Needles and pins make for happier pets
A dog and a cat receive treatment earlier this month at a Shanghai traditional Chinese medicine center that specializes in giving acupuncture healing to animals.
Pet owners in China are turning to acupuncture to help soothe the aches and pains of their beloved cats and dogs.
“China is famous for acupuncture. I took the cat here to try it out,” said Wang Xijuan, 74, holding the paw of her feline friend during a session at a Shanghai clinic.
After four treatments, Wang said her cat can “walk now, jump and even fight with other cats.”
Traditional practitioners believe acupuncture, which involves inserting long, fine needles at specific places on the body, can stimulate blood circulation to promote healing and relieve aches and pains.
The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society said acupuncture has been used in veterinary practice in China “for thousands of years to treat many ailments.”
Jin Rishan, a specialist at the Shanghai TCM Neurology and Acupuncture Animal Health Center, said they have treated more than 2,000 cats and dogs since the clinic opened four years ago. A single session costs 260 yuan (US$39) and last for about 45 minutes.
Jin said about 80 percent of their patients have shown improvement after treatment.
