Before any first acupuncture appointments are scheduled we require an Integrative Medical Care (IMC) consult to set up expectations of therapy (30 minutes). The patient must be present so the veterinarian can see the pet. A physical exam is performed at this time, but treatment might not be given that day depending on the hospital schedule.
Questions commonly answered during this session include:
- What are the treatment expectations?
- How long does the treatment take?
- Where is it done?
- How is it done?
- Will it hurt?
- How often are my appointments? In general, chronic diseases require chronic therapy vs. acute diseases tend to respond faster than deficiency and chronic disease.
- How much will it cost?
- How long will it last?
Many of your questions will be answered in our FAQ below.
History of Veterinary Acupuncture
Acupuncture is most closely associated with ancient China where it remains part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The first veterinary text was written in China around 450 BC, dealing with the treatment of horses with acupuncture and TCM herbal medicine. It is only until recent decades that this form of medicine has been applied to dogs and cats as they have become an integral part of the household.