Is your pet struggling to move?

Maybe your dog is slowing down in the mornings and has started resisting their daily walk. Perhaps your cat is not leaping from the bench top anymore, instead taking an easier route down. Or it could be that your horse is starting to resist saddling or certain aspects of their work. 

If your pet is struggling to move, they could find great relief by seeing an animal chiro. Dr Fiona Kates is an animal chiro based in the north-east of Melbourne. She works with all kinds of animals to improve their quality of life, through gentle adjustment of the musculoskeletal system (bones, muscles, ligaments, joints, and other connective tissue).

Many of her animal clients are ageing or finding it hard to return to normal after surgery or injury. She also sees show animals and those involved in high impact sports that need preventative treatment, like performance horses and dogs.

What does an animal chiro do?

They influence the neurological and musculoskeletal systems by applying gentle adjustments to joints and vertebrae. The goal is to bring pain relief, restore balance in the body, enhance movement, and ultimately to improve an animal’s quality of life. 

Fiona sees mainly dogs and horses, but she also treats cats, pocket pets (such as guinea pigs, mice and rabbits), farm animals and native animals.

How does a treatment work?

The chiro checks your pet’s spine, joints and soft tissues to troubleshoot mechanical health problems.

Despite what many people think, it’s not about loud cracking joints and strong manipulation. Fiona’s chiro treatments involve gentle adjustments within the comfort range of the animal. Occasionally, you will get an audible clicking sound, but mostly, it’s gentle, silent adjustment. 

It’s not just about bones. Soft tissue work is just as important because the fascia, muscles, ligaments and tendons hold everything together. 

As all animals age, joints don’t work as well and muscles tighten up in response. Chiro treatment releases those muscles so they don’t build up stress and become a bigger problem, causing more pain and restriction in movement. 

Younger animals can have issues when they are active and boisterous. Pups and kittens may get dropped or knocked by their mum or siblings, or have developmental problems.

The chiro will also gently adjust the joints so they move more freely, putting less stress on muscles and nerves.

Mostly, Fiona will use her hands, but she uses a low-grade laser for animals who are sensitive to localised soft tissue manipulation (read massage). The laser helps reduce pain and inflammation in a similar way but can be more easily tolerated.

When should I call an animal chiro?

Any mechanical problem where your pet can’t move properly is a good time to book a chiro. 

Watch for signs that your pet is in obvious pain when they move – a hunched back, limping, holding their head down, sitting to one side, or not jumping, leaping or landing like they used to. 

How do I find a good chiro?

Word of mouth and Googling chiros in your area is where most people start. But take the time to do research.

Go to the Animal Biomechanical Professionals Australia (ABPA) website and see if your chiro is registered. Not all animal chiros are ABPA members but it’s a good guide. Ask what qualifications they have and, when in doubt, go with your vet’s recommendation. 

Beware of phony practitioners. A qualified animal chiro is still a fairly rare find and it’s not yet a properly regulated industry. Do your homework before hiring someone to work on your pet.

Signs that your dog needs a chiro

From middle-age onwards, your dog could start to have restricted movement. Wear and tear on the body can reveal itself through arthritis and other problems. Show dogs and racing dogs’ bodies can have a particularly hard time; chiro can be a preventative treatment as well. 

Watch your dog’s movements carefully. Are they slow to move in the morning? Have they started resisting their daily walk? Maybe they aren’t jumping out of the car or off the couch enthusiastically anymore. Are they limping or hanging their head at times?

Licking or chewing a sensitive area are definite signs to investigate, as are irritability, yelping when touched, and a general change in behaviour. 

What about cats?

Roughly 5% of Fiona’s clients are cats. She suspects a lot more than 5% need help to keep moving. Owners don’t tend to watch cats as closely as dogs, perhaps because cats are so independent by nature and can be good at compensating for injuries.

What signs should you look out for in your cat? Maybe they aren’t jumping onto the same high surfaces as they used to, or perhaps they are taking a circular route to the bench top to avoid the intense movements of leaping.

Cats aren’t as likely to complain if they are uncomfortable, they’ll just adapt their behaviour. Keep an eye out for subtle changes in how they move around.

Does my horse need help?

If you spend a lot of time with your horse and know it well, you can probably detect even the slightest change in their movements. Other times, they may not be such subtle changes.

Keep an eye out for difficulty bending, issues with transitions, rejecting the bit or hollowing their back.

Sometimes a poorly fitted saddle can cause issues. Horses can react when you pull the girth up (girthiness or girth pain syndrome), which might be due to physical problems that can often be addressed by a chiro.

How do I get my pet to stay still for a treatment?

If the animal is food-orientated, Fiona uses treats to lure her patients into position. The owner might stand in front with a few treats in their hand while Fiona works her way forward from the hindquarters, gently feeling and adjusting as she goes.

A great way to prepare your pet for a chiro session is to teach them to wait for a treat.

Some animals are not that interested in food, but they might have a ball obsession. The owner can stand in front holding whatever holds their pet’s attention while Fiona works from behind. 

If the animal becomes anxious, Fiona takes a break and lets them walk around. Most dogs cope well but other animals can find it difficult to stay still.

Fiona takes care not to force anything and if the pet gets worried, she moves on to another area. Thankfully, some chiro work can be done indirectly. A successful treatment doesn’t have to mean touching all the sore spots.

Know your pet and be aware of changes in movement

An animal chiro can help your pet live a long, pain-free, healthy life. Keep tabs on how your pet moves and take note of any changes to their usual behaviour. There’s no need for your pet to lose quality of life as they age or recover from injury. 

Fiona can treat your pet at Ringwood Vet Clinic, Lower Plenty Vet Clinic, her own clinic, or she can come to you if your pet is not up for the trip. Book a session with Fiona by calling 0404 180 772.