Teazel (now 14 + years) has been moving in a non typical way, for a Whippet, and has now been diagnosed with a neurological problem, probably in her lower back/spine.  I am, subject to what her vet thinks when I see him on Friday next, considering taking her to the other vet in town who have a vet specialising in acupuncture.  She treated my Basset years ago.  What concerns me is the skin of a Whippet is quite different to my Basset and so whether the procedure is more likely to hurt her, than it did him - he went to sleep during the treatment.   Has anybody here had acupuncture treatment given to a dog with a similar thin skin to that of a Whippet?

She is currently being given Pardale and Loxicom.

poor Teazel horrible back hurting.   I am sure she will be fine and if she is not she will let you know very quickly it is not ok for her.  The vet won't continue if she is not happy and comfy

Not for a dog but I have had acupuncture many times. I have a neurological skin condition and  can assure you it doesn't hurt at all .I hardly feel the needles going in and once in no discomfort.
I should add the acupuncture is not for that skin condition but joints and muscles . If its suggested I would go for it if you can  afford it .chiropractic maybe another option which two of my dogs had with some success

My good friend has an elderly cat who was about 16 or so when she had acupuncture after falling and damaging her back she was fast asleep on the shed roof a gull landed and scared her (mind you think she scared him too) she fell
from the roof and landed badly. It worked well. Sorry to hear about Teazle hope whatever you do helps her bad back ouch.

Thanks guys for the input.  

The thing is at her age it's really just a question now of keep her comfortable.  She probably needs an MRI scan/x-rays but as we both said (vet and me), what then really.   She's certainly not a candidate for spinal surgery.    Knowing that acupuncture certainly didn't do Frankie any harm (even if I wasn't convinced he did him much good to be honest) I'm willing to try something 'alternative' for Teazel.   She doesn't show ANY sign of pain, not even when Richard pulled her around quite a lot when we saw him on Saturday, is eating up fine and can still jump up on the sofa (I'm watching this!!) but she did react when her vet (Richard) did an extensive 'scissor' pinching down her spine, once he got to the bottom end of the spine (lumber region).    Whereas she didn't put her back feet back into the correct position during my previous visit (not to my fav. vet), when Richard (fav vet) did the same with her back feet, the message got through after a second or so, and she returned both feet to the correct position.  She is standing off her left front leg somewhat.

Her planned dental and heart scan has been cancelled - should have been done this next Friday but I do have to take her back that day for Richard to take another look at her.  As he said, she really has a more pressing problem with her spine, than her teeth.

Goodness knows for how long we will have her but while we do, it's just a question of keeping her comfortable for whatever time she has left.

I'm starting to look more seriously at finding another - already my hubby is missing being able to walk with her of a morning.  Obviously she's now off all exercise other than round the house and back garden.  He went out on his own yesterday and met a couple who asked him where 'his little dog' was. 

Well sadly there does not appear to e a shortage at the moment of dogs puppies. Wishing you all the best

Well sadly there does not appear to e a shortage at the moment of dogs puppies. Wishing you all the best

re chiroprator, I used one for our first weimaraner who had a very sore back and it was very good indeed,  she loved the women who did it, loved the treatment- she stood there and literally went into a trance like sleep while it was done- and moved a hell of a lot better and happier afterwards.  the women we used also did horses and came to our house to do the treatments.  was many years ago but I do remember it was not wildly expensive and did help

The chiropractic we use is a mctimony chiropractor amd she does a lot of work with horses . Wonder if it's the same one ? She has been qualified for years

I emailed the other vet in town who I knew had a vet who specialised in acupuncture and other 'alternative medicine' alongside her normal vetting.   I asked how much and was told £75 for a 15 min. session.  That seems unduly pricey to me but if I thought it would give Teazel a better quality life, to include being able to walk out even if locally, I'd do it.  I have to take her back to see Richard this Friday and may ask him about acupuncture even if I expect his only answer would be 'it can't do her any harm'...... I don't know if they have a vet there who can do the treatment.  There's practically nothing (for anything ) here in Bude!   I'll have to Google re a McTimony practioner reasonably local.

https://www.cornwallanimals.co.uk/services   might be worth a chat. Even If she is too far she may know someone nearer.  Richard will need to ok the treatment but I would expect them to know.that

Thanks FF - Hayle is, obviously quite a distance from Bude but as suggested, they may know somebody closer to here.  There is a place in town here who do acupuncture but probably only for humans.  I have dropped them a line to see what happens.   I still think £75 is a bit ott for 15 minutes ..... they'd hardly get the needles in before they need to come out in that time

I'm going to wait to talk to Richard about all this on Friday.  Actually dare I say it, having been on the meds she's currently having (Pardale and Loxicom) for a few days now, she does seem to be moving without a limp.

More later .....

Never had it used on a dog, myself yes I have. The only time I can't tolerate it and feel it is when my muscles are very sore or spasming. They use a massage gun on me then. I've been told I have a high pain threshold but with needles it's a whole different ball game.

We have an acupuncture vet use our premises to treat in Plymouth, but I can also see one of his locations is Holsworthy.

He is a lovely chap and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone leave in 15 minutes. I’m sure he would be happy to talk you through any concerns: https://www.awrevitt.co.uk/

I seem to recall his initial consultation is more expensive and subsequent treatments cheaper.

Many thanks Tectona - I'm going to talk to my vet, Richard Gale, in town here on Friday.  For all I know, like at the other Bude Practice, Penbode Vets, they have somebody in Tamar Vets who can do this.   It does look as if the treating vet will have to do a referral.  Richard may of course, say there's no point with Teazel .........

The place in Holsworthy is apparently at Brandis Corner which is a bit outside Holsworthy itself, but 'doable'.

It is a requirement that any complimentary therapy has to have permission from a conventional vet who has seen the animal . Also as tectona says it is usual for initial meeting to be longer and dearer as they take an extensive history as well as doing some treatment 
It's the same for us humans  regardless of which therapy except we don't need a gp referral 
Or a vet !!!:)

Update on Teazel - Richard is totally in agreement with acupunture and therapy - and this can be done by a vet operating out of the sister Practice in Holsworthy.  She is going to phone me to make an appointment.  She seems to be a bit better today.  Onward and upward.

Hope Teazel continues to improve

Excellent news hoping for a good outcome.

Do please keep us updated