Chronic pain is complex and challenging but can be effectively managed.

During a chronic pain clinic we take a thorough look at your pets condition as well as their lifestyle and environment so we can apply a multi-modal approach to tackle all aspects of the problem. We advise on environment and lifestyle adaptations, exercise and body condition as well as utilising medications, acupuncture and other veterinary treatments to help keep your pet as comfortable as possible to maximise their enjoyment of life. Each case is individual and what works for one patient may not work or be suitable for another. By assessing the needs of the individual patient and owner we can tailor a treatment plan that works best for you and your pet. Our chronic pain consults are an hour long and are followed up with a written report summarising the advice given.

Our pain clinics are run by our vet Rachel, who holds the Entia Certificate in Advanced Studies in Western Veterinary Acupuncture and Chronic Pain Management (ECAS (WVA&CPM)). Rachel has worked in busy small animal practice for over 15 years, during which time she developed a passion for chronic pain management. Rachel is ably assisted by our wonderful nurse Gillian who is also trained in acupuncture.

FAQs

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting very fine needles into the body to stimulate the body’s own repair and pain killing mechanisms. Western Acupuncture is an adaptation of traditional Chinese acupuncture using current knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology. There is growing recognition of acupuncture as a useful adjunct to medical treatments in animals as well as humans. Pain is the most common indication for acupuncture. Often this is chronic (long term) pain due to arthritis, but it can also be used for muscle strains, pain secondary to disc disease and bony changes of the spine. We regularly utilise acupuncture to reduce pain in our hospitalised patients following surgery, to treat patients suffering from painful conditions including pancreatitis or blocked bladder and to aid wound healing. Functional conditions such as constipation in cats and irritable bowel type problems in dogs may also respond. Most of the time we use acupuncture alongside other treatments as part of a multi-modal approach however sometimes it can be indicated as a sole treatment.

In the UK acupuncture for animals is an act of veterinary surgery and can only legally be performed by a suitably trained Veterinary Surgeon or Registered Veterinary Nurse under the guidance of a Veterinary Surgeon.

Acupuncture works through the nervous system. The needles block pain messages to the brain. This, in turn, encourages the brain and central nervous system to produce more of the body’s natural painkillers (endorphins). In conditions that are not painful, acupuncture may help to reset the body’s normal functioning.

Acupuncture needles stimulate nerves that do not cause the unpleasant feelings of pain that we are trying to treat. They stimulate other nerves that send a more important message to the brain, which is how they block pain. Sometimes animals may react to this sensation as though they are expecting pain, but then relax because it does not occur. Most of the time they accept the fine needles very well and often become relaxed and sleepy during the treatment. Often they appear to look forward to the next treatment when they come back to the practice.

It is uncommon for animals to need to be sedated. This would only usually happen if they were so painful that any touch or stimulus causes them to be painful. Perhaps surprisingly, cats and rabbits often accept acupuncture treatment very well.

The usual course is once a week for four to six weeks. After four weeks we will know whether acupuncture is working for your pet and then, depending on the condition and how they have responded, we will work out a plan that usually involves tailing off the treatment so that the effect is maintained for as long as possible.

Acupuncture is very safe, in the right hands. Legally it must be performed by a veterinary surgeon. There have been no official reports of problems in animals, but there are some in humans and these can usually be avoided with care and a good knowledge of anatomy. There are a very few cases in which we would have to be very cautious about using acupuncture, but your veterinary acupuncturist can advise you of these.

After examination, needles will be put into various parts of the body and moved or stimulated a few times. There is not a set “dose” of acupuncture as there is for medication, so your vet will judge how much to do based on your pet’s response both at the time and after the treatment. They may become sleepy and relaxed during the treatment.

It is not uncommon for pets to go home and sleep very soundly for a long time. This is a good sign and shows that your pet will probably respond well to acupuncture. But do not worry if they are not sleepy – this does not mean that they will not respond. Sometimes your pet may seem a little more euphoric than usual; this is also a good sign, but keep them quiet for the rest of the day or they may overdo things. Otherwise treat your pet normally after acupuncture. Do not change exercise, diet or medication unless it has been discussed with your vet.

Your pet may show one of three responses to treatment so observe them carefully after their treatment:

  1. They may seem a little stiffer or more uncomfortable at first. Don’t worry, this suggests the treatment has worked but the dose was a little bit too much. After a day or two they will improve again and should be better than before. However, you must tell us so that we can adjust the treatment next time.
  2. You may see no response. This is always disappointing but does not mean your pet will not respond; it may just be that they will take a little longer or that their improvement after the first treatment was too brief or small for you to see. We cannot say that they will not respond until after a few treatments. Not all animals or humans are acupuncture “responders”, but about 80% will be.
  3. You may see an improvement, great! This may occur anytime in the three days after treatment. The signs that we are trying to treat may then return before the next treatment, but this is expected. After each subsequent treatment the effects should last for longer, in most cases we can then reduce the frequency of treatments.

Our vet Rachel and nurse Gillian are both trained in western veterinary acupuncture. If you have any questions or think your pet may benefit please give us a call to discuss further.

There is further useful information on the Canine Arthritis Management website – just click here.

Testimonials

Kara came to acupuncture by a long, circuitous route. Trauma during lockdown was hard to manage and a second opinion was not possible until we came out of lockdown. By this stage Kara, previously sociable and active, was refusing exercise and had become highly reactive to other dogs.

The approach to Kara’s pain at Westport was to completely reframe the problem – it wasn’t her behaviour that was the problem, it was a symptom of her pain which needed to be addressed. An adequate trial of medication was first line treatment with further investigations. Rachel then introduced acupuncture – for the first few sessions Kara hid under the furniture and I was sceptical that she would ever tolerate it. Moving her treatment out to the garden room was highly effective as she relaxed in this less clinical environment.

And now? Kara bounces into both acupuncture and physiotherapy treatment sessions happily. She exercises well and plays with known dogs. She still has a few behavioural “quirks” but then she is a Border Terrier!

Key learning as an owner:

  • Kara’s behaviour was a not the primary problem, her untreated pain was
  • Taking a long-term approach to treatment was vital
  • Adequately trialling medication
  • Behavioural problems could be addressed once pain was controlled
Kara, 8yo Border Terrier

Harry, our 11 year old Labrador, has arthritis. Acupuncture has quite literally been a life saver for him. In combination with an abundance of medication carefully tweaked over time by Rachel in response to his changing needs, Harry has been able to find enjoyment in walks; trips to the beach; and café culture in his twilight years.

Harry has acupuncture every month, it really does give him a boost in terms of mobility. He is much more mobile following a session. It’s wonderfully reassuring to observe the acupuncture. Harry is so calm to the point of falling asleep. He absolutely trusts Rachel. The results are so positive , the evidence is clear of the benefits of acupuncture. There can be no placebo effect. During an arthritic flare up Harry has acupuncture more frequently, sometimes with the extra boost of electro acupuncture. From our personal experience Rachel absolutely has our Labrador’s best interests at heart. She diligently strives to ensure that Harry’s long term pain medication and acupuncture give him a quality life where he forgets about his arthritic pain thus enabling him to lead a happy life.

Thank you Rachel, due to the positive results of acupuncture and chronic pain management, our episodes of despair and sorrow in watching Harry struggle are now very rare.

Harry, 11yo Labrador

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