What is Animal Chiropractic Care?
While spinal manipulation has been practiced for hundreds of years in many cultures (including the early Greeks and Chinese), veterinary chiropractic care is a relatively recent development.
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.
Veterinarians who practice chiropractic care must be trained in animal anatomy and chiropractic theories, and hold specific certifications.
At Ellenton Animal Hospital, we offer veterinary chiropractic services for cats and dogs and are happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
Why Use a Veterinary Chiropractor?
Spinal issues and musculoskeletal disorders can cause your pet's health to quickly deteriorate. These can severely impact other joints and muscles, along with movement, posture and flexibility.
If your pet is displaying these signs or symptoms, you might consider asking your veterinarian if your cat or dog could benefit from veterinary chiropractic sessions:
- Pained facial expression
- Change in gait, limping or short stride
- Reluctance to be touched or picked up
- Change in posture, weight shifting or inability to bear weight
What Happens During an Animal Chiropractic Appointment?
Chiropractic veterinary care is most commonly administered as an additional treatment option for animals experiencing spinal problems or biomechanical-related musculoskeletal disorders.
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.
In turn, this can help to relieve pain throughout the body and allow it to heal itself naturally.