Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that dates back more than 3,000 years. It has been used on animals almost as long: a manual on the use of acupuncture on elephants, thought to be 3,000 years old, was found in Sri Lanka in 1979.
Over the centuries, practitioners mapped out a series of acupuncture points connected together like Christmas lights by pathways called meridians. Cats have 112 of these acupoints.
In traditional Chinese medicine, disease is viewed as the result of a blocked or excessive flow of chi, or life energy, through the meridians. Acupuncture is one of a variety of therapies including herbs, acupressure, exercise and diet, that TCM practitioners use to restore the proper flow of chi.
Acupuncture involves inserting very fine, filament-like needles at the acupuncture points. The needles trigger the release of endorphins, the brain's natural opiates, which relieves pain and provides a sense of well-being. They also stimulate the acupoints, which can act on the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems.
TCM practitioners believe that in addition to any effect on body chemistry, the insertion of needles at the acupoints can stimulate or suppress the flow of chi and restore the body to balance.
The western approach to veterinary acupuncture typically involves inserting the needles in the region where the animal feels pain rather than in one of the traditional acupoints elsewhere on the body. Western vets use acupuncture most often for problems like arthritis, back pain, tendon injuries, hip or elbow dysplasia, and physical problems of the nervous system.
The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society IVAS states that acupuncture is indicated mainly for functional problems such as those that involve paralysis, noninfectious inflammation (e.g., allergies), and pain, including musculoskeletal problems such as arthritis or vertebral disc pathology; skin problems such as lick granuloma; respiratory problems like feline asthma; gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea; and selected reproductive problems.
It may be hard to believe that a cat would sit still and accept having needles stuck in him. While some cats won't tolerate the treatment, the vast majority of cats do. When conducted by a qualified, experienced practitioner, acupuncture doesn't cause pain or distress.
Acupuncture needles are much smaller than a normal hypodermic needle, generally only 0.02mm wide, so they don't hurt like injections or blood draws do. Sometimes there can be a slight initial prick, but this does not persist when the needle is left in the skin.
Because cats don't anticipate and worry about their upcoming appointment, they have less stress, and therefore less pain, than a human might.
An experienced veterinary acupuncturist will be sympathetic to your cat's needs. Techniques like using a minimal number of needles, inserting a few at a time, and letting the cat rest and stretch out between needles will make the treatment gentle and pleasant.
If your cat really can't deal with needles but acupuncture could help, there are modern methods of needle-less acupuncture such as low-level lasers and infrared light.
Acupuncture for cats is a medical procedure and should only be performed by a qualified veterinary acupuncturist. Do not have the procedure performed by someone who gives acupuncture solely to humans. Your vet may be able to recommend a colleague trained as a veterinary acupuncturist; if not, the IVAS has a vet locator. The American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture also has a listing of US-based veterinary acupuncturists.
Acupuncture should not be used as an alternative to drugs or surgery for the treatment of severe or acute pain. It may not be appropriate for cats with cancer, either. As always, before you choose to undertake any kind of medical treatment, holistic or otherwise, for your cat, do your research and talk to people you trust -- including your vet.
To find out more about feline acupuncture, check out Acupuncture for Cats by Lyndsey Wedemyer or Four Paws, Five Directions by Cheryl Schwartz.
Related Advice from Other Cat Owners
What to Feed a Sick Cat
If you've already tried an appetite stimulant or Prednisone on your sick kitty and she's still not eating, here are a few things to try:
Your cat might be feeling nauseous, in which case a 1/4 tablet of Pepcid AC usually relieves nausea. Perhaps warming up her food would help as well. You could try hand feeding to stimulate her appetite. Liquefy her food in a food processor or blender and feed her with a syringe.
Smelly foods help stimulate the appetite and wet foods that are very stinky, such as fish and tuna, are good choices. Mix tuna water into her food. Some wet foods have a lot of gravy or sauce and licking the gravy may be easier for her to eat. Add toppings to the food like bonito or tuna flakes.
Baby food is an excellent choice -- try lamb, beef or chicken and add toppings to the food if necessary. You could also try turkey or chicken deli meats and cheese. It's so important that she eat and try everything until you find something she'll eat.
~Teresa C., owner of Domestic Shorthair
All About Hypertropic Cariomyopathy in Cats
Hypertropic Cariomyopathy (or HCM) is a genetic defect found in a lot of breeds, but most prevalent in Maine Coons and Ragdolls. Some breeders test for it, some don't. If a cat tests positve for HCM, he or she should be spayed/neutered and taken out of the breeding program.
In a cat with HCM, the heart is enlarged, so it beats faster and its left ventrical does not open and close properly. The heart either lets in too much blood or not enough - think of a swinging saloon door, as opposed to a door that shuts tight.
HCM is usually first diagnosed when the vet hears a heart murmur during examination. The next step is an x-ray, to see if the heart is enlarged and if there is fluid in the heart and lungs. Fluid is not good. Then the cat will be sent to a cardiologist for an ultrasound, to determine the size of the heart, determine the grade, and the course of treatment.
Grades are 1-6, with 1 being moderate and 6 being severe. The vet can estimate the grade, but only the cardiologist can make the proper diagnosis.
The usual course of treatment, depending on what they find, is Atenonal, which slows the heart rate. The dosage is small, and it varies, depending on the condition. Baby aspirin, 81 mgs, is also given, as this thins the blood. The usual dosage is one every three days, but again, the dosage depends on the condition.
A HCM cat has to be kept in a stress-free environment, given grain-free quality food that is low in salt.
This is a very very manageable disease and not a death sentence.
~Lisa D., owner of Maine Coon mix
A Primer on Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a common but very serious disease that afflicts middle aged and older cats. Increased appetite is one among many early symptoms. The disease often masks serious kidney disease, can cause heart disease and harm every organ in a cat's body. It's diagnosed via blood tests and the sooner it's caught, the better.
The most common clinical signs of hyperthyroidism are weight loss, increased appetite, and increased thirst and urination. Hyperthyroidism may also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and hyperactivity. The coat may appear matted or greasy.
Hyperthyroidism can be controlled with medication (Tapazole a.k.a. Methimazole) which a cat has to take every day for the rest of his/her life. If a cat is healthy or can't take the medication and you live near a facility that does it, radioactive iodine treatment (I-131) is the best treatment. It's expensive but usually cures the disease. The only other option is surgical removal of the thyroid glands, which is the road least traveled.
~Teresa C., owner of Domestic Shorthair
Treating Chronic Renal Failure in Cats
I guess there are two schools of thought here when it comes to nutrition for Chronic Renal Failure (CRF).
Many vets are now becoming aware that protein-restricted diets are outdated. This is how they treated Dogs CRF, but for cats its different. Protein does not "burn out" the kidneys, as commonly believed. Cats are carnivores, period! Limiting their protein only decreases their ability to stabilize and recover. That is why a phosphorous binder is needed, and it still allows for a high protein diet.
You can also start a Calcitriol supplementation. Your vet also may recommend Benazepril an ACE inhibitor for blood pressure, and Erythropoietin for anemia.
A cat on a protein-restricted dietscannot repair its body or have enough energy to meet its needs. There has never been any scientific studies showing long term benefits from a reduction of protein. Cats get CRF from these low protein/high carb foods in the first place.
All this information comes from a vet whom I highly regard, who has had many recoveries from this disease.
~Tina B., owner of Domestic Long Hair
0
