ACUPUNCTURE APPOINTMENTS
When are appointments available?
Dr. Drotos has acupuncture appointments available on Tuesdays, Fridays and every other weekend.
What do I need to do prior to the appointment?
For NEW patients or Barnside patients who have NOT been seen by a Barnside veterinarian within the past 12 months:
It is mandatory that you have your pet’s medical records, bloodwork results, X-rays or any other diagnostic test results sent to Barnside Veterinary Hospital PRIOR to scheduling your first consultation. We need your pet’s past 24-month history (or longer, if the specific problem has been going on longer).
Dr. Drotos needs to evaluate your pet’s history, tests, treatments, medications, etc prior to your appointment, in order to best evaluate the appropriateness of acupuncture and to begin to formulate a treatment plan.
Bring to your first appointment any medications or supplements that you are giving your pet. This includes medications prescribed by your veterinarian and anything else that you are giving your pet.
What should I expect at my first appointment?
The first visit for NEW patients can take 40-60minutes. During this time, Dr. Drotos will review and clarify any questions about your pet’s current problem and related medical history. She will perform a thorough physical exam in both a “Western-medicine” approach and a Traditional Chinese Medicine/“Eastern” approach.
If acupuncture therapy is indicated, Dr. Drotos will discuss a treatment plan, answer any questons and perform the first acupuncture treatment.
What about follow-up visits?
Subsequent visits can take 20-30 minutes. Although some animals see some improvement after the first treatment; most animals start to show significant improvement by the 3rd or 4th session. Follow-up treatment sessions may be weekly or every-other-week. The frequency and overall length of treatment is dependent on your pet’s response.
How much does it cost?
Initial consultation and first treatment for new patients (or Barnside patients who have not been seen by a Barnside veterinarian within the past 12 months) is $150
For current Barnside patients, the initial consultation and treatment is $90
Follow-up treatment sessions are $55
ALL PETS MUST BE UP-TO-DATE ON THEIR RABIES VACCINE
Dr. Drotos has acupuncture appointments available on Tuesdays, Fridays and every other weekend.
What do I need to do prior to the appointment?
For NEW patients or Barnside patients who have NOT been seen by a Barnside veterinarian within the past 12 months:
It is mandatory that you have your pet’s medical records, bloodwork results, X-rays or any other diagnostic test results sent to Barnside Veterinary Hospital PRIOR to scheduling your first consultation. We need your pet’s past 24-month history (or longer, if the specific problem has been going on longer).
Dr. Drotos needs to evaluate your pet’s history, tests, treatments, medications, etc prior to your appointment, in order to best evaluate the appropriateness of acupuncture and to begin to formulate a treatment plan.
Bring to your first appointment any medications or supplements that you are giving your pet. This includes medications prescribed by your veterinarian and anything else that you are giving your pet.
What should I expect at my first appointment?
The first visit for NEW patients can take 40-60minutes. During this time, Dr. Drotos will review and clarify any questions about your pet’s current problem and related medical history. She will perform a thorough physical exam in both a “Western-medicine” approach and a Traditional Chinese Medicine/“Eastern” approach.
If acupuncture therapy is indicated, Dr. Drotos will discuss a treatment plan, answer any questons and perform the first acupuncture treatment.
What about follow-up visits?
Subsequent visits can take 20-30 minutes. Although some animals see some improvement after the first treatment; most animals start to show significant improvement by the 3rd or 4th session. Follow-up treatment sessions may be weekly or every-other-week. The frequency and overall length of treatment is dependent on your pet’s response.
How much does it cost?
Initial consultation and first treatment for new patients (or Barnside patients who have not been seen by a Barnside veterinarian within the past 12 months) is $150
For current Barnside patients, the initial consultation and treatment is $90
Follow-up treatment sessions are $55
ALL PETS MUST BE UP-TO-DATE ON THEIR RABIES VACCINE
ABOUT VETERINARY ACUPUNCTURE
Veterinary Acupuncture- What is it?
Veterinary Acupuncture is part of a holistic health system called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). At the core of TCM is the belief that the body must be in balance. Chi is a vital energy that helps the body remain in balance. Exercise and proper nutrition can help maintain Chi; but when disruptions to health are severe, stronger measures such as acupuncture are needed to help restore balance.
In “Western” terms: Certain points on the body are known to be rich in nerve endings, blood vessels, and lymphatics. Stimulation of these points can cause biochemical and physiologic changes such as: increased circulation, the release of endorphins, muscle relaxation, and improved immune function.
Veterinary Acupuncture has been documented for at least 3,000 years.
What is the process?
First, an extensive history and exam are done. Once a TCM diagnosis has been made, sterile, slender needles are inserted along lines (meridians) where Chi naturally flows. Other stimulations such as electro-acupuncture, aquapuncture (injecting a solution), moxibustion (heating the point) or laser acupuncture can be used.
The stimulation time can range from 1-20 minutes depending on the condition and treatment plan.
Is it painful?
Most animals do not react at all to the insertion of the needles. Once the needles are in place, many pets become relaxed and may even fall asleep. Very anxious animals may take a few sessions before they become comfortable with the process.
What conditions can be treated with acupuncture?
Acupuncture, like any treatment, is not a “one-size-fits-all” procedure. Most pets with muscular or orthopedic problems such as arthritis can benefit from acupuncture. Many diseases or illnesses that do not respond to traditional “Western” medicine may respond to acupuncture.
How soon can I expect results?
Although some animals start to show improvement after the first visit, it may not be until the 3rd or 4th visit that your pet will show improvement. In some very debilitated patients, it is best to build-up the treatment sessions slowly, so as not to overtax the system. Initially, sessions may be weekly to every-other-week. The frequency and overall length of treatment is dependent on your pet’s response.
Will I be able to stop the medications my pet on?
Acupuncture is a “complementary therapy,” meaning it is usually used in addition to current therapies. Many patients can have their medications reduced, and some can have their medications stopped, but these decisions need to be made by the veterinarian on a case-by-case basis.
Where can I get more information about veterinary acupuncture?
The following web-sites are recommended sources of information:
www.tcvm.com (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine)
www.aava.org (American Acedemy of Veterinary Acupuncture)
Veterinary Acupuncture is part of a holistic health system called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). At the core of TCM is the belief that the body must be in balance. Chi is a vital energy that helps the body remain in balance. Exercise and proper nutrition can help maintain Chi; but when disruptions to health are severe, stronger measures such as acupuncture are needed to help restore balance.
In “Western” terms: Certain points on the body are known to be rich in nerve endings, blood vessels, and lymphatics. Stimulation of these points can cause biochemical and physiologic changes such as: increased circulation, the release of endorphins, muscle relaxation, and improved immune function.
Veterinary Acupuncture has been documented for at least 3,000 years.
What is the process?
First, an extensive history and exam are done. Once a TCM diagnosis has been made, sterile, slender needles are inserted along lines (meridians) where Chi naturally flows. Other stimulations such as electro-acupuncture, aquapuncture (injecting a solution), moxibustion (heating the point) or laser acupuncture can be used.
The stimulation time can range from 1-20 minutes depending on the condition and treatment plan.
Is it painful?
Most animals do not react at all to the insertion of the needles. Once the needles are in place, many pets become relaxed and may even fall asleep. Very anxious animals may take a few sessions before they become comfortable with the process.
What conditions can be treated with acupuncture?
Acupuncture, like any treatment, is not a “one-size-fits-all” procedure. Most pets with muscular or orthopedic problems such as arthritis can benefit from acupuncture. Many diseases or illnesses that do not respond to traditional “Western” medicine may respond to acupuncture.
How soon can I expect results?
Although some animals start to show improvement after the first visit, it may not be until the 3rd or 4th visit that your pet will show improvement. In some very debilitated patients, it is best to build-up the treatment sessions slowly, so as not to overtax the system. Initially, sessions may be weekly to every-other-week. The frequency and overall length of treatment is dependent on your pet’s response.
Will I be able to stop the medications my pet on?
Acupuncture is a “complementary therapy,” meaning it is usually used in addition to current therapies. Many patients can have their medications reduced, and some can have their medications stopped, but these decisions need to be made by the veterinarian on a case-by-case basis.
Where can I get more information about veterinary acupuncture?
The following web-sites are recommended sources of information:
www.tcvm.com (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine)
www.aava.org (American Acedemy of Veterinary Acupuncture)