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Veterinary chiropractic also known as Animal chiropractic, is an emerging subspecialization for Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs) and Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) to provide spinal manipulation, manual therapy and other holistic and conservative techniques for animals. In concert with conventional veterinary care, the complementary use of veterinary chiropractic is primarily used for common neuromusculoskeletal conditions. This reflects the use of complementary and alternative veterinary medicine which continues to grow within the veterinary community. Proposed benefits of animal chiropractic include, enhanced performance, function and quality of life. Currently there is uneven regulation and licensing standards across North America with certain juridictions, such as Ontario, who have regulated the practice of veterinary chiropractic.

Scope of practice

Traditionally, all animal care fell under the exclusive juridiction of veterinarians. With the emergence of veterinary chiropractic, both doctors of chiropractic (DCs) and veterinary medicine (DVMs) can take additional training to become certified in veterinary chiropractic. The minimum standard for practice appears to be a minimum of 210 hours according to the Animal Chiropractic Accreditation Commission although a 3 year Masters Degree in Chiropractic Science (Animal Chiropractic) is offered to licensed doctors of chiropractic, veterinary and osteopathic medicine. Where regulated, typical restricted acts include diagnosis and spinal manipulation. Veterinary chiropractors typically treat working horses, racing greyhounds, and pets; and recently have been used more extensively to treat ongoing and chronic pain caused by conditions of the neck and back. Those that specialize in horses are referred to as "Equine Chiropractors."

Clinical practice

Before working on an animal, a veterinary chiropractor procures a detailed case history of the animal including prior diagnoses, therapies, and X-ray or laboratory analyses. Before performing a chiropractic adjustment, the doctor examines the animal's gait, posture, and the vertebrae and extremities. In addition to spinal manipulation, other adjustive procedures can be performed to the extremity joints and cranial sutures. Veterinary chiropractors also make neurological evaluations.

History

Formalized animal chiropractic education was first introduced in 1989 with a 100 hour post-graduate course developed and taught by Dr. Sharon Willoughby, DVM, DC. According to the AVCA, "Doctors of Veterinary Medicine receive a foundation of chiropractic theory and technique, and Doctors of Chiropractic learn common animal diseases, zoonotic diseases, comparative anatomy, and animal handling techniques. Adjusting techniques are taught with both horses and dogs."

The policy of the American Chiropractic Association, the largest professional association of chiropractors, is that the term veterinary chiropractic is a misnomer and should not be used to refer to applying manipulative techniques to animals, and that the term does not describe what is commonly defined by the ACA and most U.S. states as chiropractic. This policy has been in effect since 1994.

Education, certification and regulation

Pre-requisites

North American applicants must have graduated from an accredited Veterinary School of Medicine or CCE accredited Chiropractic School and hold current licenses from their respective provinces or states. In Australia a first professional degree in chiropractic, osteopathic or veterinary medicine is required for admission into the Masters of Chiropractic Science program.

Education

Most veterinary chiropractic programs are a minimum of 210 hours of additional training following the completion of veterinary and chiropractic school and subsequent licensure. Practitioners will be able to complete an appropriate history, physical examination, communicate a diagnosis and plan of management, and provide care where indicated within their respective scopes of practice. Though there is variation, common topics covered in veterinary chiropractic programs can include:

• Anatomy
• Basic and advanced Neurology
• Rehabilitation Therapy
• Complementary and alternative medicine modalities
• Philosophy
• Basic and advanced chiropractic manipulative techniques

Currently, the Animal Chiropractic Accreditation Commission (ACAC) is the defacto accrediting body for veterinary chiropractic. All accredited programs must meet ACAC's minimum requirement of 210 hours. A passing grade of 75 in both the written, theoretical and and the clinical competency examination is required for accreditation. Continuing education requirements of the ACAC are 30 credits 3 years for recertification. Though few U.S. veterinary schools offer educational or research programs in complimentary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAMV), a majority of surveyed faculty believe that chiropractic should be included in their school's curriculum.

Research

A study found chiropractic increased pain thresholds for horses not suffering pain. Another study gave the opinion that "Some of the changes are likely to be beneficial, but clinical trials with increased numbers of horses and longer follow-up are needed." There is a lack of research for chiropractic care on horses.

Safety

David W. Ramey, a doctor of veterinary medicine, argues that there is a risk of injury to a horse if overly aggressive maneuvers occur. Manipulating the spine of a dog with a degenerative disk carries the risk of severe and permanent harm to the spinal cord.

References

1. "CACCP". Retrieved 2008-04-15.
2. Bolt, E (2002). "Use of complementary veterinary medicine in the geriatric horse". Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 18(3) (Dec): 631–6.
3. "Chiropractic Care of Animals". College of Chiropractors of Ontario. April 25, 1998. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
4. ^ "American Veterinary Chiropractic Association - chiropractic, spinal, manipulation, chiropractor, animal care, animal adjusting". animalchiropractic.org. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
5. ^ "RMIT - Animal Chiropractic – Master of Chiropractic Science incorporating Graduate Diploma". Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
6. Kayne, Steven. Veterinary Pharmacy. Pharmaceutical Press. p. 143. ISBN 0853695342. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
7. Landers, Theodore. The Career Guide to the Horse Industry. Thomson Delmar Learning. p. 120-1. ISBN 0766848493. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
8. ^ Ellen Shenk (2005). "Careers with Animals: Exploring Occupations Involving Dogs, Horses, Cats". Stackpole Books. ISBN 0811729621. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
9. "Animal Chiropractic Education". American Veterinary Chiropractic Asspciation. Retrieved 2008-04-27.
10. ACA House of Delegates (1994). "'Veterinary' chiropractic". American Chiropractic Association.
11. "Canadian Animal Chiropractic Certification Program". Retrieved 2008-04-15.
12. "Animal Chiropractic". Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
13. Schoen AM (2000 Feb 15). "Results of a survey on educational and research programs in complementary and alternative veterinary medicine at veterinary medical schools in the United States". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 216 (4): 502–9. PMID 10687004. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
14. Sullivan KA, Hill AE, Haussler KK (2008). "The effects of chiropractic, massage and phenylbutazone on spinal mechanical nociceptive thresholds in horses without clinical signs". Equine Vet J. 40 (1): 14–20. PMID 18083655.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
15. ^ Gomez Alvarez CB, L'ami JJ, Moffat D, Back W, van Weeren PR (2008). "Effect of chiropractic manipulations on the kinematics of back and limbs in horses with clinically diagnosed back problems". Equine Vet J. 40 (2): 153–9. PMID 18089466.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
16. David W. Ramey. "Veterinary Chiropractic". Retrieved 2008-04-15.

External links

Animal Chiropractic Veterinary Association

• Chiropractic
• Healthcare occupations
• Veterinary medicine