Does acupuncture hurt my pet?
The needles I use are extremely thin, roughly the width of a hair, and feel very different from, say, a vaccination needle. Most animals feel at most a brief moment of sensitivity as the needle is inserted, and relax quickly afterwards. Some pets even fall asleep during treatment.
Will my pet need sedation or anaesthesia?
No, this is almost never necessary for acupuncture. The treatment is carried out while your pet is calm and awake. Because no sedation is needed, acupuncture can also be a good option for animals for whom a regular procedure under anaesthesia is less desirable for medical reasons.
How many treatments will my pet need?
This varies a lot from animal to animal and complaint to complaint. An acute issue may improve after just one or a few treatments, while chronic problems often benefit from a series of treatments. After the first few sessions, we evaluate together how your pet is responding. If we see no change at all after three treatments, that’s a signal to me that acupuncture isn’t the right path for this particular animal at this time, and we’ll discuss the next steps together.
How long does a treatment take?
The first consultation takes at least an hour, since we go through an extensive history and carry out both a regular exam and a TCM assessment. Follow-up consultations are shorter. How long the needles actually stay in varies by point and by animal: it can be a matter of seconds, or run up to around twenty minutes.
Is it safe to combine acupuncture with medication or other treatments?
Yes. In most cases, acupuncture can be safely combined with regular medication and other treatments, and is meant as a complement to the care your pet is already receiving. If your pet is on medication, please always let me know beforehand so I can take that into account.
Is acupuncture suitable for puppies, kittens and senior pets?
In principle, acupuncture can be used on animals of any age, from young puppies and kittens to senior pets. For very young or very old, more fragile animals, I tailor the treatment carefully to what the animal can handle at that moment.
Will my pet notice anything after the treatment?
Many animals are a bit sleepy or drowsy for the rest of the day; this is a normal response to the endorphins released during treatment. Sometimes an animal seems slightly stiffer for the first 24 to 48 hours, especially if tight, stuck muscles have been released, this settles by itself. Other animals seem a bit more cheerful or energetic. I’ll let you know after each treatment what to look out for.
What happens if an acupuncture point isn’t sensitive?
Then I don’t treat it. I work by the principle “less is more” and only treat points that are genuinely sensitive, known as Ah Shi points. Treating a point that isn’t sensitive adds nothing, the body simply doesn’t respond to it.
Why can the diagnosis change at a follow-up consultation?
I sometimes compare a course of treatment to peeling an onion. With each treatment, we release a blockage and get Qi moving again, but energy that starts flowing in one place can settle again somewhere else. As a result, the TCM diagnosis at a follow-up consultation can shift, along with an adjusted treatment plan. This is a normal part of the process, and often actually a sign that something has started moving.
Do I need to prepare anything for the first consultation?
Yes, ahead of the first consultation you’ll receive a digital questionnaire from me. I ask you to fill it in as completely as possible: alongside the complaint itself, this covers things like eating and drinking habits, sleep, response to heat or cold, and your pet’s character. The more complete the questionnaire, the more targeted I can make my preparation for the consultation.
Is acupuncture scientifically supported?
Acupuncture combines an ancient Traditional Chinese approach with insights from conventional veterinary medicine. From a Western perspective, stimulating specific points is thought to activate nerve pathways, improve blood circulation, and promote the release of the body’s own pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory substances. Both the Traditional Chinese explanation via Qi and meridians, and the more Western, neurophysiological explanation, are used side by side in practice.
Are you certified to perform acupuncture on animals?
Yes, I’ve completed the BEVAS veterinary acupuncture training and hold IVAS certification. This means I practise acupuncture on the basis of a thorough, internationally recognised education, alongside my regular work as a veterinarian.
Can I keep seeing my regular vet alongside this?
Absolutely. I always use acupuncture as a complement to regular veterinary care, never as a replacement for it. Where needed, I coordinate with your pet’s regular vet so that the conventional and complementary treatment fit well together.
Are there any risks or side effects to acupuncture?
Acupuncture is considered one of the safest treatment forms in veterinary medicine, provided it’s carried out by a properly trained veterinarian. Side effects are rare and usually mild, such as some drowsiness or temporary stiffness after treatment. Serious complications, such as an infection at the needle site, are very uncommon when sterile needles are used correctly.
What does an acupuncture treatment cost?
The cost depends on the type of consultation (an extensive first consultation or a shorter follow-up treatment) and on what your pet needs. Feel free to get in touch for current rates, and I’ll give you clarity on this upfront.
Can the treatment take place at my home?
Appointments can take place either at your home or, in consultation, at your regular vet’s practice. We’re happy to discuss together what works best.
Is acupuncture reimbursed by pet health insurance?
This varies by insurer and policy. I’d recommend checking with your pet insurance provider beforehand so you know where you stand.
My pet gets anxious or restless easily, can it still have acupuncture?
Yes, anxious or tense animals can respond well to acupuncture too, though it may take them a little longer to fully relax. I take the time to let your pet get used to me and the surroundings first, and build up the treatment gradually. With repeated treatments, animals often become progressively more relaxed.
Does my pet need ongoing treatment after a successful course?
Not necessarily. Some animals do fine with a series of treatments and then remain stable for a long time. For chronic conditions we often choose together to move to maintenance treatments at a lower frequency after the initial course, for example once a month, to help hold on to the results achieved.
Can acupuncture also be used preventively?
Yes, acupuncture isn’t only used for existing complaints — it can also help support an animal’s overall balance and resilience, for example in an ageing pet or one prone to recurring issues.
Can acupuncture be supported by laser therapy?
Yes, acupuncture combines well with laser therapy, which we already offer within the practice. Laser can, for example, provide extra support for painful or inflamed areas, in addition to the acupuncture treatment. Laser treatment brings in extra Qi and acupuncture makes Qi move.
Do you also offer Bach Flower Remedy therapy?
Yes, that’s part of what we offer too. Where acupuncture mainly works through the body and its energy pathways, Bach Flower Remedies focus specifically on your pet’s state of mind. Because behaviour, emotions and physical condition are so closely linked in TCM, the two treatments often reinforce each other: an animal that feels calmer and more balanced tends to respond better to the physical treatment as well. In practice, I regularly see nice results from this combination.
Have a question that isn’t listed here? Feel free to get in touch, I’m happy to think it through with you.