Veterinary acupuncture is probably over 2000 years old and has been developed from clinical observations by veterinarians in ancient China.

The first veterinary school was in Paris and had acupuncture on the curriculum. It was widely practised in both large and small animal medicine until the early part of the 19th century.

Advances in veterinary medicine then resulted in a lapse in usage of this ancient technique. However, over the last 30 years, there has been a resurgence in its use by vets in Europe, Australia and America with considerable success in certain conditions.

Within our practice, Andy Forsyth, who is based at Strensall, runs afternoon acupuncture clinics where cases such as chronic and acute lameness, incontinence and chronic infections have been treated with great success.

Andy sees clients and pets at an initial consultation to examine the animal and discuss the likely duration of the treatment. Most acupuncture treatment will initially consist of this first session and then two follow-ups. Each session lasts around half an hour.

Most pets are happy with the insertion of the fine needles in the acupuncture meridia - it's the owners who sometimes look surprised!

More information can be found at the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists.