Acupuncture for pets: Answers from an expert
By Gina Spadafori
August 13, 2008
As mentioned in the comments by her proud mother (a/k/a Colorado Transplant), Dr. Narda Robinson of Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine was featured in a live chat earlier today on the Washinton Post’s Web site. Check out the transcript.
Guess there’s holistic vets and then there are
holistic vets. I’ve tried several concerning acupuncture. Now I’ve found a vet who has an exceptional gift using all modalities, and she wants to retire. Darn! She doesn’t need to do all those tests before treatment. She can ascertain what is wrong through muscle testing and just looking at the pet. Not to say she doesn’t believe in conventional vet procedures and hasn’t followed through but she is that rare exception of a person who “just knows”.
Comment by VJ — August 13, 2008 @ 6:28 pm
Thanks, Gina—you are so good your mom and dad must be proud of you.
I appreciated your posting.
VJ—it is rare to find a veterinarian like the one you describe. I also had one like that but darn, I left her to come out to Colorado.
My daughter has prolonged the life of my cats many times and they have lived much longer than they would have without her. However, in her professional setting, she has to have a diagnosis before treatment to be sure there is no other cause for the illness or discomfort other than what is obvious.
Again, Gina, I am grateful to you. I want to promote acupuncture, not my daughter.
If a scientific view is promoted where the nervous system is stimulated to accelerate healing (I think that is what Narda means), than I would like animal lovers to check it out. Acupuncture is not some Chinese mystical technique, but a healing technique.
I have seen dogs treated with acupuncture. The dogs do not mind the needles and get relaxed with this treatment. Some feel a lot more comfortable afterwards.
Thanks again, Gina, and I am glad my new cat looks Italian.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — August 13, 2008 @ 7:10 pm
My APBT had spinal disease, for which she had surgery.
I ALSO took her to a holistic vet for acupuncture. This was several years ago.
Recently, my dog seemed a little achy again so I thought another round of acupuncture might help. As I got out of my car, the vet was getting out of hers on the other side of the parking lot. My dog RIPPED the leash out of my hand, raced across the lot and leaped joyously on the vet, with big pibble kisses.
I try to listen to my dog, so I don’t think I’m wrong to conclude that my dog felt better after her previous acupuncture treatments, and associated the vet with that!
I don’t think so!
Comment by EmilyS — August 13, 2008 @ 7:55 pm