ACCUPUNCTURE FOR PETS IN BALI

Living With IVDD: When Everything Changes

When my dog was diagnosed with IVDD, intervertebral disc disease, the change was sudden and frightening. One day there was stiffness, hesitation on the stairs, and subtle pain. Soon after came difficulty walking, weakness in the back legs, and the constant worry that paralysis might be next. Like many pet owners, I followed the standard medical route first: scans, medication, rest, and strict monitoring. IVDD occurs when the cushioning discs between the vertebrae deteriorate or herniate, pressing on the spinal cord. It is especially common in older dogs and certain breeds, but age itself is a major factor. Once the nervous system is involved, the effects go far beyond pain. Balance, coordination, bladder control, and even confidence can slowly decline.

IVDD Is Managed, Not “Fixed”

What became clear very quickly was that IVDD is rarely a short story with a neat ending, especially in senior dogs. Pain management becomes long-term. Medications accumulate. Side effects appear. Over time, the central question quietly shifts from “How do we fix this?” to “How do we help our dog live well with this?” Medication and rest helped, but they also made it obvious that IVDD is something you manage rather than cure. That realization pushed me to seek further guidance, not alternatives, but a broader understanding of long-term care.

That search led me to Sanur.

Seeking Advice at Anom Vet, Sanur

I brought my dog to Anom Vet looking for perspective. I wanted to understand what supportive care could look like for an aging dog with a nervous system condition. I was not specifically looking for acupuncture. In fact, it was not something I had seriously considered for pets before.

After examining my dog and reviewing the condition, the vets at Anom Vet suggested acupuncture as a supportive therapy. It was never framed as a replacement for conventional treatment, but as something that could work alongside medication and monitoring, particularly because IVDD directly affects the spinal cord and nerves.

The suggestion felt measured and thoughtful. That mattered.

Why Acupuncture Was Suggested for IVDD

The explanation was grounded and practical. IVDD disrupts nerve signals along the spine. Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points associated with the nervous system, muscles, and connective tissue. This stimulation can help reduce pain, improve circulation, relax muscle tension, and encourage healthier nerve communication. For senior dogs, where aggressive interventions may not always be ideal, acupuncture offers a gentler way to support the body. The goal is not dramatic reversal, but improved comfort, stability, and quality of life.

What Acupuncture Is and How It Works in Pets

Acupuncture is a therapeutic technique that originated in East Asian medical traditions and is now widely adapted in modern veterinary medicine. At its core, it involves stimulating specific points on the body to regulate bodily systems, support healing, and reduce pain.

In pets, acupuncture is carefully adapted to animal anatomy, physiology, and behavior. The needles are extremely fine, and sessions are adjusted to suit each animal’s size, condition, and temperament. When performed by trained veterinarians, it is considered safe and well tolerated by most animals.

Understanding Meridians in Animals

Meridians are pathways through which the body’s functions are understood to be interconnected. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, these pathways link organs, muscles, nerves, and tissues into a single functional network. Meridians are not physical tubes or structures, but conceptual maps describing how stimulation in one area can influence another.

In animals, meridians are identified through detailed study of anatomical landmarks such as muscles, nerve bundles, blood vessels, and connective tissue planes. Modern veterinary acupuncture often explains these pathways in neurophysiological terms, linking them to nerve pathways and reflex responses.

Meet drh. Surya and the Depth of Veterinary Acupuncture Training

The clinic is run by drh. Desak Putu Suryaningsih, together with her husband drh. Anom. Drh. Desak Putu Suryaningsih, commonly known as drh. Surya, specializes in veterinary acupuncture and integrative care.

She is a member of the Indonesia Association of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (IATCVM), an association of veterinarians trained in China and the United States who apply Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques to animals.

What stood out most to me was the depth of her training. Veterinary acupuncture is not a single system applied universally. Drh. Surya explained how she had to learn the meridian systems of many different animals, not only dogs and cats, but also snakes and turtles. Each species has its own anatomical logic and energetic pathways, and treating them safely requires precise anatomical and neurological understanding.

This is not casual alternative medicine. It is highly technical, specialized veterinary work.

Why Most Acupuncture Patients Are Senior Pets

Over time, drh. Surya shared that most of her current patients are elderly dogs and cats. Many suffer from nervous system disorders, spinal degeneration, paralysis, chronic pain, or age-related mobility decline. These are conditions where conventional veterinary medicine is essential, but often not sufficient on its own.

In these cases, acupuncture becomes part of long-term care. It helps reduce pain, support nerve function, improve movement, and ease the overall stress that comes with aging bodies. For senior pets, this can mean the difference between simply surviving and actually being comfortable.

Acupuncture for Pets in Bali: Practical Information

For pet owners in Bali considering acupuncture as part of long-term, compassionate care, Anom Vet is one of the most established options. Located in Sanur, the clinic operates 24 hours a day with doctors always on standby, making it reliable for both emergencies and ongoing treatment.

Acupuncture sessions are handled by drh. Desak Putu Suryaningsih and need to be booked in advance. Each session generally costs around 300k IDR, though fees can vary depending on the complexity of the case. For pets that struggle with travel, drh. Surya is also available for outcalls, with an additional transport fee.

Appointments and inquiries can be made via Anom Vet’s landline at +62361-723777 or by WhatsApp at +62 811-4473-311.

For me, acupuncture was not something I went looking for. It was something thoughtfully suggested at the right moment. And for many senior pets in Bali, it may offer the same thing it offered my dog: a gentler, more humane way to live with chronic conditions.