Acupuncture for cats and dogs – in pictures
At a clinic in Shanghai, China – where practitioners say acupuncture has been used on animals for thousands of years – owners take their pets to treat aches and pains and other ailments
-
Traditional practitioners believe acupuncture, which involves inserting long, fine needles at specific places, known as meridians of the body, can stimulate blood circulation to promote healing and relieve some aches and pains
Photograph: Aly Song/Reuters
-
The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society website says acupuncture has been used in veterinary practice in China ‘for thousands of years to treat many ailments’
-
A single session costs 260 yuan ($39) and lasts for about 45 minutes
-
A dog has acupuncture on its paw
-
-
A dog awaits treatment
-
‘China is famous for acupuncture. I took the cat here immediately to have a try,’ says Wang Xijuan, 74, holding her pet’s paw during a session at a Shanghai clinic
-
A cat receives moxibustion therapy, which consists of burning dried mugwort on parts of the body
-
A dog sits in a glass kennel awaiting treatment
-
-
Jin Rishan, a specialist at the Shanghai TCM Neurology and Acupuncture Animal Health Centre, helps an owner put his dog in to a pram after treatment
-
Jin says about 80% of their patients have shown some improvement after treatment
-
A dog is carried by its owner after receiving treatment at Shanghai TCM Neurology and Acupuncture Animal Health Centre
-
A cat awaiting treatment at the Shanghai centre
-
