Acupuncture for Canine Skin Problems

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treats different types of canine skin problems in dogs through acupuncture. Skin problems can be caused by a variety of imbalances in the dog, such as liver blood deficiency, lung fluid deficiency and excess wind, according to Cheryl Schwartz, DVM, author of "Four Paws, Five Directions: A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs." In TCM, "wind" refers to internal changes in the body that can be triggered by an external force, such as a virus. There are common acupuncture points that a TCM veterinarian may use to reduce canine skin problems.

  1. Hot Spots

    • More than 150 acupuncture points can be used to improve canine health, according to the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. However, only a few are helpful for treating itchy, dry skin. Gall Bladder 20, or "Wind Pond," Large Intestine 4, or "Adjoining Valleys," and Lung 7, also known as "Broken Sequence," are acupuncture points that help to disperse or extinguish wind from the dog's body, according to Schwartz. Wind is a pathogenic factor in TCM and can cause dryness and skin irritation in dogs.

    Hot Spots

    • Hot spots are localized irritations in the skin that can be very painful. They are caused by stagnant heat and can be either dry or damp, Schwartz says. Acupuncture points that balance heat and dampness and increase circulation include Governing Vessel 14, Urinary Bladder 40 and Large Intestine 11.

    Itchy Skin with Odor

    • Dogs can develop skin eruptions that may ooze, form scabs and emit an odor. These symptoms, and other skin disorders like staph or fungal infections, often result from damp heat, wind and a spleen/pancreas imbalance. The points Governing Vessel 14, or "Big Vertebra," Large Intestine 11, or "Crooked Pool," and Urinary Bladder 40, or "Commission the Middle," can be used to alleviate odorous scabs and itching.

    Rashes

    • In TCM, rashes may develop when heat and dryness in the dog's body are not alleviated and there is liver blood deficiency. Dogs with this condition may seem restless and itchy and smell particularly "doggy." The dog may also seek out cool surfaces and drink more frequently. The acupuncture points Gall Bladder 20, Large Intestine 11, Liver 2 and Spleen 6 help to cool heat and reduce wind. According to Schultz, recovery from this condition may be slow.

    Flea Allergies

    • In TCM, dogs that experience flea allergies often have an underlying health condition like deficient liver blood or kidney weakness. These problems cause the heat and wind that irritate the skin. Acupuncture points for heat and wind, like Gall Bladder 20 and Governing Vessel 14, may help to treat the internal weakness. However, the dog's exposure to fleas must be addressed.