Chiropractic For Canines!:)

[doxielover]

I just learned something today from my Chiropractor; he said that dogs can also have their backs adjusted and re-aligned! He does this quite often, and showed me the instrument used and how he merely presses it on the back. VERY gentle yet effective. Well, I'm amazed at this, as I have never been aware of it! What I'm thinking is, this procedure could POSSIBLY SAVE a lot of disc & spinal problems, especially with Dachshunds! He said for me to bring in my dachsie to him, even though Freddie is not having any problems. He could check Freddie's back out. Well, I'm NOT going to jump to it until I check with the Vet first and get his opinion. Has anyone (Penny's Aunt, where are you?) heard of this before? My Chiropractor said this has not been "out there" to the public until recently. Hey, please let me know what ya think, ok? Because, if in fact this works, it MAY save some dogs! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif This is very interesting I think!

Susan

[Pam C]

I have heard of it in other breeds and have wonder about it in dachsies myself. I am interested to hear if anyone has tried it!

[chelsam]

I too had considered this for my dachsie who was having cervical disc problems (again). She had surgery 10 years ago for a cervical disc problem. The vet vetoed it as it was not recommended for post-surgical animals. I do know however, there is a process of certification that a Chiropractor must go thru to be competent to perform manipulations on animals. I would at the very least ask him/her if they are certified to do so, type of training working on animals, ask for some references. There is a lot out there on the the internet about it. Just a thought.

[Wienergal]

Well, now, I'm curious too. (How we spoil those wieners, eh??) I give Farfel doggy massage a couple of times a week...Please don't tell anyone that I do this! http://dachsie.org/ubb/rolleyes.gif He loves it, especially when I massage his spine. I think that's very good advice about finding out about the chiropractor's certification, etc.

And yeah, where the heck IS Penny's Aunt?? All these medical problems and the wise one seems to have disappeared--temporarily, I hope!

[Penny's Aunt]

Sorry, I've been short on time & just now looked in this thread.

Chiropractors... not my favorite people. I used to go to a really good one back when I was a teenager, & he did good work. But...

The chiropractors I hear of now seem to be more interested in money than anything. They also seem to be willing to damage old people that they shouldn't be TOUCHING! I've only heard of one that refused to work on an old person, saying her spine was too fragile.

My best friend was in a fairly minor car accident & hurt her neck. She went to a chiropractor to ask questions, & he was all ready to set her up for a series of adjustments that would cost $7,000.

But the thing that really put me off them with animals was a woman chiropractor that showed me in one of her books that spinal adjustments could cure BACTERIAL INFECTIONS & VIRUSES! Alone. By itself. Not in conjunction with antibiotics, etc.

Now, there may be some that can do some good. A woman had one work on her horse & she seemed to notice some improvement.

But I wouldn't allow it on an old dog, myself, IMHO, & those are the ones with the most back problems. I don't even know if I would consider it on my own YOUNG dachsie, if I had one.

But if you do, & sign any kind of waiver of responsibility, below your name write "All rights reserved". If something happens, if may help, & it's better than just signing away your (& your dog's rights).

Sorry I couldn't help more -- I know this is more opinion than anything.

I've SEEN acupuncture work on arthritic dogs. I wonder if that would be any kind of alternative for backs???

[Tanya]

I've never taken a dog to a chiropractor and don't know of any who treat pets in little rural southwest GA, but I will tell you of my experience. I have a disk problem...I broke my neck at the c-5 level when I was 15 years old. I am constantly reminded by my physician & neurologist NOT to go to a chiropractor. So, it makes sense to me that if I have a bad back and should not go, then a dachsie with a bad back should not go. I would be afraid one wrong adjustment would do more harm. Again, I don't have all the facts though.

[MaverickMom]

Hey Tanya,

Where in GA are you? I'm just south of Macon. Great to have another Georgia Girl on the list!


Sonya

[Tanya]

Hi Sonya. I'm from the big city of Albany (pronounced by backwood southerners as All-beny). I actually live in Leesburg, but nobody knows where that is usually. We go to Macon or Columbus to shop as our Mall isn't as big as yours. It takes us about 2 hours or so to get to Macon. Nice to hear from you. http://dachsie.org/ubb/lol.gif