What Does a Dog Chiropractor do?

You are a dog chiropractor? If I had a dime for every time a human patient asked that. How to tell if canine chiropractic can help your dog and what to expect.

Yes, I am a human chiropractor, but I am also a dog chiropractor. Patients always look surprised when they find that out, but it really makes a lot of sense. Dogs have spines. They get injured and hurt. Chiropractic care works wonders, so why wouldn't you get your dog adjusted by a canine chiropractor? ;)

It was a natural progression for me to work on dogs. And shortly after I graduated from chiropractic school I took a course in Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation, or V.O.M. for short. It is taught by a vet named Dr. Bill Inman, and it uses an adjusting device that is very safe and effective

I have been trained to work on horses, dogs, and cats. Most of my animal patients are of the canine variety so I am known as the dog chiropractor of the Antelope Valley.

Dr. Inman devised V.O.M. when he learned about the chiropractic philosophy that the nervous system controls everything. When the light bulb went on for him (which is really common in medical professionals) he realized that many of the conditions he was treating in animals might respond amazingly well to a canine chiropractor.

He was right!

He tested it on everything... and he found that canine chiropractic worked on many health problems. The ones I see as the "dog chiropractor" the most are:

Lameness in one or more limbs

Obvious back, neck, or limb pain

Hip Dysplasia-like syndromes

Disc disease

Progressive myelopathies ("down in the rears" dogs)

Lameness in one limb

Wobbler's Disease

My experience is that the sooner we can get to a problem, the greater the chance of helping. Like with humans, the longer the condition lasts, the harder it is to correct.

How do you know if you need a dog chiropractor?

Here are the signs that your dog might benefit from canine chiropractic:

Obvious pain or limping while walking

No longer jumps on the couch or bed, or into the car

Difficulty getting up stairs

Cocks their hip out to sit down, or obvious discomfort while sitting

Lays down to eat their food

No longer enjoys normal activities

Constantly licking or chewing on a paw

Behavior changes that appear to be pain related

Some dog chiropractors adjust animals manually, and although I have learned how, I prefer to use the adjusting tool. The reason is simply that it is more comforting to the dog, and I do not have to worry about wrestling anyone who might bite me. It works as well as a manual adjustment by delivering a thrust into the spine that causes a neurological reset.

Here is what they are saying about their canine chiropractic experience

Hi Dr. Mills,
I just had to email and tell you...we took the kiddos for a walk last night...Dax has his swagger back! he was running and playing, and trotting with his head up in the air...lately, he would lag behind the group, and just kinda walk...last night...it was like the Dax of 5 years ago...Thank you so much!

Nancy, May 3, 2011

And here is another letter from a recent dog chiropractor patient of mine.

Dear Andrea,

I am a Cockapoo and I am 13 years old. Several months ago I threw out my back playing with my buddy, a Maltipoo, who is only 3 years old.

My mom took me to the vet twice and all the vet did was give me shots which did not help one bit. My mom got on the web and found you.

You were at the house within the hour and although I was a little shy of a stranger your kind and gentle ways soon won me over. You performed your magic up and down my spine with your activator and then gave me a wonderful massage.

I felt much better immediately. By the next day I was again playing with my buddy.

My mom had you come back a second time just to make sure everything was ok. Both my mom and dad think you are a miracle worker because you made me feel so much better so quickly. I have included my picture so you will remember me.

Thank You,
Hoppy

If you live within an hour of the Antelope Valley and would like to have your dog worked on, feel free to call me. I make house calls. ;)

I cover Rosamond, Lancaster, Palmdale, Acton, Santa Clarita, Valencia, Pasadena, Northridge, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Woodland Hills, Encino, and Simi Valley.

I'll need a note from your vet saying that it's OK for me to do VOM on your animal. The best thing to do is to print this page and take it to them. I'd be happy to discuss your dog's care with your vet prior to any treatment.

Would you like to have your dog adjusted? Please note that all fields followed by an asterisk must be filled in. First Name* First Name* Last Name E-mail Address* E-mail Address* City* City* Zip/Postal Code* Zip/Postal Code* Home Phone* Home Phone* What is your pet's name?* What is your pet's name?* Is your dog hurting? Tell me briefly what the issue is. Please enter the word that you see below.

Return from Dog Chiropractor to Dog Arthritis