Chiropractic Care for Animals- how does it really work?
While more people are choosing chiropractic care for themselves these days, it is most commonly for treatment of back, neck, or even jaw pain. I still get the questioning looks when I discuss its value for more internal conditions. This modality can be very effective in treating conditions as far ranging as diarrhea or inappropriate urination in cats. It can even improve the function of the immune system and improve liver or kidney function. See, this is where I lose people…
Lets start with an explanation of what we are really doing with a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic medicine is based on the theory of the subluxation or the subluxation complex. In conventional medicine, the term subluxation is often used to mean a joint or opposing bones that are physically out of place. This is not necessarily the case in chiropractic medicine. In chiropractic fields, subluxation is used to mean a joint which may not be physically misaligned, but has a decreased range of motion on palpation. This is often caused by a slight change in the positioning where the joint surfaces meet. What this is, and what a chiropractor is actually feeling when they choose to adjust an area is a decrease in movement between two vertebrae in the back. A normal joint should have a bit of “give” when palpated while a subluxated or “stuck” joint has decreased or no motion. The goal then is simply to restore movement to these joints.
Generally speaking then, the more functioning joints, the better range of motion. Did you know that an owl has 14 cervical vertebrae? This is twice the number of people dogs or giraffes, and, this is what gives owls such great range of motion in their necks. They can actually turn their heads 270 degrees in either direction; but I digress.
When there is a joint in the group that is not moving, it puts strain and stress on the joints above and below, as these neighboring joints are then forced to compensate in the body’s effort for range of motion. Picture the childs’ toy wooden snake that you can hold by the tail and the body moves back and forth with all of those little joints. The idea is that each joint moves only a small amount, but you put this range of motion together and your back and neck can really twist.
Alright, so now you can buy how a subluxation can be of detriment to your back, and can even surmise that this additional strain on the other joints can cause some local pain and dysfunction. These sorts of changes are termed kinesiopathological. Now lets look at some of the other effects a subluxated joint can have. Neuropathological changes involve changes in the nerves and the cerebral spinal fluid and are caused by direct or indirect pressure on the nerve roots as they exit the vertebrae or on the spinal cord as it runs through the affected area. Similar effects can be seen in the vessels which are traveling between the vertebrae. Connective tissue pathology involves changes in everything from the synovial fluid in the joint which consolidates or sludges, to the cartilage which shrinks and begins to calcify and develop adhesions. You should now be getting a sense that the structures around these intervertebral joints depend greatly on movement for their health and well being.
This brings us to the distant effects of a subluxation. Along with all of the other structures coming out through the spaces in and between the vertebrae are nerves which affect the distant organs. Some of these nerves are responsible for nourishing and moving distant muscles in the body. Myopathological changes or effects on the muscles lead to muscle weakness and lactic acid build up due to atrophy from disuse. There are also sympathetic and paracympathetic nerves exiting between the vertebrae. Let us look at the vagus nerve for a minute. It is vulnerable between the skull and the first cervical vertebrae and it’s nerve fibers travel to the peripheral blood vessels and abdominal organs. The theory that follows is that irritation to this nerve at the level of the spine can alter transmissions along the nerve fibers leading to increased or decreased sympathetic tone to the sturctures innervated by those fibers. See, clear as mud.. Put another way, when the nerves are pinched or irritated by a subluxation, they will not work correctly and thus not send the right signals to the organs that they are in charge of. Long term changes in these nerves can lead to organs or muscles not functioning up to their full potential. Remember that all bodily functions are controlled by nerves and these nerves all exit between the vertebrae in order to communicate with the central nervous system. Thus, correcting subluxations and improving nerve function can directly affect organs, skin, joints, and glands. It can affect blood flow and hormone levels as well. Only about 10% of nerves register pain, the rest are keeping the body functioning to its maximum potential. So chiropractic can really do more than just help your back feel better.
That said, I still tend to use spinal manipulation, chiropractic care, as a first line of treatment for its spinal benefits; Pain relief, improved mobility and strength. I do not forget, however, that there can be many other benefits that can be seen from a manipulation and will often add an adjustment into a treatment regime as it is ongoing. I am routinely amazed at what a difference it makes to a wide variety of patients. Discretion is always needed in picking cases where manipulation is appropriate as some animals and some conditions should not be adjusted.
Unfortunately, studies on the effects of manipulation in animals are few and far between. We have to rely primarily on the human literature and extrapolate. That said, I do believe that chiropractic care can and does benefit a great number of animals. I see it happen every day.
Acupuncture in Sea Turtles
One of the most frequent questions that I get asked as owners are passing the time waiting for their dog or cat’s acupuncture needles to be taken out ( this is a time period of anywhere between 10-20 minutes on average) goes something like this… So, what is the most interesting animal that you have ever done acupuncture on? It was never a question I particularly enjoyed as I never felt that I had a great answer. Most of my practice is dogs and cats with the occasional rabbit or pocket pet thrown in. Past this, I occasionally see injured wildlife- usually small mammals or birds. So, until recently, my best answer to this question was generally along the lines of squirrel, rabbit, guinea pig.
Over the last year, however, my attitude toward this question has changed. I can now claim to having treated two sea turtles.
About a year ago the dedicated folks at the Marine Stranding and Rescue Center in Virginia Beach, VA brought two sea turtles in to a clinic where I was working for evaluation and possible acupuncture treatments. Both turtles had problems with mobility. There was a small green sea turtle named Frosty who was about the size of a dinner plate and a large loggerhead sea turtle who weighed upwards of two hundred pounds. His name was Atlantis.
We decided to give it a try as other therapies were not improving the turtles’ conditions. Amazingly, we found references to a few acupuncture points in turtles, so myself and a second acupuncture trained veterinarian began with these. I coupled these treatments with chiropractic adjustments on their necks.
The initial treatments went well, but it was decided that the stress of the hour long trip would be too much on the turtles on a regular basis. Thus began my travels to Va Beach to the Stranding and Rescue center. This center is an arm of the Va aquarium which too is based in Va Beach. The Stranding and Rescue center is off site from the main aquarium to ensure that the rescued animals and their caretakers do not expose any of the aquarium stock to disease. It is an old warehouse filled with many massive tanks temporarily housing everything from turtles to seals. The goal for every animal who comes into the center is release back into the wild.
Frosty originally arrived at the Center with a scar over his shell, suggesting some type of trauma. His issues all involved severe weakness in his hind flippers, and it was thus presumed that he had sustained some sort of spinal injury secondary to trauma in the wild. Atlantis, on the other hand, was at the Center being treated for other issues when he suddenly developed a head tilt, inability to float flat in the water and loss of mobility in his front flippers. It was not clear whether these symptoms were the result of a brain lesion, infection or some other unknown pathology. When first brought in for acupuncture, both of the turtles had plateaued in their recoveries and the fear was that they would not be releasable.
Both of these species of sea turtle are listed as threatened in the endangered species act and the green sea turtle is also listed as endangered. Given this status, release was especially significant. I should note here that I am referring to both of these turtles as “he”, but we did not know their sexes. One female sea turtle has the potential to lay 100 plus eggs per nest and a loggerhead may lay four to seven nests in one laying season. These eggs are then left unprotected and the majority of the hatchlings will never make it through their first hours of life, but given the dwindling numbers of turtles in the seas, each one can make a difference.
Both turtles took well to their treatments and did not fight either their adjustments or their ever changing acupuncture point protocols. As time went on, I learned that the turtles’ shells are very sensitive and began acupuncturing them through their shells as well. Frosty, a firecracker of a turtle, responded first and showed a steady pattern of improvement in strength and mobility. Atlantis was more difficult to judge, he would seem better some days and worse others. I finally added some Chinese herbals into his protocol, and we began to see the improvements that we were looking for.
The happy ending to this story is that both turtles were released into the Chesapeake Bay in late June of 2008. Tracking devices were placed on them at the time so that the stranding and rescue center can keep track of their progress and potentially learn more about the habits of these elusive creatures in the seas. I am honored to have been able to be a part of their recovery.
Track Atlantis and Frosty’s Travels
Stem Cell Therapy
For many of us, the term stem cells brings to mind associations with debated moral and ethical issues. There is, however, another side of stem cells and stem cell therapy. I am very excited to report that stem cell therapy has arrived in the veterinary arena without controversy or contest. The process uses stem cells collected from an adult body’s own fat. A company called Vet-Stem is currently working with certified veterinarians to provide stem cell therapy for their patients. Currently, we are able to offer this treatment option for dogs, cats and horses.
So how is it that an adult body still has stem cells? Stem cells are simply undifferentiated cells that can be found in most tissue in the body. These cells remain primitive or undifferentiated, waiting for the body to need them. Many people think of their bodies and cells working in a very quiet and orderly fashion. This is, however, far from reality. Our bodies are like a war zone inside- there is chaos and destrucion everywhere- and on a microscopic level, the body is constantly rebuilding just to maintain. Our bodies call on these undifferentiated cells every day to maintain health in our organs, in bones and on the skin. Without stem cells, we could not survive.
A single stem cells is able to differentiate or turn into many different tissues such as tendon, cartilage, bone or organ depending where it goes. The controversy on the human side, is over using embryonic stem cells. These cells, taken from embryos, have the ability to form whole beings- to create an entire new person, dog or sheep. Adult stem cells on the other hand, have the ability to differentiate into many different types of tissues but work to “repair”. This makes these cells very useful for healing tissues or potentially organs.
In animals, we now have a way to harvest adult stem cells, collect and process them and then replace them in the body where they are needed. The amazing part is that the cells take care of the rest. Stem cell therapy is also known as regenerative medicine. The cells will regenerate the tissue in its close environment.
Currently the process is open for treatment of osteoarthritis, tendon and ligament injuries. Once an animal has been deemed a candidate for treatment, he or she undergoes a short surgical procedure to collect fat. The fat is most often harvested from around their shoulders or pelvic area. Fat, especially from these areas, is a rich source of stem cells. In fact a small amount, less than 1/2 a cup, can potentially provide enough cells for multiple treatments for your animal. After collection, this fat is shipped to the Vet-Stem company who harvests and processes the cells and sends those needed back to the veterinarian for injection. The number of cells harvested varies from animal to animal depending on the “quality of their fat” so to speak.
The entire process is generally completed in three days. The costs will vary, but it would be safe to ball park at least several thousand dollars. For the animal, the procedure involves a surgery for fat collection and then usually sedation to inject the harvested and processed cells back into joints,tendons or ligaments two days later. If enough cells were able to be harvested, the Vet-Stem company will store those cells not needed for the first round of therapy and hold them for later use. Since the cells are autologous (supplied by the animal for its own use) there is no chance for rejection.
Studies are presently ongoing for use of this therapy in treatment of liver failure, irritable bowel syndrome and various auto-immune conditions. I have only used the procedure to treat arthritis thus far and the results have been impressive. Decreased pain with improved mobility. A win win combination. It is exciting to think where this therapy could lead us. What it has to offer presently, and what it could offer to our animal friends in the future.
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Thunderstorm fear in Dogs
For dogs with a fear of thunderstorms, spring and summer can be very trying times. Fear reactions can range from a mild case of nerves and unease to a case of sheer panic. Conventional options tend to rely on sedatives or antianxiety medications to get the dog through the storm. In theory, this is a great solution, but problems tend to arise this time of the year when storms are predicted every day and when they sometimes pop up without warning. These medications generally need some time to enter the system before they are effective and often by the time this happens the storm has passed.
Storm phobias are very difficult to treat behaviorally. It is all but impossible to actively simulate a storm. The rain, lightning, thunder and barometric changes can all be triggers for the dog’s fear. For some dogs with mild issues, positive conditioning can be effective. Every time it storms, you get out a very special treat which is given regularly for the duration of the storm thus conditioning the dog to associate the storm with treats and pleasure. A rawhide bone or kong, squeaky toy or ball can often be used similarly. For dogs with more severe fear issues, this is unlikely to make much of an impression. Even so, you want to try to provide any comfort you can.
Be sure that your demeanor does not heighten the feeling of panic. If you get tense over the expected reaction from your companion, they will not only pick up on this but feed off of it. Try to remain calm. Take deep breaths. Close curtains or go to an internal room to try to avoid experiencing the flashes of lightning and dampen the sounds of thunder as much as possible. Turn on some white noise or soothing music. Finally, watch that the attention you are giving to your pet is not reinforcing the behaviors. Be supportive and attentive but do not reinforce the belief that something bad is happening. Let your dog know that there is nothing to be worried about.
Many dogs seem to find comfort in a tight space. Bathtubs are a favorite refuge. They are seeking the security that a small or covered space can offer. For many dogs, you can provide comfort by putting them in a tight shirt or leotard, providing the sensation of being wrapped and protected. There are commercial variations on this theme. Many have magnetic properties or other special features which set them apart. What they generally have in common is that they are expensive. I generally recommend that owners start by putting an old shirt on the dog. You can snug it tight with rubber-bands and see if this helps calm the fears. If this provides some relief, you can feel more confident that the purchase of an anxiety wrap will be of benefit to you. I have many clients who just continue with a shirt and others who try the commercial products. For those who buy, there are a percentage who seem to improve further and then of course there are others who did as well with the shirt. I used to be surprised by the effectiveness of such a simple concept until I thought about the difference in laying down yourself with no covers or blankets- it is a feeling of exposure- which goes away quickly and irrationally if you just pull up a sheet.
For dogs who need more support than this, I recommend we begin trying a variety of natural remedies to determine how to best support the particular dog.
The DAP diffuser releases a canine calming pheromone into the air. It plugs into a standard outlet, and for some dogs it does provide relief. Plug it into an area where the dog would be comfortable. There are no negative side effects from this product and thus it is definitely worth a try.
Homeopathic remedies can also offer some relief and have the advantage of generally being fast acting. Phosphorous in the strength of 30c can be dosed to be absorbed in the dogs mouth every 15 minutes until you see an effect. You can re-dose if you see the fear returning. The standard pill size that you find in health food stores is meant to be placed under a person’s tongue and held in the mouth. Since this is not practical for dogs, I find it best to crush the pill and then dump the powder into the dog’s mouth. This is best done without touching the pellet as homeopathy is energy medicine. All organic beings have their own energy and it is possible that you will make the remedy less effective by transferring your energy to it.
If the Phosphorous remedy doesn’t work, try Aconitum Napellus 30c for the next storm. Homeopathy will generally either work or not. Side effects or negative effects are generally not noted.
Flower essences are dilutions from botanicals used to treat a wide variety of emotional disturbances. Remedies need to be matched to the patient and can be mixed together. Again, this class of remedy should have no side effects. Rescue remedy or Five flower essence (depending on the company you use) is generally a good starting remedy to check for effect. Single remedies which are often helpful in thunderstorm fears include Rock Rose which works for terror and panic or Mimulus which is for fear of known things. You can dose these directly in the mouth or mix with water to administer. I generally use 2-6 drops to make up a dose, administered directly into the dog’s mouth. You can also add 5 drops or so to the dog’s drinking water two to three times daily to give some low level effect through thunderstorm season. Dose directly as needed in addition to this. The dosage in the water should be safe for all pets in the household.
If these measures do not help, some people do have to resort to prescription medications and for some dogs, these will prove effective. Be sure to check with your veterinarian before trying any of these remedies to be sure that they should be safe for your particular pet.
Holistic First Aid for Pets
Just like it is a good idea to have a well stocked first aid kit for the two legged members of the family, it is recommended that you have one for your pets as well. I hope to give you some recommendations here to help you treat those minor ailments at home as well as to be able to triage your pet in an emergency until you can get to a veterinarian.
Remember to stay calm and do not panic. Take a few deep breaths before you begin if you are stressed. Animals will sense your state and will react better t0 you if you are calm.
Safety is the most important thing to remember when dealing with a hurt or stressed animal. Even your beloved, trustworthy companion may try to protect himself if hurt or frightened. Always begin by approaching an injured or sick animal slowly and watch their body language for signs of distress. Further, it is advisable to apply a muzzle before moving an injured animal or working with the affected area. You can purchase cloth muzzles or, with a dog, you can use a slip lead to fashion a temporary muzzle for treatment and/or transport.
Always approach and work from the rear. To make the safest muzzle possible, slip the lead over the dogs head like you are going to walk him. With the lead tight, wrap the close (middle) end of the leash around the dog’s muzzle three to five times securely and finally bring the free end of the leash back to the neck so that you can hold the head from behind. You will need someone to keep a hand on such a muzzle to keep this makeshift muzzle secure.
For animals who are stressed or seem shockey, rescue remedy can provide some relief. Mix 4 drops with one ounce of spring water and mix. You can dose several drops of the mixture in the mouth every 5 minutes as needed. It is best to mix this before each use or just use one to two drops or rescue remedy straight from the bottle. Note that rescue remedy tastes better when diluted. The homeopathic arnica is also useful for trauma and shock. A 30 c potency works well and can be dosed in the mouth every fifteen minutes or so if needed in the acute situation.
A digital thermometer is always good to have on hand. A rectal temperature in a dog or cat will normally run between 100 and 102.5 degrees. Be sure to lubricate the thermometer before inserting. Lubricating or petroleum jelly works best, but in a pinch, oil from the kitchen will do.
Temperatures over 103 may just be stress or over 104 are highly suspicious for infection or inflammation in the body. Especially if the animal is not feeling well, a trip to the vet may be in order. Animals with temperatures in the 106 range may be suffering from heat stroke and are critical. You can try to begin to slowly lower the body temperature with some rubbing alcohol on the feet while on your way to the nearest emergency facility. Be careful with temperatures this high not to lower the core body temperature too quickly or the animal may go into shock. Thus, be very careful of immersing such an animal in water. If you do choose to do this, make sure the water is cool but not cold.
On the other side of the scale, temperatures less than 99 degrees may be dangerous as well. Smaller animals and young puppies and kittens tend to be most susceptible to hypothermia. In this case, and if you pet is depressed or lethargic, wrap them in a blanket, and/or use hot water bottles or a rice socks to warm them, and again see the veterinarian. A rice sock is another handy item for a first aid kit. You make this quite simply by filling an old sock with uncooked rice. When placed in the microwave, it will heat rapidly and hold heat well. A rice sock also works well on sore muscles and joints on which you wish to apply heat. Always check that your sock is not too hot before applying.
Be aware that small dogs or young animals can be prone to hypoglycemia, low blood sugar.? In these animals, a sudden weakness or disorientation can sometimes be treated with a bit of Karo syrup or honey on the gums or mixed with water for the animal to drink. For young puppies and kittens or toy breeds treating for hypoglycemia is well worth trying in cases of emergency such as this when you don’t know the cause.
To apply cold to an area of acute inflammation or pain, keep an extra bag of frozen peas in the freezer or make a slurry out of rubbing alcohol and water to keep frozen in a sealed plastic bag as a cold pack.
Boric acid diluted to half strength or an eyebright solution make a good solution to treat irritation in the eye until you can get the situation checked by your veterinarian. Flush eyes with contact lens saline solution to remove irritants or debris from the surface of the eye. It is always good to get eyes checked by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Problems such as ulcers or glaucoma can be very serious, but outcomes tend to be better when the situation is identified quickly.
Moving on to items to treat cuts and scrapes, 3% hydrogen peroxide works well to flush a wound. Note that it is not recommended to use after an initial cleaning or two as it will delay wound healing. For repeat cleanings, I recommend a chlorhexiderm solution or scrub rinsed with water.? To decrease the chances of infection,?apply an antibiotic cream two to three times daily after cleaning.? Goldenseal or Calendula ointments can be found at?your local?health food store.
If excessive bleeding is a problem, be sure to apply direct pressure with a sterile or clean 4×4 gauge pad and elevate the body part above the level of the heart if possible. Slippery elm powder can be applied to wounds and will serve both to keep the wound edges fresh and help with healing. It can help remove toxins locally as well as reduce pain and inflammation. It makes a wonderful medical dressing for wounds, boils, abscesses and burns. On an active bleed, you can apply the powder directly to mix with the blood or better, make a paste with water and apply to the affected area. Another option to use on scrapes and burns is a mixture of sugar and iodine. The sugar will help keep flesh viable and healthy while the iodine prevents infection. Vomiting and diarrhea are common problems faced commonly by pet owners. These signs can be caused by anything from inflammation to infection, a foreign body, parasites or cancers.? The most common cause, however, tends to be “garbage gut” or dietary indiscretion. With vomiting, it is generally recommended to hold off food for 12-24 hours. Be sure to replace lost fluids with water or an electrolyte solution like pedialyte. If your pet can not even keep fluids down, consider a visit to the vet.
To induce vomiting, 3% hydrogen peroxideagain comes into play. 1 tablespoon per ten pounds can be given every 15 minutes for several doses. Animals should not be made to vomit certain things so check with your veterinarian or poison control for direction before proceeding. The number for animal poison control is 1-800-548-2423 and should be kept handy. They do charge for these calls and you will need a credit card number.
In cases of diarrhea, also remember to replace fluids. Natural kaolin and pectate can certainly help ease diarrhea temporarily but beware of the new Kaopectate formulation as it contains asprin, which can be dangerous to dogs and must be avoided in cats unless under veterinary direction. A more natural and safer alternative is slippery elm powder. 1/4 to 1/2 capsule twice daily can be used for cats and small dogs. For larger dogs, 1 to 2 capsules twice daily are recommended. You can open these capsules and mix them with water, an electrolyte solution or a little yogurt with active cultures to dose. A natural yogurt or probiotic solution will help regenerate a healthy population of of intestinal flora and can regulate diarrhea or help prevent it in cases where antibiotics are being given.? Be sure in cases of GI upset, vomiting or diarrhea, to see your vet if your pet appears ill or the condition has be ongoing for more than 24 hours.
Always err on the side of caution and get your animal checked by your veterianrian if you are ever in doubt of what you should do. This information is in no way meant as a substitute for proper veterinary care.