Acupuncture, a 3,000 year old technique which arose in ancient China, is a well attested procedure for healing and pain relief. Current research shows that veterinary acupuncture (VA) affects most body systems via the humoral and cellular pathways.

VA can be used to treat: arthritis - spondylitis & spondylosis - 'back pain' -hip displasia - paralysis & paresis - muscle & ligament strains and sprains dorsal intervetebral disc protrusions - infertility - incontinence - chronic sinusitis & catarrh - some skin conditions - non-specific vomiting - diarrhoea - allergies - and to improve healing, scar tissue and resistance to disease.

Animals accept VA needles very well and often sleep during treatments. Fine, stainless steel 30 guage,needles which are used once only, are left in for 10 - 20 minutes. It will be apparent after two treatments whether VA therapy is creating a response.

Any animal, large or small, including birds and farm animals can be treated with VA. VA should not be used on pregnant animals except to provide pain relief and to dilate the cervix during birth.

   Laser therapy (LT)is a technique using a cold, non-surgical laser beam of varying intensity. LT has a number of effects on underlying tissue bringing about increased activity of white blood cells and organisation of scar tissue.

LT is helpful in treating oedema, reducing inflammation, stimulating healing after surgery, tendon problems, torn muscles, granulation tissue (proud flesh), haematomas and bruising and muscle/ligament sprains and strains. The laser is often used with VA needles to improve rates of healing.

Wendy Vere
Wendy Vere is available for both individual clients and to run acupuncture clinics, by arrangment, at veterinary surgeons' surgeries in Dorset, Somerset and Devon. Where there is a minimum of six horses for treatment, a team approach is taken, involving a saddler, a farrier, a chiropractor and Wendy Vere.

If you would like your animal to be referred for VA, please download a Veterinary Surgeon's Consent Form and return it to Wendy Vere.

email Wendy Vere from the contact page
tel: 01363 877471 or 07860 162 501
Moor Farm, Morchard Bishop, Crediton, Devon EX17 6RX

Outside South West contact Jill Adair, Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists 01444 400213 for your nearest vet who practises VA.