Albino Alligator Gets Acupuncture!

Here’s a sight you don’t see everyday in Irvine:

The Associated Press recently published a story about Bino, an albino alligator that lives in the Sao Paulo Aquarium in Brazil, who had the misfortune of being born with scoliosis. As if being an albino alligator was not rare enough, Bino now has the honor of being the first recorded alligator to undergo acupuncture. The treatment appears to be helping relieve his pain and keep his vital functions going. While veterinarians do have to tape Bino’s mouth shut out of caution, they report he relaxes after the needles are inserted and doesn’t move around at all. Watch the raw video below yourself:

While Dr. Mansouri Acupuncture certainly does not offer services on non-humans (definitely not alligators!), veterinary acupuncture (also called ‘pet acupuncture’) is a growing field, particularly with common domestic animals like dogs and cats. Organizations like the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture have reported rapid increases in membership in recent years. And specialized clinics for Veterinary Acupuncture, such as CAALA are opening all around the country.

After its success treating humans, dogs, cats, and now alligators, who knows what will be next. What do you think?

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