Acupuncture for an albino alligator

Have you ever heard of acupuncture for an albino alligator?  Well you have now!

Vets in San Paulo aquarium have been using acupuncture to treat the back pain of Bino, an 8 year old albino alligator. Born with a hunchback and scoliosis, Bino has been receiving weekly acupuncture and is able to twitch his tail and move his back legs, which he was unable to do before his acupuncture started.
In 2011 veterinarians at the aquarium in Brazil decided to see if acupuncture might help Bino, as it has with other animals living in the aquarium.

‘The acupuncture will … alleviate his pain and keep all his vital functions going,’ said Rafael Gutierrez, a biologist at the aquarium of Sao Paulo. The vets will continue with weekly sessions of acupuncture for as long as bino is showing signs of improvement.

Animal acupuncture is increasingly popular in the UK.  So how do you find a vet who practices acupuncture?

The Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists was formed in 1987, as a result of a growing interest in acupuncture by veterinary surgeons in the UK. According to their website the ABVA was founded to:

  • to further the research and teaching of veterinary acupuncture through an organised programme of continuing education
  • to encourage the safe and competent use of acupuncture in veterinary medicine
  • to ensure that animal owners in the UK may contact veterinary acupuncturists from a credible source

Do you have a pet that has had acupuncture?  Let me know about your experience in the comments section below, I’d love to hear from you.

 

 

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