How do you know if and when my animal needs chiropractic care? Many people have heard of or read about such care for animals, but are unaware of the benefits, dangers and general indications for this type of care.

                                             WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC CARE?

Chiropractic care is a mechanical solution for mechanical problems.  It is a natural, drug-free adjunct to your animal's total health care. In conjunction with regular veterinary care, chiropractic care can decrease pain, and add quality to your animal's performance, movement, and well being by restoring normal range of motion to your animal's joints.

Chiropractic care is used specifically in cases where an injury has occurred that has caused mechanical upset to the joints, muscles or nerves. It is commonly used for animals who have had slips, falls, or other trauma, arthritis, disc disease (at all stages especially where weakness or paralysis are involved), Wobbler's syndrome, (CVI), in dogs, hip dysplasia, and when animals have become stiff or painful.

Chiropractic care addresses problems stemming from imbalances in the following three systems:

THE SKELETAL SYSTEM AND THE JOINTS OF THE BODY: Bones and joints form a flexible structure designed to provide pain-free movement when in normal health and alignment.

THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM: Healthy muscles allow the joints to move freely. Healthy muscles are free of spasm, weakness, pain, knots, or degenerative changes.

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM: Nerves are the electrical wires of the body. They "direct" the functions of the body and control the flow of communication between the brain and all areas of the body. When nerves are pinched, reduced performance levels and pain may result. This can quickly lead to a state of poor health.

                                          WHEN IS CHIROPRACTIC CARE APPROPRIATE

Routine chiropractic care can benefit your animals as a preventive treatment 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 and other issues such as:

• PERFORMANCE OR MOVEMENT PROBLEMS.
• SUDDEN CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR OR PERSONALITY SUCH AS CRABBINESS,
• HOLDING TAIL DOWN OR OFF TO ONE SIDE, SHAKING, CRYING OR HIDING.
• PAIN SYNDROMES.
• CHANGES IN POSTURE SUCH AS: HANGING THE HEAD, OR SITTING OFF TO ONE SIDE.
• UNEVEN MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT.
• WEIGHT LOSS DUE TO PAIN.
• HEAD TILT.
• CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME.
• UNEVEN PELVIS OR HIPS.
• A LOOK OF APPREHENSION OR PAIN IN THE FACIAL EXPRESSION.
• NECK PAIN FROM SUDDEN COLLAR OR CHOKE CHAIN PULLS.
• DISC PROBLEMS.
• JUMPING PROBLEMS OR INJURIES.
• SHORTENING OF A STRIDE.
• DEGENERATIVE ARTHRITIS.
• SCIATIC NEURALGIA.
• UNEVEN TOPLINE: HUNCHING UP OR DIPPING DOWN...
• SENSITIVITY TO TOUCH DURING GROOMING OR PETTING.
• PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH HIP DYSPLASIA.
• REAR END WEAKNESS.
• DIFFICULTY GOING UP OR DOWN STAIRS.
• WOBBLERS SYNDROME.
• SOME LAMENESS SYNDROMES.

                                         WHEN IS CHIROPRACTIC CARE INAPPROPRIATE

  There are times when chiropractic care may be detrimental to your animal. In cases where your animal has a type of cancer that has spread to the bone it is not advised that any force be applied to the skeletal structures.      

Some other cases where chiropractic may not be appropriate are:

1. Immediately following surgery. It is important to let the animal heal for at least a week after a minor surgery and two weeks after a major surgery before performing an adjustment.

2. In cases where a fracture or major dislocation is suspected.

3. In cases where the stress of being adjusted outweigh the possible benefits. This may include some animals that are extremely anxious or aggressive and may not reap the benefit of the treatment.

4. Animals who are under heavy sedation or anesthesia. Damage may occur to the animal's structures while sedated. I do however treat one or two cats very gently under sedation. They are extreme cases where the cat is known to be an aggressive biter who is showing serious signs of back pain. In such cases we only adjust once or twice and preferably while the animal is under anesthesia for other procedures such as dental care.

5. In some cases where there is a history of seizures. Chiropractic may increase the activity of some types of seizures and is therefore not recommended.

6. With some types of infections, it is not advisable to adjust. If the type of infection travels by blood, or is at risk of spreading by increased circulation, it is not advisable to adjust. In cases of large bruised areas, this same principal applies but the Dr. may be able to work around this area and still provide some relief for the animal.

                                               HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

   Chiropractic care takes time since we are allowing the body to heal itself after the proper nerve function has been restored. Animals recover very rapidly as a rule, but older animals and more serious problems take more time. Some problems are so serious that Chiropractic care will not completely solve the problem. Sometimes referrals for laboratory analysis or radiographs may be necessary. This is the case when problems such as fractures may be present.

                                        Chiropractic for Pets offered by

                                                     Dr. Andi Harper

                                         Certified Animal Chiropractor

                                                      (303) 518-3688

 Sources: Dr. Julie Kaufman: chiropracticforanimals.net