Evaluation of electroacupuncture treatment for thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease in dogs.
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.


METHODS
Prospective controlled study.


METHODS
50 dogs with signs of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease.


METHODS
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
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.
Hayashi
Ayne Murata
AM
Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil.
Matera
Julia Maria
JM
Fonseca Pinto
Ana Carolina Brandão de Campos
AC
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004434:Early Ambulation / Q000662:veterinary; D015671:Electroacupuncture / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000662:veterinary; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011241:Prednisone