Animal Chiropractic

Animal Chiropractic in Tallahassee

Our animal chiropractic services are designed to help your pets achieve optimal health and mobility by addressing dysfunction in their spine and joints. Just like humans, animals can experience discomfort and reduced function due to spinal issues, which may affect their ability to move, play, or even perform routine tasks. Dr. Shippy uses gentle, non-invasive techniques to restore spinal health, helping to relieve pain, improve movement, and enhance your pet’s overall well-being. Whether your animal is dealing with an injury, aging-related mobility problems, or simply needs maintenance care, chiropractic treatment can provide a safe and effective solution for their health needs.

All small animal (cat/dog) appointments will be offered at Capital Veterinary Specialists, located at 1615 Mahan Center Blvd. Appointment times are on Mondays 8:00AM-12:00PM and 3:00PM-6:00PM.
All animal chiropractic is performed by Dr. Alex Shippy who is a chiropractic physician certified in animal chiropractic by the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association. Dr. Alex Shippy is not a veterinarian, and cannot take responsibility for the primary care of an animal. Animal chiropractic care is not intended to replace traditional veterinary care. All animal services must be under the referral of a licensed veterinarian.

Animal Chiropractic

Animal chiropractic focuses on improving your pet’s mobility, relieving pain, and enhancing their overall well-being through gentle spinal adjustments and joint care.

Safety

Chiropractic care is generally safe for pets when performed by a qualified professional, using gentle techniques to ensure their comfort and effectively address spinal and joint issues.

Which Pets?

We work with small and large animals. Including dogs, cats, horses, and farm animals. Chiropractic care can benefit any type of animal by addressing spinal and joint issues to improve mobility, alleviate pain, and enhance overall health.

Animal chiropractic adjustments

Available for cats, dogs, and horses by referral from your veterinarian. This is satisfied by completing a referral request letter. If you would like a referral request letter to be sent to your veterinarian, please email us.

What is animal chiropractic?

Animal chiropractic is a healthcare discipline for animals that looks at the function of the spine in relation to the nervous system. Animal chiropractors use their hands to feel for and correct chiropractic subluxations. A chiropractic subluxation is a dysfunctional joint that leads to the dysfunction of the nervous system. In animals, only light adjustive impulses are needed to correct a chiropractic subluxation and positively affect the nervous system. A more functional spine is a more functional nervous system. This translates to better health and increased ability to adapt to new stressors presented in everyday life. These foundational principles of animal chiropractic are the reason adjusting animals can improve body movement, gut issues, immunity, healing times, and much more.

Animal (quadruped) adjusting

Animal chiropractic has the same goal as human chiropractic, which is the correction of chiropractic subluxations. Although the goal is the same, the method by which cats, dogs, and horses are adjusted is very different. Cats, dogs, and horses are quadrupeds. Quadrupeds are vertebrates (animals with a spinal column) that stand on four legs. Humans are bipeds (stand on two legs). The very nature of forces placed on quadruped and biped bodies are completely different. Since humans stand up-right, the primary forces on the spine are compressive forces. Quadrupeds on the other hand are horizontal, and therefore the primary forces on their spine are shear forces. Shear forces are the forces on adjacent structures when the structures move parallel to each other.

Due to the horizontal nature of quadrupeds, the chiropractic subluxations that their bodies present are different and are often more neurologically based rather than structurally. Since the neurology of an animal lies in the soft tissues of the body, only light adjustive impulses are needed to positively affect the nervous system and therefore the integration of the chiropractic subluxation.

What are common signs that my animal may need an animal chiropractic adjustment?
The signs described in the following sections does not necessitate an animal chiropractic adjustment, but are potential signs that may be positively influenced by the therapeutic effect of an animal chiropractic adjustment. The necessity of an animal chiropractic adjustment can only be deciphered after referral from a licensed veterinarian and the performance of an animal chiropractic examination by a professional certified in animal chiropractic.


Cats and dogs
:
Abnormal walking pattern
Difficulty changing positions
Licking
Hypersensitive to touch
Changes in sport or job performance
Difficulty running, jumping, or going up stairs

Horses
Abnormal gait
Hypersensitive to touch
Changes in sport or job performance
Changes in chew pattern
Irritability with a rider
Not making turns
Trouble taking leads

Which Pets?

Chiropractic care can benefit a variety of pets, including dogs, cats, horses, and even exotic animals, by addressing spinal and joint issues to improve mobility, alleviate pain, and enhance overall health.

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Get started on your path to optimal health today.

Is Animal Chiropractic Care Safe?

Yes, animal chiropractic care is a safe and effective treatment for pets when performed by a trained professional. Dr. Shippy uses gentle, non-invasive techniques specifically designed for animals to correct spinal dysfunction and improve joint function. These adjustments are carefully tailored to the size, breed, and condition of your pet, ensuring their comfort and safety throughout the process. Chiropractic care can help alleviate pain, improve mobility, and enhance your pet’s overall well-being without the need for medications or surgery, making it a natural, safe option for maintaining their health.

Benefits of Animal Chiropractic

Animal chiropractic care offers numerous benefits by addressing dysfunction in the spine and joints, which can affect your pet’s mobility, comfort, and overall health. This gentle, drug-free treatment can help alleviate pain, improve flexibility, and promote faster recovery from injuries. It’s especially effective for pets with chronic conditions such as arthritis, as well as for active animals who experience joint strain. Chiropractic adjustments can also enhance nervous system function, supporting better coordination and balance. Ultimately, animal chiropractic care helps your pet live a more active, pain-free, and healthy life.

Meet Dr. Alex Shippy

Book Your Appointment

Get started on your path to optimal health today!