By Sarah Probst
Information Specialist
University of Illinois
College of Veterinary Medicine

The change in Syrus was subtle. He just wasn't pushing off his rear legs when he was
moving around the show ring. When Kim Kensell heard that Dr. Elaine Caplan at the
University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital does chiropractic work, she
says she "leaped up and down with joy." Knowing how good she felt after going to a
chiropractor, she thought that a similar experience would make Syrus feel better and
perform better in the ring. She was right.

Dr. Caplan was happy to examine Syrus. "When I see a patient that may be a candidate for
chiropractic care, I first give a complete physical," says Dr. Caplan. "In Syrus's case, I
looked carefully at the neurologic and the musculoskeletal system and did some gait
analysis. What I found was a vertebral subluxation complex, a fixation in his sacral pelvic
area, a condition that is not seen on an X ray."

Vertebral subluxation complex is a disrelationship of one vertebral segment with the next,
resulting in a disturbance of normal biomechanical and neurologic function. "This can result
in a lack of joint play, palpable soft tissue changes, muscle contraction of imbalance, and
aberrant function of associated neural elements," says Dr. Caplan. "In Syrus's case, the
condition did not allow him to move freely in a correct range of motion."

For Syrus, Dr. Caplan was able to do specific chiropractic adjustments directed at specific
spinal articulations to help restore biomechanical and neurologic function. Kim and the show
judges noticed an immediate improvement in Syrus's movement from his once a month
chiropractic treatments. "They improved his movement and flexibility enough that he placed
third in a national show in the Bred By class," says Kensell. "Not only does the chiropractic
work help Syrus maintain good show posture, he also enjoys the sessions. When he sees
Dr. Caplan, he's like 'Oh yeah!' "

"Chiropractic care can also be beneficial in chronic patients," says Dr. Caplan. She once
received a call from a surgeon asking for her to do some chiropractic work on a German
shepherd who wouldn't get up after a serious hip surgery. Like Syrus, this dog had a
subluxation in the sacral pelvic area of its spine. The subluxation was complicated by
chronic muscle atrophy. The German shepherd got up the day after the chiropractic session.
"He wasn't perfect because of the muscle atrophy, but at least he was able to get around,"
says Dr. Caplan.

Dr. Caplan also has clients who use chiropractic care as a preventive measure. "These
clients really believe in the benefits of using a holistic approach to their pet's health." Every
two to three months, Dr. Caplan travels to New York City to work with a couple faithful
clients, making subtle adjustments in the alignment of their dogs' spines. Dr. Caplan says
preventive care can help maintain "homeostasis" of the neurologic and musculoskeletal
systems.

Dr. Caplan emphasizes that veterinary chiropractic care should not be a replacement for
standard veterinary care. "It also should not be a last resort treatment," adds Dr. Caplan,
"for it is most effective in early stages of dysfunction or used in conjunction with traditional
and other holistic practices, such as acupuncture."

Conditions that chiropractic care could be helpful with are back pain, certain neuropathies,
incontinence, chronic gastrointestinal disturbances, gait problems, pre-purchase exams, and
preventive health care.

For more information about chiropractic services, contact your veterinarian or the American
Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA).