Has anyone used either of these treatments for dogs? One of the vets I am going to meet with this tomomrrow does practice some alternative veterinary medicine (acupuncture and chiropractic I know, not sure what else), and I was interested in whether or not anyone on this board has any experience with this type of treatment for dogs? The WDJ has an article about chiropractic treatment for dogs (March '08 issue), and although I've only skimmed it so far, what I saw was pretty interesting.

If any of you have had chiro or acupuncture on your dogs, what type of results did you get? (I'm pretty interested in meeting this vet tomorrow to see what she's like and what her philosophy is on vet. medicine. She has owned GSD's for several years, according to her receptionist).

One of our vets used acupuncture with some pretty amazing results. I think it's a real plus that a vet has this skill and it's something I wouldn't hesitate to do if my dog needs it in the future.

I know a person who used a chiro after nothing else helped her wolfhound with his lameness and pain. She literally tried everything, traditional and really out-there alternative medicine, and the chiro was the only one to correct the problem.

Hope this vet works out!

We have a vet that does chiro and one that does accupuncture at work. Have not personally used the chiro but both my Dobe and Chow had accupuncture. The Dobe had very advanced cancer when we started it trying to help boost her immune system and to help with pain management. It seems like maybe I saw a little improvement with her for a few days after treatment but then maybe it was wishful thinking because I wanted it to help so bad. The Chow tho was old -15- and arthritic and I did see a big improvement with her. Much more energetic with treatments. I've seen great improvment too with hospitalized pets and they now offer it as an option for after surgical procedures. The dogs wake up much easier and seem to be up and about much quicker if they get accupunctured as they are going into recovery.


Lisa

I have used chiropractic for my animals for a long time with pretty dramatic results for 3 animals: a Rottie who was stomped by a donkey and got to the point that she was refusing to eat, one treatment had her eating again and she got back to being healthy and sound; a Chihuahua who was in terrible pain in his back end, one treatment and he was back to normal the next day; a horse with a dislocated hip from a bad fall several years prior regained full function following two adjustments.

I've used accupuncture with dog with herniated disc which had already had so many surgeries. Results were amazing. Also used it on dog with renal failure to stimulate appetite and also results were amazing. I just wish i could find someone who comes to house for my 13 year old dog now for accupuncture.

That's impressive to hear that acupuncture and chiro can be effective. I am waiting to hear back from a vet that the Natural Pet Supply store near where I live recommended. I left a message for her, and her outgoing message stated that her practice is primarily done by housecalls. The guy at the Natural Pet Supply place said she was great, and believes in feeding natural foods, etc, and homeopathic/alternative vet. medicine. So I'm curious to see what she's like. (Your post re: housecalls made me think of how nice it might be to have the vet come to me...)

We use chiropractic for our dogs and riding horses. Our chiropractor obviously makes house calls, it would be tricky to get the horses into her office. We also have access to a great canine sports massage therapist.

I go to the chiropractor myself every 3-4 weeks, and it's improved the quality of my life immensely. Like most people, I started going to the Chiro because of an injury and whether it's "placebo" effect or not, when I go to the chiropractor regularly I find I don't get the colds and other illnesses that are passed around here.

I didn't realize that improved general health would be a benefit of regular chiropractic care, but am a believer in it.

I know we have some chiropractors on the board, Eric, can you chime in?

My dogs and horses are also regulars with the chiropractor. Sometimes he uses acupunctur, othertimes just adjustments. I have not used one myself. I know I should.
Our dog vet also got a cold lazer last october and he is reportin HUGE results. My boxer LOVED it and acts extra silly the day after treatments.

Sounds like you at least found a forward thinking vet. Hope you like him/her.

Hey Cindy, sorry i'm a little late, i've been pretty busy lately.

I'm still not certified in animal chiropractic, although I do take care of our animals. Mine are easy though, I just do joint mobilization, everything moves fine on them so there really is nothing to do but check them.

Going thru school I actaully read a couple research papers done on animals. A couple of the more interesting ones involved a a walrus (i think) and a horse.

I can't remember if it was a sea lion or walrus? But anyway, it had a severe misalignment that caused its back third to turn sharply to the left. He had developed that way from an injury when he was younger. Anyway, it was at a zoo, he was very irritable, not friendly with the staff and terrible around the others, male or female it didn't matter. It continually got worse and they had to seperate him because he was fighting daily. they decided to try a animal chiro. I forgot the treatment and duration, but I do know he regained almost full function and was put back with the rest of the sea lions or whatever he was and did just fine, no more violence against handlers or other animals.

The other involved a horse that had one eye that was turned back up in its head. The horse was around a year old and had been that way since birth. I remember it was a very short treatment time, dont' remember which segmet(s), but the eye did turn back down. I don't remember if it did regain funtion as far as vision went though after being turned back in the head for the first year of its life and getting no stimulation.

I don't know about the placebo effect for the sea mammal. I'm not sure who could have told him an adjustment would help him, but the results were very measurable. I mean either he can swim and move on land with his lower third or he can't, and he's either attacking other sea mammals and handlers or he's not.

Humans are a whole other bag though, way to sedentary which isn't good for anything.

So, I guess to tie this back in to dog training. Keep your animals moving. Make sure they get adequate rest and good nutrition, but keep them moving. Train them have fun, but let them just get out run romp and play too. Their body is not much different than ours in that it is dynamic and self regulating. Things misalign and line back up again all the time.

Its when they misalign and stay that way is when problems develop. (or severe enough injury or congenital problems) I don't think animals need "help" as much as humans is because they know how to take care of themselves. They do what comes naturally. Unfortunately for humans, we sit in chairs all day, at computers, at desks and plunk down in front of a tv to end the day. We dont move, stretch, etc like our dogs and cats do.

You cannot be a certified chiropractor to do horses unless you are a vet. Ours was grandfathered in before they changed the rules. Not sure how strict they are with dogs. "Message therapists" are popping up everywhere around here.