Pet owners are having their pets treated through acupuncture at this veterinary clinic in Thailand.

Veterinarian Nijanan Siriachawattana, or Kai-Wan, performs the specialised services at the Panalai Animal Hospital in Nonthaburi province.

She said: 'Acupuncture can be used on almost all animals. We place needles at specific nervous system points to address various health issues.'

The vet said that the alternative treatment is useful for sick animals that cannot take medication.

Before performing the procedure, Kai-Wan first assesses the pet's health by checking its heart rate, temperature, and the colour of its gums and tongue.

After making a diagnosis, Kai-Wan then immobilises the pet, either through restraints or tranquilisers, and inserts tiny needles into specific pressure points on its body.

The needles are electrified with a gentle current through an electronic acupuncture device.

Kai-Wan said she has treated a variety of pets - from a monitor lizard with broken hips, to a fish with an inflamed swim bladder.

She added: 'These treatments show that you can do acupuncture on all species.'

Kai-Wan's services are available through the Panalai Animal Hospital. Consultations can be scheduled to determine if acupuncture is suitable for a customer's pet.

Veterinary acupuncture is said to have originated in China. Vets employed acupuncture techniques to heal horses, which were vital for trade and the military.

The practice has since expanded to include more animals like cats and dogs.