There are rarely adverse effects to dog acupuncture treatments. Occasionally, symptoms may worsen for a day or two, as the energy in the body is being redirected and internal healing begins. You may notice a small bruise at needle locations, although with animals, you are unlikely to see anything. Although there are no reports in contemporary veterinary literature of injury or infection in animals resulting from acupuncture, in rare instances it’s possible that puncture of an organ or vessel could take place.