Case Studies

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A 5-year-old spayed female Doberman had a history of wobbler’s disease, rapidly progressing to the point where she had severe ataxia in the hind legs with extreme difficulty walking. A board certified veterinary surgeon had performed surgery to relieve pressure on the affected section of the spinal cord. She was unable to rise or walk post-surgery. The owner was advised that this was not unusual in a case of that severity, but he expected a gradual recovery, and she should make enough progress that by one month she should be able to walk better than she had before surgery. Corticosteroids were prescribed post-operatively to decrease inflammation and swelling of the spinal cord.

The owner returned to the surgeon in two weeks and again four weeks post-surgery. There was no change in the dog’s condition. The surgeon recommended euthanasia. The owner refused and came to me after reading about the helpfulness of acupuncture in cases involving injuries to the spinal cord.

After two treatments 3 days apart the dog was able to stand. After 4 weeks of biweekly acupuncture treatments, the dog was running.

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George' is a 7 year old intact male Golden Retriever.  He was presented for TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) assessment and treatment with a right hind lameness that was first noticed two months previously.  After three acupuncture treatments George’s lameness was resolved.

George was referred for acupuncture treatment by his regular veterinarian, who was also his rehabilitation veterinarian.  George’s hind limb lameness was first noticed by the owner when George returned from a walk with his dog-walker – George had slipped off the curb when he was with two other dogs.  On examination there was mild discomfort on extension and internal rotation of the right stifle and he was standing off the leg.  X-rays of both stifles, V/D hips and caudal spine showed no changes.  George was started on NSAIDS and laser therapy but after one month was showing no improvement and was referred to the surgical specialist for assessment.  A CT scan and joint tap revealed only non-inflammatory joint fluid in the right stifle joint. 

On presentation for TCM assessment George was grade II/VI lame on the right hind at a walk and trot.  He had been receiving Gabapentin for neuropathic pain for the last 3 weeks with no change.  On standing,  the right foot was rotated outward and held forward and lateral to the normal standing position.  There was moderate to marked discomfort with gentle manipulation of the right stifle.  There was moderate discomfort on gentle downward palpation of the left paravertebral muscles at the level of thoracic 11 to lumbar 2 vertebrae.  George’s TCM Pulse showed a weak , superficial and wiry Pulse.  His Tongue was brick-red coloured, with purple discolouration on the underside of the Tongue.  These signs, along with his history and other physical examination signs, let to a TCM diagnosis that showed there was poor blood circulation in George’s joints and muscles, and his body in general.

Three treatments of acupuncture were performed, focusing on the stifle and lower thoracic/upper lumbar spine, and improving George’s blood circulation.  These treatments were done one week apart.  The owner noticed improvement in the lameness after the first acupuncture treatment.  When she returned to her regular veterinarian two weeks after the last treatment, George was given the “all clear” and did not need further rehabilitation work.  He is being weaned off of the Gabapentin and will return for a TCM re-check in one month’s time.