There are really no side effects. I guess the one downside is not all dogs respond the same. You may have some expectations that it's going to work this miracle, and it maybe just gives a moderate effect.

It's very effective. There are specific diseases that we see acupuncture make a tremendous change in how the dog functions and moves. And it can sometimes help reduce the need for some of the other medications that they're on, which would be great for them long-term.

They're usually pretty tired. It's not so much that the needles themselves wipe the dog out. It's that wonderful serotonin release that makes them very relaxed. If you've ever personally had acupuncture, you know it's almost like a massage. It feels terrific, and you just want to go home and take a nap. I tell owners to expect a nice, sleepy pet the rest of the day.

We typically see the maximum effects of the serotonin release and pain reduction at day three post acupuncture treatment. The treatment can last anywhere from one to four weeks. It's dependent on the dog and what their disease is.

You would be amazed how well most dogs tolerate acupuncture. Some dogs are very needle sensitive. If they're very tender, then maybe acupuncture is not the best choice for them. But I would say that nine times out of 10, most dogs don't even know that we're putting the needles in. Once the needles are in place, you can just see their bodies relax, and they get very sleepy.

We'll bring in a patient. We usually put a big mat on the floor in the exam room and have them stand there. Usually, I'll begin my acupuncture appointment with feeling along the meridians and channels and looking at how the animal moves, what they're here for. I usually have a point prescription already figured out. We've seen the patient or have had a list of records, so I know what I'm going to be treating. I like to see the patient move before I start. Once I place all the needles into the prescribed points, we let them sit there for about 10 minutes. We'll turn the lights off in a nice, restful, dark space, so the pet can relax and be comfortable before we remove the needles and return the dog to you.

There’s really nothing to do other than to bring the pet in. We like to have them relaxed and comfortable. I suppose the one thing not to do is bring them in with wet fur.