Dr. Christina Cole of Advanced Animal Chiropractic is back on our blog today to talk about what her introductory pet chiropractic sessions look like. She does dog and cat adjustments at the The Pet Beastro every two weeks. Her next sessions will be:

Dr. Christina Cole of Advanced Animal Chiropractic is back on our blog today to talk about what her introductory pet chiropractic sessions look like. She does dog and cat adjustments at the The Pet Beastro every two weeks. Her next sessions will be:

• Tuesday, June 2
• Saturday, June 13
• Tuesday, June 16
• Tuesday, June 30

For more information or to schedule a session, call the store today at 248-548-3448.

My initial examination is rather extensive as I make sure to analyze and evaluate each animal at length. These sessions are usually about 30 minutes (sometimes longer and sometimes shorter, depending on the animal). I treat any pet that comes to me as if they were my own, no matter if they're a dog, cat, horse, bunny, or goat. The first day is all about learning and education for both parties.

Getting To Know Your Animal

After introductions, I like to get to know my patient a bit more. If it’s a small animal, I tend to chat with the owner while allowing them to wander about and familiarize themselves with myself and the space. Oftentimes I’ll sit and pet the patient, so they realize I’m not there to hurt them, but rather to be their buddy.

Then I'll ask the fur parent's about their companion's history. I like to know all the details including any surgeries, traumas (small and large), and daily lifestyle. What may seem like minor things to an owner can actually be huge to me. For example, a dog that constantly pulls while being walked, a cat that doesn’t land on its feet, sideways walking of any animal, a horse that won’t take a lead on one side, and chronic allergies or asthma are equally important facts for me to know.

The Examination

After we've gone over the animal's history, I begin my examination. This involves a very hands-on approach and moves from head to toe. First, I tend to watch my patients walk into the examination room to get a better idea of how they are gaiting. I look for limping, favoring of certain limbs, sideways walking, abnormal pacing, posture while walking, and dragging of the feet.

Once inside, I take a detailed look at the posture of the animal, looking for any hunchbacks, divots within the spinal curve, curves going the incorrect way, lowered head, tucked tails, foot flare, elbow and knee positioning, and overall symmetry.

After my posture analysis, I then statically palpate (touch) for any muscular imbalances and inflammatory responses in the form of temperature changes. Motion palpation is the most important aspect of my practice because it reveals hypersensitivities, pain responses, decreased mobility, flexibility, and nervous system irritations.

Throughout my motioning, I adjust as I go and make note of any troubled areas in a report that I send out to the owner after the session.

Helping the Pet Owner Learn About Chiropractic Care

The adjustments occur during the examination, as does a thorough explanation of what chiropractic on animals is, what it is not, and in general what I’m looking to do for a client’s animal. What I have found on several occasions is that my human fur parents are very unaware of what chiropractic is, what it entails, and what they should expect. This first consultation is where I will go into detail regarding what I do and then answer any questions a client may have. I am also always available by phone or email if that initial day is a bit too overwhelming.

Promoting Positivity

Lastly, I like to make sure every animal I see leaves on a positive note. Though it does not occur often, if I have a patient who is a little anxious or aggressive, I only work until their limit. The way to establish a positive rapport is to help the patient associate a chiropractic visit with feeling better. This is not accomplished by pushing past boundaries on day one. Instead, it is quite the opposite. I respect the boundaries set forth by any animal and go only as far as I’m allowed to. Once I reach their limit, we are done for the day. After that, the animal goes home and starts to feel better and associate that feeling with the visit to see me, which is exactly what I want. Much like Pavlov’s dog experiments, I aim to be the treat and they the mouth watering patient (drool and everything!).

If You're Not Quite Ready for An Exam

I know it’s difficult for some clients to commit to that initial examination and adjustment without knowing much about chiropractic ahead of time. That's why I always offer a complimentary phone consultation. You can learn a little about me, I can learn a bit about your fur baby, and we can go forward from there. I want nothing more than to help as many animals as possible, and if all a person needs is to ask some questions and hopefully get some answers beforehand, I’m happy to offer that!

Please note that all chiropractic care is given with the consent of a veterinarian, veterinarian referral, or in a veterinarian office. If you’ve scheduled an appointment, please bring this completed form with you. For further questions please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Christina Cole by email at [email protected] or by phone at (248) 602-0807. To schedule a visit at The Pet Beastro, please call the store at (248) 548-3448.