Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture at The Bluffs Pet Clinic
As veterinarians, our main concern is for the health of your pet.
At The Bluffs Pet Clinic, we have expanded our range of services and
now offer Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). What this
means to you is that the variety of options available to help keep your
pet healthy has increased greatly. Where previously our only choice to
manage pain or other diseases was to give medications that could
potentially create new problems, we now are able to provide a healthier
alternative that leaves our pets feeling better without the threat of
unwanted side effects. By combining Western Medicine with Eastern
Medicine, we are able to provide the best of both worlds. We may be
able to eliminate 
medications altogether in some cases. Following are answers to some of the most common questions about Acupuncture.
Would my pet benefit from Veterinary Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been used for thousands of years for treating countless ailments in people, ranging from arthritis pain, muscle and tendon problems, gastrointestinal problems, skin problems, allergies, neurological disorders such as seizures, asthma, kidney and liver problems, back and neck problems, and auto-immune diseases to name a few. We treat these same problems with success in our veterinary patients.
Who is qualified to treat animals with acupuncture?
Only a Veterinarian with advanced TCVM schooling may receive certifiacation to treat animals with Acupuncture and TCVM.
How can my pet take advantage of this service?
You may call The Bluffs Pet Clinic to schedule an appointment for a TCVM exam. We will start by working towards a diagnosis of your pet's problem. This is typically done by obtaining a pertinent medical history, having a physical exam, and appropriate bloodwork or other diagnostics such as radiographs done. If your pet has had a full work-up at another clinic, we will review those tests after performing a physical exam. Once we have a Western Diagnosis, we then evaluate your pet from an Eastern perspective. A TCVM history and exam will be performed to aid in an Eastern Diagnosis. From there, the Doctor will discuss with you the best course of treatment for your pet. For some pets, the best treatment may be strictly TCVM; other pets may benefit from a combination of Eastern and Western medicine. The initial appointment typiclly takes one to one and a half hours.
Do you have to sedate my pet to perform acupuncture?
No. Pets become more comfortable with each treatment. Many appear to look forward to their acupuncture! Most do not even feel the needles when they are inserted. It is common for pets to become very relaxed or even fall asleep during their treatment and awaken to feel refreshed.
May I stay and watch the treatment?
Yes. Some people prefer to stay with their pet, others will wait outside the treatment room. Your own comfort level will determine what you choose.
What do the treatments involve?
A typical pet will receive weekly acupuncture treatments for 4-6 weeks. The treatments may involve the use of very fine sterile needles with or without electroacupuncture or they may involve the use of a Lacer (A type of light that is used instead of needles to stimulate acupuncture points). Needles are typically left in place for 12-30 minutes while the pet relaxes. Once the desired results are achieved, the frequency of treatments will be tapered down to meet the pet's individual needs. Some pets may require a treatment every 4-6 weeks and others every 4-6 months.
How do I know if it is helping my pet?
Most pet owners report improvement in their pet's overall well being, increased activity, and fewer to no occurrences of the initial presenting problem. Some pets that have been withdrawn or crabby due to pain or discomfort start to become more social, playful, and friendly.
What else is involved in TCVM?
Sometimes, acupuncture alone is not enough to address the problem, so herbs are also prescribed. Herbs come in the form of pills, granules, or liquid. By using herbs, the frequency of the treatments may be reduced. We have over 50 different herbal therapies available depending on the needs of the pet.
