VETERINARY CHIROPRACTIC
IS YOUR PET WELL-ADJUSTED?
This information is designed to answer some of the questions you may
have concerning chiropractic care for animals.  Our office offers
chiropractic care for the animal patient.  Animal chiropractic is a relatively
new profession, and it has great potential for dealing with many animal
health problems.

WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?
Most people associate chiropractic care only with back problems.  This is a
misconception.  Chiropractic deals with the nervous system that is housed
inside the spinal column.  The spinal cord carries all the nerves that go to
every organ in the body.  These nerves exit the spinal column through
areas between vertebras, which are the individual spinal bones.  
Chiropractic maintains that adequate nerve supply is vital to the proper
functioning of the entire body.  When the vertebra bones are misaligned,
even very slightly, they affect the nerves and the chiropractic adjustment is
aimed at correction the subluxation and restoring the proper functioning of
the nervous system.

Chiropractic thus works to eliminate the cause of the problem and not just
simply treat the symptoms.  Many animal benefits from chiropractic care.

WHAT CAUSES SUBLUXATION?
A subluxation is caused by trauma such as slips, falls, automobile
accidents, and blows.  Sometimes these accidents are major, like getting hit
by a car; or sometimes they are minor, like slipping on ice, or simply a
misstep.  The birthing process can lead to subluxations if the spine is
subjected to abnormal forces a delivery time.  As animals age, stresses
naturally accumulate in their spine.

WHICH ANIMALS CAN BE TREATED?
ALL OF THEM
This office sees many diverse problems responding to chiropractic care:  
lameness, abnormal gait, neck and back pain, epilepsy, older animals with
stiffness and pain, bed wetting, in dogs infertility, and many other diseases.  
One of the most exciting things that we happen in almost of the animals we
treat is an improvement in the animal's attitude.  Owners tell us all the time
about how good the animal feels after an adjustment.

HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE?
Chiropractic care takes time since we are allowing the body to heal itself
after the proper nerve functioning has been restored.  Animals tend to
recover very quickly; however, chiropractic care may not entirely solve the
problem for older patients.  The speed of recovery depends on these
factors:

  • The length of time that the problem has been present.  The more
    time that has elapsed since the onset means that the recovery may
    take longer.  It takes time to get sick and it takes time to get well.

  • Age and physical condition.  Older animals are slower to heal.  It is
    not possible to return a 14 year-old dog to puppy hood, but the
    quality of this life may greatly increase with chiropractic care.

  • Damage.  How much damage has been done?  Sometimes there is
    simply no repair for severely damaged issues.  For example, if the
    spinal cord is damaged by a ruptured disc, there may be slow and
    minimal healing with any treatment.

  • Cooperation.  The speed of recovery often depends on how well the
    owner will cooperate with the animal chiropractor who is treating this
    pet.  If the animal is removed from care too soon, the best possible
    results may not be achieved.

REGULAR MAINTENANCE:
Chiropractic care is directed toward preventing disease in the body,
therefore, it is important to make sure that the spine is kept in optimum
condition.


Please contact Noreen Ziegler, DVM, for more information or to schedule an
appointment to have your dog, cat or horse evaluated.
ESSENTIAL PROCESS, INC.
Noreen Ziegler, DVM, CNC
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