Mahogany Ridge Dog Training and Daycare: Canine Chiropractic

by Sue Ann Lesser, DVM, ACAC, CVSMT, C-Adv. Neurology VSMT

Most dogs with combinations of the following histories and physical signs have required adjustment. Certainly other medical conditions can contribute to the physical signs listed. Chiropractic is an addition, not a replacement for traditional medical care.

Schedule

History of the dog

Had way too much fun at daycare.
Hit by car.
Playing, then became acutely lame.
Lameness usually improves with minimal
treatment but dog is never “quite right”
afterward.
Body slamming: patient is sideswiped by another dog while playing and gets rolled.
Fell off porch, dock, dog walk (agility), down stairs, etc.
“Crashed and burned:” lost balance while running and hit wall, door, tree, etc.
A working dog at any level: obedience, agility, search and rescue, schutzhund, therapy, herding, conformation, etc.
Any German Shepherd dog over four years of age.
Dogs that vigorously play Frisbee, ball or tug.
Decreasing performance: dogs not placing or scoring as high as they were previously. Slower times in agility, dropping bars or ticking jumps.
After general anesthesia.
Dog does not jump on couch, into car, on bed, won't go up/down stairs, hesitates.
Poor leash manners (pulling, tight leash) #1 cause of cervical subluxations this also trashes the rear end on small dogs leading to stifle and hip problems.
Dog is sunddenly of their food.

Physical Finding

Personality changes: Not as active or happy. May start snapping. May look like they have a headache. Anxious look on face much of the time. Wrinkled forehead. Squinty eyes. Tail cocked. Tail does not wag symmetrically.
No roll through the back or roll stops at one point. Lumpy-bumpy feeling through the spine, especially near back of rib cage. Back may look like a tent if severe. When dog is patted, skin twitches. Head tilts or dog has trouble turning head in one direction. Dog scuffs one foot while gaiting. Gait in hind limbs is stilted (baby with wet drawers look). Lack of symmetry limb to limb: most commonly a catch or rattle through shoulder or hock. Tail is clamped or held straight out from body, not relaxed. Ear infections especially in one ear
Hip dysplasia: while chiropractic cannot cure the truly dysplastic dog, the dog is more comfortable when the rest of the body moves properly. Esthetics: instead of watching the whole dog when it moves, the eye is drawn to one part (back, pelvis, head, etc.). Correct dogs have a certain presence about them, a sort of glow.

**FEES**
Chiropractic Adjustment Dogs	$45.00 first dog $35.00 second dog
Chiropractic Adjustment Cats, Ferrets, etc.	$35.00 first pet $30.00 second pet
Acupuncture	$25.00