• Sullwold P
• Lavallie N

• Constipation
• Dogs
• Gait Analysis
• Polydipsia
• Veterinary Chiropractic

Objective: This paper presents the chiropractic management and care of a spayed 14-year-old female Boston terrier canine with constipation, polydipsia, generalized weakness, and vertebral subluxation complex.

Clinical Features: Patient presented with 6-day history of constipation, polydipsia, and generalized weakness, and an examination utilizing static and motion palpation was conducted. Patient also has a history of impacted anal glands, xerosis, and obesity. On presentation, the dog could not stand or walk and multiple vertebral subluxations were identified.

Intervention and Outcomes: Patient was seen for chiropractic evaluation and treatment twice to remove vertebral subluxations and restore optimal function of the nervous system. After one chiropractic adjustment the ability to walk independently improved and the patient experienced a significant bowel movement immediately after the adjustment.

Conclusion: Chiropractic may be an effective approach for the management of functional constipation in canines and further research evaluating treatment protocols for animals is needed to optimize benefits of care. Spinal adjustments were performed using manual technique, and chiropractic treatment was administered under referral from a veterinarian.

Author keywords: chiropractic, animal chiropractic, vertebral subluxation complex, adjustment, constipation, canine

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