Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Electroacupuncture plus medicine for dog back disc disease recovery
By Hayashi, Ayne Murata et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2007·Department of Surgery, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of electroacupuncture treatment for thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 50 dogs with back problems due to thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease (a condition affecting the spine) were treated with either electroacupuncture along with standard medical care or standard care alone. The dogs that received electroacupuncture were able to walk again much faster, recovering in about 10 days compared to over 20 days for those who only had standard treatment. Additionally, nearly 89% of the dogs treated with electroacupuncture were able to walk without help, compared to about 58% of those who received only standard treatment. This suggests that adding electroacupuncture can significantly improve recovery times and outcomes for dogs with this condition.
People also search for: dog back pain treatment · intervertebral disk disease in dogs · electroacupuncture for dogs · dog unable to walk recovery · dog spine problems treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate use of electroacupuncture combined with standard Western medical treatment versus Western medical treatment alone for treatment of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective controlled study. ANIMALS: 50 dogs with signs of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease. PROCEDURES: Dogs were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 treatment groups and classified as having grade 1 to 5 neurologic dysfunction. Dogs in group 1 received electroacupuncture stimulation combined with standard Western medical treatment; those in group 2 received only standard Western medical treatment. A numeric score for neurologic function was evaluated at 4 time points to evaluate effects of treatments. RESULTS: Time (mean +/- SD) to recover ambulation in dogs with grade 3 and 4 dysfunction in group 1 (10.10 +/- 6.49 days) was significantly lower than in group 2 (20.83 +/- 11.99 days). Success (able to walk without assistance) rate for dogs with grade 3 and 4 dysfunction in group 1 (10/10 dogs) was significantly higher than that of similarly affected dogs in group 2 (6/9 dogs). Dogs without deep pain perception (grade 5 dysfunction) had a success (recovery of pain sensation) rate of 3 of 6 and 1 of 8 in groups 1 and 2, respectively, but the difference was not significant. Overall success rate (all dysfunction grades) for group 1 (23/26; 88.5%) was significantly higher than for group 2 (14/24; 58.3%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Electroacupuncture combined with standard Western medical treatment was effective and resulted in shorter time to recover ambulation and deep pain perception than did use of Western treatment alone in dogs with signs of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17867976/