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The “Back's Out” Scenario

Every dog knows where it hurts and how much. Mostly they keep this to themselves until their human friend or trainer cottons on that there is a problem. The doctor needs to have well developed sense of feel to determine what the problem is and how severe. Then there is treatment. The treatment must be carried out without pain or complaint. No muzzles, no restraint. In severe cases the manipulation may be followed up with an acupuncture treatment or homotoxicology. Many sleep for hours afterwards, as we do.

My dog’s ‘put its back out’…

The first indication that many people have that there is anything wrong is that they go to lift their usually loveable pet up and they are greeted with a warning growl. The animal is often ‘out of sorts’ and sometimes even off their food, not sleeping well and generally irritable. I have found that the vast majority of people know their pet companion that well that they are aware when something is wrong. In the absence of any return to normal demeanor and lifestyle they often seek assistance.

Off to the vet…

A thorough veterinary examination is a good start. Some dogs, like some of the Staffordshires refuse to show pain. Others are stoic and maintain a non committal stare. Some others are just the opposite and will react even if they are very gently touched. If the vet is confident that there is no problems he may prescribe some pain tablets for the interim or offer to take X rays. In the event that there are nothing on the X-rays he may suggest chiropractic treatment.

FAQ’s

How does the veterinary chiropractic practitioner know his back is out?

There is a certain amount of movement in every joint in the body. Each joint shows a certain range of movement (ROM) and a certain quality of movement (QOM). In the animals spine, between each vertebrae this movement exists, unless the animal has a pathological condition and the movement is lost. When the animal has back pain there is a change in the surrounding soft tissue as well as the ROM and QOM of the vertebral facet joint. There is also often inflammation and pain. It is necessary to know which direction each vertebrae moves and the plane in which the facet joints move. After many thousands of examinations the veterinarian gets to know what feels normal and what is abnormal, where and most importantly in quadrupeds what is a primary lesion and what is a compensational lesion.

Does the animal flinch when his back’s out?

There is a particular reaction when a restricted vertebral segment is challenged into the direction of restriction and the animal will flinch unconsciously and in severe cases turn around and snap. Sometimes when a dog is being groomed it is reported that they are showing resentment or pain or flinching when a particular area is touched.

Can flinching from back pain be mistaken?

It is worth knowing that there is a test that veterinarians carry out to test skin sensation. This is known as a Panniculus reflex. This involves lightly pricking the skin with a needle or sharp object which invokes a skin reaction or ‘flinch’.

So a positive panniculus reflex is normal?

Yes, the absence of a panniculus or cutaneous reflex can indicate severe spinal lesions and this test is done in this context. If the skin of your dog along the backline is touched with sharp object it is meant to flinch. This does not mean “it's back is out”. It is worth asking your animal chiropractic practitioner about this reflex if he/she is examining your pet for back pain by using a sharp object along the backline. Needless to say this is not a test you should try yourself on your animal friend.

What does it mean when “his back goes back in”?

When a chiropractic adjustment is carried out the facet or vertebral joint is taken to the limit of its movement but not past that point, as this will cause anatomical damage. When the joint capsule is stretched briefly, there is a reflex chain of nerve reactions which result in a change in the tension of the muscles, tendons and ligaments which are attached to the joint in question. The result of this is the joint can settle back to its neutral position in the absence of pain.

For further information www.chirovet.com.au/FAQ.htm

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