BEIJING (AFP) - A tightly strapped Kanish poodle watches anxiously as a veterinarian pricks him with fine needles in his back and legs, as more and more dog and cat owners in China offer their pets acupuncture .

This traditional Chinese medicine clinic in Beijing is crowded, morning and evening, with animals of all sizes, even rabbits.
And now many people prefer this type of treatment over the usual veterinary treatment, as it is less severe and has side effects.

"The advantage of traditional Chinese medicine lies in the fact that it does not depend on surgery, and therefore the percentage of animal suffering is diminished, as well as the duration of its recovery phase," explained the owner of the Caneche dog, Jay Shunyu, 38, to AFP.

His three-year-old dog, Donio, suffers from Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, which affects the head and neck of the femur and causes them to accumulate, with inflammation in the joints and pain, resulting in a lameness while walking.

"He was in so much pain that he could no longer stand on the ground and lost his appetite," said Jay, who works in finance.

He added, "A doctor advised me to remove the head of the femur. But I did not want to do that because I have another Kanish dog who went through the same suffering, and was in a lot of pain as a result of the operation and its effects."

A friend advised him to try acupuncture at the clinic, which 68-year-old veterinarian Li Wen opened in 2016.
"After five or six sessions, we can see the results. Donyo can walk and even run a bit now," he said.

The veterinarian issues a diagnosis based on examining the animal's size, eyes and tongue color, taking its pulse and asking questions of the owner. Then he suspects his needles on the acupuncture points of cats and dogs.

"Out of ten animals I receive on average every day, one or two always rebel against treatment," said Li Wen, who has been working in this field for 46 years.
He stressed the need for the doctor to communicate with the animals, treat them kindly, and reassure them that he does not want to harm them.
Li Wen relaxes his patients with soft music that he broadcasts in his clinic, including the sound of bamboo flutes and the chirping of birds.

Like a person, and once the needles are suspected, the veterinarian stimulates the points with a heating lamp in which tablets of fireweed are placed, which is called “cautery” treatment.

This treatment is supposed to complement acupuncture and reduce rheumatism as well as muscle and joint pain.
The veterinarian mainly treats cases of paralysis, limb weakness, epilepsy, pain and urinary retention.

Acupuncture can also be used in the absence of another treatment, as is the case with a male Labrador dog named Shawmei (12 years old) who suffers from nervous pressure in his lower back and the appearance of a parrot's beak as a result of cartilage deterioration.

Ma Li, 41, told AFP that her dog, "last September, was unable after swimming to stand again on its legs. The vet told us after that that it was impossible to treat it and that it would become paralyzed."

She added, "Thanks to acupuncture, he still has difficulties, but he walks normally and even runs."

The average price for a session is 360 to 390 yuan (52 to 57 euros), which is acceptable for most pet owners in Beijing.

"The first time, he was scared and only endured the treatment for five minutes," said Yang Lihua, 65, a pensioner who came with her dog Nianyan, who had a herniated disc.

But the situation is different now, and he "loves it! After the session, he feels so relaxed that he sleeps in the car on the way home," she said.
Animal acupuncture dates back about six centuries in China, according to Professor Lee.

It was used for the first time to treat cows, sheep, horses, rabbits or even chickens. And its application to dogs and cats is the latest.

Professor Lee emphasized that "the aim of traditional Chinese medicine is not to replace ordinary medicine" because "both have their strengths" and are "complementary" to the other.

The market for animal acupuncture is currently still limited.

However, according to Professor Lee, "it has been gaining popularity since 2016". "With the increase in education levels, living conditions and income, more people realize the benefits of this medicine," he said.