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It’s not something you often hear about: acupuncture for your pet.

But you may be surprised to know the American Veterinary Medical Association considers it a valid treatment option for certain problems.

It’s been around for more than 3-thousand years for animals.

But it’s just becoming more popular in our area.

It’s a new option for small animals at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.

“There are many techniques. There is a Japanese technique that only uses one needle,” says Dr. Bess Pierce. “You can place 20 to 30 needles in it. It just depends on what you’re trying to achieve.”

Acupuncture has been used to treat a variety of ailments in animals like arthritis, nausea, skin disorders, even reproductive problems.

Doctor Mark Crisman has been doing it on horses here for more than 10 years now.

“Gypsy has an infection in her ankle. So what I would do is use points that would strengthen bones, help the immune system, things of that nature,” says Crisman.

The doctor says most horses don’t seem to mind the needles.

“The majority of horses really enjoy it. There are some horses we call acupuncture junkies,”

Oreo, a dog from the area that received the treatment, did whimper at times, but that may be because she was a little nervous.

Acupuncture is even being done on birds.

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