Chiropractic for Animals: Benefits and Cases

Chiropractic is not only beneficial for humans, it can also improve your pets’ health. At our center in Mataró, we explore how chiropractic adjustments can help animals live a fuller life.

Chiropractic and Veterinarians.

Animals and Chiropractic

Although there are many differences between the canine population and humans, the common factor is that the nervous system controls and coordinates all functions. This is a basic truth for almost all life on earth.

Therefore, it is logical to think that if interference with a human nervous system from subluxations can lead to health problems, the same should be true for non-human vertebrates, like dogs.

Facts and Studies

The two authors of the following study consisted of a chiropractor and a veterinarian. They started this study report by pointing out that in the last ten years, tremors and involuntary movements had been found in canines. They note that determining the causes and types of tremors in dogs is more difficult than in people.

However, there is a type of tremor known as orthostatic tremor. This type of tremor is more common in giant breeds of dogs, such as Great Danes, under two years old and is seen when the dog is still.

In this case, a male Great Dane of 3 weeks of age was brought to a veterinary and private chiropractic animal clinic.

The dog was the firstborn of the litter and was breech-born. He was experiencing tremors since birth. Immediately after birth, it was noted that the hind legs were blue and cold, and only warmed up after the dog’s owner wrapped the newborn puppy in a blanket.

The dog’s owner reported that the puppy had weakness in the hindquarters when he began to walk and shook as if suffering from Parkinson’s disease. The puppy’s shaking decreased on its own; however, it was still noticeable when walking. None of the other puppies in this litter showed any signs of this problem.

Veterinary Examination

A veterinary examination of the puppy showed a normal puppy in most respects but revealed the tremor. All other examination procedures performed by the veterinarian proved normal for the presence of tremors.

A chiropractic exam was also performed, consisting of static and motion palpation to find restrictions or pain and assess the muscle tone along the puppy’s spine. From this exam, it was determined that multiple areas of subluxations were present. Based on the findings, chiropractic care was provided to the puppy.

Results of Chiropractic Care

According to the study, after only three days of initial chiropractic treatment, the owner reported that the puppy was able to stand and walk on two occasions with very few shakes. After two more weeks of care, the five-week-old puppy appeared normal and showed no symptoms of tremors.

In the discussion of the case, the authors noted: “Spinal manipulation has been performed on animals for centuries, but veterinarians and chiropractors have only recently begun to work together to improve practice, guidelines, and education for both professions.”

Distinct Approach to Subluxation

They further explained the difference between what a veterinarian determines as a subluxation and what a chiropractor would define as subluxation, “veterinarians usually have a structural perspective that a subluxation is a partial dislocation, while chiropractors view subluxation from a more functional standpoint, asserting that vertebral misalignments disrupt the normal biomechanical and neurological functions of the body.”animals and Chiropractic