Treatment protocols are designed for an individual based on the pattern(s) of imbalance or disharmony(ies) they are exhibiting at that time; these patterns and disharmonies can and will change with treatment and with time. Routine rechecks with adjustments in therapies are therefore critical. Issues may require maintenance treatments for the life of a pet.  A younger animal with an acute issue may be able to heal and transition to a maintenance routine to prevent reoccurrence.

Yes! We refer patients back to their primary veterinarian for emergency services and when the most appropriate course of action is a service we do not provide.

We can consult vet-to-vet with a veterinarian that has followed the legal requirements in your state of residence to provide medical care for your pet.  We can also speak directly to you in general terms but cannot provide advice specific to your pet.

Absolutely not!  Dr. Yamate adjusts treatment plans before/during/after other interventions such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.  The intent of the treatment plan will vary from helping the body to clear toxins, to tolerating trauma (surgery), to encourage healing, or to slow recurrence or spread of the cancer.  Your surgeon and oncologist will manage these other interventions.  Dr. Yamate does work closely with highly regarded board certified specialists who are knowledgable of her expertise and results.  You may also encounter practitioners who are not familiar with Traditional Chinese Medicine and may discourage parallel treatment.

We can run labwork for your pet. Typically these are blood & urine tests. If your pet is extremely stressed by blood/urine draws we will refer you to your primary Western vet because acupuncture treatments are more effective in a low stress environment and it is beneficial for you pet to have only positive experiences with us.

Ultrasounds and Echocardiograms: by arrangement we bring in board certified specialists to perform these diagnostics in our low stress environment.

X-rays: We refer you back to your primary vet.

Surprisingly, they do!  Inserting over 25,000 needles each year and teaching veterinary acupuncture, Dr. Yamate’s experience and technique is unparalleled. 

 Most pets don’t notice needles being inserted in less sensitive areas. There are areas that can be more sensitive and the reaction varies between animals. Dr. Yamate wants the experience to be generally positive, but also has to insert needles in sensitive acupuncture points as these are the points which need to be stimulated for healing. She also will adjust the diameter, length and type of needle being used to make the animal’s more comfortable.  

For pets that are fidgety or sensitive, laser acupuncture does not use needles.  As we earn their trust, we can often progress to traditional acupuncture techniques.

Herbal remedies are generally slower acting than Western drugs, but come with fewer side effects and contraindications. The most common side effect we see is temporary soft stool when a patient first starts an herb. Chinese herbal remedies have been developed over centuries of study and are often formulated to target body systems much more specifically than most Western meds (e.g., “Knee and Ankle” vs “Hips and Knees,” not just a full-body anti-inflammatory).

Although it may be possible to find similar items online, we strongly recommend against this. Dr. Yamate has spent years researching legitimate sources and buys directly from suppliers she trusts completely. Unfortunately, many herbs and supplements found online are poor quality, stored or shipped in damaging conditions (e.g., extreme heat, air exposure), or even counterfeit. We ask that you purchase from CIAM so that 1) we can be sure your pet is receiving the highest quality treatment, 2) so Dr. Yamate can ensure there are no overlaps or contraindications, and 3) so we have an accurate sense of your supply and can anticipate refills.

We provide diet recommendations based on your pet’s health issues and also take into account your household circumstances as proper handling of raw diets may be problematic with babies, toddlers and those with immune system issues.  That being said, we do support feeding commercially prepared fresh and raw diets.

We support minimizing vaccination in a thoughtful way.  That means looking at each disease, understanding your pet’s risk factors, understanding how each disease spreads,  if it can be diagnosed quickly, can it be treated, is the vaccine proven to be effective?  We do encourage owners to use titer results for distemper, parvo virus and adenovirus to evaluate their need for boosters.  Rabies vaccinations are required by law.   Recommending against a rabies vaccination for health reasons is considered only in cases of autoimmune disease or cancer and in discussion with the pet owner considers titer results, pet behavior and exposure risks.

No. With each treatment your pet is re-evaluated based on a physical exam as well as observations by the owner. We do not have areas to house animals before/after treatment and do not have the staffing to manage them. We’re a small clinic and our focus is on you and your animal when you visit us.  Owners are expected to manage their pets during treatment.

Acupuncture treatments vary from 30-60 minutes depending on the technique used.  Musculoskeletal manipulation (chiropractic) are 15-20 mins.  Laser therapy 10-20 mins. 

Payment in full is due at the time of service.

Visa, Mastercard, cash, check.  We do not accept CareCredit, American Express, Discover.

Payment in full is due at the time of treatment.  Check with your pet insurance provider. Policies vary as to what treatments are covered and if a specific rider needs to be purchased. The pet owner is responsible for filing paperwork for reimbursement. We are happy to assist with completing paperwork.