Dr Joyce Lauw, a senior veterinary surgeon at AVH Animal Ark, said that acupuncture, which is a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment, can be used to treat animals with mobility problems or to help them get some pain relief.
She explained that during a session, needles are inserted into acupuncture points with a high density of nerves and blood vessels. This causes the release of endorphins to help provide pain relief and relaxation.
“They can feel the needle, but it’s not very painful. It’s like when you get a massage and you feel sore when certain spots are pressed.”
She believes that TCM serves to complement Western treatments.
Mr Chng the cat owner decided to explore the alternative treatment due to the risks and costs involved with invasive surgery.
He has seen improvements in his cat’s condition through a combination of physiotherapy and acupuncture over six months.
“In the past, when Nuomi was sitting, he would just lay his legs to the side. By the third session, he was able to tuck his legs in,” he added.
“Now, he is able to jump off the bathtub and run around.”
