chiropractor for dog

[Barley'sMom]

Hey, has anyone used a dog chiropractor? A friend of mine swears that it really helped her GSD, and our 6 yr chihuahua/whippet is starting to have chronic problems with his pelvic/spinal area. He's on temporary meds again, and will have an MRI soon. But I'm wondering if an animal chiropractor would be a good non-surgical alternative.

[Barb04]

I read about this on my anatolian message board. Someone asked how to find a chiropractor and was told to look up an Agility group in the area since dogs used in agility seem to have problems which a dog chiropractor can help with. It's worth a try before surgery.

[bubbatd]

Might look into acupuncture too ....have heard some success stories , especially on dachshunds.

[Debi]

I used to have a neighbor that took her older pup to the chiropractor routinely for a chronic back problem. he was her chiropractor, but was nice enough to treat her pup, too. she swore by it. :)

[Dreeza]

omg, so i wrote this huge long post, and I went to press enter, and my screen went backwards...what the heck!???

anyways, i was promoting animal Physical therapists, cause thats what I want to be :) You have to be a PT, PT Assistant, Vet, or Vet Tech to get your "Certified Caninie Rehab Practitioner" certificate (CCRP) ... so you can look into one of those. I visited one, and she had some great success stories to share!!

But if your friend already knows of a great chiropracter, then definately go for it :) I am ALL about (unless absolutely necessary of course), trying the non surgical things first...

[Jynx]

I have used a chiropracter on my agility dogs for years. She does absolutely wonderful things for them..She is also an acupuncturist, vet, and Chinese Medicine. IF you can find one who does acupuncture as well, all the better.

One thing tho, since your dog has been having some problems already, it is really imperative you bring a set of xrays with you. A good chiropracter wants the 'whole picture', they can actually do damage if they don't know exactly what's going on with the dog.
Diane

[RD]

I definitely want to find a chiropractor for my Border Collie - especially when he starts agility. I went quite a while ago with a friend in Idaho to see a doggie chiropractor, and you could just see her little dog relax while he was being worked on. By the time we left, he looked so calm and flexible.

[Jynx]

RD, the acupuncture really relaxes them, my high drive, wacky gsd, who does NOT like to sit on a table, she is sooooo "itchy", well we did acupuncture on her, and I thought, oh she is gonna go ballistic with these little needles sticking out of her, had to leave them in 15 minutes, I was amazed she lay down on the table and nodded off !!!
diane

[Barley'sMom]

jynx.. thanks for the info about the x-rays - they're so expensive! He's doing better, but I think we'll take him anyways. Better not to bring him when he's in intense pain, too.

[zekebo]

I used one one time. My vet said since xrays showed no reason for my dogs limp I could try that or go 200 miles away for an MRI. I didn't use the one the vet told me about(oops) but another one that came to my house. He said he never had to treat a dog more than 3 times. One reply here caught my eye. He did notwant to see the xrays and he was gone in 5 minutes. He was coming back the next week. Anyway, 2 days later, still limping, my dog stepped in a hole and broke her acl. I didn't need the guy again but I don't think I needed him in the first place. My point being I guess if you use one check him out with the vets in your area and other people that have used him. Although he came to my house I could have used the 75.00 on the acl surgery.