CHIROPRACTIC OF THE DOG

RECOGNIZE HINTS OF VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATIONS

Whether a sport dog or a family dog, during the life of a dog joint disorders can occur in the spine as well as the extremities, and lead to decreased performance and reduced quality of life.
 
The vertebral joints can develop functional misalignments, which are followed by a decreased range of motion of those vertebras, so-called "vertebral subluxation complexes" or "stuck vertebras". They will lead to a reduced flexibility of the spine, which is followed by stiffness, muscle tension, pain and reduced performance.
 
Chiropractic is a manual treatment method which is centered around the spine. It is aiming to cure movement dysfunctions and their outcome. The achievement is the optimal movement and neuronal function of the patient, which ensure the undisturbed exchange of information between the brain and all organs. In doing so chiropractic is treating the causes of back problems and is restoring joint mobility and malfunctioning statics of the spinal column.
 
If correctly performed, it can significantly increase the well-being of the animal and improve its quality of life. Due to the positive influence of the nervous system the body is getting the ability for the optimal use of it's self-healing powers.

THE CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT

The treatment of a vertebral subluxation is carried out through a short impulse, a so-called "thrust" or adjustment, which is done with the hand directly on the affected vertebra. This adjustment is a very specific, gentle treatment with a high velocity - low amplitude impulse. The affected joints are mobilized in the physiological range of motion, so the joints will not wear out at any time.

SIGNS FOR VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATIONS

  • reluctance to move or climb stairs
  • problems getting up
  • signs or expression of pain during certain movements
  • acute back pain
  • unspecific lameness, pace gait, dragging of the toes, worn claws
  • sensitivity to touch
  • lick eczema
  • recurring ear- or anal gland inflammations
  • urinary incontinence / dribbling of urine without other medical causes
  • puppy sitting
  • decreased performance

Not always do all named symptoms have primary chiropractic causes, often a close teamwork with your veterinarian is necessary to find other possible causes.

APPLICATION RANGE FOR CHIROPRACTIC

  • acute problems (muscle tension, pain, stiffness)
  • chronic problems of the musculoskeletal system
  • prophylactic treatment for health maintenance, even in ageing patients
  • maintenance of performance levels not only in sport dogs
  • accompanying treatment with chronic lameness, for instance with osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, spondylosis
  • rehabilitation after accidents, traumas, injuries, surgeries

FREQUENCY OF TREATMENTS

The question of the frequency has to be answered for every patient individually. In most cases a singular treatment is not enough to cure the functional misalignments of the spine and restore the complete flexibility. In general, animals suffering from acute problems respond faster to the chiropractic treatment than animals with chronic problems.

CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT WITH CHRONIC COMPLAINTS

With chronic disorders such as osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, spondylosis and prolapsed intervertebral discs often - due to the permanently required compensation of posture - secondary vertebral subluxations of the cranial and/or caudal vertebras or parts of the spinal column will develop. Regular treatments of those subluxations can improve the quality of life tremendously.

For the most part, those dogs respond very well to a constant therapy at two to six months intervals. The underlying disorder should always be clarified by your veterinarian before chiropractic treatment starts.