12-year-old Dulse would rather rest than walk...
Because I have gone all out on my 12-year-old Newf’s care, I am willing to try anything to make his bad hips cause him less pain. I never thought I’d do it, but I took him to a chiropractor who specializes in animals.
Dogs are taken to the chiropractor for a number of reasons, including back pain, leg pain, or tail pain. Pet parents often take their dogs to the chiropractor at the suggestion of their veterinarian, as an adjunct to regular medical care. Chiropractors focus on disorders of the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system and their effects on overall health. Human chiropractors take a hands-on approach to medical care. Chiropractors specializing in veterinary health are general human chiropractors that take special courses in animal chiropracty.
We are lucky here in Rhinelander because we have a veterinary chiropractor come up every other week to work out of a local veterinarian’s office, so we can go fairly regularly.
Dulse had his first appointment about a month ago and his second appointment today.
During the first appointment, the chiropractor took a history much like one a regular vet takes and asked a lot of questions about his current state of health as well as the reason for the visit. The chiropractor let Dulse lie down during the exam and while she “adjusted” his spine. Unlike when a human has a chiropractor work on them, a pet cannot tell what they are feeling. Dulse did not seem to mind the manipulation until she got to his hips, when he let out a little growl. She eased up a little on him and he seemed to take the rest of the chiropractic appointment in stride.
The only effect I noticed was that, initially, Dulse seemed to stand with his feet in a more normal position than he has been for a while. The chiropractor talked to me about exercising him more to strengthen the muscles in his back legs and advised me to do something every day, even if it is just a little exercise. She also advised me to tickle his stomach when he was standing up because she said it would help his spine since dogs naturally hunch up when their stomachs are touched.
The second appointment did not impress me as much as the first one did. It was very short and the chiropractor didn’t seem to do much. I have spoken to my vet about upping his Metacam pain medication and I have been religious about walking Dulse mostly every day, and increasing the time we were out and the distance.
I don’t know whether the chiropractor helped or not, but I have heard anecdote after anecdote about dogs who have been helped with this process. I haven’t decided whether I will go back, but I am sure glad I tried it.
Do any of you have experiences with animal chiropractors?
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s funny but Chiropractors have struggled for years with proving their value. Even insurance companies view them as “alternative medicine”, which is their way of not paying for the services. Having gone to one my self I must say it can help but not like good old fashion pharmaceuticals. It a long process and probably better then the quick drug way. But you have to be patient ( no pun intended ). My chiropractor was asked to help dogs and even horses in some cases it helped in others it took longer. For an aging dog it might help but I believe you need to include a good joint supplement with glucosamine in addition to exercise. Many of our clients have had good results by doing this.
I think chiropractic has a place next to traditional medicine. However, without loosening up the muscles before chiropractic and in between visits, I don’t think that animals (or humans) get the full benefit. I really advocate for canine massage. You can even take a basic class to learn how to do it yourself, but some knowledge of dog anatomy is helpful. As a certified massage therapist and a animal rescue participant, I know massage can soothe the animals’ nerves and help keep muscles relaxed.
My dog, an American Bulldog/Lab mix is prone to hip issues and his haunches are very tight. I massage them every few days and he adores it. It allows us to bond and it allows him to feel a bit more spry, especially in the colder months. You get used to the dogs’ body language for “it feels good” and “a little too hard, mom”. There are many canine massage therapists out there, though, if you prefer to “leave it to the experts”. I hope this helps and I hope this allows your dog to experience more therapeutic benefit from chiropractic.
I do a lot of running with my English Shepherd, Franklin. Several trails in my area allow dogs to be off leash as long as they are under their owner’s control, and Franklin qualifies. There have been a couple of times when he has raced up or down a steep hillside after potential prey and landed badly. As someone who gets regular chiropractic care, I realize that bad landings can mean poor spinal alignment, so I got a referral from my veterinarian (Dr. Richard Palmquist) to a chiropractor who works on four-legged animals as well as humans (Dr. Anthony Gambucci).
Dr. Gambucci is terrific. Franklin enjoys his treatments so much that he pulls on the leash (not his normal walking pattern) to get to Dr. Gambucci’s office. I have recommended Dr. Gambucci to two friends with older dogs with hip issues,and they have been amazed at the results (I’ll try to get them to post here). Bottom line: Chiropractic has proved highly beneficial for my active dog and two older dogs I know personally.
Thanks for the post, Barb. I hear more and more about owners taking their pet to a chiropractor, and suspect it will become more common. Good to know the experience you and Dulse had.
I have had a positive experience with taking my Aussie to a chiropractor. She is 14 and quite arthritic, back and hips. I have found her to to be much more comfortable and energetic after treatment. I wish I had done it earlier because there is a certain amount of damage that can’t be undone but relief is good.. Mattie takes Metacam but we’re going to try some acupuncture too. I will do anything reasonable to keep her comfortable.
Thanks to all for your input. As a result, I think I may continue taking Dulse to the chiropractor. It is interesting to hear of people’s success with this treatment. Carrie- I may try massage next – I have thought about it, but have not seriously looked at finding an animal massage specialist in my area. I have done some myself, but I am not trained in it, so I am not sure that it is doing him any good. Nancy – not sure whether I want to try acupuncture, but that is another treatment that I have heard a lot of anecdotes about. Let me know how Mattie does. She’s 14 years old? You are doing a great job with Mattie. Irith – how old is Franklin? He sounds like a lucky dog.
I have never done any chiropractor for my kitties. Both have bad backs. One from injury, the other from old age & illness {Tigger}. For Tigger, I began doing massage therapy as soon as his symtpoms began showing up including heat therapy. He shows a remarkable improved in his walking and he looks forward to it. It’s helped him deal with his back problems as we all adjust to ‘the changes’ he’s going through as he gets older.
If you have never tried chiropractor care for your pet, I highly recommend that you try it even if they don’t seem like they are in pain.(After all, you never really know for sure!)
Several years ago we had a very small dog who was hit by a truck. From that point on her body seemed to hurt.She didn’t let it slow her down much, but as I have need of this service myself, I saw the signs.
My Dr. took a look at her and started her on a treatment regiment and she immediately responded after the first visit. After time she was feeling much better and was back to beating the tar out of our St. Bernard!!
Please, for the sake of your dogs well-being, give it a try. After the first couple of treatment you’ll see a difference!!
My large breed dog has severe elbow displaysia and hip displaysia. Metacam wasnt working and the limping got worse so Gabapentin and Neurontin was perscribed. My vet suggested I try alternative therapies for pain relief as well. Luckily I found a man who has a great website to access with video footage of treatments for anyone who is interested in looking at a chiropractic adjustment which is like a miracle worker “www.docjamieson.com”. First I tried a vet chiropractor although I wasnt impressed with the ‘lying down’ treatment either. My boy has recently turned 9 and is on no medication or supplements and has no signs of bad composition. I know I have been one of the very very very lucky ones who found out just in time that my boys limping wasnt because of what the xrays show he has (displaysia & arthritis) but because of pinched nerves in his shoulder and back. As soon as these nerves were released his pain subsided as did his symptoms and so did the vets talk of putting him down. My vet, like many others in and around Brisbane (Qld, Australia) refer other patients to this wonderful healer
My entire family goes to the chiropractor 2-3 times a week to get adjusted. Results are not guaranteed to be instantaneous, but they are usually guaranteed. In the office I go to they say a visible difference will be evident in X-Ray after 36 visits, not just two! I’m almost at the 36 mark and I have to say there is a big difference as far as pain goes! My ankles, neck and whole back hurt less if at all anymore! I used to wake up with stiff back, sore ankles and I had a bad back from a previous injury. Since my visits all back pain has gone away, and my ankles only hurt when I use them too much or the weather is changing. We’re so happy we even have our 2 year old son adjusted and he likes it too! Infants and toddlers can get subluxations from the doctor helping at birth, improper handling or holding of the baby, falling be it a big one (like from someone’s arms or from the crib) even down to small ones such as off the couch or down a step because their growing skeletal and nervous system is so fragile. My son had a slight curve in his spine which both of his parents have, and all of our curvatures are being straightened visibly!
I would definitely take my dog to the chiropractor if we had the money or could take him to our current one, but I want to see if I can help him myself with the help of our chiropractor.
It takes time, but it definitely works!
Thanks, Jessica- that is great to know. Dulse has an appointment for the end of this month, so I will definitely keep going!