Dog helped by chiropractic treatment

Dear Dr. Fox: Chuckie (our little fella with the slipped cervical disks) has not had another painful episode or a minute of discomfort since his canine chiropractor has been treating him. He needs only minimal adjustments, mostly to his lower spine, every six weeks. He gets physical therapy twice a week, and is swimming 13 laps in the therapy pool: one lap being 80 feet walking on the pool step and 80 feet swimming back to the start. His chiropractor says he has a neck like Arnold Schwarzenegger!

He is happy, funny and playful. We’re looking for brace support for independent walking, but in the meantime, he uses his wheelie with ease and grace.

P.H.P., Milford, Connecticut

Dear P.H.P.: Thanks for affirming the benefits of veterinary chiropractic manipulation, to which I would sugest you add a daily full-body massage, as per my book “The Healing Touch for Dogs.” Certainly physical therapy, swimming in particular, can help develop stabilizing muscle tone and strength. Your devotion — cost and time notwithstanding — is an essential part of your dog’s well-being, and a lesson to all not to give up too soon and opt for euthanasia in similar cases.

Much can be done beyond expensive surgery to help dogs enjoy some quality of life with less or no pain!

Dear Readers: Earlier this year, the newly formed International Partnership for Dogs announced the launch of a new database providing guidance on genetic testing of dogs as part of the muchneeded Harmonization of Genetic Testing for Dogs Initiative. For details, go to dogwellnet.com.

CATS APPEAR TO CHOOSE FOOD BASED ON NUTRITIONAL NEEDS

When given a choice, cats and dogs eat nutrients that meet their changing needs, results of a study at Oregon State University’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine suggest, and food manufacturers could use insights from the study to improve their products.

In the study, younger cats preferred protein, but as they age, cats’ ability to process protein wanes. Older cats in the study avoided high-protein foods. (The Oregonian, July 29)