Agility dog Banjo continues to thrive after dog attack, with the help of McTimoney Chiropractic treatment

Agility dog Banjo continues to thrive after dog attack, with the help of McTimoney Chiropractic treatment

A brutal dog attack in 2019 left Banjo, a four-year-old Lurcher, terrified and facing a long period of rehabilitation. However, McTimoney treatment helped him return to his old self and back competing in agility, just months after the accident occurred. Now, 3 years on McTimoney continues to keep him in tip top condition and loving life!

Whilst walking to a routine vet appointment with his owner Trina, Banjo was suddenly attacked by another dog who had escaped.  The dog latched onto Banjo, pulling him up the road for several metres.  It was a vicious attack, with Banjo suffering deep puncture wounds to his neck and with a large haematoma in his jugular, which was also torn.  An MRI scan showed extensive soft tissue damage. He had a drain placed and bandages applied to enable the wounds to heal. Surgery to close the wound was decided against, as Banjo’s vet did not want to distress him further.

Chloe Adams, a registered McTimoney Animal Association practitioner, began visiting Banjo a few weeks after the attack and she discovered that Banjo was very stiff through his body and quite subdued.  He was sensitive to be palpated around his neck and shoulder areas and when asked to walk, was reluctant to extend his left shoulder, instead, shifting body weight onto his right hind leg. It was clear that Banjo was compensating for the area of injury.

‘Banjo presented with a large amount of tension through his neck and there appeared to be damage to the muscle over the shoulder and the beginning of a more fibrous scar tissue forming’ explains Chloe. ‘This included the supraspinatus muscle in the upper back, omotransverse muscle covering the shoulder joint and the deltoid muscle, also in the shoulder, which I believed was affected the most.’ Chloe discovered that these muscles showed a deterioration, whilst the spinal nerves affecting shoulders, the brachial plexus, had also been avulsed by the injury. The right middle and superficial gluteal muscles were also tense, whilst the thoracolumbar fascia and the longissimus muscle were also notably rigid, especially on the right-hand side.  Banjo’s pelvis also had a right-sided ventral rotation, resulting in a left-handed tilt.  By adjusting vertebrae in his spine and simultaneously working on soft tissue, Chloe was able to release tension to make Banjo feel more relaxed and comfortable.

The McTimoney technique is a form of chiropractic manipulation which balances an animal’s musculoskeletal system to optimise the alignment of joints throughout the whole body and is therefore an ideal choice of treatment for animals suffering from back, neck, pelvic and musculoskeletal problems.  With a focus of attention towards the spine and pelvis, the technique helps both to restore and maintain health, soundness, and performance. All members of the McTimoney Animal Association are fully insured and work closely with vets to ensure a safe, appropriate, and effective treatment takes place throughout every case.

Says Chloe, ‘At the time I worked largely on reducing the scaring of Banjo’s damaged soft tissue and making him as comfortable as possible, as quickly as possible. By the time of my second visit, he was very excited to see me, and quickly knew how to stand or lie down whilst I was treating him.’  Four months on from the attack, Banjo continued to grow in strength, managing to run and play during exercise, and even enjoyed visits to the beach whilst on holiday with Trina.  Most notable of all was Banjo’s return to competing in agility classes, which he had enjoyed before the accident took place.

Says Chloe, ‘We took things slowly, taking care to rebuild Banjo’s strength organically so that he was not put under pressure or strain’. The hard work and dedication paid off as in early 2020, Banjo took part in a competition for his local club, winning the class. Explains Trina, ‘Banjo was awarded the Kristy & Gipsy Trophy for ‘Best Dog Returning to Agility After Illness or Injury’. What made the award so special was that it was voted for unanimously by the Committee members and knowing how much they all realise just what our poor boy endured, means a lot’.

‘It was lovely to win Banjo’s trust so quickly following such a severe attack, and he obviously understood that what I was doing, was to help him’ says Chloe.

3 years on and Chloe still sees Banjo for maintenance sessions and says ‘now he is getting a bit older we like to keep him at his best’. 

‘The injury in the neck has resulted in some scar tissue and muscle damage so we continue to use the McTimoney Chiropract treatment to keep alignment and flexibility in his neck. A key adjustment for Banjo is his pelvis – he loves to run around like a lunatic so when his pelvis becomes unbalanced, he often finds this difficult and is not afraid to say he is a little bit uncomfortable. Including claiming he cannot walk and holding a back leg up. This can come from the running and sharp turns he does when playing’.

Trina says ‘Banjo is a happy boy. His attack hasn’t changed his beautiful nature and he still loves to interact with all dogs wherever we go. He particularly loves pups and helps them to learn some manners.  2 years ago, we got a new addition as although all Banjo’s friends love him to bits, they’re all small and when he wanted to play, they suddenly realised how big he is! So along came Button – Banjos new sister!’

Banjo sees Chloe about 4 times a year, sometimes we bring the appointments forward if we notice he’s not moving quite so well. These episodes usually happen towards the end of the time between visits. If I’m honest I think he, does it on purpose because he loves to see Chloe. I can’t thank her enough for getting him back to his old self after the injury and helping keep him happy and fully of life.’