Chiro Or Physio?

[yellowgirl]

I just saw Esky's thread (http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/236094-canine-chiro-sa/), which I read with great interest as I want to have one of my resident rescue dogs seen by a professional. Marvan is a 12 year old Terrier cross and has a missing front leg.

He gets tired very easily, obviously it's a lot of work moving about with just one front leg. My vet wasn't sure if he'd been born that way or if the leg had been amputated, but from what she could feel she certainly didn't think he'd had a recent amputation. When Marvan arrived in December there was a large 'fatty' area surrounding the remaining bone of the missing limb and it was hard to feel anything through it. That fatty area has gradually diminished and now the bone itself is easy to feel. I have no idea what the fatty area was or why it's now gone. I don't know if it had anything to do with the fact that when he arrived he was very underweight and had a terrible skin infection - maybe it was the body's way of protecting that area?

I want to make sure I'm doing everything possible for him so his remaining front leg and torso are strong enough to keep taking his weight. I'd like someone to be able to explain his bone positioning (eg. shoulder blades are out of whack) and which areas I need to focus on for his optimum health and strength. I'd be interested to know if he was born without the leg or if it had been amputated.

Do I need the Chiropractor or Physio for these questions? Or both?

[Meea]

I have had three animals over the years with amputation and none of them had any difficulty getting around. They really didnt seem to notice. All much bigger than your chap

They were all surgical removals with no complications which may make a difference. But it Seems like your little one has something extra going on. The fact that the fat pad has reduced at least seems positive.

Mea

[yellowgirl]

I have had three animals over the years with amputation and none of them had any difficulty getting around. They really didnt seem to notice. All much bigger than your chap

They were all surgical removals with no complications which may make a difference. But it Seems like your little one has something extra going on. The fact that the fat pad has reduced at least seems positive.

Mea

Hi Meea, did any of your dogs have a front leg amputated? We recently rehomed a gorgeous little Pom who needed a rear leg amputated and it was absolutely no problem for her, she bounced right back as if nothing had happened, you wouldn't even know that she'd lost it :D

But losing a front leg is more stressful on the body as the dog needs to work harder to get around. Just want to make sure I'm doing all I can for Marvan's comfort as he's 12 years old and I can see he's getting tired more easily now.

[Guest Arcane]

YG you can't go wrong with Matthew @ ChiroPet. he will look at Marvan and tell you whether or not he is the person you need to see, and no doubt he will refer if he thinks someone else would be better. Matthew takes many aspects into consideration, both traditional and what we think of as less traditional, and offers much more than just chiro. Because he is also a vet with many years experience in general practice he will have a clue if he thinks there is something going on.

Matthew has a wonderful manner and I feel it would be an advantage to meet him and discuss what you do.

[DeltaCharlie]

Why not go with both? Our performance dogs see a chiro fairly regularly but also see a physio in case anything muscular crops up that a chiro may miss. In fact, our physio can actually manip too we just don't use her for that purpose.

I'd be inclined to go chiro first to make sure that things are lining up as best they can, as they would be constantly thrown out of whack I would expect. Then, when things seem to be lining up nicely I would see a physio once or twice to get some ideas of exercises to help keep him strong enough to prevent everything slipping out of place all the time. Then continue with the chiro every so often to keep everything lined up. Does that make sense?

[yellowgirl]

Thanks Arcane and Delta Charlie :)

I've made an appointment with Matthew for tomorrow afternoon . The consult fee was a bit more than I was expecting but it's worth if someone who knows what they're doing can take a look at my boy :)

Will let you know how we go!

[ness]

Matthew is great yellowgirl . All the best with Marvan. Certainly would have been my recommendation in your situation as well.

Edited April 10, 2012 by ness

[yellowgirl]

Well, I'm another one on the list of people who would recommend Matthew! What a lovely man, and very thorough and comprehensive in his examination and diagnosis. Marvan has quite a lot of issues due to his missing leg - Matthew says it was amputated, it doesn't make any difference to Marvan's care but SO interesting to finally find out! Marvan needs Cartrophen injections and my vet agrees with everything Matthew said. We started the Cartrophen today.

There's more info (and even a piccie!) on our facebook page :)

Thanks everyone, I'm so glad I did this :D

[Meea]

I have had three animals over the years with amputation and none of them had any difficulty getting around. They really didnt seem to notice. All much bigger than your chap

They were all surgical removals with no complications which may make a difference. But it Seems like your little one has something extra going on. The fact that the fat pad has reduced at least seems positive.

Mea

Hi Meea, did any of your dogs have a front leg amputated? We recently rehomed a gorgeous little Pom who needed a rear leg amputated and it was absolutely no problem for her, she bounced right back as if nothing had happened, you wouldn't even know that she'd lost it :D

But losing a front leg is more stressful on the body as the dog needs to work harder to get around. Just want to make sure I'm doing all I can for Marvan's comfort as he's 12 years old and I can see he's getting tired more easily now.

[Meea]

Yes one xl breed with front fore amputation at the shoulder. Took her about two days to work out the 'get up from lying down' problem and then she was fine I had had grave concerns about doing this but met a deerhound down sth who was several years post surgery and took heart from her.

If your little one has problems in another leg or in maybe back pain it cld be causing more stress. Heres hoping a professional can help.

Meea

[yellowgirl]

Yes one xl breed with front fore amputation at the shoulder. Took her about two days to work out the 'get up from lying down' problem and then she was fine I had had grave concerns about doing this but met a deerhound down sth who was several years post surgery and took heart from her.

If your little one has problems in another leg or in maybe back pain it cld be causing more stress. Heres hoping a professional can help.

Meea

Thanks Meea ... see my post above, we saw Matthew yesterday :D . Marvan has quite a few 'compensatory issues' from the amputation which have affected his back, rear legs and remaining front leg. He's not in any pain thank goodness and Matthew has recommended Cartrophen injections.

[Finnesse]

Well, I'm another one on the list of people who would recommend Matthew! What a lovely man, and very thorough and comprehensive in his examination and diagnosis. Marvan has quite a lot of issues due to his missing leg - Matthew says it was amputated, it doesn't make any difference to Marvan's care but SO interesting to finally find out! Marvan needs Cartrophen injections and my vet agrees with everything Matthew said. We started the Cartrophen today.

There's more info (and even a piccie!) on our facebook page :)

Thanks everyone, I'm so glad I did this :D

He's great isn't he, glad you are another happy customer

I also highly recommend the Asian grocery shop next store, may as well make the most of the trip :D

Edited April 12, 2012 by Tobster