3 Ways To Ensure Your Pet's Acupuncture Is Safe
With sufficient training and hands-on experience, pet acupuncture can be very effective at reducing pain in pets while also being a safe procedure. However, it's understandable if you're worried about risking your pet's well-being in any procedure that involves needles. If you're concerned about whether your pet will be safe while receiving acupuncture, follow these three tips.
Ask for Credentials
All pet acupuncturists should have adequate training and licensing. Licensing differs from state to state, so you should contact your state acupuncturist board for information specific to your location. Ask them for information on what valid licenses look like, how recently your acupuncturist should have been licensed, and how long acupuncturists in your state are required to study acupuncture before they're allowed to care for pets. Your local acupuncture board may even have recommendations regarding pet acupuncturists in your area, so it's worth asking.
Get Vet Recommendations
Many people perform pet acupuncture safely and legally, but getting advice from your favorite veterinarian is a good way of finding an acupuncturist that will work well with your pet. Many veterinarians work exclusively with a single acupuncturist that comes into their offices to work. Others simply maintain a list of pet acupuncturists that they've chosen based on their experience, accolades, or personal experience working with them. If you're looking for advice on who the best pet acupuncturist in town is, make sure to get your vet's opinion.
Choose a Veterinary Acupuncturist
Lastly, one easy way to ensure that your pet is safe is to choose a veterinarian who has trained in acupuncture. Many vets have begun to pursue additional education in the art of acupuncture in order to offer safer pain alternatives for their clients' pets. By choosing a veterinarian that practices acupuncture, you're ensuring that the vet will be extremely well-trained and familiarized with keeping pets calm and at ease during the procedure.
If you decide to choose an acupuncturist who isn't a veterinarian, consider having the acupuncture performed in the presence of a veterinarian or veterinary assistant. The vet or assistant can help to keep your pet calm and monitor the situation to make sure that your pet's safety is secured.
Veterinary acupuncture is a great way of helping your pet to control its pain without relying upon heavy narcotics that can have a negative effect on the kidneys or liver. With these tips, you'll be sure to find pet acupuncture services that are right for your pet. Contact a clinic, like 1st Pet Veterinary Centers, for more information.