Chiropractic for Animals

All animals may suffer from back, neck, pelvic and musculoskeletal problems at some time during their life. And like us, they may benefit from chiropractic care.  Although it is mainly horses and dogs that have been treated, a huge variety of other animals have also benefited – cats, farm animals, birds and a variety of “exotics”  -  even an elephant.

Whatever the age of your animal, whatever your chosen life style, activity or sport with your animal, you can improve the comfort, and even performance of your animal with the aid of chiropractic care.

Chiropractic will align and balance the animal's musculoskeletal system, so optimizing the individual's dynamic flexibility. By making subtle adjustments throughout the whole body whilst paying special attention to the spine and pelvis, health, soundness and performance may be restored and maintained.

How to tell when your animal may benefit from a chiropractic treatment – below are some typical indicators:

• - Lameness or limb dragging

• - Reluctance to exercise

• - Uneven gait

• - Changes or deterioration in performance, behaviour or temperament

• - Stiffness or pain after exercise

• - Uneven muscle development

• - Signs of discomfort when their back is touched

• - Absence of resolution using conventional methods

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There are other specific indicators different animals may exhibit, such as dogs or cats may be having difficulty in climbing stairs, which obviously would not apply to horses, farm animals or exotic animals. 

Your chiropractor will ask for a full history of your animal at your initial appointment to ascertain; what is normal behaviour for your animal, its performance level, its fitness level, age and any past or present problems. These details will also help define the number of treatments the animal may require.  Many owners will use chiropractic as regular part of their training programme. This helps to maintain optimum performance and in down-times maintains comfort and helps prevent future problems.Your chiropractor will give you specific aftercare advice for your individual animal and this will be influenced by the age of your animal, the nature and duration of any problems, current activity and fitness levels.

The McTimoney Chiropractic Association (MCA) is the only chiropractic association to have a specific group of chiropractors qualified and trained to treat animals.  All members of the MCA Animal Group are registered chiropractors, who have completed their initial 5 year’s chiropractic training and have gone on to a further postgraduate qualification in animal chiropractic techniques.  This dual training can be a huge benefit to horse riders or dog handlers as they can be treated in tandem with their animals. 

Working Together

Legally chiropractors may only work with the permission of the individual’s veterinary surgeon; the reality is that often the veterinary surgeon may suggest chiropractic as part of the remedy and in practical terms this may mean working in collaboration with the veterinary team.