Animal Chiropractic
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Animal chiropractic is gentle enough for the most delicate of spines, such as a baby songbird, yet effective enough to cause profound improvements in health, and allows the animal to utilize their very own healing capabilities.
Chiropractic care deals with the nervous system. The spinal cord carries nerves that are distributed to EVERY single organ, tissue, and cell of the body. A misalignment of a joint, called a subluxation, adversely alters nerve function to those areas. Altered nerve impulses leaving the spinal column affect the function of organs, tissues, and cells supplied by that nerve. Dysfunction of the nervous system can lead to a series of illnesses and conditions, such as pain, disease, fatigue, muscle weakness, balance/proprioception issues, immune suppression, and much more.
When a joint is subluxated, it looses motion and position. A chiropractic adjustment is aimed at correcting the subluxation and restoring the proper movement of the joint and also the proper functioning of the nervous system.
Chiropractic works to eliminate the root cause of the problem and not just simply treat the symptoms. It restores normal motion to the joints and allows for the brain to communicate properly with the body as well as the body to the brain.
It can also be used for wellness care. Healthy pets under chiropractic care may have improved performance, more energy, and better immune response. Additionally, chiropractic may also provide a prevention for disease, injury, and arthritis. Well adjusted animals many times experience a whole new level of health.
Chiropractic care deals with the nervous system. The spinal cord carries nerves that are distributed to EVERY single organ, tissue, and cell of the body. A misalignment of a joint, called a subluxation, adversely alters nerve function to those areas. Altered nerve impulses leaving the spinal column affect the function of organs, tissues, and cells supplied by that nerve. Dysfunction of the nervous system can lead to a series of illnesses and conditions, such as pain, disease, fatigue, muscle weakness, balance/proprioception issues, immune suppression, and much more.
When a joint is subluxated, it looses motion and position. A chiropractic adjustment is aimed at correcting the subluxation and restoring the proper movement of the joint and also the proper functioning of the nervous system.
Chiropractic works to eliminate the root cause of the problem and not just simply treat the symptoms. It restores normal motion to the joints and allows for the brain to communicate properly with the body as well as the body to the brain.
It can also be used for wellness care. Healthy pets under chiropractic care may have improved performance, more energy, and better immune response. Additionally, chiropractic may also provide a prevention for disease, injury, and arthritis. Well adjusted animals many times experience a whole new level of health.
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Our Doctors
Our doctors are dedicated with a great passion for what they do. Your pet’s specific treatment and experience is our top priority. “Doctor” means teacher, from the Latin docere, “to teach.” This is also something that we feel is important so that the pet owner can understand their family member’s care and also become confident in future health choices. Our facility, Vitality Animal Chiropractic, is a multi-award winning clinic, and also featured in various media. Dr. Erin O’Connor and Dr. Cat Reczek treat dogs, cats, horses, cows, exotics, and wildlife. Our patients are diverse, from family companions all the way to national and world class champions.
Our doctors are AVCA board certified. AVCA certification is the gold standard credential that you should look for if you are searching for an animal chiropractor for your pet. The doctors in this association are required to be licensed doctors of chiropractic or doctors of veterinary medicine, have completed and passed their necessary board exams for their profession (for chiropractors there are 5 sets), complete and pass an accredited 220hr animal chiropractic program, complete and pass the AVCA board certification exam, and continue to complete required continuing education. Please entrust the health of your animal only to a trained professional. By dealing with a Certified Animal Chiropractor, you are assured of the services of a skilled, dedicated professional who will work to provide the very best care. If you are looking for an animal chiropractor and Vitality Animal Chiropractic is not in your area, visit AVCAdoctors.com.
Our doctors are AVCA board certified. AVCA certification is the gold standard credential that you should look for if you are searching for an animal chiropractor for your pet. The doctors in this association are required to be licensed doctors of chiropractic or doctors of veterinary medicine, have completed and passed their necessary board exams for their profession (for chiropractors there are 5 sets), complete and pass an accredited 220hr animal chiropractic program, complete and pass the AVCA board certification exam, and continue to complete required continuing education. Please entrust the health of your animal only to a trained professional. By dealing with a Certified Animal Chiropractor, you are assured of the services of a skilled, dedicated professional who will work to provide the very best care. If you are looking for an animal chiropractor and Vitality Animal Chiropractic is not in your area, visit AVCAdoctors.com.
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Common Symptoms and Conditions
We have learned over the past 10 years that these are the most common symptoms and conditions that veterinarians and pet owners seek animal chiropractic care to help improve, and where animal chiropractic has a high success rate:
Changes in behavior (such as starting to snap, refusal to play with family members)
Problems eating or refusing to play with toys
Decrease in level of activity or performance
Showing signs of pain
Limping
Problems or difficulty executing desired movements
Seizures or seizure-like episodes
Tremors
Short or uneven strides
Diagnosed conditions, such as arthritis
Paresis
Sudden back leg paralysis, dragging of the back legs
Muscle imbalances
Muscle spasms
Muscle atrophy
Limping, lameness, abnormal gait
Abnormal posture, choosing to stand on uneven ground
Holding tail to one side
Abnormal shaking of the head
Ear Infections
Allergies
Hot Spots
Injuries from falls, training, etc.
Stress
Repetitive infections
Neurological conditions
Weak immune system
And much more
We also see animals for:
Wellness to promote optimal health
Performance
Recently rescued animals to get a good check on everything, especially if they had an abusive past
Proper development… puppies are clumsy growing up and can benefit from chiropractic too!
Of course, at your first appointment, we will evaluate your pet to see if chiropractic care is a good option for them, if we don’t think chiropractic care will benefit your pet, we will refer you back to your vet or another health care professional who we believe can help. We may not be the right fit for everyone, and that is ok. The end goal is getting your pet on the road to recovery, happy, and healthy.
Changes in behavior (such as starting to snap, refusal to play with family members)
Problems eating or refusing to play with toys
Decrease in level of activity or performance
Showing signs of pain
Limping
Problems or difficulty executing desired movements
Seizures or seizure-like episodes
Tremors
Short or uneven strides
Diagnosed conditions, such as arthritis
Paresis
Sudden back leg paralysis, dragging of the back legs
Muscle imbalances
Muscle spasms
Muscle atrophy
Limping, lameness, abnormal gait
Abnormal posture, choosing to stand on uneven ground
Holding tail to one side
Abnormal shaking of the head
Ear Infections
Allergies
Hot Spots
Injuries from falls, training, etc.
Stress
Repetitive infections
Neurological conditions
Weak immune system
And much more
We also see animals for:
Wellness to promote optimal health
Performance
Recently rescued animals to get a good check on everything, especially if they had an abusive past
Proper development… puppies are clumsy growing up and can benefit from chiropractic too!
Of course, at your first appointment, we will evaluate your pet to see if chiropractic care is a good option for them, if we don’t think chiropractic care will benefit your pet, we will refer you back to your vet or another health care professional who we believe can help. We may not be the right fit for everyone, and that is ok. The end goal is getting your pet on the road to recovery, happy, and healthy.
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Animals Adjusted
This is a common question we hear, and the answer is that any animal with a spine can benefit from chiropractic care! Our doctors see mostly dogs, cats, and horses, but also exotic animals such as rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, parrots, birds, sugar gliders, and more. They also have provided their services to wildlife being rehabbed at Fox Valley Wildlife Center and an animal sanctuary. Included in these animals are pretty much all of the native wildlife to Illinois, such as geese, ducks, hawks, songbirds, raccoons, opossums, deer, pheasant, woodchucks, cottontails, squirrels, chipmunks, even a snapping turtle.... as well as roosters, chickens, llamas, turkeys, pigs, bulls, and more.
For most animals, an animal chiropractic session is something they begin to look forward to. They figure out that it makes them feel better and they also get rewarded (with permission) with a treat after. "Feel better and treats in the belly? Yes, please!" Even some wildlife have figured it out and have relaxed during sessions.
For most animals, an animal chiropractic session is something they begin to look forward to. They figure out that it makes them feel better and they also get rewarded (with permission) with a treat after. "Feel better and treats in the belly? Yes, please!" Even some wildlife have figured it out and have relaxed during sessions.
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Fee Schedule
Animal Chiropractic Fees |
Initial Evaluation & Adjustment for Dog, Cat, Exotic, or Other Small Animal: $120 |
Initial Evaluation & Adjustment for Horse, Cow, Pig, or Other Large Animal: $190 |
Follow Up Adjustment for Dog, Cat, Exotic, or Other Small Animal: $70 |
Follow Up Adjustment for Horse, Cow, Pig, or Other Large Animal: $100 |
Re-Eval and Adjustment for Established Small Animal Who Has Not Been Seen in 12 months or more: $90 |
Re-Eval and Adjustment for Established Large Animal Who Has Not Been Seen in 12 months or more: $175 |
Puppy, Kitten, or “Baby Exotic” Visit (<6 months): $60 |
Animals Currently In Rescues/Shelters and Military or Police Dogs (must provide proof): $50 (every visit) |
Mother & Pups Combo Visit: Mom full price above and puppies free until they go to new homes OR reach 3 months, whichever comes first. Mom and pups must be scheduled together. We are happy to provide “Well Adjusted Puppy” certificates. |
Add-On Service of Photobiomodulation Therapy of Infrared, Red Light, Blue Light, and/or Green Light: $15 |
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Would you like to fill out your pet's paperwork ahead of time?
We must have a veterinary approval form on file in order to see your pet. We work with about 250 veterinary hospitals in the Chicagoland area and beyond. Some of the vets we work with that are comfortable with our care, have given us pre-approval of their patients seeking our services. With all others we need to send a fax for each individual patient and get it returned to us before your visit.
Services available with concurrent veterinary care and/or referral only. Dr. O’Connor and Dr. Reczek are Doctors of Chiropractic, licensed in the care of humans and board certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association in the care of animals. They have had extensive education in Animal Chiropractic (240hrs of education specifically in animal chiropractic, plus continuing education every year). Animal chiropractic education and certification is the exact same for both licensed DCs and licensed DVMs. Dr. O’Connor and Dr. Reczek are NOT veterinarians, and cannot take responsibility for the primary care of animals. This is outlined further in the informed consent signed prior to treatment.