Accupuncture can be an effective treatment for your dogs allergies.

While accupuncture is not a commonly accepted treatment protocol amonst veterinarians, it can be used both to treat the allergies and improve the health of your dogs immune system.

Acupuncture Background
In traditional acupuncture, the acupuncturist inserts tiny painless needles at various points on the pet’s body. The insertion is shallow and does not draw blood. The points correspond to areas of the body that contain nerves and blood vessels. By stimulating these points, various chemicals (endorphins and enkephalins) are released that stimulate and strengthen the immune system, alter blood vessels and assist in reducing allergic reactions. Some accupuncturists - similar to dermatologists injecting retin-a on a patients skin - will inject vitamins at the accupuncture site to provide additional topical relief.

Allergies Treatment
Acupuncture counteracts the effects of chemical compounds released as a result of allergic reactions. An accupuncturist chooses acupuncture points to stimulate the dog's immune system. Some vets have reported successful results with accupuncture where the pet has remained free of skin infections, with acupuncture treatments given every 1 to 3 weeks as needed.

Success Rates
Acupuncture is safe harmless and painless to the pet and a worthy consideration especially if the alternative is harmful drugs like corticosteroids.

Side effects from acupuncture are rare. Infections, needle breakage are risks that a skilled practitioner can usually avoid. In some animals, signs worsen initially before improving. This is often the situation where the body attempts to get rid of the toxins creating stress on the system before the improvement process can begin.  

Acupuncture for Allergy Treatments
A proper diagnosis to confirm that the condition is allergies is crucial. In many cases, the pet may not have allergies but be suffering from an entirely different condition.

Therein lies the benefit of holistic treatments, the vet considers the entire picture prior to initiating a treatment regimen, and one that is usually safe and harmless and does not involve severe dosages of drugs.

Accupuncture is a discipline that has survived and is now thriving through the test of time and is a worthy alternative to treat pets with allergies.