| Written by practitioner Barbara Royal, DVM- | | | | perfect model for the neophyte acupuncturist. |
| I have always loved greyhounds. But as a | | | | When I was trying to learn the more than 390 |
| veterinarian who does acupuncture, this Chinese | | | | acupuncture points, I was grateful for the gentle |
| modality has made me appreciate them even more. | | | | greyhounds owned by one of the teaching assistants. |
| They are, in fact, the perfect animal for an | | | | They stood patiently as my fingers found the nooks |
| acupuncturist in just about everyway. Of course, the | | | | and crannies that eluded me on the overweight, |
| main reason is that they respond extremely well to | | | | long-haired animals that we also used. Once a point |
| acupuncture. I have used acupuncture to help treat | | | | was repeatedly located on a greyhound, it made it |
| greyhounds with arthritis, seizures, allergies, | | | | much easier to be confident finding points on other |
| gastrointestinal ills, behavior problems, liver and kidney | | | | animals. |
| diseases, and vision and hearing problems. Their | | | | Now, when I am treating a greyhound, I feel like |
| responses to the treatments are always rewarding. | | | | it’s too easy—not only to find the points but |
| Owners are happy, the hounds feel better, and I can | | | | also to identify medical problems with a Chinese |
| reaffirm what I love to do. | | | | exam. Assessing treatment response in greyhounds |
| But on a more basic level, they are perfectly suited | | | | can be more accurate because gait analysis results |
| to the technique of acupuncture and to me as a | | | | and muscle measurements are more obviously visible. |
| doctor as well. First, greyhounds, like many of my | | | | With the efficiency of these treatments, I am able |
| patients, seem to respond viscerally to the | | | | to chat freely with the owners. I am happy to say I |
| treatments. In short, they seem to enjoy it. They | | | | have developed great friendships with many of my |
| are canines who like their creature comforts. Along | | | | greyhound owners. |
| with the cozy couch and a refreshing | | | | Third, greyhounds are exquisitely sensitive to many |
| stretch-of-the-legs sprint, they take pleasure in the | | | | medications. Their drug sensitivities and reactions are |
| massage-like feeling of the treatment and are often | | | | well-known in the veterinary world. When dealing with |
| invigoratedby the needles. Like an off-season athlete, | | | | a greyhound, it’s gratifying to have the training |
| they appreciate a physical therapist’s efforts. | | | | to treat these delicate dogs without worrisome side |
| Second, acupuncture points are located by anatomic | | | | effects. In my years of using acupuncture, I have |
| landmarks: bones, muscle edges, tendon origins, and | | | | found it to be both safe and effective in the |
| so on. As one can imagine, these landmarks are | | | | greyhound. |
| practically labeled with neon in a greyhound. Short fur, | | | | mission is the education and advocacy of natural |
| sleek body lines, seriously defined musculature, and | | | | medicine and a holistic lifestyle. |
| visible bones and contours make the greyhound a | | | | |