Dog gets ACUPUNCTURE on This Morning
A dog receiving acupuncture live on Friday's episode of This Morning caused concern among viewers.
Jack, a 14-year-old Corgi brought in by his owner Sue Foster, was extremely calm as he received his weekly session from vet Emma Buckland.
She explained to presenters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford that the pooch was having the procedure alongside medication for back and leg problems caused by his advancing age.
Emma said that applying acupressure to various points in his back would help ease his pain, but as she began to carefully place the needles then attach wires to administer an electric charge, some viewers appeared to be struggling to watch.
'Dog acupuncture is basically animal cruelty. #ThisMorning,' fumed one viewer.
The 14-year-old Corgi Jack, was brought in by his owner Sue Foster, who has been taking him for regular acupuncture treatments
Vet Emma Buckland applied acupressure via needles inserted into Jack's back which she said helped to relieve any pain
'A bit uncomfortable seeing a dog have acupuncture,' said another.
Presenters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, who have a dog, Maggie, seemed to look on in concern.
At one point Eamonn joked as the wires were attached: 'Let’s hope the dog doesn't explode!'
Small electrical currents were attached to the needles which the vet said would help to release endorphins into the dog's blood stream.
Viewers quickly took to Twitter to share their concern about the procedure which was aired on This Morning
Ruth and Eamonn -who both revealed they had had acupuncture in the past - were certainly intrigued by the results, and when the muscles in Jack's back began to spasm in response, they tried to get a closer look.
His owner Sue said that the results from treatment have been positive: 'He walks a lot easier, when he's had this he falls asleep legs akimbo. He's more relaxed.'
The practice of giving animals acupuncture has become mainstream in countries like China, and vet Emma says she hopes that it will help widen the range of treatments available for dogs.
An RSPCA spokesperson said of the ancient form of treatment that they 'believe it’s important to be open to exploring treatment methods that we might classify as being less conventional'.
Sue (left) said that Jack would become more relaxed after a treatment, and more mobile in his back legs
The Corgi was extremely relaxed while receiving his treatment which saw his back muscles spasm as the needles were inserted
However they added: 'Here, we do feel strongly that those methods must be evidence-based rather than purely anecdotal.
'We also believe that if acupuncture is used, it must be under veterinary direction, and that rather than being used as an alternative to evidence-based medicine, it should be complementary to ensure animals always get the proven conventional medicine they need.'
The RSPCA advised pet owners who have concerns about their animals to consult their vet and not to administer any treatment that is worse than the condition it is trying to treat.
This Morning airs weekdays on ITV at 10.30am