Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: An Animal Chiropractic Approach
Any pet owner who has just found out that their dog has hip dysplasia has the same thought: “okay, now what do I do?”
The good news is, there are options.
A formally trained animal chiropractor is well-equipped with the knowledge and skills to help keep your dog’s body in alignment so they can move better with less pain. While there is no animal chiropractic adjustment that can fix hip dysplasia, unfortunately, they can still help many dogs with hip dysplasia in profound ways.
The role of the animal chiropractor (like Dr. Zoe) is to find the misalignments (also known as subluxations) in your pet’s spine that are causing a disruption to their nervous system. Through a strategic animal chiropractic exam (which consists of gait analysis [walking patterns], static palpation for muscle tightness and inflammation, motion palpation to determine how the vertebral segment is moving, and range of motion), the animal chiropractor is able to determine the exact segments in your dog’s spine that are out of alignment and causing a dysfunctional nervous system.
Through a gentle, specific animal chiropractic adjustment, the alignment is restored and the nervous system is able to function properly. The adjustment can lead to proper joint function, reduced inflammation, and increased blood flow to the affected areas, which in turn can lead to less pain, better range of motion, and improved overall health.
Animal chiropractic care can be used as a complementary therapy for dogs with hip dysplasia. Traditional therapeutic options also include medications and physical therapy, which your primary veterinarian can discuss with you if you are interested in more information. Chiropractic adjustments can be used as a preventive therapy for at-risk dogs (those with hip dysplasia in their genes or are overweight), especially when it is utilized on a regular basis.
If you are interested in starting your pet under animal chiropractic care with Dr. Zoe at Balance Chiropractic & Wellness Co. in Jacksonville, FL, click here to fill out our new pet patient intake form or contact us here.