millions of Americans, but now pets are getting a bit of a stimulus from the procedure as well.
The Chinese technique improves ailments from arthritis to allergies all with a simple prick of a pin.
There was a time when Middletown resident Katie Fox's 4-year-old dog, Zoe, couldn't even get up to walk outside.
"She has arthritis in both of her hind legs," Fox said.
Fox decided to try acupuncture therapy, in hopes of getting Zoe off medicine, and relieving some pain in Zoe's hind legs.
"She would be sitting down or laying down and she wouldn't be able to sit up at all," Fox said.
Cross Plains resident Kay Kuehn's dog, Fritz, itched so much that he ended up scratching off his own fur. Allergic to almost everything, Kuehn says her dog was miserable.
Kuehn was given acupuncture as a solution, but was skeptical.
"I decided ... why not try it ... nothing else was working," Kuehn said.
PetCare Clinic Veterinarian Dr. Julie James says some people are willing to try anything, including some prickly alternatives such as acupuncture.
James treats six dogs with the therapeutic procedure. She says the needles are most effective with arthritis, but she uses it for intestinal and allergy problems as well.
"Sometimes people report numbness or tingling ... whether [the dog is] feeling that ... I doubt it because she's so non-responsive" James said.
Even though the answer is one that many might find squemish, it is working for Fox's and Kuehn's dogs.
After the needles are in, the dogs sit still for 20 minutes.
"Is every dog 100 percent better? No, but are they significantly improved ... yes," James said.
Outside home, the allergy danger is everywhere, but Fritz felt the healing power of a needle, and Kuehn saw a dramatic change after only one week.
"I might even try it myself sometime," Kuehn said.
Fox is also convinced after seeing Zoe climbing stairs.
"It's just done a world of wonders... it's unbelievable," Fox said.
A few pet clinics in the area offer acupuncture therapy for dogs.
The initial visit costs $95, with each visit thereafter costing $55.
For more information, contact The PetCare Clinic in Cross Plains at (608) 798-4545.
"She has arthritis in both of her hind legs," Fox said.
Fox decided to try acupuncture therapy, in hopes of getting Zoe off medicine, and relieving some pain in Zoe's hind legs.
"She would be sitting down or laying down and she wouldn't be able to sit up at all," Fox said.
Cross Plains resident Kay Kuehn's dog, Fritz, itched so much that he ended up scratching off his own fur. Allergic to almost everything, Kuehn says her dog was miserable.
Kuehn was given acupuncture as a solution, but was skeptical.
"I decided ... why not try it ... nothing else was working," Kuehn said.
PetCare Clinic Veterinarian Dr. Julie James says some people are willing to try anything, including some prickly alternatives such as acupuncture.
James treats six dogs with the therapeutic procedure. She says the needles are most effective with arthritis, but she uses it for intestinal and allergy problems as well.
"Sometimes people report numbness or tingling ... whether [the dog is] feeling that ... I doubt it because she's so non-responsive" James said.
Even though the answer is one that many might find squemish, it is working for Fox's and Kuehn's dogs.
After the needles are in, the dogs sit still for 20 minutes.
"Is every dog 100 percent better? No, but are they significantly improved ... yes," James said.
Outside home, the allergy danger is everywhere, but Fritz felt the healing power of a needle, and Kuehn saw a dramatic change after only one week.
"I might even try it myself sometime," Kuehn said.
Fox is also convinced after seeing Zoe climbing stairs.
"It's just done a world of wonders... it's unbelievable," Fox said.
A few pet clinics in the area offer acupuncture therapy for dogs.
The initial visit costs $95, with each visit thereafter costing $55.
For more information, contact The PetCare Clinic in Cross Plains at (608) 798-4545.Copyright 2003 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
