What is Animal Chiropractic? - November 2011

By Dr. Moira Drosdovech, Kelowna, BC

Animal Chiropractic is the philosophy, science and art that utilizes the inherent recuperative powers of the body. It deals with restoring the important relationship between the spine and nervous system in order to regain and maintain health.

The goal of chiropractic therapy is to correct subluxations, free up nerves and allow proper nerve function. For those who have little to no faith in chiropractic, you just might change your mind when you see a dog come in with it’s head held low, tail down and yelping when someone touches it’s neck only to leave with head high, tail wagging and easily jumping into the car after a 15 minute chiropractic evaluation and adjustment. One such dog actually let out a loud yelp when the exact point in his neck that was causing all of the pain was adjusted followed by an amazing turnaround in his discomfort. Placebo effect? I don’t think so!

Another example is an obese cat I saw last week that was having frequent urination accidents in the house and crystals in the urine. She had a very sensitive spine in the lumbar area. After just one adjustment and a flower remedy for emotional issues, she has not had a single accident and is moving around more freely. This condition is far more frequent than we might initially think.

I find chiropractic to be so beneficial that we have a chiropractor seeing multiple patients every day of the week at our office. Luckily, Dr. Liz is right next door doing her human patients! There seems to be a never ending supply of dogs and cats that are suffering from various afflictions of their spine, mostly from what the chiropractors call “Nerve Entrapment” or “Subluxations”.

What are subluxations? The word describes bones which are out of position in relation to one another or are not moving properly – causing abnormal function and symptoms, usually causing interference with nerve function. Mostly we think of obvious back pain as needing chiropractic care, but the list is long of other things to look for. Pain might be manifested by:

• panting
• pacing
• yelping
• unwillingness to jump or do stairs
• arched or roached back
• sensitivity to touch
• change in behaviour such as biting
• stiffness after exercise

• constipation
• incoordination
• dragging feet or scuffing toes
• abnormal posture when standing or sitting
• partial paralysis or weakness
• stiffness
• muscle atrophy

Diagnosis A hands on diagnostic approach is very important as trained veterinarians and chiropractors can detect what are known as “trigger points” along the spine (points of increased sensitivity) and tightness in muscles along the spine and elsewhere, such as the hip region. X-rays may be needed to get to the bottom of the problem, but not always.

For animals that are not displaying overt signs of back pain, but have other physical symptoms, the specific areas of the spine that hold nerves feeding the problem areas need to be addressed. For example, one patient was a middle-aged cat that was experiencing chronic constipation and was scheduled for a major operation to remove the majority of its colon. With the aid of chiropractic, the natural raw diet, supplements and some bowel medicines, this cat has become normal in her bowel movements.

How are subluxations corrected? Once the examination is complete, the next step is to correct each abnormality through manipulations or adjustments. An “adjustment” is a specific force applied in a specific direction to a specific vertebra. It is used to restore the biomechanics of the vertebral column and indirectly influence neurologic function. It takes a great deal of skill to know where to apply the force, in what direction, and with how much speed and depth. Chiropractic can also be used on other joints than those of the spine and many chiropractors practice muscle releasing techniques.

How do animals react? Do they resist the treatment? Some do, but most do not. Many dogs pull to enter the “Treat and Treatment” room. Most pets respond quickly; in fact more quickly than human patients. Animals like to be adjusted. They know that there is a problem and that the adjustment will help them. Many times the animal will adjust their position to help the chiropractor find the problem. One of the most exciting things we see happen in pets receiving chiropractic care is that they often resume their previous behaviour and zest. Owners often tell us about how good the animal seems to feel after the adjustment.

Office Procedures A referral from your vet is necessary for chiropractic care if the chiropractor is not a veterinarian already. Your veterinarian will establish first whether or not the problem is indeed something that can be helped with chiropractic. Your chiropractor will work with your vet. The doctor will establish a schedule of adjustments that your pet needs. Most animals are seen 2-3 times over 2 weeks and then on a less frequent basis, but it all depends on the nature of their problem. For the last three years, I have been recommending that all dogs have quarterly adjustments beginning at one year of age, even if they do not have any signs of discomfort. The reason for this is an attempt to reduce the number of senior dogs, particularly larger breeds, that develop Spondylosis along their back, a condition which can become quite severe and severely limit their motion and cause a great deal of pain. It is a disease where one or more of the vertebral joints essentially fuse together due to chronic subluxations and instabilities.

 If you think your pet could be in need of a chiropractic adjustment, call your veterinarian and start with a checkup. After all, while they might if they could, your pet is not going to make the call!

Dr. Moira's Bio: A practicing veterinarian for 20 years, has been in Kelowna since 1990, first owning Rutland Pet Hospital and now, after selling the former, Pawsitive Veterinary Care, opened in 2000 and focused on primarily holistic health care. She welcomes new clients and loves to educate! Kelowna (250) 862-2727. - Dr. Moira Drosdovech Website - Email