Posted on 05/31/2005 12:25:50 AM PDT by kingattax
ROCKY HILL -- Buffy likes to eat lunch while he gets acupuncture.
The house cat licks a china plate of organic beef and vegetables with 10 tiny needles sticking into his furry spine.
Buffy is undergoing acupuncture treatments at Catzablanca Cat Clinic and Hospital to ease his 18-year-old arthritic spine and hips.
Veterinarian Linda Dupont, who recently began practicing feline acupuncture at her clinic and hospital, said she uses the ancient Chinese healing treatment to complement her Western medicine practice.
"I see animals I can't help with Western medicine," said Dupont, one of about 13 veterinary acupuncturists in the state, certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society.
After four 20-minute treatments at $65 a session, a $50 consultation and the initial $125 visit, Buffy, who is 88 in human years, acts a little perkier, said his owner, Lori Young.
"I think it's helping. He looks out the window now and grooms himself," said Young, of Manchester.
Even if the benefits of acupuncture remain only anecdotal, Buffy slumbers on a table during part of his 20-minute treatments as Dupont inserts needles into his spine, releasing endorphins, the feel-good hormone.
Animal acupuncture has been around the United States since the 1970s, but today more and more people are turning to the practice as they recognize the value of mixing Western and holistic medicine.
The American Veterinary Medical Association says acupuncture can help pets if administered by a licensed veterinarian.
(Excerpt) Read more at courant.com ...
If Lori had a heart, she have her 18 y/o feline put down rather than repeatedly jabbed with needles.
We have elderly people going without medical care, yet ancient CATS get acupuncture.
Just DAMN!
The needles do not even remotely hurt. They're quite relaxing.
I have a mental picture of Buffy trying to drink milk or water at home after the treatment, if you know what I mean, and I think you do...
I don't really think it's the cat or the vet's fault that old people are going without medical care.
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