Treating Pain in Dogs: Gus' Experience
by Dr. Rachel Addleman, DVM, DiplABVP, CVA
Veterinarian and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Dr. Addleman has advanced training and Board Certification in
feline medicine. She practices in Houston, Texas and can be found at
AnimalFixer.com
After pulling my acupuncture bag from the car, I walked up the driveway
and decided that between the big dog Gus and me, it was Gus who stood
more confidently. Even with his arthritis, it looked like I might not be
able to outrun him!
I am a veterinarian and I use acupuncture and Chinese herbs to treat
animals that need more than Western veterinary medicine can provide. I
often travel with Linda, my assistant. She doesn’t weigh much more than
Gus and she’s my mother. So, it just wouldn’t look right if she were
attacked by my newest acupuncture patient.
Now, if Linda was off to Nordstrom’s and it was between Gus and her for
a parking space . . . I’m pretty sure she could outwit him. Outwit the
dog I mean, if he were the type to drive. Cleverness aside, I was
worried.
Gus is a 15 year old chow who suffers from arthritis in his hips and
knees. His back was so sore it was difficult for him to stand from a
sitting position or even lift his tail to wag. He lumbered about slowly
and things had gotten much worse for him recently. His once robust
appetite was declining.
During his first treatment, Gus made a very convincing argument that
acupuncture wasn’t for him! Gus reminded me of my own father. Not
because they looked alike, of course, as Gus has lots of hair and not
just on the sides of his head and back. They were similar because both
Gus and my father were resistant to trying acupuncture.
Gus stood with his eyebrows arched and his hackles raised. His mother
kneeled over him in her business suit. She had come home special for his
treatment and explained that he should behave! His father patted his
head with a thump! thump!
I inserted tiny sterile acupuncture needles to specific anatomic points
by feeling the muscles and skeleton under his fur. Acupuncture needles
stimulate the body causing a release of natural chemicals and
endorphins. Gus didn’t notice the tiny needles going in. He just didn’t
like me standing too close to him!
After a few minutes, Gus lay down, stretched out across the floor, and
put his head into his owner’s lap. Gus approved! He liked the
acupuncture and seemed to give a doggie grin.
Five days later Gus received his second treatment. He greeted us as we
got out of the car, practically skipping over to us! He was getting up
with much less effort and definitely had more energy! It was apparent he
was in less discomfort and had more mobility. His parents commented that
his appetite had improved. Gus only growled a little during his second
treatment. Then he wagged his tail and flopped over sideways onto the
carpet as if to say, “Go ahead, and treat me! I love it!"
Gus still has arthritis, but acupuncture helps him to be more
comfortable. He especially likes his treatments days. Afterward his
treatment, he has more energy and as I leave I always catch his boyish
grin.