Effects of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Dogs with Neurological Sequels of Distemper Virus.

Background: Acupuncture (AP) has been empirically used to relieve post-canine distemper virus (CDV) infection neurological signs in veterinary clinics. Objectives: This clinical study aimed to investigate the effects of AP combined with electroacupuncture (EA) on neurological function in dogs infected by CDV. Methods: Twenty-four CDV-infected dogs with neurological sequelae were recruited to receive weekly AP/EA sections for 24 weeks. Neurological improvements were assessed before each AP/EA session using a modified scoring system. Data were analyzed using the McNemar test, Friedman test, Fisher's exact test, and Kaplan-Meier curves (p < 0.05). Results: Neurological scores improved from seven to 24 weeks after AP/EA treatment compared with pretreatment scores (p < 0.001). Significant improvements were recorded over time for functional limb recovery, cranial nerve deficits, mental status (p = 0.025 - 0.014), and urinary function (p < 0.001). Myoclonus was improved and entirely reversed in 75% and 25% of the dogs, respectively. At the end of treatment, the proportion of dogs with normal proprioception, posture, hopping (p < 0.001), and superficial pain sensation responses (p = 0.004) was greater than pretreatment values. Conclusion: AP/EA therapy promoted significant neurological recovery in CDV-infected dogs and may be considered within the chronic phase of the disease to improve motor and sensory rehabilitation. However, these results are preliminary and must be confirmed by further investigations.

Combination of stem cells from deciduous teeth and electroacupuncture for therapy in dogs with chronic spinal cord injury: A pilot study.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious condition that causes profound economic and emotional impact in human patients and companion animal owners. It has been shown that the neurogenic effects of the stem cells are enhanced when combined with electroacupuncture (EA) in rodent models of SCI. To determine the safety and feasibility of combining transplantation of allogenic stem cells derived from canine exfoliated deciduous teeth (SCED) and EA in dogs with chronic spinal cord injury a canine pilot clinical study was conducted. A total of 16 individuals ranging from 5 to 11 years at 3 to 18 months of injury were investigated and randomly assigned to 4 experimental groups (SCED, EA, SCED + EA, control). Mild neurological and functional improvements were seen in all 4 groups. There was no clinical progression or mortality of the cases occurred in a follow up of 7 months after procedure. The study shows that SCED transplantation and electroacupuncture were feasible, safe and potentially beneficial. However Long-term patient monitoring is necessary to rule out any delayed side effects and assess any further improvements.

Effect of acupuncture on pain and quality of life in canine neurological and musculoskeletal diseases.

This prospective study investigated the effects of acupuncture alone or combined with analgesics in chronic pain and quality of life assessed by owners for up to 24 weeks in 181 dogs with neurological and musculoskeletal diseases. The scores before and after the onset of treatment were evaluated using the Wilcoxon test and the evolution of success was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier curves. Differences were considered significant at P < 0.05. The success rates for Helsinki chronic pain index (HCPI), quality of life assessment, and visual analog scales (VAS) for pain and locomotion were 79%, 84%, 78%, and 78% of the animals, respectively, when both diseases and groups of treatment were combined. Dogs with musculoskeletal disorders had greater improvement in HCPI (P = 0.003) and VAS locomotion (P = 0.045) than those with neurological disorders. Use of acupuncture alone or in combination with analgesics reduced pain and improved quality of life in dogs with neurological and musculoskeletal diseases.

Effet de l'acupuncture dans la douleur et la qualité de vie dans les maladies neurologiques et musculo-squelettiques chez le chiens. Cette étude prospective a étudié les effets de l'acupuncture (AP) seul ou combinée avec des analgésiques pour traiter la douleur chronique et de la qualité de vie évaluée par les propriétaires pendant 24 semaines à 181 chiens atteints de maladies neurologiques et musculo-squelettiques. Les scores des animaux ont été évalués avant et après le début du traitement au moyen du test de Wilcoxon et l'évolution du succès par des courbes de Kaplan-Meier. Les différences ont été considérées comme significatives lorsque P < 0,05. Le taux de réussite pour l'indice de la douleur chronique de Helsinki (IDCH), évaluation de la qualité de vie et des échelles visuelles analogiques (EVA) pour la douleur et la locomotion étaient respectivement de 79 %, 84 %, 78 %, et 78 %. des animaux, respectivement, lorsque les deux types de maladies, et les deux groupes de traitement ont été combinés. Les chiens souffrant de maladies musculo-squelettiques ont une plus grande amélioration de IDCH (P = 0,003) et EVA locomotion (P = 0,045) scores que ceux souffrant de maladies neurologiques. Utilisation d'AP seul ou associé à traitements analgésiques réduite la douleur et meilleure qualité de vie chez les chiens atteints de maladies neurologiques et musculo-squelettiques.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Comparison of decompressive surgery, electroacupuncture, and decompressive surgery followed by electroacupuncture for the treatment of dogs with intervertebral disk disease with long-standing severe neurologic deficits.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of decompressive surgery (DSX), electroacupuncture (EAP), and DSX followed by EAP (DSX + EAP) for the treatment of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) in dogs with severe neurologic deficits of > 48 hours' duration. DESIGN: Retrospective case series and prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: 40 dogs between 3 and 6 years old and weighing between 10 and 20 kg (22 and 44 lb) with long-standing (> 48 hours) clinical signs of severe neurologic disease attributable to thoracolumbar IVDD. PROCEDURES: Thoracolumbar medullar injury was classified on the basis of neurologic signs by use of a scale ranging from 1 (least severe) to 5 (most severe). The DSX dogs (n = 10) were retrospectively selected from those that underwent DSX for the treatment of thoracolumbar IVDD. In addition, 19 dogs received EAP alone and 11 dogs underwent DSX followed by EAP (DSX + EAP). Outcome was considered a clinical success when a dog initially classified as grade 4 or 5 was classified as grade 1 or 2 within 6 months after the end of treatment. RESULTS: The proportion of dogs with clinical success was significantly higher for dogs that underwent EAP (15/19) than for dogs that underwent DSX (4/10); the proportion of dogs with clinical success for dogs that underwent DSX + EAP was intermediate (8/11). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: EAP was more effective than DSX for recovery of ambulation and improvement in neurologic deficits in dogs with long-standing severe deficits attributable to thoracolumbar IVDD.