Randomized single-blinded prospective comparison between ozone therapy and electroacupuncture for canine thoracolumbar disk disease.

Ozone therapy has been used to control pain in animals. Moreover, electroacupuncture (EA) has been effective in neurological recovery and pain control in dogs with thoracolumbar discopathy. EA was compared with Ozone applied at acupuncture points in dogs with signs of thoracolumbar disk disease. Chondrodystrophic mongrel dogs, with lesion scores between 1 and 4, were randomly divided into groups: EA (n = 13) - electroacupuncture at BL20, BL23, ST36, KID3 and BL60 and dry needle in lumbar Bai Hui, and OZO (n = 15) - paravertebral application of 3 mL ozone (20 µg / mL) at BL20, BL23, lumbar Bai Hui, ST36, and KID3/BL60, both groups with weekly applications. No significant differences were observed between groups in weekly blind pain assessments using a dynamic interactive visual analog scale, and neurological assessments using a numerical-functional scale. Both groups showed a progressive improvement in pain control and neurological condition, which was observed when comparing the group's EA and OZO in dogs with all lesion scores. The time of return to locomotion (days) of dogs scored 3 and 4, between groups EA (10.6 ± 5.4) and OZO (14.5 ± 15.7), had no significant differences. Ozone therapy was effective to control pain and motor rehabilitation and sensory functions of dogs with thoracolumbar discopathy signs, just as electroacupuncture. Ozone application was a quick and easy-to-handle treatment. Paravertebral and subcutaneous routes did not require anesthesia or other advanced imaging technology, besides being safe and effective.

Sedative Effect of Ketamin-Midazolam Administered at Acupoint GV20 Compared to Intramuscular Route in Blue-Fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva): a Pilot Study.

Background: The growth of exotic pet medicine is leading to fast developments in clinical investigations on birds. Acupuncture, specifically pharmacopuncture, offers safe chemical restraint options. Objectives: To investigate pharmacopuncture at acupoint GV20 in blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) using ketamine and midazolam. Methods: Sixteen healthy birds were distributed into four groups (C: intramuscular control; 1/2 C: 1/2 dose intramuscular control; 1/2 GV20: 1/2 dose at acupoint GV20; 1/5 GV20: 1/5 dose at acupoint GV20). Degree of sedation, latency, recuperation time, heart and respiratory rate, and body temperature were measured. Quantitative data were analyzed by a Student's t-test. Results: The C, 1/2 C, and 1/2 GV20 groups showed the same degree of sedation. The 1/2 GV20 group showed longer latency times (6 ± 2.1) than the 1/2 C (2.5 ± 0.5) group. Sedation time did not differ between the C (28 ± 9.8), 1/2 C (30.5 ± 8.6), and 1/2 GV20 (41 ± 22.24) groups. The 1/2 GV20 group recuperated faster (13.7 ± 3.7) than the C group (64.2 ± 3.5). The C and 1/2 C groups showed tremors and slow and unstable recovery. Two animals in the C group showed mild hypothermia (38°C). Conclusion: The use of 1/2 GV20 was effective and safe to sedate blue-fronted Amazon parrots without side effects, providing easy, stable, and fast recovery. The use of 1/5 GV20 had a shorter sedation time. These findings show that the combination of acupuncture and drugs provides new possibilities for efficient anesthetic protocols with fewer side effects in birds.

Evaluation of electroacupuncture in bone healing of radius-ulna fracture in dogs / Avaliação da eletroacupuntura na consolidação óssea em cães com fratura de rádio-ulna

Acupuncture promotes peripherical sensory stimulation and local and distant release of neuropeptides and can influence bone healing. The aim of this controlled and prospective clinical study was to evaluate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) in bone healing and bone mineral content of canine radius-ulna fracture after closed reduction and external immobilization. Ten dogs with radius-ulna fractures were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 treatment groups. Group 1 dogs (n=5) received percutaneous EA immediately after closed reduction and external immobilization; after this first treatment, the frequency of application was twice a week during 4 weeks. Group 2 dogs (n=5) did not receive EA treatment. Radiographic score (RS) system and Radiographic optical densitometry (ROD) were used to assessment of fracture healing at the first day of clinical evaluation (M1), 30 days (M30) and 45 days after treatment (M45). Values of P<0.05 were considered significant. Mean±SD ROD values (mmAl) between groups 1 and 2 did not differ significantly (P=0.15) at all periods, respectively M1 values (4.94±0.94; 4.3±1.14), M30 (5.19±1,24; 4,91±1.45) and M45 (5.16±1.12; 5.31±1.71). Mean±SD RS values of group 1 at M30 (2.8±0.83) was significantly different (P=0.003) from M45 (4.6±0.54). However, mean±SD RS values of group 2 at M30 (4.4±1.51) was not significantly different (P=0.30) from M45 (5.16±0.75). Comparisons of mean±SD RS values between groups 1 and 2 showed no significant difference at M30 (P=0.07) and M45 (P=0.19). Results demonstrated that EA treatment did not accelerate bone healing and did not enhance bone mineral density in canine radius-ulna fracture during the 45 days of follow-up.

Acupuntura promove estimulação sensorial periférica e liberação de neuropeptídeos, podendo influenciar a consolidação óssea. O objetivo deste estudo clínico prospectivo foi avaliar os efeitos da eletroacupuntura (EA) na consolidação óssea e densidade mineral óssea em cães com fratura de rádio-ulna (FRU) após redução fechada e imobilização externa. Dez cães com FRU foram aleatoriamente destinados em dois grupos. Grupo 1 (n=5) recebeu EA percutânea imediatamente após a redução fechada e imobilização externa; após este primeiro momento, foram feitas aplicações duas vezes por semana durante 4 semanas. Grupo 2 (n=5) não recebeu EA. Um sistema de escore radiográfico (ER) e densitometria óptica radiográfica (DOR) foram utilizados para avaliar a consolidação da fratura no primeiro dia de avaliação clínica no hospital (M1), 30 dias (M30) e 45 dias (M45) após tratamento. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Valores (média ±DP) de DOR (mmAl) entre os grupos 1 e 2 não tiveram diferença significativa (P=0.15) em todos os momentos, respectivamente valores de M1 (4.94±0.94; 4.3±1.14), M30 (5.19±1,24; 4,91±1.45) e M45 (5.16±1.12; 5.31±1.71). Média±DP de ER do grupo 1 no M30 (2.8±0.83) foi significativamente diferente (P=0.003) do M45 (4.6±0.54). Entretanto, média±DP de ER do grupo 2 no M30 (4.4±1.51) não teve diferença significativa (P=0.30) do M45 (5.16±0.75). Comparações dos valores de ER entre os grupos 1 e 2 não tiveram diferença significativa no M30 (P=0.07) e M45 (P=0.19). Conclui-se que a EA não acelerou a consolidação óssea e não aumentou a densidade mineral óssea em cães com FRU durante os 45 dias avaliados após o tratamento.

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. 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.

Electro-acupuncture and Chinese herbs for treatment of cervical intervertebral disk disease in a dog.

A non-ambulatory dog with tetraparesis following a pain episode that had evolved over 2 months was submitted for medical treatment and diagnosed with intervertebral disk disease at C3-C4 and dorsal extradural compression at C1-C2 and C3-C4 using myelography and computed tomography. The dog experienced ambulation recovery after 15 days of treatment with only electroacupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, with marked improvement occurring after only 10 treatments. Six months of followup demonstrated that the dog was stable and had no recurrence of symptoms. Therefore, it was concluded that the combination of electroacupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine was responsible for motor rehabilitation.