Acupuncture for Sporting Dogs: Another Option in Your Tool Kit
Whether it's woo or hard science, acupuncture hasn't stuck around for 5,000 years for nothin'
In the world of sporting dogs and bird hunting, we ask (and expect) our canine partners to perform at their physical and mental best. Long days in the field, exposure to the elements, and the inevitable wear-and-tear of athletic work take a toll on joints, muscles, and nerves.
While modern veterinary medicine provides excellent tools for diagnosis and treatment, a growing number of veterinarians are turning to complementary therapies such as acupuncture to keep working dogs healthy, pain-free, and mentally sharp.
On a recent episode of the Dogma Podcast, host Dr. Seth Bynum sat down with Dr. Ruth Ann Lobos — veterinarian, certified canine rehabilitation therapist, and certified veterinary acupuncture therapist — to discuss the role of acupuncture in the sporting dog world.
Their conversation addressed what acupuncture is, how it works from both Western and traditional perspectives, and how it can help active dogs recover, stay mobile, and reduce pain and anxiety.
What Is Veterinary Acupuncture?
At its core, veterinary acupuncture mirrors the principles of human acupuncture: inserting ultra-fine needles into specific points on the body to stimulate healing, reduce pain, and restore balance.
Dr. Lobos explained that while most owners think of acupuncture primarily as a pain-relief tool, its applications are much broader. She uses it for:
Orthopedic and musculoskeletal pain (e.g., arthritis, cruciate tears, hip dysplasia)
Post-surgical recovery (speeding healing after orthopedic, superficial, or abdominal surgery)
Neurologic cases (supporting nerve recovery in spinal injuries)
Immune support (helping regulate overactive or weakened immune systems)
Behavioral issues and anxiety relief
Wound healing
For working and sporting dogs, the greatest benefits tend to fall into the categories of joint health, performance recovery, and injury prevention.
How Acupuncture Works: The Western Perspective
Skeptics often wonder how inserting tiny needles can make a difference in a highly conditioned hunting dog. From a Western medical lens, acupuncture has several measurable effects:
Nerve stimulation: Needles are placed at points where nerve bundles are close to the skin. This stimulates nerve pathways, sending messages from the skin to the spinal cord and brain.
Release of neurotransmitters: Acupuncture has been shown to increase endorphins (natural painkillers and feel-good hormones), serotonin, and other neurochemicals that relieve pain and promote well-being.
Improved blood flow: By changing the orientation of connective tissue and dilating local blood vessels, acupuncture boosts circulation to injured or inflamed areas, enhancing healing.
Blocking pain signals: The physical stimulus of the needle can slow or disrupt pain signals traveling up the nervous system, providing relief without drugs.
Research supports these mechanisms. A 2016 review published in the American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine found that acupuncture reduced post-operative pain scores in dogs undergoing orthopedic procedures, helping them return to function more quickly compared to medication alone.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine View
While Western science focuses on anatomy and neurochemistry, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) describes acupuncture in terms of energy flow, or “chi” through meridians. Each meridian is associated with an organ system, and points along these lines can influence function.
For example, Stomach 36, a key point below the knee, is traditionally used for digestive health and immune support. Interestingly, this same point corresponds anatomically with the superficial fibular nerve — showing how ancient practice and modern neurology often align.
Whether you embrace chi pathways or stick to the neurochemical explanations, the bottom line is the same: acupuncture can reduce pain, promote recovery, and improve overall function.
Real-World Sporting Dog Applications
For bird dog and retriever enthusiasts, the potential benefits of acupuncture extend well beyond theory. Dr. Lobos shared several practical examples:
Post-surgical recovery: Acupuncture can shorten recovery time after TPLO (cruciate ligament surgery) or fracture repair, helping dogs regain mobility faster.
Chronic joint pain: Older sporting dogs with arthritis often show improved comfort and mobility after treatments. This can mean more comfortable rides in the truck and easier retrieves in cold water.
Soft tissue injuries: Strains and sprains common in agility or upland hunting can be managed with acupuncture as part of a broader rehab plan.
Performance maintenance: Some high-drive dogs receive regular sessions as a preventive measure, much like human athletes use massage or chiropractic care to stay sharp.
One story she shared was of “Riggs,” her own French Bulldog, who suffered intestinal ileus (gut shutdown) after surgery to unblock his intestines from an ingested foreign body. Acupuncture treatments not only calmed his anxiety but also stimulated intestinal motility, allowing him to recover and return home sooner.
Addressing Skepticism
Even among veterinarians, acupuncture often raises eyebrows. Dr. Bynum admitted that he once reserved acupuncture as a “last resort” when other treatments failed. Yet research and clinical results continue to shift opinions.
Key points for skeptics:
Dogs don’t understand placebo — improvements in mobility, appetite, or anxiety are genuine.
The NIH formally recognized acupuncture as a valid treatment for pain in humans as early as 1997, with MRI studies demonstrating measurable brain activity changes.
Veterinary studies, though woefully fewer in number, show improvements in post-surgical recovery, arthritis pain, and neurologic conditions.
Importantly, acupuncture is not a cure-all. It should be seen as one tool in a multimodal toolbox that includes medication, rehabilitation, conditioning, and nutrition.
What to Expect as a Client
For owners curious about trying acupuncture for their sporting dogs, Dr. Lobos emphasized the importance of realistic expectations.
First visit: Usually 60–75 minutes in Dr. Lobos' practice, including history, physical exam, gait evaluation, and an introduction to needles. Owners are encouraged to bring videos of the dog in the field to help pinpoint subtle lameness.
Treatment session: Typically 30–45 minutes. Needles are left in place for 10–30 minutes while the dog relaxes, often with a treat like frozen baby food. Many dogs become so relaxed they fall asleep.
Frequency: For chronic conditions, once weekly for three weeks is common, then tapering to every 3–4 weeks for maintenance.
Safety: Sedation is rarely needed. Most dogs tolerate needles well, though high-drive dogs may need gradual acclimation.
Finding a Veterinary Acupuncturist
If you’re considering acupuncture for your hunting partner, start by asking your regular veterinarian for a referral. Additional resources include:
American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (AAVA): directory of certified practitioners.
Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI): lists rehab and acupuncture-certified veterinarians.
Conclusion
For sporting dog owners dedicated to maximizing their dog’s comfort, recovery, and longevity, veterinary acupuncture offers a safe, scientifically supported, and minimally invasive option. Whether easing arthritis in a veteran retriever, speeding recovery after surgery, or keeping a field trial competitor in top mental or psychological form, acupuncture has a role to play alongside modern medicine.
As Dr. Lobos summarized, it’s not about replacing traditional care — it’s about expanding the toolkit. And for those of us who depend on our dogs in the field, every tool that helps them stay healthy, mobile, and eager to hunt is worth exploring.
