Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of pets do we treat?

We offer our services to mostly dogs, cats and rabbits. If you have any other type of pet you would like to be consulted on please send an email to hello@ogawavetclinic.com.au for enquiry.

What do I need to preapare for treatment session?

Please prepare a comfy bed, blanket, favourite toys and treats for your pet in a quiet room or area. It is recommended that you take your dog out for a walk before their appointment as it helps to keep your pet calmer and relaxed during treatment.

What happens during an acupuncture consultation?

The first acupuncture session will last one hour. In this session, we will ask you questions about your pet (lifestyle, diet, personality and so on) and perform a traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) physical examination. This differs from the standard veterinary physical examination as it focuses on the flow of medicine (tongue and pulses). Acupuncture and TCVM are aimed at correcting the imbalance of the body as well as targeting the health issue. We will then formulate a custom detailed treatment plan best suited for your pet and yourself. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin, sterile needles into specific points on your pet’s body. Depending on the condition being treated, we may connect these needles to an electroacupuncture machine to try and improve the efficacy of the treatment. Most of our patients will become very relaxed and may fall asleep during acupuncture. The treatment usually last for twenty minutes and the needles are removed thereafter. Your pet may also receive a type of massage called Tui-Na if appropriate and may be given a prescription with herbs to assist the healing. We do also cater to the needs of anxious or stressed animals, and will pace the treatment according. This may involves acclimatizing them slowly to the needles and treatment overtime. Subsequent acupuncture consultations will last about thirty to forty minutes.

Does acupuncture have any side effects?

Although side effects are very rare to occur, your pet may appear slightly drowsy or sore in the first twenty-four hours after acupuncture. Some animals may show deterioration in their condition in the first couple of days before showing any improvements. If you are concerned about your pet, please contact us immediately.

What is the difference between conventional acupuncture and laser acupuncture?

Conventional acupuncture utilises very thin needles, whereas laser acupuncture uses a photobiomodulation machine to stimulate the acupoints. Acupuncture needles stay in for twenty minutes and are then removed from the animal. Most of our patients become relaxed and fall asleep during the process, which helps the body’s healing. If your pet is receiving laser acupuncture, he/she will experience a warm sensation at the acupuncture points when being stimulated. The whole process of laser acupuncture is a lot shorter compared to the conventional acupuncture.

How many acupuncture treatments does my pet need?

Animals respond to acupuncture treatment differently. Some respond well to initial treatment, while others may require two or three treatments before showing improvement. Basic cases take around four to six treatments before initial symptoms start to dissipate, while more chronic or challenging cases can take up to ten or more treatments. We recommend at least four to six treatments once to twice a week (depending on the severity and chronicity of the problem) before deciding whether acupuncture is suitable for treating your pet’s problem. We will discuss a detailed treatment plan at the end of the initial consultation.

What if my pet has needle phobia?

The acupuncture needles used are very thin, and most animals do not feel the needle going through their skin. However, even if your pet does not tolerate conventional acupuncture treatment, we do also have access to laser acupuncture on-site.

What is the difference between laser therapy and acupuncture?

Both acupuncture and laser therapy are great pain-relief.

Acupuncture focuses on harmonising imbalance in your pet's body and aims to improve general health of your pets. Scientific research suggests that acupuncture may increase local nutritive blood flow, regulate the immune systems and help to release β-endorphins (the body’s natural painkiller) and serotonin (a mood enhancer).

On the contrary, laser therapy focuses on your pets painful condition itself. Laser energy increases circulation, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area, which creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. Pets suffer from seizure, cancer or pregnant pets are not suitable for laser treatment and we recommend acupuncture.

How often does my pet need to have laser therapy?

These are recommendations only and your pet may require more or less treatment depending on the severity and chronisity of the condition. We will discuss about the treatment plan at the initial consultation. We will try to schedule the appointment to fit around your schedule while aiming to get maximum treatment outcome.

Post orthopaedic surgery rehaiblitation: Twice weekly for 2 to 4 weeks then weekly until healed.

Chronic arthritis: Twice weekly for 3 weeks until the level of comfort/activity is satisfactory. It could take as little as 6 treatments for young pets or early stage arthritis. It could take 10 to 15 treatments for older, chronic or severe cases. Taper off to once every 3 to 4 weeks as maintenance.

Non-healing wounds: Treat daily (if possible) for 2-3 days then treat every other day for 3-4 treatments.

Ear infection: Treat daily (if possible) for 2-3 times a day then 2-3 times a week until good evidence of improvement.

Are there any side effects to using laser therapy?

Your pet may experience muscle soreness the following day, similar to one after a deep tissue massage. Even though there are no known published studies to prove this, laser theoretically may aggravate and causes cancer cells to multiply. In the event that you are seeking our services for your pet diagnosed with cancer, laser therapy will not be suitable and we will be recommending conventional acupuncture treatment.

Can all animals have laser therapy?

Laser therapy cannot be used: If your pet has seizures ; if your pet is pregnant (also a pregnant pet owner cannot stay in the same room with the patient during the laser treatment); if the location for the laser therapy is close to or on the cancer site

Why do you recommend herbs to my pet?

Pets usually improve after an acupuncture treatment. However, our experience is that once the next appointment is missed or scheduled too far apart, their conditions regress and we're back to square one. Although herbs do not completely replace an acupuncture session, it maintains a healing process for your pets. We want your pets to keep improving, rather than one step forward and two steps back. Herbs are extremely effective as they are made from natural ingredients. In Japan, human western medicine doctors prescribe 漢方(Kanpō, Chinese herbs revised by Japanese physicians) to their patients and it is covered by health insurance!