Any animal that has a spine can potentially benefit from Chiropractic treatment. Our office has experience with horses, dogs and cats. Presently we devote our care to dogs and cats. This office treats many problems that respond well to Chiropractic care. One of the most exciting things we see happen in almost all of the animals we treat is an improvement in the animal’s attitude. Owners tell us all the time about how good the animal feels after an adjustment.

Misalignments can cause a variety of symptoms, from very mild to severe. The most common of which is PAIN. Dogs in pain will compensate in gait or posture and often refuse to perform certain tasks. The following is a list of symptoms that MAY indicate pain from the presence of misalignments:

These conditions may cause:

The first step in chiropractic therapy is to make a diagnosis. A thorough examination begins by observing the patient standing and walking. A chiropractor is looking for minor changes in motion that require a trained eye to detect, not just an obvious limp.
A static palpation is then made of the spinal column. Each vertebra or joint of the limbs is felt by hand to see if it is out of position.

Detailed knowledge about animal anatomy is necessary to detect abnormalities. Motion palpation examines the relationship between individual bones as well as how the bones move together as a working unit. The spinal column and each limb joint are assessed in all ranges of motion.

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. Chiropractic is very specific and adjustments are made on vertebrae directly or joints of the limbs. It takes a great deal of skill to know where to apply the force, in what direction, and with how much speed and depth. In our clinic we use instrument adjusting to ensure accuracy and patient comfort.

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 almost all the animals we treat is an improvement in the animals behavior. They often resume their previous behavior and zest. Owners often tell us about how good the animal seems to feel after the adjustment.

Although a referral from your vet is not necessary, concurrent veterinary care is required. In Alberta, your vet must be made aware that you are seeking alternative Chiropractic care. Veterinary medicine has exclusive jurisdiction over the care and treatment of animals. Chiropractors who have an interest in chiropractic treatment and spinal adjusting of animals must do so in consultation with a member of the Alberta VeterinaryMedical Association. In all circumstances, chiropractors may only treat animals in consultation with or with a written directive from a member of the Alberta VeterinaryMedical Association.

The choice to seek natural therapy for your animal is a wise one. Nature has been providing the answers to health problems since the beginning of time. We, as owners, have a responsibility to help keep our animals as healthy as possible. Chiropractic care of your animal is the most natural choice you can make for your pet.