Options For Animals - Blog

Your Horse May Be Dragging A Toe

2012-05-10 06:00:00

Your Horse may be Dragging a Toe

As a board certified Animal Chiropractor I often see horses that drag a toe and or swing a leg out to the side along with short stride, sound familiar?

Understanding some of the mechanics of the horse will give you some insight to the cause.

Lets first start off with the dragging toe. Your horse’s pelvis pivots with each step and this movement all occurs around a joint called the sacroiliac joint. When the sacroiliac joint is locked in a downward position it makes the hind leg on that side act as though it was longer than the opposite side. Thus your horse will have difficulty bringing the leg through resulting in toe drag.

Rear leg swinging outward likewise can be attributed to a dropped sacroiliac on the same side. The horse will endeavor to bring the rear leg forward by swinging it outward first since the brain will interpret this side as longer and thus stimulate muscles to swing outward.

Short strided gait will occur on the opposite side of the long leg since the brain will interpret a shorter leg and thus not bring the leg as far forward. There may even be a sacroiliac joint locked in the upward position on this side thus simulating a short leg.

What to do about all this you ask……, well having a equine chiropractor evaluate your horse in concert with the farrier and vet will give you a leg up on the matter [no pun intended]. If in fact there is a movement problem within the pelvis along with muscle tightness then the chiropractor can adjust the sacroiliac joints and any other compensating joints. Exercises and muscle work will also be utilized to help.

Dog Agility, Competition and the Importance of Chiropractic Care

2012-05-03 14:00:00

Is your dog an athlete? Is agility competition and training part of your life? Whether you’re a professional handler of a world class athlete or a weekend warrior, agility training can improve your dog’s condition, nurture communication, and promote health. Agility courses vary and can be complicated, whether it’s weave polls, teeter-totters, crossovers, tunnels or jumps. Training for these events require attention to every detail, and preparation strategies often include attention to diet, exercise and sleep patterns. An area often overlooked however, is the health of the nervous system. Animal chiropractors understand the importance of a healthy, functioning nervous system. A vital nervous system is central to the conditioning of your dog, as well as to performance outcome. Chiropractic care for your pet will facilitate a healthier, stronger and more resilient animal. Chiropractic can help restore function and mobility, and improve muscle tone and endurance. It increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrient supply to help develop speed and accuracy. It helps reduce muscle spasms and adhesions, and increases flexibility to improve overall performance. Additionally, animal chiropractic can address the micro injuries resulting from everyday stress, helping the body heal optimally and enhancing overall quality of life. So a little treatment can make a big difference, and regular chiropractic care can markedly improve your dog’s life! Have questions? Post a comment, and join in!

'Hunter's Bump'

2012-04-04 15:00:00

Named after the sport which instigates the condition, “hunter’s bump”, also know as ‘jumper’s bump’ is a painful pelvic condition in your horse that may cause gait abnormalities and can affect performance. It most often occurs in jumping horses, hunters, and steeplechasers. A ‘Hunter’s Bump’ is a protrusion of the tuber sacrale. This is the area of the hip that will appear elevated along the lower part of your horse’s back, just above the croup. Technically, this is a subluxation of the sacroiliac joint, which may involve injury to the ligaments securing the pelvis and the spine. Once this happens, the ilium (one side of the pelvis) can shift out of place, resulting in the distinguishing ‘bump’. This uneven hip is sometimes referred to as a ‘dropped’ hip

This injury is commonly the result of previous and repetitive trauma to the sacroiliac joint, rather than a single precipitating incident, though it is usually one event that pushes it over the edge. Best viewed from behind during gait, your horse will tend to be very stiff in the hindquarters, ‘unload’ weight on the affected side, display a shortened stride on the affected hind limb, and may resist movement in general. Symptoms may also manifest in areas far from the affected area. Your horse may display altered neck movements, and oppose turning in one direction or another. There may be evidence of pain at the poll, as well as resistance to take the bit, or even wear a halter.

When diagnosed early, treatment for a ‘hunter’s bump’ can be highly effective. Stall-rest for several weeks is indicated to allow time for the ligaments to heal and scarring to occur to provide stability. Anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants are often prescribed by your vet to reduce spasm and manage inflammatory processes. Chiropractic management can help re-align the pelvis and relieve neurologic interference. Additionally, integrative treatments including acupuncture and massage can be highly effective in controlling pain and supporting the healing process.

Recovery will depend on accurate diagnosis, degree of injury and speed and quality of treatment. Remember the importance of proper conditioning, weight management and stable footing. Above all, become familiar with your horse. Learn their behaviors, and observe when they’re communicating that something’s wrong. If you suspect something is amiss, don’t delay. Help is available. Have a comment? Join the conversation!

Skijoring!

2012-03-16 11:00:00

Imagine being dragged on skis around a 900 foot course from a tow- rope attached to a galloping horse at 25 miles an hour. All the while screaming tailgaters cheering you on. Congratulations. You’ve just been indoctrinated into the sport of skijoring. Originally developed in the Scandinavian countries as a form of transportation, skijoring has morphed into a popular western sport. It is an unusual combination of western and Norwegian traditions, often blending teams of ‘old-time western cowboys’ with ‘modish’ skiers, negotiating through an outer snow-covered slalom course with gates and jumps on skies, and an often muddy inner course by the horse. The race is timed. The horse gallops around the inside of the track, pulling the skier who grabs onto a rope. The fastest times go home with the trophy. As a chiropractor, it quickly became difficult not to recognize the absolute necessity of my professional skills, for both the skier and the HORSE! Two horses went down trying to navigate a particularly muddy turn at very high speeds. However, despite the wipe-outs, it was definitely a winter adventure sport unlike any other. The skijoring circuit passes through communities throughout the west, including Wyoming, Colorado and Montana, and Red Lodge Montana hosts the national championships. So, if you’re looking for some winter excitement combining athletic skills with sheer strength, be sure to check out next year’s competition. But chiropractors beware…it’s subluxation city!!!

Importance of MOVEMENT!

2012-03-08 15:15:00

Movement is a fundamental aspect of life. Movement is more than just ‘exercise’ and does not necessarily require effort, though it does require action. Movement affects everything, from circulation to digestion to metabolism to immunity. With movement, our bodies regulate hormone activity, detoxify and respire. The same applies to our animals. Daily movement promotes chemical changes in the body and stimulates neural pathways which provoke your pet’s healing capacity and boosts immunity. Movement is essential for learning, and ignites cerebral capacity and function. Today’s culture promotes sedentary lifestyles, and often as we slow down, so do our pets. When your pet becomes sedentary, wellness becomes compromised. So, it’s time to move. Take a walk with your dog. Lunge your horse. Take a spring canter. Discover the joy of motion! Have a comment? Join in!

It Is Not About The Pain

2012-03-07 10:00:00

Pain is a funny thing. Sometimes it is there and sometimes it is not. Focus on the pain only and you have missed more that 50 percent of the problem. Facet joints of the spine transmit sensory nerves to the facet joint about and below it as well as send messages to the brain about facet joint movement. If the animal has a subluxation and thus facet joint issues then pain will be transmitted to other locations. Upon palpation there may be a reaction [pain] in a facet joint that is not the primary issue at hand. Palpation of the spine to find the area of lost 'springiness" will help determine where to adjust. Checking muscles for hypertonicity will help locate the region to check as well.

Importance of Neurologic Exam in Your Animal

2012-03-01 11:00:00

As animal chiropractors, we understand the importance of having a healthy functioning nervous system. We also understand that animals act instinctively for survival, so it’s not uncommon for a dog or horse with neurological problems to present with multiple behavioral, cognitive and gait abnormalities. Subtle neurologic problems may be masked by musculoskeletal challenges and often present as some form of lameness. For example, a quadriceps injury in your dog can adversely affect the femoral nerve, resulting in collapse of the stifle. As compensation is often unavailable, this can result in the dog being unable to bear weight in the associated limb. An injury to the radial nerve can manifest in different ways. The radial nerve innervates the extensor muscles of the elbow, carpus and digits, as well as the skin of the dorsal surface of the forearm and paw. A proximal injury to the triceps muscle may results in difficulty bearing weight on a limb, however a distal injury can cause paw flipping. Radial nerve avulsion is common in dogs that have experienced lateral traction injuries. Neurologic exams can be done quickly and efficiently and can provide critical information regarding the health of your animal patient. Have a comment? Join in!

Chiropractic adjustments improve health potential

2012-02-28 14:00:00

Educated vs Innate Intelligence. Every living thing has both. Educated intelligence is acquired through experience and Innate intelligence is as the name suggests born within all living entities. When the Chiropractic Adjustment is delivered you are interacting with the innate intelligence of the body. Helping the body remove nerve interference allows that living entity to express it's health potential. Every organism has a different potential and why not give it the opportunity to express itself?

TMJ in the Equine

2012-02-27 10:00:00

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are complex and richly innervated joints located on either side of the face, just above the jaw. The term TMJ is also used as a diagnosis for patients who experience pain or dysfunction of these joints. Horses are particularly dependent on the proper functioning of these joints because of their specific anatomy. The upper joint in the equine mandible allows the jaw to drop down. The lower mandibular joint permits the jaw to slide forward. These biomechanics allow for the appropriate movement of the jaw, and the ‘grazing’ ability of the horse. The TMJ communicates extensive proprioceptive input to brain, providing balance information for the head, jaw and neck, as well as neutralizing premature striking of the teeth. TMJ problems can result from any number of factors, including lack of appropriate dental care, misalignment, and degenerative wear and tear, to name a few. Observable indicators of TMJ problems include tossing of the head, stiffness in the neck, difficulty chewing or accepting the bit. Severe cases can even result in bucking. Horses are grazing animals, which keeps their incisors worn naturally and maintains healthy functioning of the jaw. Be sure to allow your horse to graze, if possible. Asses the alignment of these joints, and if needed, be sure to adjust them. Check the incisors for appropriate alignment. Have their teeth floated regularly. TMJ can be a painful and debilitating condition, yet with a little preventative care, can be easily and effectively managed. Have a comment? Join the conversation.

Who is the real healer

2012-02-20 05:00:00

Owners often ask ....."Doc did you fix them?" or "Are the bones back in place?". Lets first get the concept of chiropractic out in the open. You as a chiropractor fix nothing and heal no one. The subluxation process occurs due to a "short circuit to the nervous system". This short circuit starts the cascade of the subluxation complex. You as a chiropractor deliver a force at the right location with the right intention and that living creature will use that force to allow the body to heal itself. All the pills, lotions, surgeries and yes even the chiropractic adjustment will not heal the body if the innate intelliegence of that body does not have the capacity. How many times have surgeries gone perfectly and the patient still dies.All health care works as a fascilitator to healing but is not the healer. Some docs are referred to as healers, I would suggest that they are more attuned to that creature and in so doing can literally transmit their healing intention to that creature. Have you ever been in a discussion with someone who you truely feel gets what you are about, or you have an affinity for that person or animal without any verbal discussion.... you call it a feeling. Animals pickup on this way more than people.

If you go into the visit with a peaceful, relaxed , loving, and helping attitude it is amazing what your chiropractic adjustment will do. Owners will remark that their animals seems so relaxed around you and after the visit seems so different. I venture to say that it was not the pure mechanical adjustment that did all that but rather it was your intention coupled with the adjustment. This pure example can explain why one doc will adjust an animal and another will do the same in the same region with the same Technique and get different results. We have all experienced the presence of someone who just makes us feel better or that sense of touch that just puts you in the right place. Well this is all part of healing and chiropractic.

Never think of yourself as a bone mechanic, Chiropractic is so much more.

The Chiropractic Adjustment

2012-02-17 11:00:00

As animal chiropractors, we understand the importance and benefits of regular chiropractic adjustments. Too often however, we’re called in when the animal is in pain and their condition or performance has been significantly affected. Changes in gait, agility, posture and behavior are tell-tale signs that something is affecting an animal. The chiropractic adjustment can restore aberrant motion and mitigate the residual affects of degenerative wear and tear. It can help increase the ability of tissue to heal in response to everyday use and microtrauma. And remember that the adjustment affects a higher order of science than solely the mechanical. Anything you do to change input to the spine directly affects autonomic output. The chiropractic adjustment to any joint will reset mechanoreceptors, muscle spindle cells and Golgi tendon organs surrounding that joint! So remember that the power of the adjustment lies not only in restoring motion, but in re-establishing and re-organizing the function of the nervous system! Have a comment? Join the conversation!

Posture and Your Animal's Health

2012-02-10 09:00:00

As humans, we understand that good posture provides stability and balance. We instinctively understand that the integrity of our back and spine is directly affected by the muscular and skeletal balance of appropriate posture. As it is with us, so it is with our animals. Posture affects and moderates everything from breathing to digestion. Abnormal posture is evident in animals with pain-related conditions including backache and stress-related illnesses. Horses have the ability to relax in the standing position with little fatigue due to the ‘Stay Apparatus’, which consists of a series of muscles and ligaments that can ‘lock’ the main joints into position. When fully engaged, this Stay Apparatus provides a comfortable stance with vertical loading providing balance and flexibility. A huge warning sign is when your horse adopts a forward posture. This posture is generally a compensatory stance to unload the hind hoof. Often this is a result of hoof deformation which leads to increased pain and the resulting forward leaning stance. As a result, the horse may adopt an altered gait and become reluctant to stride downhill. When considering and maintaining the health of your animal, remember to take into account the importance of posture.

Wellness Care for your Horse or Dog

2012-02-07 13:00:00

How often your dog or horse needs a chiropractor is dependent on the age, past health issues and activity level.

Chiropractic adjustments when there is pain is more frequent, usually 1 per week. Once the pain and issues have resolved your animal has the opportunity to really see the benefits of wellness chiropractic care.Wellness care is not treating lameness or pain issues but rather improving and be proactive in preventing future issues such as degenerative arthritis and a myriad of health and performance problems.

If your horse or dog is involved in showing from dressage, eventing, jumping, hunting, agility, obediance, dock diving, flyball, and conformation then it is imperative that a program of wellness chiropractic care is utilized. By keeping the joints freely moveable you will prevent nerve irritation, muscle soreness, loss of motion, and even many organ dysfunctions since all muscle input to the nervous system effects organ function at the level of the spinal cord. The usual wellness plan will be approx once per month to every 6 weeks. During heavy show season sometimes it may be once every 2 to 3 weeks.

If your horse or dog is not showing then wellness care for general health promotion is also important since many problems arise from improper joint motion that is not symptomatic until the injury occurs, such as Cruciate Ligament problems, Arthritis, and Disc problems to just name a few.

Canine Hip Dysplasia

2012-02-03 11:00:00

Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint, usually beginning with a subluxation of the femoral head in the acetabular cavity. This leads to premature wear and tear of the joint, and left unattended, can evolve to progressive degenerative joint disease. This condition can cause hip and leg pain, stiffness, lameness, reluctance to rise, abnormal gait, ‘bunny hopping’, and muscle atrophy. Secondary symptoms may include Sciatic Neuralgia, sacroiliac joint pain, facet syndrome and spinal subluxations. Though predominantly found in larger breeds, hip dysplasia can be seen in any breed at any age. The standard diagnostic technique is x-ray, which is critical for visualizing osseous wear and tear. The causes of this condition may include genetic, environmental and/or nutritional components. Treatment may include weight control and gentle exercise such as long walks, to stimulate cartilage growth and help prevent muscle atrophy. Depending on the severity of this condition, medication may be indicated to control pain and reduce inflammation, and in some cases, surgical intervention is an option to modify, repair or replace the joint. Remember that these pups may often benefit from chiropractic management in the neighboring joints and spine to stimulate the nervous system and boost immunity! Have a comment? Join the conversation!

Chiropractic and the VSC

2012-01-26 14:30:00

A ‘vertebral subluxation’ refers to a loss of normal positioning of the bones of the spine. When this happens, simultaneous neurologic, mechanical, biochemical and physiologic changes occur throughout the spine and body, and combine to contribute to what chiropractors refer to as the ‘Vertebral Subluxation Complex’. A ‘VSC’ in the spine can result in muscle spasms, nerve irritation, inflammation, adhesions, and of course, pain. This can cause your animal to compensate. Pain behaviors in your animal will depend on the severity and duration of compromise, however common observable changes in the dog may include stiff motion, non-weight-bearing, reluctance to rise, agitation, ‘puppy-sitting’, whimpering and changes in appetite. Equine pain behaviors may include changes in gait, reluctance to move or be handled, flared nostrils, muscle tremors and ear-pinning. Chiropractic care can help restore function and mobility and improve muscle tone. Additionally, chiropractic treatment helps to break down adhesive tissue and assists the nervous system in coordinating the body’s ability to heal and regulate itself, thus helping the body perform at its highest potential.

ACL or CCL injury and Animal Chiropractic

2012-01-24 11:00:00

Often a dog will injure the ACL or CCL when playing or jumping off. Sometimes your vet will recommend surgery and sometimes not. Animal chiropractic along with rehab will often help these dogs regain strength and prevent the other stifle from injury.

In some cases a dog may roach the back since there is a subluxation in the lumbar spine due to compensation from the ACL injury.

Benefits of Regular Maintenance and Preventative Care

2012-01-19 14:00:00

As animal chiropractors, no one has to convince us of the benefits and efficacy of consistent chiropractic care. But how do we convey this assurance to our animal patient owners? How do we convince them of the benefits of preventive care and routine maintenance? Animal Chiropractors know that regular chiropractic care can not only help the body heal, but also facilitate a healthier, stronger and more resilient animal. But here are some other benefits you can pass along: Chiropractic care helps to increase circulation and helps eliminate lactic acid. It increases delivery of oxygen and nutrient supply, helps reduce muscle spasms and adhesions, increases flexibility and can improve overall performance. Additionally, chiropractic care can address the micro injuries resulting from everyday stress, thus enhancing overall quality of life. So, a little maintenance and prevention can make a big difference, and regular chiropractic care can markedly improve your animal’s life!

Sternal lift - Improving cervical and wither function

2012-01-18 07:00:00

Sternal Lift

Improving cervical and wither function

To improve the muscle function of the subclavius and pectorals in a horse it is always a good idea to teach your owners the sternal lift exercise. This exercise will improve the bow and string concept that Dennis speaks of. Slowly starting at the sternum and sliding the round edge of a hoof pick or your fingers down the midline, you will notice a rise of the lower cervical spine and withers. The point that this rise occurs is the point at which you hold for 3 to 5 seconds. Repeat for 3 to 5 reps. The horse is now doing an abdominal crunch.

If there is not a lot of movement there may be a subluxation present and or just weak muscles. Remember by adjusting this horse you are stimulating alpha motor neurons and thus improving the strength of the horse. Over time there will be an increase in reponse as strength advances.

Welcome!

2012-01-14 07:00:00

Welcome to Options for Animals. Take a Virtual Tour of our beautiful facility! This blog is where we’ll be sharing insights and information on the latest news, developments, research, events and everything that’s anything in the world of animal chiropractic. Keep up to date on admissions, operations, our staff, campus, and what our alumni are doing in the field. We’ll also be featuring articles, updates, guest commentary, as well as photos and video footage related to animal chiropractic.

We will continually be adding new content and updating, so if there are any topics you would like to chat about, please let us know.

Over the coming weeks and months, we invite you to ‘drop in’ and see what’s happening, so bookmark this page, add your email to the list, and join the conversation

Dr. Heidi Adjusting Rio at Options Extremity Module

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Improved lateral flexion exercises for horses

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