Acupuncture for pets

A special animal clinic in Shanghai uses Traditional Chinese Medicine methods like acupuncture to treat dogs or cats that were left paralyzed by accidents, senility, and illness.

The veterinarian straps animals into wooden contraptions before placing the needles on the various acupuncture points. A therapy session typically lasts about 40 minutes and includes acupuncture, electrotherapy and moxibustion.

Most pets need to undergo at least a dozen treatment sessions, with each costing between 220 to 260 yuan ($34 to $40). Some of the pet owners have spent about 80,000 to 100,000 yuan on the therapy.

Every day, the animal health center treats between 15 and 20 pets. Most of these animals are either partially lame or completely paralyzed.

According to Dr. Jin Rishan, the head of the animal health center, his clinic is the only one in China that specializes in treating pets with spine and nerve problems. It has treated around 2,000 animals since its opening in 2014.