What to Expect


What you can expect from an animal chiropractic visit

After obtaining veterinary consent if necessary, an animal chiropractor will begin by obtaining a detailed case history, consisting of information from the owner, prior x-rays or laboratory analysis and previous diagnoses and therapies if applicable.

Evaluation

A thorough chiropractic evaluation includes an examination of the animal prior to an adjustment. This examination includes: posture, gait analysis, vertebral and extremity static and motion palpation.

Musculoskeletal suggested diagnosis

Information from the case history and the examination are combined to determine if chiropractic care is suitable and if so what treatment is required. Chiropractic care includes advice on lifestyle, rehabilitation and soft tissue treatment.

Adjustments & Treatment

Adjusting your animal is somewhat similar to being adjusted by a human chiropractor in that once they find an area that has either decreased or restricted motion, the animal chiropractor applies a high force, low amplitude thrust specific to the anatomy of the joint, thereby restoring normal movement. The adjustment has little or no pain and most animals enjoy being adjusted.

Results

Usually the normal response to chiropractic care can be immediate improvement within the first 24 to 72 hours. The results depend upon several variables, such as the length of time for the initial trauma if any, age of your animal, the severity of the decreased/restricted motion of the joints of the spine and or extremities, etc. Some animals can show great improvement in the first few days to a week and then you may notice a relapse of the initial complaint. This is not unusual as this is a healing process, so make a note for the animal chiropractor if you notice this relapse to help gauge your animal’s rate of response and probable healing time required. Normally after the first 2 or 3 adjustments then most initial relapses are resolved as your animal responds positively.

Follow-up

A follow-up adjustment may be required after 1 to 2 weeks to continue the healing process. The animal chiropractor will talk about this on the initial visit. If improvement is noted then the follow-up visits may be spread out further. Depending on how active your animal is, whether undertaking performance activities or as a family pet, chiropractic maintenance care is usually recommended anywhere from 1 time a month to 1 time every six months. The animal chiropractor will talk about what is best for your animal in maintaining their optimal health.

Rehabilitation

We offer rehabilitation to help recover from injuries or operative procedures, as well as to enhance performance. Rehabilitation focuses on strength, endurance, balance, proprioception and gait training. 

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