Take a look at an example of how chiropractic can help solve many underlying issues in feline patients within the veterinary clinic.

For those not familiar with the notations used for recording chiropractic findings and treatments, here are a few hints. It all started with human anatomical terminology and is now a blend of human and animal terminology since we veterinarians have been taught chiropractic by human chiropractors. The notations indicate the location and direction of correction of a subluxation complex.

Examples:

C1PL = C1 posterior (dorsal) on the left side

C1SR = C1 superior (cranial) on the right.

C1 = Atlas

C2 =Axis

P = posterior = dorsal

A = anterior = ventral

S = superior = cranial

I = inferior = caudal

L = left

R = right

PI and AS refer to Iliac spine

1. Gillyweed

Gillyweed, a female DSH, was first seen at eight weeks of age (4/2013) at her post adoption exam by one veterinarian at the practice. She was found to have a congenital deformity of her left front leg, including a missing radius, a short and twisted ulna, and a few missing carpals. She was spayed at 11 months (1/2014) with no complications.

When seen at 16 months (6/2014) for her annual exam, she was referred for chiropractic treatment. Two weeks prior to the chiropractic appointment, she stopped climbing on her cat tree and seemed painful when picked up.

At her conventional exam (7/2014), Gillyweed was found to be depressed and dehydrated with a moderately painful abdomen, an arched back and tight spinal muscles. IV fluids overnight improved her attitude and hydration, but she was still resistant to being handled. Permission for a chiropractic exam and treatment was obtained. Subluxations were found and treated with manual adjustments at C7BR, C6BL, T1PR, T8PL, T12P, L1PL, L2P, L6PL, Sternum R, and R femoral head cranial.

At Gillyweed’s check two weeks later (8/2014), her owner reported improvement in her activity level and attitude and that she was using her left elbow when she ran. At her chiropractic exam, she was stiff in both extension/flexion and lateral/flexion mid-back with a stiff and high right pelvis. TX: T6P, T8PL, T12P, T13PR, L1PL, RPI.

Two weeks later (9/2014), her owner reported that Gillyweed was better overall, but starting to seem stiff again. She was found to be stiff with motion palpation in all three main areas: cervical/thoracic/lumbar-pelvis. TX: C7BR, T1PL, T8PL, T11PR, T12P, T13PL, L4PL, RPI, Sternum L.

Two weeks later, Gillyweed was improved in attitude and behavior. A chiropractic exam showed VSC cervical/thoracic/lumbar-pelvis (VSC=vertebral sub-luxation complex). TX: C5BR, T5PR, T12P, L1PL, L2PR, SAR, SBPL (SA=sacral apex, SB=sacral base).

At another recheck in two weeks, she was much improved, purring again and sociable with all family members. The exam showed VSC cervical/mid-back .TX: C1PR, C2P, C6BL, T5PL, T13PR, L4PL.

She was rechecked again in two weeks (10/2014) at which she was reported to be more active and social. During the exam, her back was found to be flat — for the first time since was first seen for abdominal pain. VSC was found in cervical/mid-back areas. TX: C7BR, T1PL, T6P, T12PL, L1PR, L5PL.

Another recheck in three weeks (11/2014) found Gillyweed doing well. TX: T2PL, T4PL, L3P, L6P, RPI (PI= sacral-iliac joint stuck in flexion, AS=sacral- iliac joint stuck in extension).

Gillyweed continues to be a long-term patient and is comfortable and active with maintenance chiropractic treatments three or four times a year. Her main trouble areas have stayed consistent, probably due to her compensations for her deformed left front leg. So far, her follow-up radiographs have not shown any signs of arthritic changes.

2. Harry Pawter

Harry Pawter, a neutered male Maine Coon born in 2000, was first referred for chiropractic care at his annual exam on 7/11/2014. His owner reported that he was arthritic and he was found to have tense back muscles and pain with palpation. Other findings included being overweight, a benign mass on his ventral abdomen, and early stage renal disease.

A later chiropractic exam found that Harry had decreased lateral/flexion cervical and thoracic and decreased extension/flexion in his lumbar segments.

Manual adjustments were performed at the following segments: C1PR, C7BL, T1PR, T4PL, T12 and T13PR, L1PR, L4P, L6PL, SAL, Sternum L, left ribs 11 and12 P, R rib 9 dorsal/caudal.

A recheck was suggested in two weeks; the appointment made was for three weeks later (9/23/2014). Harry’s neck was stiff to the left, and he had decreased lateral/flexion mid-back, stiff ribs on the L, and decreased motion in his pelvis. TX: C7BL, T1PR, T6PL, T12PR, L2PL, L6PR, R SA, caudal sternum L, Right rib10 P.

On 5/1/15, Harry’s owner reported that was lying down slowly and carefully, and had been chewing at his mid-back area a few days earlier. A chiropractic exam found a slightly oily area dorsal mid-back with a strong panniculus response at T10-L1, stiff ribs on the L, sternum shifted L, L pelvis high, decreased lateral/flexion cranial lumbar through mid-thorax, and decreased motion L and R cervical. TX: C1PR, C2P, C3BR, C7BL, T4PR, T6PL, T9PR, T11PL, T13PR, L1P, L3PR, L PI, SA L, sternum L. RX:

Dasuquin Cats #60 1 SID on food. A recheck with bloodwork was suggested for seven to ten days later.

Harry was seen again on 7/28/15; his owner reported that he had been doing well up until a couple of weeks prior. The exam showed decreased lateral/flexion and extension/flexion mid-back and lumbar with a strong panniculus response mid-back, and a pain response with palpation over his pelvis and hip joints. Harry’s coat was thin and oily along his dorsal midline and pelvis. He had an increased heart rate with normal rhythm along with weight loss. Bloodwork showed a slight decrease in WBC and an increased T4. RX: Methimazole transdermal gel 5mg SID, and a continuation of Dasuquin. TX: C2P, C6BR, T1PL, T6P, sternum R, T11PL, T12P, L1PL, L3PL, L5PR, R SA. We discussed adding low dose Meloxicam when traveling and/or Body Sore (Chinese herb mixture). A chiropractic recheck and a check for T4 was recommended in a month’s time.

Harry was seen a month later for a T4 re-check only. The Methimazole was increased to BID.

He was next seen for chiropractic care on 7/7/16. He was found to have back muscles and a painful back. A chiropractic exam revealed even ribs, decreased lateral/flexion mid-back and lumbar, and a neck stiff to the L. TX: C7BL, T1PL, T5PR, T6PR, T8PL, T10P, T12PL, T13PR, L2PR, L3PL, L5PR, L6PL, R rib 7P, R radial head lateral, L femoral head caudal.

I continue to see Harry Pawter once or twice a year as needed. Unfortunately, this isn’t often enough to help increase the stability of his back, but it does seem to keep him comfortable for significant periods of time. His symptoms are interesting because the first thing his owner noticed were the changes in his coat and grooming behavior.