Captain gets it to ease his arthritis and it helps Mishaka’s bad
back, but with fangs and claws they are not your typical acupuncture patients -
they’re dogs.

The ancient
Chinese system of therapy that has helped to soothe the aches, pains and
ailments of people for thousands of years is now doing the same for
canines.

"She is so happy, she
relaxes, her tail wags and she just plops herself down to get her treatment. She
likes it," said New York resident Sissy Stamm, about 12-year-old
Mishaka.

The Caucasian
Ovcharka, who tips the scales at about 120 pounds and was bred to guard sheep,
doesn’t seem to mind having needles inserted into her limbs during her
weekly acupuncture sessions in Stamm’s apartment. The traditional medicine
treats a wide range of illnesses, from skin problems to heart conditions,
according to Vikki Weber, the executive director of the International Veterinary
Acupuncture Society in Fort Collins,
Colorado.

At least 2,000 vets
in the United States practice acupuncture, although no official statistics exist
on how many animals undergo the procedure. Prices for the average visit for a
cat or dog run around $50 to $85, added Weber, whose group runs courses for vets
around the world. The treatment, which vets can study at schools such as
Colorado State University and the Chi Institute in Gainesville, Florida, is also
very popular in the horse racing
industry.

Captain, a
10-year-old Dalmatian, enthusiastically greeted Dr Jeffrey Levy, the New York
vet who treats him for arthritis. His owner turned to acupuncture for her pet
after two anti-inflammatory drugs and a cortisone shot failed to help. When
scheduling problems halted his acupuncture treatment Captain grew worse, she
said.

Via Times of India