Is A Chiropractor, Rather Than A Vet, The Solution For Your Pooch's Hip Dysplasia?
If you own an enormous mastiff, a friendly golden retriever, or a pocket-sized dachshund, you may find yourself at some point dealing with these breed owners' worst fear — the stiff gait and painful yelps that can be the first signs of worsening hip dysplasia. This condition is often genetic and is very common among certain purebred dogs (and sometimes even mutts). If medication and cortisone injections haven't had much of an effect on your dog's mobility, it may be time to enlist some homeopathic measures like chiropractic care. Read on to learn more about how chiropractic treatments may be able to minimize your pup's hip dysplasia symptoms.
How can chiropractic treatment help dogs with hip dysplasia?
Most dogs lead a fairly active lifestyle compared to their human owners, and with this constant (and sometimes strenuous) activity can come minor joint and spinal injuries. Over time, these repeated impacts can compress or restrict the movement of the spine and hips, fusing your dog's joints into uncomfortable or painful positions. While this process is different from hip dysplasia, a joint disorder in which your pup's hips regularly dislocate themselves with little prompting, it can exacerbate the beginning symptoms of hip dysplasia and force your dog into uncomfortable positions in an effort to avoid his or her hips from popping out.
A chiropractic adjustment (with the assistance of X-rays to ensure there are no latent conditions that might be aggravated by chiropractic treatment) can put your dog's spine and hips into proper alignment, helping lessen the risk of hip strain and allow him or her to perform regular daily activities with minimal impact. In some cases, you may notice a tangible effect on your dog's mood or behavior after just a single treatment, while more severe cases may require multiple adjustments before the true effects are revealed.
Is your dog a good candidate for this treatment?
While chiropractic treatment can help many dogs live an active life well into their senior years — even when dealing with hereditary hip dysplasia — it's not an ideal choice for every pooch. If your dog has trouble with routine veterinary visits or has a history of snapping, he or she may not be calm enough to lie on the table for a proper adjustment; and unless the need for chiropractic treatment clearly outweighs the risk of anesthesia or sedation, it's unlikely a chiropractor will be willing to perform treatment on an anesthetized dog.
For more information, contact local professionals like Hidden Valley Chiropractic.
