Feline Acupuncture - Acupuncture for Cats
Ranked #802 in Animals, #18,276 overall | Donates to ASPCA
Welcome to Dr Lindsey Wedemeyer's Feline Acupuncture Lens!
Increasing numbers of vets are also becoming trained in acupuncture and using it in combination with conventional medicine to benefit animals. Although it sounds unlikely, acupuncture can be done on cats, and can have significant health benefits. Contrary to what you may think, acupuncture is not generally painful and is a gently therapy without adverse side effects. It is particularly useful for conditions where conventional medicine is inadequate, or where side effects limit the use of drugs.
Read on to discover more about feline acupuncture!
Contents...
- What is Acupuncture?
- Acupuncture for Cats?!?!
- How Can Acupuncture Really be Done on Cats?
- Acupuncture needles are extremely fine - a tiny fraction of a millimeter!
- What Evidence is there that Acupuncture Works?
- How do I find a Veterinary Acupuncturist for my Cat?
- Only Visit a Trained and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, so your Cat Receives the Best Possible Care
- Want to Find Out More About Complementary Medicine for Cats and Other Animals?
- How Do You Feel About Acupuncture for Cats?
- Still Curious About Veterinary Acupuncture?
- Find Out More About Acupuncture for Cats with These Books!
- Learn more about Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in general
- Guestbook
- Would You Like Great Pictures for Your Lens, and the Opportunity to Make Money?
What is Acupuncture?
The ancient Chinese started to make discoveries about the body, such as the circulation, about 5000 years ago, thousands of years before Europeans. The oldest medical textbook in the world is the Nei Jing, a 4700 year old acupuncture textbook, written by a Chinese Emperor. The Chinese also treated animals with acupuncture, particularly dogs and horses, and several ancient veterinary acupuncture books have also been discovered.
In hospitals in China today, patients will often be treated with both acupuncture and modern western medicine, combining the best of both medical systems. Modern veterinary acupuncturists seek to do the same - to supplement, not replace, modern medical and surgical techniques.
Acupuncture for Cats?!?!
Buy at AllPosters.com
At the mention of acupuncture on cats, most people's reaction is disbelief. How could a cat tolerate having needles put in it? Although it's true that there are some cats who will not tolerate acupuncture, the majority do not mind, providing it is done gently and sympathetically.
How Can Acupuncture Really be Done on Cats?
First, acupuncture is really not painful. The needles used are many times smaller than a normal hypodermic needle, generally only 0.02mm wide (as the pictures shows, the needle is extremely narrow). People who have had acupuncture comment that they felt a mild sensation of warmth, tingling or numbness when needles were inserted, but it was not painful. Sometimes there can be a slight initial prick, but this does not persist when the needle is left in the skin. Some points may be more sensitive than others, but an experienced veterinary acupuncturist will know which points to avoid. Over 95% of animals tolerate acupuncture well.
Second, cats have no anticipation of their acupuncture appointment. People who are nervous about their first acupuncture appointment can work themselves up for days about it, but then usually find that the actual experience is not nearly as bad as they thought, and all their worry and stress was for nothing. Many veterinary acupuncturists treat animals on house calls, so all the cat knows is that its owner has a visitor, and the acupuncture is over before it knows what was happening! The cat is never as worried about acupuncture as its human.
An experienced veterinary acupuncturist will be sympathetic to your cat's needs. When I treat cats, I use a minimal number of needles. I also insert a few at a time and let the cat rest and stretch out between needles. Gentle treatment and making friends first goes a long way!
For cats who are truly intolerant of needles, there are modern methods of needle-less acupuncture. Low level lasers and infrared light can be used to stimulate acupuncture points. This merely involves holding an emitter next to the skin, and is not painful or invasive.
Acupuncture needles are extremely fine - a tiny fraction of a millimeter!
What Evidence is there that Acupuncture Works?
Research has shown both acupuncture's effects in specific conditions, and its general effects on the body, for example:
-stimulation of the immune system
-reduction of fever
-normalization of gut motility
-normalization of heart rhythm and blood pressure
Studies have been done on acupuncture for specific disorders in cats, for example respiratory problems. Acupuncture has been shown to 'enhance the treatment of chronic allergic bronchitis and asthma in cats' (Schwartz, 1992). This generally allows a reduction in the drug doses necessary to control symptoms, therefore minimizing side effects.
How do I find a Veterinary Acupuncturist for my Cat?
There are two main bodies which train and certify vets in veterinary acupuncture. By choosing one of these vets, you can be assured that they have had comprehensive training, passed written and practical exams, interned with an experienced veterinary acupuncturist and complete continued education to maintain their certified status. Certified vets will use the letters CVA, certified veterinary acupuncturist, after their names. You can search for certified veterinary acupuncturists by worldwide location here:
- International Veterinary Acupuncture Society
- Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine
Only Visit a Trained and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, so your Cat Receives the Best Possible Care
Want to Find Out More About Complementary Medicine for Cats and Other Animals?
Check Out my Other Lenses!
-
Acupuncture Techniques - Gold Bead Implantation
-
Gold bead implantation is a modern application of acupuncture, one of the five branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Modern research has proved that acupuncture does indeed have health benefits, and gold bead implantation combines ancient acupunc...
-
Chinese Herbal Veterinary Medicine
-
Herbal medicine is a popular form of complementary, or alternative, medicine for people. Increasing numbers of veterinarians are realizing its benefits for animals, and becoming trained in herbal medicine for animals. Chinese herbal medicine is disti...
-
Complementary, or Alternative, Veterinary Medicine - Holistic Care for your Animal
-
Complementary medicine is a popular choice for people looking for a more natural form of medicine, or other options in conditions where conventional medical treatment is inadequate or has too many side effects. Animals can also benefit from these the...
-
Tui Na - Healing Massage Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine
-
Tui Na is an ancient Chinese form of massage and is one of the five branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Although it may appear to resemble western massage, Tui Na massage works on the same specific points and channels as acupuncture. According...
How Do You Feel About Acupuncture for Cats?
Still Curious About Veterinary Acupuncture?
Find Out More About Acupuncture for Cats with These Books!
Four Paws, Five Directions: A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs
Great introduction to Chinese medicine for animals, by university professor and respected veterinarian
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 07/12/2009) 
List Price: $29.95
Acu-Cat: A Guide to Feline Acupressure
Learn to do acupressure for your cat!
Amazon Price: $16.29 (as of 07/12/2009)
List Price: $23.95
Kindred Spirits: How the Remarkable Bond Between Humans and Animals Can Change the Way we Live
Inspiring book about the relationship between animals and their humans, and animal healing
Amazon Price: $11.96 (as of 07/12/2009)
List Price: $15.95
Veterinary Acupuncture: Ancient Art to Modern Medicine
Detailed textbook for vets interested in acupuncture; on the required reading list for most veterinary acupuncture courses
Amazon Price: $108.00 (as of 07/12/2009)
List Price: $135.00
Veterinary Acupuncture
Veterinary acupuncture text book by respected researchers
Amazon Price: $44.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
List Price: $49.95
Learn more about Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in general
Guestbook
Please leave a comment and let me know how you liked this lens. You do not have to a member of Squidoo to do so! All comments, votes and ratings are much appreciated :)
BenjaminArnold wrote...
Oh please...the cat was told it would get better and so it did.
Pure placebo! ;)
Seriously, thank you for sharing this. We need more like you.
Posted December 15, 2008
lakeerieartists wrote...
I just love the picture of the cat and the teddy bear. As usual, amazing lens. :)
Posted November 26, 2008
banbarak
Sounds good!Really good job...and informative lens.I would like to forward your lens to my friends.Check out my the accupuncturequest blog
Posted November 25, 2008
ChristiannaGarrett-Martin wrote...
Excellent lens! and beautiful cat pictures :)
Christianna
Posted November 25, 2008
Would You Like Great Pictures for Your Lens, and the Opportunity to Make Money?
Webmasters Make $$$
