Johannes T. Lumeij, DVM, PhD, DECAMS
Associate Professor of Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine, Division of Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiteit Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Acupuncture has a wide following in veterinary medicine, but there is no evidence for clinical effectiveness. In this lecture the false historical claims on which this treatment modality is based will be exposed and the lack of evidence for this treatment modality will be documented. Key references for further study are included below.
References
1. Habacher G, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Veterinary Medicine: Systematic Review. J Vet Intern Med 2006; 20: 480-488.
2. Imrie RH, Ramey DW, Buell PD, Ernst E, Basser SP. Veterinary acupuncture and historical scholarship: Claims for the antiquity of acupuncture. The Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine, vol 5, no 3, 2001, pp 133-139