北京のペット愛好家に広まる動物向けのはり治療

【北京ＡＦＰ＝時事】中国に古くから伝わるはり治療の技術を駆使して、背中や前足に細いはりを刺し、痛みや苦痛を和らげる──中国・北京のある診療所では、大小さまざまなペットが治療に訪れる。（写真は中国・北京の動物病院ではり治療を受ける犬）
　はり治療師は、従来の西洋医学に比べて中国の伝統的な治療法は、手術などを用いないために動物の生体に強い負担を与えず、副作用も少ないと語る。
　「中国の伝統的な医学の長所は、手術がないこと」だと、金融機関に勤めるザイ・チュンユーさん（３８）は、ＡＦＰの取材に答えた。トイプードルのドゥニウはわずか３歳にして、大腿（だいたい）頭骨が壊死（えし）し、痛みを伴う病気を患っている。
　従来の西洋医学の獣医師からは大腿骨の一部を切除するよう助言されたが、飼っているもう１匹の犬が手術の後遺症に苦しんだことから、ザイさんは手術を受けさせることを拒んでいた。そんな時、友人からはり治療を勧められた。ザイさんは５、６回の治療で効果が現れ、ドゥニウの歩行も改善してきたと話す。
　２０１６年に診療所を開設した獣医師のリー・ウェンさんによると、動物へのはり治療は中国では何世紀もの歴史がある。リーさんは「中国の伝統的な医学は従来の西洋医学に取って代わるものではない」とし、「どちらにも強みがあり、相互補完関係にある」と説明する。
　リーさんは主に、まひ、四肢の衰弱、てんかん、痛み、尿閉などを扱っているが、他の治療法がない症例にも、はり治療が有効な場合もあるという。
　例えば、腰の神経圧迫に苦しんでいた１２歳の雄のラブラドル、シャオメイの事例だ。飼い主のマー・リーさん（４１）は、シャオメイが「はり治療のおかげで、まだ困難ではあるものの、普通に歩行できるようになり、走ることもできるようになった」と評価している。
　マーさんは、動物向けのはり治療市場は現時点ではまだ限定的だが、２０１６年以降、人気を博していると指摘。「教育や生活の水準が向上し、所得が増えるにつれて、より多くの人が（ペットに対する）はり治療の効果を実感しつつある」と分析している。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2022/08/17-13:39）

Strapped in tight, the prone poodle nervously eyes the vet as he gently sticks fine needles into its back and paws, summoning the ancient art of acupuncture to treat the pet's aches and pains.
Duniu is just one of a growing number of animals being signed up for traditional medicine in China -- care their masters say is less invasive and comes with fewer side effects than conventional treatments.
In one Beijing practice, pets of all shapes and sizes come for treatments.
The advantage of traditional Chinese medicine is that there is no surgery, 38-year-old Zhai Chunyu tells AFP, accompanied by Duniu, his poodle.
So the animal's suffering is reduced.
At just three years old, Duniu suffers from Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, which affects the thigh bone and can lead to painful osteoarthritis.
He was in so much pain that he could no longer put his paw on the ground and had no appetite, says Zhai, who works in finance.
A doctor advised me to have the head of the femur removed. But I didn't want to because I have another poodle who has been there and he suffered a lot from the operation and the after-effects.
But then a friend advised him to try acupuncture.
After five to six sessions, we saw the results. Duniu manages to walk and even run a little now, Zhai says.
- 'Treat them gently' -
Animal acupuncture is centuries old in China, says veterinarian Li Wen, who founded his practice in 2016.
Traditional Chinese medicine is not intended to replace conventional medicine because both have their strengths and are complementary, he says.
Before starting the treatment, the vet first checks the animal's body, examines its eyesight and the colour of its tongue, takes its pulse and asks its owner questions.
He then plants his needles at acupuncture points specific to dogs and cats.
Out of the 10 animals that I receive on average every day, there are always one or two who rebel, Li says.
You have to communicate with them, treat them gently, reassure them that you're not here to hurt them.
Recordings of soft bamboo flute music and the chirping of birds are played at the clinic to help the animals relax.
Li mainly deals with cases of paralysis, limb weakness, epilepsy, pain and urinary retention.
But acupuncture can also be used for ailments when no other treatment is available.
That was the case with Xiaomei, a 12-year-old male Labrador suffering from nerve compression in his lower back.
Last September, after swimming, he was unable to get back on his feet. A veterinarian then told us that it was impossible to treat and that he would become paralysed, his owner Ma Li, 41, tells AFP.
Thanks to acupuncture, he still has difficulties but can walk normally and even run.
- 'He loves it!' -
The first time, he was scared, says Yang Lihua, a 65-year-old retiree accompanied by her Pekingese Niannian, who is suffering from a herniated disc.
Now he loves it! After the session, he is so relaxed that he sleeps in the car on the way home.
The acupuncture market for animals remains limited for the moment, Li says.
But since 2016, it has been gaining popularity, he adds.
As education levels, living conditions improve and incomes rise, more and more people are realising the benefits of this medicine.
Ma's Labrador jumps into the back seat of her mistress's car after her session, looking content.
Doesn't he look happy? she exclaims.