Dogs are our best friends and have been for thousands of years. We care for them and nurture them and they provide comfort and friendship. When your dog is injured, it’s near impossible for the dog to tell us what is wrong and so we have to rely on the symptoms that we see to try and diagnose their health issues. In all cases, a veterinarian should be the first person you see when concerned about your dog’s health. If your vet thinks that a chiropractor is needed, then heed their advice, but always consult your vet before you decide to explore chiropracty for your dog. Five of the most common reasons your dog would require chiropractic services are listed below:
1. Pain associated with hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is when the hip bones of the dog start to deteriorate and that causes your dog to walk oddly to compensate for the lack of a normal hip bone and the inability move correctly. This throws the entire skeletal system out of order and creates stiffness and pain around the hip area, lower back, and shoulders. While chiropracty cannot cure hip dysplasia, the regular visits to the chiropractor can help alleviate the pain your dog experiences on a day to day basis.
2. Osteoarthritis (Arthritis)
The small amount of cartilage in between the joints in your dog’s bones is important because it acts as a shock absorber when the dog moves, runs, jumps, etc. When that cartilage weakens or goes away completely, it causes a great amount of pain for your dog. While chiropracty cannot cure this ailment, it can help relieve some of the stress and pain your dog experiences.
3. Idiopathic Lameness
When your dog has weakness or loss of function in the rear legs, it is often referred to as idiopathic lameness. There are MANY different causes for this, from tumors to a misplaced vertebra. You should always check for all options with your vet before consulting a chiropractor. But animals with this condition respond well to chiropracty.
4. Intervertebral disc disease (slipped disc)
Displaced discs can be painful for you and your dog. A competent chiropractor can help align your dog’s spine and keep your dog out of pain. Because the spinal cord is longer in dogs, displaced discs often involve spinal cord compression and injury. That is different than in humans because only our nerve roots are affected. Remember that chiropractic manipulation can be dangerous to your dog because it carries the risk of further spinal cord injury.
5. Sports injuries to the joints and muscles
As with many of the ailments already listed, chiropracty can be used to help relieve stress on joints and the pain caused by them especially if the dog is very active and getting older. A regular regiment for mature dogs can help improve their quality of life.
How To Find a Qualified Chiropractor
Chiropractic care does not substitute proper veterinarian care or medications or surgery. To find a certified animal chiropractor in your area please visiting the following websites:
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