At Ellenton Animal Hospital we provide chiropractic care to pets suffering from musculoskeletal conditions to help relieve pain and promote healing. Here, our Parrish vets explain more.
Chiropractic Care for Canines
While chiropractic care for humans has been practiced for hundreds of years by many cultures, veterinary chiropractic care is relatively new.
Demand for these services began to grow in Western culture once pet owners and their vets began to see conditions including joint diseases, neurological diseases, nervous system issues such as musculoskeletal weakness, and chronic pain improve significantly with treatment.
Chiropractic care is a specialized area and veterinarians who practice it must be specifically trained in animal anatomy and animal chiropractic theories.
How does it work?
Chiropractic care focuses on correcting any abnormalities in the alignment of your dog’s musculoskeletal system. In doing so, the process releases any areas of pressure and tension so that trapped nerves can be freed, and your dog’s nervous system can function properly again.
During a veterinary chiropractic treatment session, your pet will typically undergo spinal manipulation or manual therapy to shift misplaced vertebrae in the spine (also referred to as vertebral subluxations) back to their natural position to release pressure on surrounding nerve tissue.
Another benefit of chiropractic care is increased blood flow. This enables oxygen to freely flow throughout the body to major organs and other areas that may require healing.
What conditions can be treated with canine chiropractic care?
Dogs suffering from a wide range of ailments may benefit from chiropractic care. The following conditions could benefit:
- Arthritis
- Degenerative disc disease
- His dysplasia
- Mobility issues
- Muscle spasms
- Nerve damage
- Stiffness and muscle tension
- And more!
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
In many situations, chiropractic care will be administered in conjunction with other medical treatments to aid in your pet's healing. It is generally considered a safe and non-invasive treatment option that can work to relieve pain, improve mobility, and encourage healing in dogs with musculoskeletal conditions. Some other benefits of chiropractic care include:
Drug-Free Pain Relief
In many situations that involve chronic pain, you may not want your pup to rely on constant medication to help them feel better. However, you also don't want to see them in pain! Chiropractic care can be a drug-free alternative for pain relief.
Non-Invasive Treatment
Chiropractic care is non-invasive, this means it may alleviate the need for your pet to go under anesthesia or require surgery to help relieve their condition.
Faster Healing
If your dog has sustained an injury or is recovering from a surgical procedure, chiropractic care could help get them back on their feet faster by helping them regain their mobility.
Customized Treatment
When it comes to chiropractic care there is no 'one size fits all' solution. When you come for a chiropractic appointment at Ellenton Animal Hospital, our veterinarian will perform a thorough physical assessment for your pup, look at their medical history, and create a plan that is customized to their unique needs.
As treatment progresses there will be regular check-ins to ensure treatment is working and tweaks will be made if necessary. The aim is customized care that is tailored specifically to your pet to help them on the road to recovery.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.