Small Animal Cases

Case: Dixie

In spring 2020, Dixie became increasingly anxious, insecure, and extremely sound-sensitive. She eventually refused to run in our own woods and would stop on the agility course, heading for the car or house.
At her worst, nothing helped—not agility (which she normally loves), not toys, not treats.

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Suspecting pain, we recalled an incident months earlier where she hit an A-frame and banged her head, though no acute injuries were apparent at the time. On advice from our local chiropractic vet, we saw Maja.

Maja found Dixie’s back locked with atrophy of the deep spinal muscles, concluding a back injury had driven the behavioral changes. A high-drive Border Collie won’t “complain,” so we hadn’t realized she was in significant pain.

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We began treatment in early Sept 2020. After 3 months, changes were clearly positive, and by 6 months, Dixie was herself again—happy, secure, and comfortable. She remains sensitive to sound, but once the trigger is gone, she recovers quickly, so daily life is fine and she enjoys a good quality of life.

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Treatment included many visits for exams, chiropractic adjustments, laser, and—most importantly—neurological stimulation and stretching exercises three times daily (about 8 minutes each), along with a strict break from stressful or physically demanding training. Keeping a fast Border Collie calm was challenging, but we managed.

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We still do the exercises once a day.

As of June 2021, Dixie is back to agility training and competition, in top form (just shaking off the rust after a year’s break).

Case: Queenie

At about 8 weeks, Queenie began nodding her head. It worsened from 5 times/day to 15–20 times/day.
Extensive testing—lungworm, bloodwork, full clinical and neurological exams, MRI, and CSF tap—found no abnormalities.

Medication for seizures was suggested to control the nodding, but we chose to see Maja instead.

Maja’s neurological exam found Queenie’s left pupil didn’t respond normally to light, indicating midbrain dysfunction. Maja provided neurological stimulation and chiropractic treatment. After the first session, the nodding reduced; since the second visit, it has not recurred. Queenie is now an adult and doing well; we still come for occasional check-ups.

Case: Isa

In late August 2018, our 6-year-old Labrador Isa was knocked over by our other Labrador and hit a tree hard. She screamed; we feared a fracture. She dragged herself using her forelegs, and we feared a broken back.

X-rays showed no fractures. She regained use of the right hind, but the left hind remained weak—our vet suspected a small clot or cartilage fragment and warned that euthanasia might be required if there was no improvement within 14 days.

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A friend recommended Maja. She found lower temperature in the injured limb and poor reflexes. We began an intensive plan: exercises six times daily, swimming ~2×/week, treatments 2–3×/month, and strict avoidance of overexertion. Later we added water-walker.

Isa improved from the first treatment. By spring 2019, she needed only quarterly visits. In autumn 2019, she even joined hunting again (short sessions), and by autumn 2020, she was still going—always with good breaks.

Today, Isa is about 90% herself, thanks in large part to Maja.

Lene

Case: Knirke

Knirke is our wonderful Petit Basset Griffon, now 11 years old—long-bodied, heavy, and full of gusto. His long back needs special attention—and he’s a bit of a wild child!

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He has seen Maja since puppyhood; early care gave him the best chances despite the structural challenges and his high-energy style.

At 3 years, he had a serious back injury after a fall, but because we’d started early, we’ve kept his back issues manageable.

Regular treatments and home exercises keep him comfortable and active.

Now, with age, he needs a little extra support, and the ongoing treatments help him stay fit and lively. We wouldn’t have such a happy, vigorous senior—with a long back, old injuries, and a zest for life—without Maja’s fantastic work.

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DIY Swimming Pool
During COVID we set up a dog swimming pool in our greenhouse: a budget kids’ pool, an old garden table as a platform, two car dog ramps bolted to the table, and a couple of bricks on twine to stabilize the ramps—voilà, a home hydro setup for under 4,000 DKK.

We manage chlorine balance and temperature (solar panels added later). It’s helped our dogs tremendously.

Case: Maggie

When we first brought our English Bulldog Maggie to Maja, she’d just had a serious shoulder twist—not the first minor one, which had previously been managed with rest. This time she couldn’t walk and was in severe pain for days.

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Maja opened our eyes: it wasn’t clumsiness. Maggie had long-standing back fixation altering her neurological function, slowing her responses (e.g., to ground holes). She also paced and carried herself low with legs splayed, making her look shorter.

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After a few months with exercises and guidance, the changes were dramatic:
Maggie moves much better, no more twists or mishaps, she’s more body-aware, and even seems taller now that she’s not so slack.

We only wish we’d gone to Maja sooner—she has truly changed life with Maggie.

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