BOOK REVIEW

Review of Acupuncture for Dogs and Cats

Ralf B. Meyer

Complementary Veterinary Medicine Group, South Africa

Correspondence to

Book Title: Acupuncture for Dogs and Cats
Editors: Christina Matern
ISBN: ISBN 978-3-13-154691-3
Publisher: Thieme Publishers; 2011, $79.99^*

Acupuncture for Dogs and Cats is a pocket atlas consisting of 372 pages that provides practiceorientated guidance on how to treat dogs and cats by applying acupuncture techniques.

It integrates traditional concepts of Chinese Medicine with clinical experience and modern research, bringing together all of this information in one pocket atlas format, which is complimented with photographs and supporting text. The handy double-page spread design enables easy reference of both text and photographs. The photographs are colourful representations of acupuncture points, and the drawings show bone and muscle that identify the location of acupuncture points more easily. This pocket atlas consists of two main chapters, (1) Basic concepts of Acupuncture and, (2) Atlas of Acupuncture Points:

1. Basic Concepts of Acupuncture: This consists of nine chapters. These first 58 pages contain the history of acupuncture and its benefits, and here the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are discussed briefly, followed by a chapter on the channels in TCM. The next chapters involve TCM diagnostics, which discuss the different principles of diagnosis in TCM, and which require a thorough understanding of Chinese Medicine. The last of these chapters discuss the acupuncture points, point selection and identification, needling and the different forms of acupuncture.
2. Atlas of Acupuncture: This consists of fourteen chapters spanning 280 pages. Its atlas layout displays a double-page spread with text on the left side and, on the right side, detailed photographs demonstrating the different acupuncture points. The drawings are precise and show both bone and muscle groups. Each channel and the relevant acupuncture points are discussed systematically and this makes for easy reference. Additionally, each acupuncture is discussed for its effect, indications, localisation and technique.

This book focuses solely on small animal acupuncture, mainly intended for dogs and cats. It contains practical knowledge complimented with easy pictorial referencing, that introduce the principles of TCM and acupuncture. All chapters are well marked and the print is on glossy paper and the photographs are in colour. This manual is intended for veterinarians and acupuncturists as their reference atlas.

Correspondence to:
Ralf B. Meyer
PO Box 11342
Queenswood 0121
South Africa
fif.meyer@lantic.net

* Book price at time of review