BL18 Gan Shu (肝俞) Dog Acupuncture Point
In dogs, BL18 (Gan Shu, 肝俞) is a point on the Bladder meridian. Location: 1.5 cun lateral to the posterior edge of the spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra. Traditional indications in this chart include problems related to muscle function, problems of the tendons, stomach, eye, liver, and gallbladder, hormonal disturbances.
This page is educational. It describes a point in dogs as listed in traditional charts and does not give treatment advice. Points should be needled only by trained veterinary professionals. See our Medical Disclaimer.
Quick facts
- Species
- Dog
- Point code
- BL18
- Pinyin
- Gan Shu
- Chinese name
- 肝俞
- Meridian
- Bladder
- Element or system
- Water
- Point category and notes
- Back-Shu of Liver
Where is BL18 Gan Shu on a dog?
1.5 cun lateral to the posterior edge of the spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra.
Point locations are approximate and vary with breed and body size. A trained practitioner finds the point by feeling anatomical landmarks.
“Cun” is a proportional unit used to find points on the body, so distances scale with the size of the dog.
Want BL18 Gan Shu on a chart you can keep? Our printable dog meridian chart and cards are an instant download you can print or edit for study notes and clinic handouts.
Traditional indications
- Problems related to muscle function
- problems of the tendons, stomach, eye, liver, and gallbladder
- hormonal disturbances
- strengthens the immune system
- pain in the upper body
Indications are taken from traditional veterinary acupuncture charts. They describe how the point has been used and are not proof that it treats these conditions in dogs.
Dog conditions that mention BL18 Gan Shu
PetAcu dog condition guides that name this point:
Points often discussed alongside BL18 Gan Shu
These points appear in the same dog condition guides. A practitioner chooses a combination for each dog.
See these points together on a downloadable dog acupuncture chart with English and Chinese names, available as a digital download from PetAcu.
Safety notes
Needling should only be done by a trained veterinary professional. This point lies along the back or hip region, close to deeper structures such as the kidneys or sciatic nerve, so needle depth is chosen with care. Cautions in the source atlas: Risk of pneumothorax.
Some owners are shown gentle acupressure by their veterinarian. Do not press on a painful area, and stop if your dog shows pain, guarding or anxiety. If your dog suddenly cannot walk or is in severe pain, see a veterinarian immediately.
Questions about BL18 Gan Shu
Where is BL18 Gan Shu on a dog?
1.5 cun lateral to the posterior edge of the spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra. Locations are approximate and are found by palpation by a trained practitioner.
What is BL18 Gan Shu used for in veterinary acupuncture?
The source chart lists problems related to muscle function, problems of the tendons, stomach, eye, liver, and gallbladder, hormonal disturbances, strengthens the immune system, pain in the upper body as traditional indications. This is traditional use and not proof of effect.
Can I use BL18 Gan Shu at home?
Needling should only be done by a trained veterinary professional. Gentle acupressure is sometimes shown by veterinarians, so ask yours first, especially if your dog is in pain, has a spinal problem or has not been examined.
Is there a printable or downloadable dog acupuncture point chart?
Yes. PetAcu offers a printable dog acupuncture point chart and illustrated point cards as an instant digital download, with English and Chinese names, so points such as BL18 Gan Shu are easy to find again. Editable files are available for study notes and clinic handouts. See the printable dog acupuncture point cards or browse PetAcu digital products. A chart is a learning and reference aid, not a treatment plan.
Learn more and next steps
Printable dog acupuncture point cards
Illustrated cards showing common dog points, with English and Chinese names and Five Element colour coding. Instant download on Gumroad.
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Original PetAcu charts and reference materials for students, veterinary professionals and curious owners, with more species and clinic materials in preparation.
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Other Bladder points with guides
Species: dog. Point data compiled by PetAcu from Acupuncture for Dogs and Cats: A Pocket Atlas (Eul-Matern, Thieme, 2nd edition, 2022). Back to the dog acupuncture points chart or the veterinary acupuncture points atlas. Looking for a downloadable version? Get the dog acupuncture chart and point cards or other PetAcu digital charts.