Dog Chiropractic Care in Henderson, Nevada
Dog Chiropractic Care
Dogs cannot tell you where it hurts, but they show you every single day in the way they move, rest, and engage with the world around them. Dog chiropractic care is a hands-on, non-invasive approach to identifying and addressing the musculoskeletal and nervous system issues that affect how your dog feels and functions. At Agape Health & Fitness, Dr. Bradshaw is one of the very few AVCA-certified animal chiropractors in Nevada, bringing the same thorough, exam-first standard to your dog that we apply to every human patient who walks through our doors.
When Your Dog Struggles Just to Stand Up
If getting off the floor has become a slow, painful process for your dog, that is not something to simply accept. Difficulty rising is one of the most common signs that spinal joint restriction, arthritis, or hip-related pain is affecting your dog's daily life. It is also one of the conditions that responds well to chiropractic care, because restoring proper joint motion reduces the nerve irritation that makes every movement hurt. Before assuming this is just aging, a hands-on physical assessment can tell you whether something treatable is behind it.


A Hip Dysplasia Diagnosis Does Not Have to Mean Surgery
Hearing that your dog has hip dysplasia is frightening, and the conversation about what comes next can feel overwhelming. Hip dysplasia is common, particularly in larger breeds, and while it cannot be reversed, its impact on your dog's comfort and mobility can often be meaningfully reduced with the right conservative care. Chiropractic adjustments help restore joint motion, reduce inflammation, and relieve the nerve pressure that makes hip dysplasia painful. Many dogs with this diagnosis live comfortable, active lives without surgery, especially when spinal alignment and compensatory tension in the surrounding joints are also addressed.
Your Dog Stops Doing What He Loves
A dog that used to race to the door for a walk and now hangs back, that used to leap onto the couch and now avoids it, is communicating pain in the only language available to him. Behavioral changes, reduced activity, and withdrawal from play are among the earliest and most telling signs of musculoskeletal discomfort in dogs. The Las Vegas valley heat already limits outdoor time for pets during summer months, so when your dog becomes reluctant to move even indoors, something is worth looking into. That change in behavior is a signal, not a personality shift.


Exploring Every Option Before Committing to Surgery
Surgery is sometimes the right answer, and we will tell you honestly if we believe that is the case for your dog. But many pet owners who come to us did so because they wanted to be sure they had tried everything first. In several cases at Agape, including dogs with ACL injuries and significant mobility loss, conservative chiropractic care produced meaningful improvement that made surgery unnecessary. That is not a guarantee, but it is a reason to get a thorough evaluation before making an irreversible decision. Your dog deserves that conversation
FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)
Does my dog need a referral from a vet before seeing an animal chiropractor?
In Nevada, yes, a veterinary referral is required before your dog can receive chiropractic care from a certified animal chiropractor. Under Nevada state law, animal chiropractic must be performed under a veterinarian-client-patient relationship, meaning your dog needs to be referred by a licensed veterinarian before treatment can begin. The animal chiropractor is then required to send records back to your referring vet within 48 hours. ca This might sound like an extra step, but it actually works in your dog's favor. Having your vet involved means everyone is on the same page, and nothing is missed. If your dog does not already have a regular vet, give us a call at 702-410-5354
How do I know if my dog actually needs chiropractic care?
Your dog cannot tell you something hurts, but they show it in other ways if you know what to look for. If your dog seems stiff when rising from rest, has trouble jumping onto the couch or into the car, or resists going up or down stairs, these can indicate a spinal or joint issue that chiropractic care may address. Petworks Other signs include an uneven or swaying gait, limping, flinching when touched in certain spots, or a sudden drop in energy and playfulness. Animals can hide their injuries through compensation, shifting their weight and moving differently to avoid pain, which is a built-in survival instinct. Unfortunately, they can only compensate for so long before the body starts to break down. Ipetskc If something seems off about the way your dog is moving around your Henderson home, it is worth having Dr. Bradshaw take a look.
Is chiropractic adjustment safe for dogs and does it hurt them?
This is the question almost every pet parent asks first, and it is a fair one. When performed correctly by a trained and certified animal chiropractor, chiropractic treatment for dogs is generally safe and free of harmful side effects. Trupanion The adjustments used on dogs are not the same as what you might imagine for a human. They are precise, controlled, and adapted specifically for your dog's size, breed, and condition. The risks are very low when care is provided by a practitioner certified in animal chiropractic. The most commonly seen side effect is a temporary detox response, which can include mild physical shifts as the nervous system adapts, but these responses are uncommon. Angelanihosp At Agape, Dr. Bradshaw lets your dog sniff and settle before starting, which is why so many of our pet patients leave looking more relaxed than when they arrived.
How many sessions will my dog need before I see improvement?
Every dog is different, and results depend on the condition, the dog's age, and how long the issue has been going on. That said, many pet owners notice something positive after just the first visit. One Agape patient shared that after their first session, their dog "could actually put his weight on his right leg, whereas walking in, he couldn't put his paw completely on the ground." Another owner described their elderly dog as "acting like a puppy again" after just one visit. Sessions may be weekly or every two weeks to start, then spaced out more as progress is made. Some pet owners report seeing immediate improvements in movement and signs of comfort, while others may not notice changes until after a few sessions. Trupanion We will give you a realistic picture of what to expect after Dr. Bradshaw's thorough initial evaluation. No guessing, no unnecessary visits.
Can dog chiropractic help with conditions like hip dysplasia or disc problems?
Yes, it can play a meaningful role in managing both. These are two of the most common conditions we see in dogs across the Las Vegas valley. Chiropractic adjustment is most effective for animals with conditions that have a biomechanical or neurologic origin, and these disorders specifically include hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc disease, and degenerative myelopathy. University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine For hip dysplasia, chiropractic care will not change the underlying structure of the joint, but it can reduce compensatory pain in the surrounding muscles and spine, improve mobility, and meaningfully improve your dog's day-to-day comfort. For disc problems, care is approached thoughtfully and in coordination with your vet, particularly for more severe cases. The goal is always to give your dog the best quality of life possible, using the most conservative and effective tools available before ever considering surgery or long-term medication.
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Call Us
702-410-5354
Business Hours
People Chiropractic
- Monday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Tuesday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Wednesday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Thursday closed
- Friday closed
- Saturday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Sunday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Animal Chiropractic
- Monday closed
- Tuesday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Wednesday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Thursday closed
- Friday closed
- Saturday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Sunday 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
