Veterinary Osteopathy: and Why Not for Your Cat?
Oosteopathy is a manual medicine that considers the body as a whole and uses a tool of perception, namely the hand, which then becomes a powerful diagnostic and therapeutic instrument.
This discipline consists of diagnosing the restrictions of mobility in the different structures of the organism and in linking these different "fixations" with the reason for consultation. Indeed, the body constitutes a unit composed of different interdependent structures, closely linked and at the same time capable of moving in relation to each other. It is a "well-oiled machine.” However, as soon as there is a restriction in mobility of an element, phenomena of compensation and modifications of functioning appear, both mechanical as physiological.
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For example, during joint movements, nerves can slide several centimeters inside their sheath. If there is a hindrance to sliding, the nerve may be stretched or compressed and pain may occur.
The objective of the treatment is to restore mobility by allowing all structures to play their full role (nutrition, drainage...), to stimulate the body's repair and self-regulation capacities and thus promote a return to a state of mechanical and physiological balance.
To do this, there are different osteopathic treatment techniques. One of the best known is "cracking" which is one of the so-called structural techniques. It is a treatment solution that mainly concerns the joints and produces a characteristic noise, hence its name. However, there are many other techniques such as myofascial, tissue, visceral, neuro-vascular, cranio-sacral and energetic techniques.
During a consultation, several techniques can be used depending on the type of injury, but also depending on the acceptance of your animal.
In this context and in the same way as in human medicine, all your animals can benefit from osteopathy. And the cat is no exception!
On this point, contrary to popular belief, the cat is rather cooperative, patient, and attentive to the relief provided.
Certainly, a cat's natural flexibility, its small size and its light weight allow it to compensate and mask many locomotor difficulties. Nevertheless, it is subject to a good number of musculoskeletal affections such as arthritis generating pain and a more or less important motor handicap.
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It is a documented fact that 90% of cats over 12 years of age have osteoarthritis lesions visible on x-ray and 45% of them show clinical signs of pain.
Although this chronic and degenerative disease is still largely underestimated, it is often one of the first reasons for consultation in osteopathy related to age.
However, the fields of application of osteopathy are numerous and varied.
It has many indications:
- There are various locomotor problems, for example, difficulties in movement or lameness.
- There are instances of post-operative rehabilitation.
- There may be organ "dysfunction". This is called visceral osteopathy. In cats, it can be cases of chronic renal insufficiency, cystitis, etc.
- In general, if there is pain, whatever its origin, osteopathy can be a complementary and synergistic tool in the management of pain.
- It can be very useful in case of growth disorders, conformation or plumbness defects, etc. regardless of a cat’s age and there are no age-related contraindications.
- Osteopathy can be used as a preventive, curative, or palliative measure. It can be used alone or as a complement to classic "allopathic” medicine. Osteopathy’s effectiveness will depend on the cause and severity of the underlying pathology or lesions. In any case, it will be very useful to relieve your pet and bring it comfort.
In the end, osteopathy is not a substitute for conventional medicine and does not miraculously cure all pathologies. It is a complementary tool that results in a better management of your pet within the framework of a more global medicine called integrative.
So talk to your veterinarian!
Dr BEGU C. Veterinary Doctor
