Dog Chiropractor

ISDW

I want to get one of my dogs checked out to see if he's carrying a deep injury, he used to love running in harness, but now doesn't seem to enjoy it, when we go down a hill he almost sits down! Can anyone recommend a doggy chiropractor? I am going to contact a McTimmon one in Sligo tomorrow, but don't know if they will actually do dogs. I'm in Sligo, but will travel almost anywhere for the right person, as I'd really like to find out if Riley is hurt, or just hates working.

tk123

Shane Guerin in Gilabbey Vets in Cork. He sorted our guy's legs but I know of other dogs who've had spinal surgery done by him and walked again after they were told by other vets they never would.

Lizard_Moon

Have you had Riley checked out by your vet? Neurological exam, hip X-rays, gait analysis?

ISDW

Lizard_Moon wrote: »

Have you had Riley checked out by your vet? Neurological exam, hip X-rays, gait analysis?

He has been checked by my own vet, but he doesn't limp, his gait looks normal, he will run around our field playing, changing direction etc no problem at all. I haven't had his hips x-rayed, as I don't like using GA unless necessary.

He was working one day and stopped to go for a poo, and then started limping on his front leg, so we stopped and he went back into the van. So I wonder if its in his mind, that he remembers hurting when he was working?

A few friends overseas have had similar issues and taken their dogs to chiropractors, which is why I thought I'd try it.

Aru

Full neuro exam to check for pain in the spinal cord and back as well as all the limbs nerves tested ?
Full orthopedic exam...as in not just the look at walk and feel over the limbs ...but the dog on its side and testing all the joints and nerve of the leg as well as checking out the back,flexing the neck pinching along the spine to test the muscles......they are not always completely done in private practice more a specialist area.So even in a very good vets bits could have being missed...

Id have a look there before Id let a chiropractor try to manipulate and try to fix luxations etc without imaging..... to much potential for damage if there is an issue

If hes evading it might be the harness is catching him in someway either now or in the past so hes in pain or he has remembered pain(think in terms of horses and tack issues) so back muscles pain would be worth checking out.

However it sounds like he may have done some sort of orthopedic issue to himself if hes suddenly changed from happy to not at ease.....if its just downhill what is he like without a harness? could you try a collar and do the same walk? whats he likes with stairs issues coming down there to?
I would be somewhat worried joints if hes having consistent issues on a downward level

I know I tried a human chiropractor for an old injury to my spine and was quite impressed by her work up....but she said she couldnt do any actually spinal work without having seen xrays for fear she would do more harm than good......

Sorry for the imfo dump and loads of questions but I'd suspect he needs further vet work up......
Hopefully I am wrong though

Blue136

Hi
My 12 year old dog fell at the end of the stairs 1 year ago and a disc in his neck bulged and pinched a nerve.(my fault..I had left a load of stuff in the way) He was a very fit and young 12 year old who loved his walks and chasing his ball. The vet injected his disc with a steroid and we were given anti-inflammatories for some weeks after. Also he could only walk for 5 minutes carefully on the lead. 4 months later he wasn't much better and 10 minute walk was his max the vet said for life as long as it didn't include slight inclines. I decided to try an animal chiropractor who was very difficult to find. I eventually got to Faye Morris, now married name Flood, in Trim. She has been absolutely fanatastic and after 2 or 3 sessions Boris was back to himself and has been doing the full circuit of the park including some ball play and going p aand down the stairs whcih had been a no no. I had to go to a chiropractor from lifting hhim up and down the stairs. I was very nervous letting her touch him but she didn't work on the site of injury. She worked to get the rest of his spine working and moving as well as possible so that he didn't miss the bit that wasn't working so well. Boris gets a maintenance session every few months just to keep him in tip top condition. I couldn't recommend Faye highly enough. No one can believe he is now 13! He moves so well. You can google her or her phone number is <snip>. She came to my house in Dublin as she used to treat a few animals on the same day in Dulbin. I also went to her house. I would agree though with the previous posts that a vet check is wise and Faye got all the info and xray reaults from my vet before commencing treatment. It is the responsible thing for a chiropractor to do. Best of Luck

Cherry Blossom

Hi Blue136,

I'm afraid you can't post personal contact numbers. The OP can PM you (or me) if she needs it. If the number is contained on a site somewhere you can post a link to that site if you wish.

ISDW

Thanks Blue136, Faye is the nearest animal chiropractor to me, and has been recommended by the Sligo McTimoney chiropractor, who doesn't work with animals.

Riley is having an Xray on Wednesday, so we'll know more then. He has been on anti-inflammatories for the last few days and does seem to be happier, running around in the field more, but I'm not sure if thats because we've had a new, very, very playful dog come into us, or because he has been in pain and isn't at the moment. I wish these dogs could tell us what the problem is.:rolleyes:

Its good to get a personal recommendation as well as a professional one, so thank you for that Its OK AJ, I have Faye's details:)

Blue136

Hi
Anti inflams will help a little but are not the long term solution. They do have side effects and the results are not as good with Faye. They used to be a regular feature in Boris diet but has not needed any since starting with her last September
Apologies Adrenalinejunckie about phone number...