Acupuncture for pets

Published: 9 September 2003

Putting a spring in the step of the family pet

Do you have an old pet whose arthritis is bothering him? Perhaps the ancient Chinese medical art of acupuncture might help him get more of a spring back into his step

This alternative therapy is becoming more popular for use in the animal population. Today, (Tuesday 9th September), vets at the University of Glasgow's Vet School will be hearing more from a leading US expert, on how acupuncture can be used to assist with the management of pain and the rehabilitation of small animals, when she visits the School.

Dr. Maria Glinski, a small animal veterinarian currently working in South Carolina, studied human acupuncture in Shanghai, China and small animal acupuncture at the North Carolina State University. She also completed certification for veterinary acupuncture with the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS).

"Acupuncture has been practised for over 5,000 years. Fine needles are inserted into the body's surface to influence the physiological functioning of the body." Dr. Glinski explains.

"We are finding increasing numbers of pet owners are requesting acupuncture and it can be of particular use in treating animals with severe pain-related issues due to surgery, injury degenerative diseases and neurological issues."

Dr. Glinski will be discussing when to consider using alternative treatments and how to use them effectively, based on her experiences running the innovative Animal Rehabilitation & Fitness Centre in South Carolina. The Centre provides cold and hot therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, electro-stimulation, physical therapy exercises, massage therapy, acupuncture and swim therapy with an indoor swimming pool and an underwater treadmill system.

Dr. Glinski currently divides her time between teaching other veterinarians, writing, private consulting, and developing her canine pain management referral practice.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)


Dr Glinski will be available for interview in the IAMS Lecture Theatre at the University of Glasgow Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, at 4.30 pm on Tuesday 9th September.

For further information, please contact Ailsa Macmillan, Glasgow University Vet School, Tel: 0141 330 2808

First published: 9 September 2003