Scope of Practice

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Consultation

A typical consult comprises the following;

• History taken

• Gait assessment, other observations (mentation etc)

• Physical examination, comprising (but not limited to);

  • General physical assessment (BCS, muscle tone, inflammation etc)

  • General spinal ROM

  • Spinal intersegmental ROM

  • Peripheral joint ROM (including orthopaedic tests where needed)

  • Neurological exam

• Other assessments as needed

• Review any radiological images provided

• Discuss findings/proposed treatment plan with owner

• Proceed with consent

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Treatment

• Primarily directed at improving spinal intersegmental biomechanics

• Preference for using a hand-held spinal adjusting instrument

  • Small animals tolerate this very well

  • Has proven a very safe, effective option

• Rarely use manual spinal manipulation (domestic dogs don't tolerate this particularly well)

• In most cases,  home management strategies are discussed, to prevent reinjury.

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Followup

Typically, after the initial, and 3rd or 4th visit, a brief followup email is sent to the referring vet summarising the patient's progress.

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'Maintenance' visits

A number of owners may request chiropractic for maintenance/supportive care. They are often chiropractic patients themselves who have experienced benefits of this type of care first hand. These scenarios typically involve;

• ongoing management of age/trauma related degenerative changes (with/without symptoms)

• management of gait anomalies (asymptomatic) in show dogs

• management of spinal function in high-performance dogs (e.g. agility)

This type of care typically addresses the functional capacity of the animal, through better spinal biomechanics. Visit intervals range from 4-6 weeks up to 3-6months, depending on circumstances. 

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This serves to compliment an animal's usual veterinary care, not compete with it.

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