Dr. Dan Beatty, a certified pet chiropractor at Balanced Motion Veterinary Services in Crown Point, demonstrates acupuncture and Magnawave to relieve arthrtist pain in Junaita.
It all started 14 years ago with mobility-improving surgical rehab for Jake, the senior Golden Retriever.
That's when Tom and Jill Kress of Plainfield became clients of Dr. Erin O’Connor, owner of Vitality Chiropractic Center in Aurora who is board certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association.
“We’ve taken all of our animals there, mostly for preventive maintenance,” Tom Kress says of their two dogs and cat — Jake has since passed on. “We had another cat who when she got older was unable to jump. After treatments, she could do so much more.”
Though it's difficult to pin down when chiropractic care was first used on animals. the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine notes that it arose in its modern form in the last century.
“There are historical photos of the founders of chiropractic adjusting many types of animals, including elephants,” says O’Connor. “However, the most commonly adjusted animals back then were chickens, which increased egg production.”
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The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association was formed in 1989, when fewer than 1,000 animal chiropractors were practicing. “Now,” says O’Connor, “that number has more than doubled.”
O’Connor, who notes that animal chiropractic is a hands-on adjustment aimed at restoring motion in a joint that is not moving properly, treats mostly dogs, cats and horses.
“However, we do also see exotics such as rabbits, parrots, ferrets, birds and reptiles. Also farm animals such as pigs, goats and llamas,” she continues. “I also volunteer with a wildlife rehab facility, so I’ve also had patients such as geese, ducks, raccoons, opossums, hawks, owls, cottontails, squirrels, chipmunks, deer, birds, muskrats and even a snapping turtle that was hit by a car.
“Really, we could adjust anything with a spine,” O'Connor adds, continuing that the adjustments allow proper biomechanics and nerve flow in the affected area.
Determining when a pet might benefit from chiropractic services is fairly simple, says Dr. Daniel Beatty, owner of Balanced Motion Veterinary Services in Crown Point and a veterinarian certified in chiropractic, equine rehabilitation and veterinary acupuncture.
“If a pet has a spine, they could use chiropractic services,” says Beatty. “Many people who go to the chiropractor themselves know it’s good for their pet, they just need to know that it is available for them.” Typically, owners seek chiropractic care for pets that have injuries, discomfort in their back, trouble jumping, gait issues, slowness when walking and reduced activity, he says. He adds that primary care veterinarians usually will recommend a chiropratic visit.
According to O’Connor, a limp, back or neck pain or even an inability to turn right also are signs a pet could benefit from chiropractic care.
”We also regularly see neurological cases such as paralysis, paresis, ataxia and seizures,” she says.
Chiropractic techniques used vary, says Beatty, who uses Pulsed Electromagnetic Field, or PEMF, therapy to reduce pain and inflammation for pets with arthritis by increasing circulation, energizing cells and attracting healing cells to the affected areas.
“Laser therapy is another non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate tissue and stimulate the cells,” continues Beatty, noting this is used for such injuries as strained or partially torn tendons/ligaments.
“Some clients are also proactive and get their pet checked regularly to help prevent problems,” O’Connor says. “This usually helps their pet maintain good mobility into their golden years. The neat thing about chiropractic is it does not specifically treat these conditions, but rather opens up proper motion and nerve flow to allow the body to heal itself. It takes the roadblocks down, if you will.”
Beatty says they have five types of patients including older pets with issues such as arthritis, hormonal imbalances including Cushing's disease and cancer. Other patients have injuries that need pain relief and healing such as cruciate ligament tears, other tendon/ligament tears, intervertebral disc disease and neurologic issues.
Animal chiropractors also provide treatments such as chronic pain management, autoimmune disorders, hormonal problems, allergies and seizures as well providing preventive services for canine athletes.
“We help with monitoring sport canines to help prevent injuries or catch them in the early stages,” he says.
“Last but not least we see pets whose owners have a desire to keep their pet in optimal health and bring their pet in for holistic consultation and routine chiropractic care.”
