Animal osteopathy in the treatment of dogs, cats and horses

Osteopathy is a very popular method abroad for diagnosis, treatment and prevention for animals. This medical field with over 150 years of tradition is still at the beginning in Romania, but gets popularity and recognition per year. It has many uses and the most important goal is to improve the well -being and quality of life of animals.

What does animal osteopathy mean?

It is a manual, non -invasive and non -pharmacological method. The use of knowledge of physics, chemistry and biology, osteopathy strengthens and accelerates the self -regulation processes of the natural body. The first session stimulates and activates body cells to continue working, improve the mobility of tissues and the circulation of fluids and eliminates tension from the muscle structures. It is particularly useful after treatments, surgery, difficult to treat, diseases or injuries.

Osteopathic medicine offers the best benefits when a veterinarian is involved and, depending on the case, a physiotherapist or a behaviorist. Using the results of current medicine, osteopathy works on nervous, skeletal, joint, myofascial and correlated blood vessels and even internal organs. All the techniques used aim to improve physiological functions and support body homeostasis.

This field of medical sciences is based on three fundamental and unchanged pillars:

• The first says that the body is unitary and the connection between mind, body and spirit is dynamic. The symptoms that appear in a particular place of the body can come from a different point.
• The second rule is that the body structure and its functions are interconnected and control each other.
• The third and final principle is the faith in the car -regulation and in the car -assets.

Who is an animal osteopath?

An animal osteopath is a person with a wide knowledge of anatomy, medicine, physiology, physiology, osteopathy, veterinary medicine and manual techniques. Knowing the psychology of animals and behaviorism will facilitate work. In Romania there is no standardized legal and professional situation in this field. It has not yet been recorded in the register of professions. Currently, the possibility of learning and acquiring practical and theoretical knowledge in this medicine science exists only in private schools.

Use of osteopathy in the treatment of animals

Each past disease, injuries, improper diet or bad treatment and trauma leave traces in the body. Osteopathy, as a scientific field, aims to improve animal welfare, to maintain adequate health, prevent injuries or to help recover after neurological injuries. The therapy completes the treatment of the degeneration of joints, ligaments, spine lesions, dysplasia, pains and complications of development. However, depending on the species and its characteristics, this branch of medicine can have an additional effect on some aspects of life. In dogs, it will be the improvement of sports performance (agility, canicross, couring, dogfrisbee, dogtreking).

Osteopathy in the treatment of horses

In horses, correctly performed therapy can take effect in most aspects. In the case of this species, the pilot plays an essential role: he guides the horse and his behavior directly affects the animal and his health. This leads to an increase in the number of problems that require the intervention of an osteopath, including: back pain, asymmetrical walk, muscles not uniformly developed. It must also be consulted and horses that suffer from colic, ulcers, who are after birth, those that make hard and frequent training, etc.

Osteopathy in the treatment of the cat

Contrary to cats, osteopathic procedures are the most complicated. Not all techniques successfully used in other species can be applied to cats. Here Osteopath must have a specific approach to this species, to please and understand it. As with exotic animals, special and different therapeutic techniques are generally used in cats.

Osteopathy as a help in the treatment of animal behavioral problems

It is interesting to note that osteopathy is excellent for solving animal or complementary behavioral problems in the work of a behaviorist. Therapy helps to overcome trauma, relax or tighten the responsible muscles for example. of urinary incontinence.

The first visit should take place around the first year of the animal’s life, before observing any symptoms of illness. This will allow you to identify dysfunctions that could cause more complications in the future. After therapy, the visits are already organized individually, usually every 3 months. This is the moment when the body begins to work and regenerate alone. Control visits for dogs and cats are recommended every year and for horses every half year.

Osteopathy courses provide explanations and new light on some diseases of our pets. They are an alternative or a natural complement to veterinary care and visible relief and relaxation have a positive effect on the patient’s health, including the mental one. Our animals will surely thank us for their unique way.

Karolina łuszczyk