The number one prevention, in Dr. De Grasse's opinion, is to use a harness instead of a neck collar. Approximately 90% of all my work involves disc compression and degeneration of the cervical spine (neck). This is where the disc has been injured and the resultant bulge presses against the spinal nerve or cord. The pressure causes a myriad of complications but the most prevalent are limping and paralysis. It is interesting to note that I see a lot of disc injuries in the very young animal when a choke chain has been used. It is my opinion that the constant pulling on the neck puts undo force upon the disc of the neck and causes the disc to bulge. I have also seen the disc injured in training, where a sharp correction is administered, using a variety of neck collars. In almost 20 years of working with animals, I rarely have seen a neck injury in the animal with a harness.

The harness can be utilized as a seat belt, while in the vehicle, by looping the passenger belt through the back strap of the harness. This would prevent the animal from impacting into the seat or dashboard of the vehicle. This also would prevent the animal from being ejected from the vehicle, in a severe accident.

The most functional harness that I have found includes both a breast and back strap and does not include a hard plastic or thick leather stabilizer that rests over the shoulder blade area. I have begun to see significant injuries due to pressure from under the hard stabilizer that rests on the back of the animal, between the shoulder blade area.

My personal favorite and recommendation:
LUPINE Collars and Leads (Guaranteed - even if chewed)
Phone#: 1-800-228-9653
Fax#: 1-888-699-8369
or on the web @ www.lupinepet.com

 

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Did You Know.....

Animal teeth cleaning, without the risk of anesthesia, is available in southern California.
For more information contact Dr. De Grasse's office at (909) 425-8849

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Did You Know.....
 

A veterinarian (and a medical doctor) is trained to view an xray differently than a chiropractor. That is why your animal's doctor may tell you that he does not "see" anything on the xray to account for a disc bulge but when you bring your xray to Dr. De Grasse, she will point out the areas of misalignment that need to be corrected with a chiropractic adjustment. There are two different methods of xray interpretation and both are correct; within their points of reference.