Dogs

Dog chiropractic is a manual therapy (literally: “with the hands”) for treating movement restrictions (blockages) of the joints. By correcting these blockages, the functioning of the joints improves and the dog's nervous system is also positively influenced. Results are often visible immediately after treatment; the animal can function better again and has more freedom of movement.

Chiropractic can be a suitable way to greatly improve health and well-being for dogs with and without complaints.

• stiffness
• uneven gait/limping
• pain when touched or lifted
• difficulty climbing stairs or jumping on something
• difficulty getting up after lying down
• change in mood or behavior
• sitting crooked ("puppy sit")
• changes with food
• constantly licking or biting something
• change in performance
• always lies on one side
• difficulty with bladder/bowel control

There are several possible causes of a dysfunction in the dog's body.

In short, we distinguish between three factors:

1. Physical causes: the dog has misstepped, overexerted itself while playing, has fallen, poorly fitting collar, osteoarthritis, etc.
2. Mental causes: a dog can experience stress if, for example, it is alone a lot or cannot lose its energy.
3. Chemical causes: chemical means your animal has the wrong diet or an underlying pathogen that aggravates the complaint.

Together we will look to determine whether there's something that caused the dog's dysfunction.

A questionnaire will be sent and you will explain some more during the conversation with the chiropractor. A physical examination will then take place.

1. Observation: static and dynamic. How does the dog move,  stand and sit?
2. Analysis of the muscles: you can feel where problems/tensions are.
3. Analysis of the spine / movement and position of the joints: we feel how joints move "motion palpation".
4. Discussing findings with the owner.
5. Chiropractic treatment. This covers the majority of the consultation.
   A tailor-made treatment is applied. With a chiropractic correction, the joints and nervous system are affected. Most dogs experience treatment as pleasant.
6. Possible additional advice or exercises.

A consultation will take approximately 30 minutes.

If your dog is not social with people, please let us know in advance.

The practice is open to dogs every Tuesday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Friday from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM, or other times by appointment. You can call the practice 070-5176505 to book an appointment.

Margreet Leemhuis grew up with dogs and horses and wanted to become a veterinarian as a little girl. After her father received enormous help from a chiropractor, she decided to study (human) chiropractic. In 2000, she graduated from the AECC in England.

She completed her training as a dog chiropractor at the Supple Spine Institute.

Margreet lives with her husband, daughter Noa (2007), son Senna (2009) and labradoodle Buddy in Wassenaar. In her spare time she enjoys playing tennis, walking, and reading. She is also a member of the Soroptimist Club Wassenaar/Voorschoten.