Acupuncture and Your Ragdoll Cat
Dec 28th, 2005 by Rob
Acupuncture for your cat is a relatively new form of therapy. While the Chinese have been practicing acupuncture for thousands of years, it hadn’t been applied to modern veterinary science until the late 70s. For your Ragdoll cat, acupuncture is becoming an increasingly popular alternative treatment for just about any disorder ranging from allergies to liver and kidney problems, even diabetes.
Acupuncture originates from traditional practices of Chinese medicine. The Chinese believe every living thing has a life force called “gi.” When healthy this life force circulates easily throughout the body. When this flow of energy is impeded or blocked illness results. The goal of Acupuncture is to restore this flow of energy throughout the body, thus eliminating the illness.
Whether or not you believe in the Chinese philosophy, many pet owners have had remarkable results from acupuncture where traditional therapy has failed.
When performing acupuncture on your cat the veterinarian will insert tiny needles in the skin at specific points on your cat’s body. The process is painless and most cats experience no discomfort at all. The veterinarian may administer a mild electric charge to the needle. Placement of the needles depends on the nature of the ailment. Acupuncture for your cat can last from twenty minutes to an hour; the biggest challenge you may face is getting your cat to sit still for this length of time.
The most common treatment acupuncture is utilized for is pain management. This can be utilized effectively for any type of pain your cat experiences: muscle pain, joints, even arthritis can all be effectively treated with acupuncture. To learn about the options available for acupuncture with your Ragdoll cat consult your veterinarian.
Great article! It was wonderful how you helped people understand how acupuncture can help keep their cats healthy, naturally.