Accupuncture?

Anybody ever get acupuncture for their cat?

My vet suggested we might try it for Cindy.  She gave us a referral to the acupuncturist that she takes her pets to and she says she has noticed a difference after they have it.  We'll also talk about various herbs that might help.  DH is skeptical but willing to try just about anything right now.  I just hate to drag Cindy to some other treatments, but if it's something she enjoys, it might be worth it.

A kitty with IBD and inappetance just went for their first visit to a Chinese Med trained vet. She got an acupuncture treatment and several tinctures - and was talking (not howling) on the way home, asked for food and was perky and purring. It was the acupuncture - because it wore off after the first day or two. I think it's something that takes a little while to work overall. Does the acupuncturist make home visits? Some do!

Thank you for telling me that.  My vet (who I adore) said that acupuncture seems to be a cumulative thing, so I would guess that one treatment would not do it.  She takes her own pets who have cancer to this doctor, and swears she's seen improvement.  Unfortunately, the acupuncturist doesn't do home visits, and she's almost an hour drive away from us. I'm not particularly keen on that ride for Cindy.  Our vet is going to call her next week and set up an appointment for us to talk to her (without taking Cindy), so we'll see how we feel about it then I guess. She also does herbs,  I want to give Cindy whatever chance I can.  Right now, she does eat on her own but not enough to sustain her if we ever had to remove the feeding tube.  Poor little sweetie has been through so much.  Whenever we think we are making progress, we come upon another setback.

Yeah, you really have been through a lot. :heart2:

And yes, it was my understanding it's cumulative - but that first treatment really did something. And obviously it wasn't the tinctures (not sure what they're for), or her appetite would have stayed up. But she'll be going weekly for ... I don't know. I guess the vet determines that based on how she's doing? And then the treatments are less frequent.

That's what my vet implied, more frequently at first then tapering off.  I hope the kitty in question will do well

So she's still got the Feeding Tube?   Wow?  And they've never figured out why she's losing weight since she's also eating on her own?  She IS still eating on her own along will the assist feeding, right?  I think that's what I've read all along.  What are these tinctures discussed above?  Some sort of appetite stimulants?  (Eastern medicine vs Western medicine).   Have you discussed adding digestive enzymes to her food to see if that helps her put weight on? 

As to the acupuncture, I have only heard good things.  Haven't tried it on my cats, but seriously thought about it with my Sven

Continued for Cindy

My friend who rescue Ritz is also an acupuncturist. Ritz had two treatments, years apart, the most recent one around three months ago. She shook through most of the session, but calmed down considerably towards the end. Calmness, serenity lasted about 24 hours. Friend lives 30 minutes away, if not, I'd take her more frequently. She hates the cat carrier, so not sure it's worth it. Ritz is easily stressed, has FHS. My pet insurance pays for acupuncture if given by a vet. Were I you, I would look into closer acupuncturist, even if not a vet. And consider Chinese meds, herbs. Good luck and vibes.

mrsgreenjeens said:

 
So she's still got the Feeding Tube?   Wow?  And they've never figured out why she's losing weight since she's also eating on her own?  She IS still eating on her own along will the assist feeding, right?  I think that's what I've read all along.  What are these tinctures discussed above?  Some sort of appetite stimulants?  (Eastern medicine vs Western medicine).   Have you discussed adding digestive enzymes to her food to see if that helps her put weight on? 

As to the acupuncture, I have only heard good things.  Haven't tried it on my cats, but seriously thought about it with my

Sven

Continued

for Cindy

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She's still on the feeding tube, and she does eat on her own, but not very much.  They're treating her for IBD, because they can't really find anything else.  She's hovering around 5 lbs right now.  We are not able to give her the amount of assist feed they wanted us to (60 ml 3 times a day) because when we give her more than 40 ml four times a day she vomits.  Sadly, she is what they call an "interesting" case.  Meanwhile, she's hanging in and tolerating the feeding tube.  We've discussed the enzymes, but if I add anything to her food she won't eat it.  She doesn't eat enough to get the amount she would need in any case.  She seems to prefer dry right now, but when she does eat wet, she will pull a bit out with her paw, throw it all over the place, lick a little off her paw, and repeat. 

Ritz said:

My friend who rescue Ritz is also an acupuncturist. Ritz had two treatments, years apart, the most recent one around three months ago. She shook through most of the session, but calmed down considerably towards the end. Calmness, serenity lasted about 24 hours. Friend lives 30 minutes away, if not, I'd take her more frequently. She hates the cat carrier, so not sure it's worth it. Ritz is easily stressed, has FHS. My pet insurance pays for acupuncture if given by a vet. Were I you, I would look into closer acupuncturist, even if not a vet. And consider Chinese meds, herbs. Good luck and vibes.

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Thanks for the testimonial.  The reason we are considering this acupuncturist is because our vet is very familiar with her, takes her own pets there, and recommends her highly.  I would not want to take a chance on finding someone closer who turns out to be a quack or something.  And I definitely like the fact that this woman is also a vet.  We will see.  I guess she does prescribe herbs as well.

Misty8723 said:

 

mrsgreenjeens said:

 
So she's still got the Feeding Tube?   Wow?  And they've never figured out why she's losing weight since she's also eating on her own?  She IS still eating on her own along will the assist feeding, right?  I think that's what I've read all along.  What are these tinctures discussed above?  Some sort of appetite stimulants?  (Eastern medicine vs Western medicine).   Have you discussed adding digestive enzymes to her food to see if that helps her put weight on? 

As to the acupuncture, I have only heard good things.  Haven't tried it on my cats, but seriously thought about it with my

Sven

Continued

for Cindy

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She's still on the feeding tube, and she does eat on her own, but not very much.  They're treating her for IBD, because they can't really find anything else.  She's hovering around 5 lbs right now.  We are not able to give her the amount of assist feed they wanted us to (60 ml 3 times a day) because when we give her more than 40 ml four times a day she vomits.  Sadly, she is what they call an "interesting" case.  Meanwhile, she's hanging in and tolerating the feeding tube.  We've discussed the enzymes, but if I add anything to her food she won't eat it.  She doesn't eat enough to get the amount she would need in any case.  She seems to prefer dry right now, but when she does eat wet, she will pull a bit out with her paw, throw it all over the place, lick a little off her paw, and repeat. 

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Could you add the digestive enzymes JUST to what goes into her feeding tube?

mrsgreenjeens said:

 
Could you add the digestive enzymes JUST to what goes into her feeding tube?

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Hmm, didn't think of that.  I will have to ask.  The last time I asked about it, Vet said the only ones that did any good were ones that cost $$ and you had to get a script.  If I thought they would help her, I would pay the $$. 

By the way, the culture for the infection came back (finally!) and they found 4 different kinds of infection.  Vet says that's not unusual or surprising.  One of the types did not respond to the clindamycin (sp?), so we are giving her something else.  Since we started giving the new antibiotic to her, she seems to have perked up and she's actually eating more on her own.  So now I'm wondering if maybe she's had this infection for a long time and is now starting to feel better?  Anyway, I can at least hope maybe that's the case.  Her weight is back up a bit too.

Misty8723 said:

 

mrsgreenjeens said:

 
Could you add the digestive enzymes JUST to what goes into her feeding tube?

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Hmm, didn't think of that.  I will have to ask.  The last time I asked about it, Vet said the only ones that did any good were ones that cost $$ and you had to get a script.  If I thought they would help her, I would pay the $$. 

By the way, the culture for the infection came back (finally!) and they found 4 different kinds of infection.  Vet says that's not unusual or surprising.  One of the types did not respond to the clindamycin (sp?), so we are giving her something else.  Since we started giving the new antibiotic to her, she seems to have perked up and she's actually eating more on her own.  So now I'm wondering if maybe she's had this infection for a long time and is now starting to feel better?  Anyway, I can at least hope maybe that's the case.  Her weight is back up a bit too.

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Good news that you know what you are dealing with now (the infections).  As the digestive enzymes.  we use Prozyme around here, and buy it on Amazon for less than $20.  One bottles lasts a LONG time too!

mrsgreenjeens said:

 
Good news that you know what you are dealing with now (the infections).  As the digestive enzymes.  we use Prozyme around here, and buy it on Amazon for less than $20.  One bottles lasts a LONG time too!

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I did talk to her about the Prozyme because someone on here recommended it (possibly you?), and she said I could try it but that she's never had very good luck with it.  She said the only one she would recommend is the prescription one that costs $$$.  I don't recall the name.  I will bring it up again next time, though. At this point, I'm not going to quibble about a couple hundred dollars.

(Cindy weighed 5.3 lbs this morning).