In dogs, exaggeration may last longer, up to 5 days in rare instances. Patients and animal owners should be warned that this may occur. Many acupuncturists take it as a good sign, indicating that acupuncture has been successful in stimulating some response and they expect success following further sessions. This narcotic-type effect is very common in dogs but also occurs in other species. The animals may appear calmer or sleepier than animal usual.
Dogs often let the head hang down.
They may appear to be in a light sleep. A watery nasal discharge may occur. Neuritis may arise by direct injury to a nerve. It is very rare if correct needling methods are used and if the same points are not needled too vigorously, or too frequently. Post-analgesia paralysis may arise on very rare occasions in humans and animals when surgery has been done under strong acupuncture stimulation.