What is cat acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the practice of placing needles in specific locations in the body to stimulate the body's response.
Dr. Rebecca McIntosh
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
What are some symptoms and conditions that cat acupuncture may be able to treat?
We've treated a variety of conditions in cats with acupuncture, usually painful conditions like arthritis. We can also treat neurologic conditions and gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and chronic issues such as kidney problems.
How well do cats tolerate acupuncture?
The tolerance varies from cat to cat. If the issue is particularly painful, we might have you pre-medicate your cat before they come in so they're less stressed when they arrive at the vet.
How will a veterinarian diagnose the need for cat acupuncture?
Diagnosis is based on a physical exam and the specific condition your cat is diagnosed with. From there, we can decide whether acupuncture is a suitable treatment option.
Are there any risks or side effects associated with cat acupuncture?
There aren't many long-term side effects, but there might be a little bit of bleeding from the needle puncture site. If your cat seems lethargic the day of or after acupuncture, they usually return to normal within 24 hours.
What should I expect during my cat's acupuncture session?
Depending on how well your cat tolerates the procedure, we typically make them comfortable on a blanket or a bed, place the needles, and leave them in for a period of time.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Acupuncture - FAQs 1
Dr. Rebecca McIntosh
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
What exactly is cat acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the practice of placing needles in particular locations in the body in order to stimulate the body's response.
How does acupuncture work for treating my cat's condition?
It depends on what your cat's condition is. There are a lot of things that acupuncture can help treat, and usually, in addition to medications and the rest of your treatment plan, acupuncture can be a good tool to help treat your cat's condition.
Is there a cat acupuncture specialist and do I need a referral?
There are people who are certified to do acupuncture and they have received extra schooling outside of veterinary school. Those certified individuals, like myself, offer acupuncture in general practice areas. Sometimes, you will see places that have physical therapy specialists, and those individuals will offer acupuncture as well.
Is it okay to combine acupuncture with other types of veterinary medicine?
Absolutely, we use acupuncture in combination with other medications and other treatments to be able to augment what we're doing for your cat depending on what their problem is.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Acupuncture - FAQs 2
Dr. Rebecca McIntosh
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
What are the biggest benefits of cat acupuncture?
Cat acupuncture can be used in addition to medication and other treatments for a lot of different conditions in cats.
Can acupuncture help with chronic conditions like arthritis or kidney disease?
Yes, absolutely. Acupuncture is part of that treatment plan that we can use for painful conditions and for chronic issues with the cat.
Can acupuncture reduce stress in cats?
Yes, there are specific stress points that we target in acupuncture that help with stress relief in cats.
Can acupuncture be used to treat behavioral problems in cats?
Acupuncture by itself may not necessarily solve behavioral problems, but in combination with the rest of the treatment plan, which includes medications and behavior modification, it can be helpful.
Can acupuncture reduce my cat's need for medication?
Depending on the problem, acupuncture can be used alongside other medications and sometimes can improve how a cat responds to a particular medication, ultimately reducing the dosage required.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Acupuncture - FAQs 3
Dr. Rebecca McIntosh
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
Can cats tolerate acupuncture?
Believe it or not, a lot of cats do tolerate acupuncture. They do pretty well during the session.
Is acupuncture painful for my cat?
Acupuncture is not particularly painful, although some cats may be super sensitive to the needles. These are super tiny needles and nine times out of ten, they tolerate it pretty well.
Will my cat need to recover after a cat acupuncture session?
Generally speaking, we see a little bit of lethargy, maybe a little bit of increased pain in the 24 hours after an acupuncture session, but usually, by 24 hours, they're back to normal.
How long will the effects of acupuncture last?
Depending on what we're trying to treat, we'll determine how long we'll see benefits from acupuncture.
Is the person who treats my cat certified in cat acupuncture?
Yes, absolutely. Acupuncture is a specific treatment that we use that is not taught in veterinary school, so you have to go to extra schooling afterward. We are certified in acupuncture and particular clinicians, like myself, are certified.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram