Chiropractic Adjustments

The spine of a dog, cat or horse is complex structure that is composed of bone, ligaments, muscle and nerves. The function of the spine is :

1. Protection of the Central Nervous System

2. Framework of support      

3. Muscle attachment

4. Protection of internal organs

The bones of the spinal column are called vertebra. Each vertebra contains a portion of the nervous system, the spinal cord, which passes through the center of each bone. Nerves branch off the spinal cord and exit between two vertebra to travel to all the muscles and organs of the body. Numerous ligaments connect these vertebras together into a jointed column. Numerous muscles are attached to the vertebrae enabling the spinal column to flex and bend. To learn more about veterinary chiropractic, visit the American Veterinary Chiropractors Association web page.

Symptoms in dogs-

•   Yelping in pain after sudden movement and no other obvious symptoms
•   Neck stiffness or difficulty turning one way
•   Foreleg lameness with no site of pain in the forelegs
•   Yelping, turning with a worried look, or turning to bite when being picked up
•   Hunched back
•   Sway back
•   Muscle spasm
•   Hip pain and hind leg lameness with little or no hip arthritis on x-ray
•   Stiffness when getting up
•   Unable to jump into car or onto couch
•   Loss of control of passage of urine and stool
•   Lick granulomas-tingly nerve ends, caused by pressure on nerve roots

Dogs and cats, luckily, seem to respond more quickly to chiropractic treatments than we do, with many problems improving considerably after one to three treatments.  Regular repeat treatments are more necessary with long standing cases.  Veterinary Chiropractic is an approach to health care of animals that focuses on the function of the nervous system, with the belief that a sound nervous system is one of the key elements of good health.  Treatment commonly involves the adjustment of vertebral and pelvic mobility by short, sharp impulse like thrusts, usually affecting just one "vertebral segment" of the spine at a time.  Improving the mobility of restricted vertebral segments aids the healing of inflamed and arthritic vertebral joints, and reduces associated nerve interference.  Vertebral joints with restricted mobility tend to be inflamed and painful and are a major source of back muscle tension, stiffness, pain and nerve interference.  The style of chiropractic used is a gentle method which is aimed at the adjustment of just one joint at a time and is usually very well accepted by the animals. (Rarely light or moderate sedation is required so that the dogs relax and thus allow the treatment to be effective.)

Key Benefits

• Improved flexibility

• Decreased pain

• Increased performance

• Decreased compensatory conformation

What to Expect

The First Visit

The success of chiropractic treatment depends on the owner's attentiveness to their pet's condition. On your first visit, be prepared to discuss specifics of your pet's symptoms, even if they seem unrelated to you. Also, please bring any previous medical records, radiographs (x-rays) or blood work. Your pet may be nervous and apprehensive during the first few treatments, so don't be surprised if they act aggressive and need to be muzzled or taken to the back. Many times a pet will try to protect their owner and act aggressive towards the veterinarian or technician only in the owner's presence. Before a treatment, the veterinarian will need to visually and manually (with their hands) examine the animal. You may need to walk your dog down the hallway or restrain them for treatment.

Aftercare/ Follow-up

The veterinarian will give you follow-up instructions during your visit. Although it varies depending on the animal's condition, it usually involves a recheck evaluation within 1-4 weeks. Another adjustment may be made during this recheck, but the follow-up evaluation is just as important to planning a treatment plan as the first. If you cannot make an appointment during this time period, please be sure to call us with a report on how your pet is responding. Do not be surprised of (but please note) any changes in activity or eating habits; this is very normal. The animal may be more stiff and sore immediately following treatment, but then show improvement during 1-4 weeks. Please pay attention to any changes in the pet's condition, and do not be discouraged. If the pet does not respond well to chiropractic treatment, acupuncture or herbal remedies may be more suitable for their condition.

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