Written by Dr. Kevin Keller.
Our own Dr. Keller is one of very few veterinarians that are certified in veterinary chiropractic. Here, he gives us an introduction to this therapeutic technique:

Have you ever had a pet that seemed stiff and sore, or had trouble moving around? Did you ever say to yourself, “Gee, if that were me, I’d go see the chiropractor!”?

Well, that probably wasn’t such a crazy thought after all. Although a relatively new field in veterinary medicine, animal chiropractic can offer all the healthful benefits that we people receive from chiropractic care.

Chiropractic is a gentle, hands-on method of health care, which aims to restore and maintain optimal health and happiness for our pets. As in human practice, animal chiropractic is primarily concerned with the proper function of the nervous system, by maintaining proper joint movement of the spinal column and its vertebrae.

What exactly is the chiropractor looking for and ‘adjusting’? Chiropractors feel for areas that are called subluxations. Now, when I was in Veterinary College, I was taught that a subluxation was a partial dislocation. Although this remains true, in the chiropractic field the meaning is different. Subluxations are areas that have a restriction or limitation of movement in a specific joint. An analogy that can be made is that an affected joint acts like a ‘rusty hinge’ and doesn’t move smoothly or becomes ‘stuck’. These affected areas may also show pain or tenderness in the surrounding tissues.

Adjustments made to correct these subluxations are quite subtle, and seldom are ‘cracks’ or sounds heard. Typically, a pet need only stand or sit for treatment, which is handy, because not all bouncy Labradors are willing to lie still on a table.

One thing that seems to surprise people is that any size animal can receive chiropractic treatment. People always ask, “How in the world can you adjust a 1200 lb. horse?” Now, we need to remember I am simply making an adjustment at a single, specific joint. I am not trying to move the entire horse! Since I attend to everything from Chihuahua’s to Clydesdale’s, the strength of the adjustments varies quite a bit. However, in all cases, the goal is to use just enough force to release (or ‘unstick’) the affected joint.

How do animals ‘get’ these problems? Injuries from slips, falls or accidents are obvious causes of back injuries. However, subtly over time, subluxations may arise simply from living life. Running, jumping and roughhousing can all add up, and put a strain on the muscles and joints leading to problems. Commonly, animals with poor conformation show problems, as do those that have ill-fitting collars, harnesses or saddles. In addition, pets that are overweight or under active, as well as those that are isolated or under some other emotional stress, have more strain on their health, and can be prone to problems.

Now you need to know how you can tell if your pet needs help. Some apparent signs would be a limp or lameness and back or neck pain. Muscles that ‘spasm’ and are tender to the touch often indicate a chiropractic concern. Watch the animal for change in attitude. Animals in pain may become quiet and ‘stand-offish’ or may become difficult to handle and more aggressive. You may notice a change in their posture, or they may have difficulty getting up/lying down or jumping. Often, these are nagging problems that seem hard to pinpoint.

If a chiropractic problem exists most animals will respond in the first few treatments. The course of treatment and number of adjustments required is dependent upon the severity of the problem, how long standing the problem has been and the age of the animal – older animals may be slower to heal.

Animals are wonderful chiropractic patients. They seem to really enjoy their treatments and are often quick to show improvement. Not all lameness’ or health problems are chiropractic problems. However, many animals can benefit from treatment, and experience improved health and happiness in their lives. For more information, I can be contacted at the Bellevue Veterinary Hospital in Parksville at 248-2031 or through my voicemail at 954-5820. Also, search the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association website at www.animalchiro.com or www.avcadoctor.com.