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What is Animal Osteopathy?

Through the use of specific hands-on techniques developed in human osteopathy, osteopathic treatment for animals addresses the structural and physical needs of an animal to relieve pain, improve movement and prevent injury.​

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Unlike humans, animals cannot describe their pain. Animal osteopathic treatment is largely based on careful observation and manual examination. For example, a dog will communicate their discomfort or pain by displaying changes in personality, behaviour, or performance such as:

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  • lameness /altered gate as seen through weight shifting or non-bearing on limbs

  • reluctance to move or get out of the car

  • resistance or defensive when touched in pained areas

  • ignoring commands and change in behaviour

  • difficulty in stretching hind legs when jumping 

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Most animal osteopaths treat horses and dogs, also seeing other companion animals such as cats and rabbits. 
Equines and canines that perform sport, work or rigorous physical exercise, such as racehorses, show jumping horses and ponies, herding and working dogs, benefit from treatment by an animal osteopath. Many performance horses and dogs benefit to help prepare for a race or competition.
 

 Animal osteopaths commonly work alongside vets and other manual therapists to provide complete care.

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Animal Osteopathy Appointments

Health History and Physical assessment

‍An animal osteopathic assessment involves first discussing the health history of the animal to understand any underlying conditions or previous injuries. Then the practitioner observes the animals movement and body language as well as using physical touch to identify tension or restriction in the musculoskeletal system. Engaging specific diagnostic techniques, an osteopath will assess the joints, muscles and spine for causes of pain or poor performance. Based on this assessment, an animal osteopath will formulate a treatment plan. Before any active therapy begins, all information is recorded in a case history form and discussed with the animals owner.

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Treatment

‍An osteopath will gently work on the joints and muscles to improve blood flow and regulate nerve supply, rebalancing the body’s structures and restoring function. The objective of osteopathic treatment is to promote mobility, flexibility and the quality of movement vital to every horse and dog. Treatment time will depend on the animals tolerance, which normally ranges between 10-20 minutes of hands on therapy.

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Prevention and maintenance

‍Regular osteopathic care has shown to be successful in injury prevention and aiding rehabilitation in conditions such as arthritis, hind and fore leg lameness. Benefits of osteopathic manual therapy include increase in vascular and lymphatic drainage, pain reduction, improvement in joint mobility and overall biomechanics,  stress reduction, overall health and longevity.

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Canine Osteopathic services will be available January 6, 2025.

Equine Osteopathic services availability to be determined.

What Can Canine Osteopathy Treat?

  • Muscular problems such as stiffness, spasms or atrophy

  • Gait problems such as short or uneven steps

  • Aging problems such as arthritis

  • Joint Pains, Lameness, Limping

  • Neck Pain, Cervical Vertebral Instability​​

  • Back Pain, Disc Bulges, Disc Problems, Herniated Discs, Spondylosis, Spondylitis

  • Hip Problems, Congenital Hip Dysplasia, Arthritis, Bursitis

  • Changes in behavioural patterns, Inability to Relax

  • Poor or reduced performance levels

  • Circulatory Problems (local and minor)

  • Digestive Problems

  • Post-operative Issues: speeding up the recovery process and limiting compensatory strains

What Can Equine Osteopathy Treat?

  • Reduced performance

  • Maintaining mobility in competition horses

  • Gait problems: tracking-up/short stride, cross-canter problems, rushing downhill, pulls uphill, lacks concentration

  • Stiffness in different areas of the body​​​

  • Stiffness in the older horse

  • Reluctance to trot/canter on certain reins

  • Preventing bucking between transitions

  • Problems with head carriage

  • Changes in behaviour: bucking, bolting, rearing, kicking and refusing to jump

  • Objection to being saddled or girthed, unable to stand still or relax, hyper-sensitivity to brushing and difficulty shoeing

  • Aiding rehabilitation after injury (tendon injuries, ligament overstrains, sacroiliac lesions)

  • Aiding rehabilitation in diagnosed conditions such as arthritis, hind leg and front leg lameness

  • Uneven muscle bulk, muscle imbalance and spasms

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