My 13-year-old Golden Retrieve, Orville, has always been my "baby". Including the best trainer, groomer, food and supplements, and veterinary care, I have spared no expense in his care.
Just recently, I began to notice signs that he might be having trouble with his hips and joints. At first, I wasn't too concerned because it might just be signs of aging. However, once I looked this up online, I was startled to learn that Orville might very possibly be in pain. I hated the thought of my beloved companion hurting, so I asked friends who happened to have a couple of older dogs. When they had a similar experience, they took their dogs to a veterinarian who specializes in chiropractic care for their canine, feline, and equine patients.
Since my friends recommended her, I set up an appointment with Ava Frick, DVM with her Animal Fitness Center, near St. Louis, Missouri. They were impressed with her care that had made a difference in the quality of their dogs' lives and praised her.
Orville's first appointment with Dr. Frick was a month ago and just had his second appointment this afternoon.
Including pain that the pet might be experiencing in their back, leg, or even in their tail, Dr. Frick told me that she offers chiropractic care for dogs due to many reasons.
Disorders of the human nervous system, musculoskeletal system and how these systems impact our overall health are what chiropractic care focuses traditionally. Since it concentrates on the dog, cat, or horse and its nervous system, muscuskeletal system and their impact on the pet's health, animal chiropractic care is similar.
Our first appointment involved providing Orville's health history, similar to what you might expect the first time you visit any other doctor or veterinarian. It is important for a thorough, accurate history to be established when you visit a health care provider for the first time, which is why a visit to a veterinarian is no exception. Dr. Frick obtained information about Orville's current state of health as well as the purpose why we made an appointment.
She had Orville lie down so that she could exam him and adjust his spine, similar to what I have experienced when I visit my own chiropractor. Orville was okay all throughout the exam. He actually has always loved to be messed with and it seemed like he was relaxing during a massage. That is, until Dr.Frick paid attention to his hips. Orville snarled just a bit, so Dr. Frick was even more careful in that area, and for the rest of the exam.
Dr. Frick talked to me about the importance of making sure Orville gets more exercise after the exam. She said that we needed to strengthen the muscles in his back legs. Even a small amount of exercise each day would prove beneficial. Something that I thought was really interesting was Dr.Frick's advice to tickle Orville's tummy while he was standing. She said that this would help his spine since a dog will automatically hunch up when his stomach is touched.
I have been impressed with the care provided by Dr.Frick, and I am also glad that we have achieved such great results without stuffing pain pills into my dog.
Ava Frick, DVM oversees pet Fitness Club in Union, Missouri. Her veterinary practice aims are pet nutrition, recovery, pain handling, and pet chiropractic care.
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