What is Animal Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a drug-free approach to your animal’s health care. It is the Science, Art and Philosophy that utilizes the inborn recuperative powers of all living creatures. It restores the important relationship between the animal’s spine and its nervous system, helping it regain and, more importantly, maintain its health. The goal of the animal chiropractor is to correct subluxations, which restores normal nerve function and improves the animal’s well being.

Fee Schedule

All Animals must be owned by the same family and be seen on the same day. 
Payment must also be made that day.

Chiropractic examination includes complete spinal assessment as
well as all peripheral joints

All Fees Include HST

Animal Chiropractic & Veterinary Care

Dr. McCarthy is a Doctor of Chiropractic, licensed in Ontario, to diagnose and treat neuro-musculoskeletal disorders in humans with specialty training and certification in Animal Chiropractic. He is NOT a Veterinarian and will not take responsibility for the primary health care of your animal. Chiropractic care is NOT intended to replace traditional veterinary care, but is considered a specialized complementary therapy for animals, to be used concurrently and in conjunction with your Veterinarian’s care.

Research in the field of animal chiropractic is ongoing.  Some aspects of your animal’s history and care may be used in future research data.

What is a Subluxation?

Spinal vertebra can get out of alignment or their normal function can be disrupted. This is what chiropractors call subluxations.

Subluxations can create a number of symptoms, some obvious, some not. The most common is pain. Like their human counterparts, animals in pain will compensate by changing the way they stand or walk. They may shift their weight or avoid certain movements. They may be unable or unwilling to perform certain tasks, even the ones they love to do. In their attempt to avoid pain they might appear to be un-coordinated or they may be less flexible. When the spine is not functioning correctly in one area, stress is placed on another area, causing secondary subluxations in those areas, further complicating the problem.

What About My Special Animal?

Animals of advanced age, as well as animal athletes, sometimes need special attention.  With the senior animal, arthritis is usually an issue.  While arthritis can’t be eliminated, gentle joint manipulation can still be done and usually has excellent results. It can also help prevent further degeneration in the animal’s joints. 

Like human athletes, animals also require optimum structure and function to compete at a high level.  Even the weekend warrior can benefit from regular chiropractic care. Not only can it give the serious athlete the competitive advantage, but it can help all animal athletes minimize the injury factor. The better the structure and function of the animal, the better the performance and less likelihood of injury.

How do I know if my animal needs a chiropractor?

While most animal owners know instinctively that something is wrong, here are some specific things to observe:

• Pain

• Sensitivity to touch

• Weakness

• Paralysis

• Limping

• Puppy sit

• Abnormal posture

• Gait issues

• Stiffness coming out of the crate or stall

• Uneven muscle development

• Holding tail to one side

• Seizures

• Neurological problems

• Can’t weight bear

• Trouble getting up and down

• Behaviour change

• Skin lesions

• Scratching

• Stiffness in side movement of the body or neck

• Holding up paw or hoof

• Lack of energy

ANIMAL CHIROPRACTIC EDUCATION

Dr. McCarthy completed his Animal Chiropractic Certification with the Healing Oasis Wellness Centre of Canada. He was a member of the first Canadian class, completing his certification in April 2006. His animal practice is composed of small and large animals of all types and he has special interest in the canine athlete as his wife, Pat, competes in Dog Agility with their Labradors, Piper and Vibe.

The Animal Chiropractic program is a 200 hour program of supervised instruction, in addition to required reading, assignments and case presentations. The Canadian Animal Chiropractic Certification Program provides training to Chiropractors and Veterinarians specifically in the areas of canine and equine chiropractic, although other vertebrates are also discussed. This program is approved by The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association.

The Course Outline includes; Anatomy, Basic & Advanced Neurology, Scientific Validity, Biomechanics, Ethics and Legalities, Rehabilitation Therapy, Alternative & Complementary Therapy, Modalities, Basic Chiropractic Techniques, Case Presentations, Philosophy, Alternative Techniques, Veterinary Pathology, Chiropractic Pathology, and Advanced Chiropractic Techniques.

For more information please visit the Healing Oasis Wellness Centre of Canada at www.veterinarychiropractic.ca
or contact Dr. McCarthy.