Helping pets in Glasgow feel more comfortable, manage pain and enjoy a better quality of life.
Pet acupuncture can help your pet manage pain and move more comfortably. It can be particularly helpful for pets living with arthritis or other chronic pain conditions, or as part of their recovery plan after surgery.
At The Natural Vet, we tailor every acupuncture treatment to your pet’s unique needs.
We want you to feel involved and confident in your pet’s care, which is why we’re passionate about owner education and supporting you every step of the way, even after their treatment sessions come to an end.
With four vets and a nurse trained in animal acupuncture, our team offers an integrative approach to help pets manage pain, improve mobility and enjoy a better quality of life.
Every pet is different, so we tailor our approach to their individual needs, always putting their comfort and wellbeing first.
Pet acupuncture appointments available during normal opening hours throughout the working week and Saturday appointments will be coming soon.
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Our veterinary acupuncture service is based at:
Veterinary acupuncture can help with pain management, mobility and comfort.
It can support these conditions:
Helping to support pain management and comfortable movement.
Helping to manage ongoing discomfort and support your pet's quality of life.
Helping to provide pain relief and immune regulation for the visceral organs including the pancreas, stomach, intestine and bladder.
Used to complement your pet's rehabilitation and recovery plan.
Acupuncture can assist with the healing of chronic wounds, such as acral lick dermatitis.
Supporting pain management and rehabilitation.
Potentially helping some pets relax during handling or veterinary visits.
For more information, read our blog on the signs acupuncture may be worth exploring.
Acupuncture may benefit a range of pets, supporting their comfort, mobility and overall wellbeing. Our team can help you decide if it's suitable for your pet, even if they're nervous.
Supporting dogs with mobility challenges, ongoing health conditions or those who may benefit from complementary care alongside their existing treatment.
Helping cats with arthritis, chronic conditions or changes in mobility, with the aim of supporting comfort, movement and overall quality of life.
Offering acupuncture for rabbits where appropriate, with treatment tailored to their individual needs and wellbeing.
Not sure if acupuncture is right for your pet? Speak to our team to find out more.
Our acupuncture appointments generally involve four stages.
We'll review your pet's medical history, current symptoms and medications, and previous investigations. Understanding what kind of pain or condition your pet is experiencing allows our vets to prescribe tailored acupuncture.
We'll explain the proposed treatment, discuss your pet's individual needs and answer any questions you have.
If acupuncture is appropriate, very fine needles are placed at selected points on your pet's body. The technique and treatment plan will depend on the condition being managed and your pet's tolerance.
We'll assess how your pet responds and discuss any changes you have noticed at home. If ongoing treatment is appropriate, we'll recommend a plan based on your pet's progress rather than a fixed number of sessions.
You can ask questions throughout the appointment, and your pet's comfort will remain a priority.
We consider your pet's medical history, lifestyle and symptoms before recommending treatment.
We believe acupuncture can have a role alongside appropriate conventional veterinary treatment, rather than replacing essential medication or investigations.
We aim to make appointments as calm and comfortable as possible, adapting our approach to your pet's needs.
We hold our acupuncture sessions with our clients present, allowing them to understand and see the power of the treatment, and help their pets feel comfortable.
We'll explain our recommendations, monitor your pet's response and review the plan as needed.
Veterinary acupuncture involves placing very fine needles into specific areas of your pet’s body, depending on where they’re experiencing pain or discomfort, or where there are concerns with wound healing or the immune system.
Veterinary acupuncture points have been adapted from evidence-based Western Human Acupuncture. The needles are carefully placed to stimulate the nervous system to encourage the release of the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals.
It is used as a complementary therapy and can form part of a wider veterinary treatment plan.
Yes, acupuncture is safe for pets when performed by a trained veterinary professional.
Remember, every pet is different, so we’ll consider their health, medical history and individual needs before treatment to ensure it’s appropriate for them.
Some pets may experience mild, temporary soreness or tiredness following a session. This is usually a good sign that acupuncture will be an effective treatment for your pet, and allows us to adjust our technique to reduce the ‘dose’ of acupuncture for future sessions.
No, here at The Natural Vet, we do not sedate a pet for their acupuncture session. We adapt our treatment to suit your pet’s tolerance levels. If they become stressed or uncomfortable, we will reassess our approach. We will never force treatment on a pet that is in distress.
Acupuncture needles are very fine (much thinner than those we use for vaccinations), and most pets tolerate treatment well.
Insertion of an acupuncture needle can generate sensations such as pressure, tingling, cooling or warming, but it is generally not a painful experience.
Even our needle-shy patients can be excellent candidates for acupuncture with the right approach. Every pet is different, so we tailor each session to their individual needs and comfort levels, taking their response to treatment into account.
As always, we will monitor your pet throughout their session and adapt our approach for their needs.
No, acupuncture may not be suitable for every dog or cat. We’ll assess your pet’s condition, temperament and tolerance of handling to determine whether it’s an appropriate treatment for them.
This depends on your pet’s condition, symptoms and response to treatment. Some pets may benefit from a short course, while others with ongoing conditions may need longer-term support.
We’ll discuss a suitable treatment plan after assessing your pet and review it as their needs change.
Our current acupuncture fees are:
Please contact our team to confirm current fees and availability before booking.
Absolutely! We strongly believe that the best approach to your pet’s health looks at the whole picture.
As a holistic veterinary practice, we believe acupuncture can work best as part of a tailored treatment plan alongside conventional veterinary care, pain relief, physiotherapy and other complementary therapies where appropriate.
By combining treatments, we aim to support your pet’s comfort, mobility and overall quality of life.
Yes, your pet will need to be assessed by a veterinary surgeon before acupuncture can begin. If your pet is registered with another practice, we’ll need a referral from your usual vet before starting treatment.
No, you don’t need to be an existing Natural Vet customer. However, your pet will need a veterinary assessment before acupuncture can begin.
We’ll need relevant medical history and any necessary referral from your usual vet.
One of our trained acupuncture vets will provide a physical assessment during your initial appointment.
Yes, you’re welcome to stay with your pet throughout their appointment to offer reassurance and help them feel comfortable during treatment.
No, we don’t currently offer home visits for acupuncture.
We provide treatment at our veterinary practice in Thornliebank, Glasgow, where we can offer a calm, controlled environment and the appropriate facilities to ensure your pet’s comfort and support their treatment.
Book your pet's acupuncture sessions today.