A: Acupuncture can be a very effective primary or complimentary treatment for a range of conditions in dogs and cats. Acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain caused by conditions such as arthritis, back pain, neck pain or orthopedic injuries. It can also be helpful for a variety of other conditions such as neurologic disease, vomiting and other chronic diseases such as kidney disease and cancer.

Pets tend to be like people in that some of them respond very well and others do not seem to be affected as much. We usually recommend trying a few weekly sessions to see if your pet responds favorably.

Acupuncture is a very safe treatment when administered by a trained professional. To locate a veterinarian certified in acupuncture you can check tcvm.com(traditional chinese veterinary medicine) or ivas.org (international veterinary acupuncture society).

Veterinarians must take courses with lecture and practical time to be certified.

Many people assume that their pet would never sit still for acupuncture or allow the needles to be placed. Many of these people are quite surprised when their pet does very well during an acupuncture session. Pets are not scared of the needles like some people (including me).

Sessions generally last for twenty minutes and most pets that respond well need treatments every 2-6 weeks. More veterinarians are becoming certified each year and the list of hospitals that offer acupuncture is growing. Ask your veterinarian about acupuncture as a treatment option for your pet.

Erik Dorsch is a veterinarian with The Animal Hospital of Carrboro