[Dailydrool] acupuncture for dogs

[Cheryl Stafford]

Carol
I would absolutely try acupuncture for Rocky.  We have always used both 
acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments on all of our dogs.  Most 
recently Radar had a bout of gastroenteritis and he had three sessions 
of acupuncture to help calm his system.  Last October when he had bloat 
issues he had treatments then as well.  Our Malamute had treatments on 
her back too.
It's important that the dog remains calm/quiet after the needles are 
inserted.  We found this last time that Radar does better on the table 
instead of the floor.  Our vet turns down the lights and has this 
ocean/beach scene playing on a TV (I guess this is for the parents 
benefit!).  Dr. Connie always counts and makes sure I know how many 
needles she has used because we have to count again as they are removed 
to make sure Radar doesn't go home with any tucked up in his lose skin.  
His last treatment we were missing one and had to search a few times 
over him before we found it in a fold on his arm.  She also got a good 
laugh when she went to put one in his belly button and came up with a 
big clump of belly button lint!!  After the treatment our dogs have 
always been subdued, quiet and sleep most of the rest of the day.   It 
usually takes several treatments to see improvements but if acupuncture 
is available to you I would definitely pursue it for Rocky.
Good luck,
Cheryl
Otter, Radar and Mollie the Bloodhound