Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM) has been used to treat animals since the 1980s, but few pet owners know about it. We asked Dr. Gerald Buchoff, immediate past president of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) and a holistic veterinarian who uses VOM in his practice, to answer some questions

What is VOM veterinary chiropractic and how does it differ from human chiropractic?
Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM) incorporates the use of a device called an activator, a spring-loaded mallet.  The activator can be adjusted from very light (to treat canaries) to strong (to treat horses).  Just like a human chiropractor using his or her thumbs and hands, the activator pushes quickly on bones, especially vertebrae, to produce the effect.  Pets are usually quite cooperative.  Only the snapping sound is bothersome to a few.

When is VOM used?
VOM is used both preventively and to treat sick pets.  It is used from the time a puppy or kitten is about eight weeks old, and continued throughout his life at six-month intervals.  A recent research project by Dr. Bill Inman, the creator of VOM, compiling data from 1985, shows clearly that dogs and cats treated consistently with VOM live 28.5 percent longer on average and with less disease!!  No other treatment or care method has ever claimed to extend a pet’s life by a third.

VOM is also very effective for sick patients because, by optimizing the functioning of the nervous system, it corrects a lot of the miscommunication between organs and body systems.  I strongly believe that that miscommunication is basically the crux of all disease and body malfunction.

In your experience, how effective is VOM on pets?
Pet owners tell me all the time that I have performed a miracle – that their old dog who could barely climb the stairs or even stand becomes agile and unhesitating after only one or two treatments.  As I said, pets adjusted regularly really do remain much more comfortable, pain-free, mobile and active, and healthy.  The pet has a better quality of life.  So do you because your cat or dog remains a companion rather than a patient, and you also save lots of money.

What does VOM actually do?
By hitting a bone quickly, energy is sent down to ganglia along the spine to turn them back on.  They got turned off at some point in the past when there was an injury.  To protect the body, the ganglia in the area turned off to prevent further pain from a cycle of inflammation and continued nerve stimulation.  Unfortunately, once the pain and inflammation are gone, the ganglia don’t automatically turn back on except in very young animals, and even then, not always.

Can VOM be used in conjunction with other modalities?
Yes, there are no contraindications.

Are there other modalities that it works better with?
None in particular.

If an animal has had spinal or any joint surgery, are they still candidates for VOM?
Very definitely.  The chiropractor would avoid direct contact on the surgical sites in the immediate days after surgery, though.

Are there animals that should NOT receive VOM treatments?
All vertebrates (animals with a backbone) benefit from VOM except perhaps the turtle because its spine is fused to the shell.

Are there any negative side effects of VOM?
There are no side effects, especially because it is gentler than manual manipulation.  The only time it might cause pain is when there is a vertebral fracture or cancer, both quite rare.

What if any measures can be taken by the guardian to support VOM treatments?
Just good nutrition (e.g., raw diet).

How young and how old can a patient be to safely be treated?
It is safe at any age.

Is there any modality that VOM could replace or is it solely its own entity?
Just manual chiropractic.

How long has VOM been used on animals?
 It was founded in the early 1980s by Dr Bill Inman, a Washington veterinary surgeon who now resides in Idaho.

Is it also used on people and, if so, for how long?
No, but there are human chiropractic methods that just use the activator device as VOM does with animals.

How do I find a veterinarian or chiropractor trained and/or certified in the VOM technique?
Look on the internet: www.vomtech.com.

Dr. Gerald Buchoff is the Immediate Past President of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA). He owns and operates Holistic Pet Care, a clinic in West Paterson, NJ (www.hpcnj.com). He uses the modalities of chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathy, ozone therapy, herbal medicine (Chinese, Indian, western), Bach flower emotional remedies, embryo therapy, and nutritional therapy (supplements, glandulars, raw diet). Phone: 973–256-3899. Email: drbuchoff@comcast.net.