Dr. Natalia LaVallie, DC
AVCA Certified Animal Chiropractor
St Charles, IL
Call/Text: 630.394.4228
drnatalia@barnyardchiropractic.com
chiropractic care for animals
New Patients
The first step to scheduling chiropractic care for your animal is coordinating with your veterinarian.
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In Illinois, all animals must have written consent from their veterinarian before the initial chiropractic exam. If you do not have a veterinarian, we can make excellent suggestions.
Please ask your veterinarian to sign off on chiropractic care for your animal using the forms below.
New Patient Appointments are confirmed after a signed veterinary referral form has been received.
After scheduling an appointment, please review my PRACTICE POLICIES and complete a registration form for your animal. Links to these forms are below:
Preparing
for the
New
Patient Appointment
Initial appointments for both small and large animals usually take about an hour to discuss current concerns and health history, perform a detailed exam, and provide a chiropractic adjustment.
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At home, small animal examinations are best performed in an area with carpeting and space to work together with your animal. Please have a soft collar on your dog (let me know if you only have a prong, choke, or e-collar). Cats should be contained in an area that is easily accessible. Sometimes, muzzles help us all stay safe when an animal is reactive to pain. I have muzzles for dogs and a cat bag. If you have your own, please have it available.
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Horse and large animal exams are best performed in an aisle, arena, or protected outdoor space with level footing. They should have clean coats and hooves, but please do not apply any sprays or ointments. Anything that makes their coat slick can make adjusting very difficult. If fly spray is necessary, please have it available, and we'll apply it together. Please have a halter on your animal that will allow you to safely manage them during examination. ​​​​​
Follow-Up Appointments
We learn the most about animals from how they respond to initial adjustment. Many animals experience positive change after just one adjustment, which is wonderful! Depending on their condition, it may take 2-3 adjustments to see outward signs of change or improvement. Expect to schedule at least follow-up appointments, so we can evaluate their changes together and create the best plan for correcting vertebral subluxation.
Follow-up small animal adjustments are about 20 minutes, and follow-up large animal adjustments are about 40 minutes.
YOU are essential during the time between adjustments. Watch for changes and keep your animal safe while they heal. I will provide home care and exercise instructions as applicable, so you can support your animal optimally.