Chiropractic Treatment for Animals
An Adjunct to Veterinary Treatment in Any Species
In dogs, cats and horses benefit from adjustments, specialized chiropractors receive training to treat any animal species, including zoo animals -- even reptiles!
Animal chiropractic is beginning to receive recognition as a distinct specialty for veterinarians. Chiropractic has been established formally for over a hundred years. Chiropractic is a non-drug, non-invasive approach to health and wellness, aiding recovery from myriad injuries in animals as well as in humans
Often aligning the spine improves the function of the nervous system and boosts the power of the body to heal itself. Injury healing frequently requires proper spinal alignment for proper healing of various maladies. Spinal adjustments are not usually painful; however your animal may experience mild soreness the day following the treatment as the body accommodates the adjustment. Treatments are often repeated to ensure full improvement in order to train the body to develop a new habit. Healthy dogs and healthy people benefit from adjustments just as clean water, good food, exercise, and love can enhance their lives. As well as assuaging body issues, animal chiropractic may prevent problems from arising.
However, most states in the U.S. lack formal criteria for educating and licensing either veterinarians or chiropractors who practice these techniques. Most states give veterinarians a fair amount of leeway to practice alternative and allopathic modalities -- such as chiropractic or acupuncture -- without specific certification to practice these techniques. Although not required, responsible veterinarians will seek out formal chiropractic training. Moreover, many states allow human chiropractors to treat animals, without requiring specific animal/veterinary training. Therefore, ask any practitioner about his or her training and credentials.
The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) was formed in 1989 by a group of veterinarians and chiropractors interested in furthering the profession of animal chiropractic. Its mission is to promote animal chiropractic to professionals and to the public and to certify doctors who’ve received specific training in animal chiropractic. It is also an association of trained professionals in the field.
Additionally the AVCA provides, through its membership, access to ethical doctors trained in animal chiropractic through a Web site.
Regular Chiropractic Can Benefit Your Healthy Animal
Routine chiropractic can benefit your animals as a preventative and to treat many issues as they arise. Chiropractic care can also alleviate such issues as neck, back, leg and tail problems as well as injuries caused by accidents and sports injuries. Treatment has proven effective in the treatment of jaw problems—such as TMJ-- which can impede eating. In addition to joint and spinal issues, chiropractic treatment also addresses many internal medical disorders.
Before beginning a treatment regime, the practitioner will evaluate the patient’s medical history, current state of health and examine any previous X-rays, if available. The chiropractor takes into account your pet’s neurological issues, if any, and examines his or her gait, for example. To maximize the treatment’s efficacy, share as much information as you can about your pet, including other types of care, diet, and supplements and medication your animal is taking. In horses, pay attention to the fit of the saddle, shoeing, exercise, collar, harness, and conditioning recommendations
Treatment may also require post-adjustment exercise that you can practice at home. This can do much to maximize the treatment’s success.
Consider this modality for help with lameness, trouble getting up or down, seizures and other neurological problems, geriatric issues, recovery from illnesses or injury, behavior or mood changes and chronic health problems not resolved by conventional allopathic veterinary care. However, chiropractic care is not incompatible—and can even enhance conventional or other holistic practices.
