Dogs have strong, athletic bodies designed for running, working, and sometimes herding sheep (depending on the breed). However, just like humans, a dog can experience aches and discomfort. These strains can be a result of a sedentary lifestyle, an awkward movement while catching a frisbee, an underlying hereditary joint condition, or just plain aging.
For these types of issues, a chiropractor can be a valuable resource in alleviating pain and improving mobility. Let’s take a closer look at dog chiropractors, if they work and if one might be a good fit to alleviate some of your dog’s pain.
What is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is considered an alternative or complementary approach to traditional medical treatment. Chiropractors use hands-on techniques to treat injuries and strain in joints and muscles. It’s a practice that involves manipulating the spine, extremities, or skull through precise, hands-on adjustments. They enhance their patients’ overall health by providing pain relief in strained body parts.
How Does Chiropractic Therapy Improve Health?
Chiropractic therapy works by working on the spinal column and manipulating the nervous system. The spinal column is a remarkably complex structure that supports movement and protects vital organs.
Composed of bones and joints, it plays a crucial role in mobility for all animals with a skeleton. When movement becomes restricted, the flood of blood is reduced in these areas, producing strain and leading to discomfort and pain.
Veterinary Chiropractic Care
Any animal with a spinal column can benefit from chiropractic therapy. However, to become a certified veterinary chiropractic practitioner, chiropractors must complete an accredited animal chiropractic program and pass a certification exam recognized by the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA) or the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA).
Canine chiropractic therapy should always be applied by a certified animal chiropractic practitioner with experience working with dogs. Since chiropractic therapy works with the spinal column, which varies greatly from breed to breed, they must have experience on the breed of the pet patient. This therapy should always be accompanied by veterinarian supervision. If you’re thinking about hiring a canine chiropractor, talk to your vet.
When is a Chiropractor a Suitable Treatment for Your Dog?
Chiropractic therapy is a complementary treatment that works alongside traditional veterinary care. It treats symptoms such as pain and strain. If a dog is in pain or has mobility problems, a veterinarian is the first and foremost authority for the appropriate treatment.
Conditions such as joint pain and skeletal ailments may be treated with chiropractic therapy, with good results. Degenerative joint disease may also be successfully treated with chiropractic therapy, along with traditional veterinarian care.
Promotes Joint Health
Therapy administered by a chiropractor can be particularly beneficial for addressing underlying conditions that may not be detectable through standard testing. Some joint restrictions are minimal but can develop into a bigger problem if left untreated.
If your dog’s breed has hereditary predispositions to degenerative joint disease, chiropractic therapy and help address the symptoms and promote joint health.
Promotes A Good Posture
By treating joint, skeletal, and spinal disorders, chiropractic therapy promotes mobility and comfort in pets. It is also a valuable preventative measure against postural issues such as hip-dysplasia. Even minor structural deviations, if left unaddressed, can develop into more serious conditions over time. Regular chiropractic care helps maintain proper posture and limb alignment, reducing the risk of future complications.
Health Conditions Treated by a Dog Chiropractor
Always check with your veterinarian about your pet’s conditions. Here is a list of health conditions that could be treated by a dog chiropractor.
- Hip-dysplasia
- Degenerative joint disease
- Chronic neck or back pain
- Intervertebral disk damage
- Central nervous system disorder
Here is a list of symptoms that could be benefited with the help of a chiropractor.
- Limping, weakness, or lameness in the front legs
- Pain in the hip or hind legs with no symptoms of arthritis
- Trouble standing or lying down
- Looking, yelping, or biting when being lifted and pressure is applied to the chest area
- Hunched back
- Yelping in pain after a sudden movement (with no other symptoms present)
- Muscle spasms along their back
- Inability to jump
- Not wanting to perform routine tasks
Safety Concerns Regarding Dog Chiropractors
Chiropractic therapy is safe, as long as it is administered by a certified and experienced chiropractor. The spinal column is an extremely delicate structure connected to billions of nerve cells that play vital roles in movement and neurological health. An inexperienced chiropractor could create much damage to a pet’s nervous system. Never attempt to massage, adjust or apply pressure points on your pet.
State Regulations
If you’re thinking of hiring a dog chiropractor, keep in mind that different states will vary regulations. Some states will require a referral from a vet, other states will not. Some states, like California, require strict supervision from a veterinarian. Both certified dog chiropractors, and veterinarians alike, will agree that a primary veterinarian should be the one to advise on chiropractic therapy.
Chiropractictherapy can also aid in the following circumstances:
- Recovery after a fall, injury, or surgery
- Gait and range of motion for senior dogs
- Jaw problems or difficulty chewing
- Getting in and out of the car
- Bowel or bladder issues
- Injuries from dog sports
- Easing the birthing process for pregnant dogs
How to Contact a Dog Chiropractor
Your veterinarian is the best source for referral to a dog chiropractor. If your veterinarian has indicated the services of a dog chiropractor, you can search for a trained and certified Dog Chiropractor in your area.
The practitioner must have access to your dog’s medical history, such as to perform a thorough risk analysis and an evaluation. They’ll evaluate your pet’s gait and motion, along with a neurologic exam. It’s likely that they will indicate a treatment of several sessions, depending on the issue. The cost of a chiropractor may vary by the amount of experience they have.
Puppies Cannot have Chiropractic Therapy
Because Chiropractic therapy works with the spinal column, it should never be applied to puppies. The spinal column and skeletal structure of puppies is still under development, and any sort of manual intervention to it could be damaging.
The best way to promote wellness to your puppy is by providing them with a good diet, exercise, mental stimulation and training them not to jump on and off furniture. This activity is what strains muscles and joints the most.
Our Dog’s Wellness
As concerned pet parents we are always on the lookout for wellness trends and new ways to care for our furry babies. Chiropractic therapy is an increasingly popular holistic therapy that has many admirers throughout alternative medical treatments.
Those who have experienced it often praise its healing powers over strained body parts, like backs and necks. In many circumstances, a Dog Chiropractor can do wonders for your dog’s wellbeing.
Just always make sure that your vet has seen your dog and is aware that they’ll receive the service of a chiropractor. Both the vet and the chiropractor will agree that who matters the most is the furry patient, and they’ll work together as a team to ensure its wellbeing and safety.