Our pets often give us the best years of their life, so it only make sense that in our pet’s old age, we want them to be as comfortable as possible. A great way to help your pets through their old age is with regular chiropractic visits.
What was once thought of alternative medicine for humans is now pushing into the canine world, and in a big way. Studies show chiropractic work can be a tremendous help for geriatric dogs. Below, we have outlined just a few of the wonderful benefits that come with taking your dog to regular appointments.
Geriatric Care for your Pet
Keep the Spine In Line
Each little vertebra in your dog’s spine contributes to his or her overall health and wellbeing. Having a healthy spine alignment means that your dog has the full range of motion to curl up in a ball to sleep or to run and play, changing directions quickly. Having one vertebra that is out of alignment can compromise the vertebra’s mobility making it hyper-mobile. This in turn can throw other vertebrae out of alignment and can eventually lead to tighter, stiffer vertebrae. This means that your dog could potentially have difficulty moving. In older age, having full range of motion is a key to a long and healthy life.
Healthy Blood Vessels
In between each vertebra there are blood vessels that are responsible for sending nutrition into the spinal column and throughout the nearby joins. If your geriatric pet experiences any swelling in his or her joints, it could be due to decreased blood flow in these vessels. When the swelling is persistent, it can eventually lead to decreased mobility because tendons, ligaments, and other surrounding tissue can become damaged or restricted.
Additionally, decreased blood flow can lead to shrinking cartilage, making areas more prone to damage from trauma. Having a healthy spine can allow for proper blood flow through the vessels helping to ensure that your older dog is maintaining healthy joints and soft tissues.
Organ Health
Having a healthy system means that your dog’s body should be receiving the proper feedback from all of his or her internal organs. When there is a misalignment in the spine, the body might be sending signals to release more adrenaline into the body. This can throw off the natural amount of blood that is supplied to the skin, digestive system, and mucous membranes. Eventually, this could lead to very serious respiratory problems.
Additionally, gastrointestinal problems such as indigestion and bloat can be caused from a digestive system that is not sending the correct signals. When the internal organs are not sending the correct signals, the dog’s body can be more susceptible to a suppressed immune system leading to disease. For your geriatric dog, having optimal internal organ health is essential for a longer, healthier life.
If you want to learn more, or think that chiropractic treatment may help your aging dog, we encourage you to learn more. Feel free to visit our website at optionsforanimals.com. Our trained staff is eager to help answer any questions that you may have. Feel free to schedule an appointment today for an evaluation and we can get your dog adjusted and feeling great for a long and healthy life.