Mossflower Veterinary provides veterinary acupuncture for dogs and cats in Deep River, Connecticut, serving the lower Connecticut River valley and shoreline. Acupuncture is one part of the integrative care Dr. Lara Gardner offers — used to support arthritis, mobility, neurologic conditions, and senior pet comfort alongside conventional veterinary medicine.
Which conditions do you commonly treat with acupuncture?
Acupuncture can be used to support a wide variety of medical conditions and is commonly incorporated into treatment plans for:
Arthritis and chronic pain
Mobility changes in older dogs and cats
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and neurologic conditions
Recovery after injury or orthopedic surgery
Hospice and palliative care
Behavioral concerns, anxiety, and Shen disturbances
Grief and emotional adjustment
Internal medicine conditions, including kidney and liver disease
General wellness and support for overall balance within the body
Every treatment plan is tailored to the individual patient and is designed to complement, not replace, conventional veterinary care.
What does an acupuncture session at Mossflower actually look like?
Appointments typically last 30–45 minutes from start to finish.
Each visit begins by giving your pet time to settle into the treatment room. Creating a calm, low-stress environment is an important part of the experience, and we never rush the process.
Most treatments begin with a few calming acupuncture points to help patients relax. As animals become familiar with acupuncture, many no longer need these points and settle comfortably into treatment on their own.
Depending on your pet’s condition, acupuncture is often paired with cold laser therapy to provide additional support.
Most animals tolerate acupuncture surprisingly well, and many become so relaxed during treatment that they rest or even fall asleep.
Do you perform acupuncture on cats?
Absolutely.
Many cats tolerate—and often enjoy—acupuncture. Treatments are performed at each cat’s comfort level and are adjusted to fit their individual personality.
For cats that are more active or less comfortable with needles, laser acupuncture provides a needle-free alternative that can be completed more quickly. In some cases, aquapuncture may also be recommended to provide longer-lasting stimulation of specific acupuncture points.
In addition to dogs and cats, acupuncture can also be performed on horses, rabbits, pigs, goats, birds, and many other species.
What does a typical course of treatment look like?
Every patient responds differently, so treatment plans are individualized.
Some conditions improve after a short series of four to six treatments, while more chronic conditions often benefit from a more concentrated initial phase followed by maintenance care.
Depending on your pet’s needs, treatments may be recommended anywhere from twice weekly during an active flare to every other week, monthly, or every few months for long-term support.
Treatment frequency is adjusted over time based on your pet’s progress, comfort, and goals.
How does acupuncture fit with the rest of your care?
Acupuncture is one part of an integrative treatment plan.
It works well alongside conventional medications, Traditional Chinese herbal medicine, nutrition, rehabilitation, laser therapy, and other supportive therapies. Acupuncture often provides more immediate support while longer-term treatments, such as herbal medicine or rehabilitation, have time to take effect.
Beyond addressing physical discomfort, many pets experience deep relaxation during their treatments. Creating a calm, healing environment is an important part of caring for animals experiencing illness, pain, or stress, and this mental well-being can contribute positively to healing.
Our goal is always to combine therapies thoughtfully to create the treatment plan that best fits each individual patient.
Mossflower Veterinary
110 W Elm St, Deep River, CT 06417
(860) 707-6744
mossflowervet.com