Chiropractic Care For Dogs –by Carol A. Marusak, VMD
Animal chiropractic has been around for over a century beginning with the animal clinic at the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport Iowa. D.D. Palmer, the founder of modern chiropractic, and his son, B.J., believed that chiropractic was as helpful to animals as it was to humans.
So, why take your dog to see a veteri-
nary chiropractor? Perhaps you’ve observed neck or back pain, reluctance to move, climb stairs or jump up or down. Maybe there is lameness or a slower gait. Worn down nails on one or two paws may indicate a shift in weight bearing due to discomfort.
Dr. Carol Marusak (right) with Miles and vet tech Tammy Fulton (left). Manipulation focuses on identifying and
Carol A. Marusak, VMD with her Australian Cattle Dog Penny. Dr. Marusak owns and operates All County Animal Hospital in Brooksville. She became certified in veterinary acupuncture in 2001 and has training in herbal medi- cine. In 2015, Dr. Marusak completed her training in Veterinary Chiropractic and offers this service to her patients. All County Animal Hospital 645 Ponce De Leon Blvd. Brooksville 352.796.6788
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78 THE NEW BARKER
treating subluxations (misaligned vertebrae) of the spine or joints and the effects these restric- tions have on the nervous system and the entire body. The goal is to maximize mobility and opti- mize nervous system function to allow unre- stricted flow of information between the brain and body. Veterinarian and chiropractor Sharon
Willoughby-Blake was central in developing the modern animal chiropractic curriculum for veterinarians and chiropractors beginning in the late 1980s. Currently there are five education programs nationwide involving between two and three hundred hours of training. Laws differ by state, and in Florida, a
veterinary referral is necessary for a human chiropractor to treat an animal. It is important that the doctor has had training specific to animals and has been certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association.
Manipulation may help alleviate neck,
back, leg and tail pain. It is often used in dogs with intervertebral disc disease which is more common in the breeds with long backs like Dachschunds, Bassett Hounds, and Corgis. It can provide relief with joint problems, hip dysplasia and jaw or TMJ problems. Removing obstruction to normal nerve conduction can also sometimes help with seizure disorders, chronic constipation and urine leakage among other disorders. It does not replace veterinary care, but it is a useful part of a treatment plan. What can you expect from a visit?
The doctor will take a case history, do a chiro- practic exam, gait analysis and perhaps take radiographs. Chiropractic adjustments are very specific low force quick thrust movements along the plane of the joint. Most pets are cooperative for the procedure and it’s fun to watch them do a big body shake afterwards like they’re saying Ahhhh!
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