Case Studies

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Paco is a 9 year old neutered male terrier mix, 13.6 kg, with a long history of seizures.  Paco began having full motor seizures at about 4 years old.  The frequency was stable at about 2-3 per month until Paco’s veterinarian began phenobarbital at 34 mg BID.  The seizure frequency declined to approximately one monthly.  Paco presented to Holistic Veterinary Care after having been on phenobarbital for four years.  The reason the owners brought him in was a desire to reduce or eliminate the phenobarbital dosage.  Recent bloodwork showed his levels to be in the therapeutic range but his ALP was 450 IU/L and Paco’s veterinarian stated this may be due to the phenobarbital.  The owner expressed interest in trying cannabis as a therapy to help with his seizures.

I discussed this at length with the owner with regards to the current research indicating CBD can be helpful in reducing seizure frequency but there isn’t much literature out there regarding cannabis and seizures in dogs.  I have had professional experience with dogs using cannabis for seizures and I have found it to be helpful in some cases. 

The owner decided to begin cannabis therapy using a broad spectrum hemp-based CBD formula at a dose of 20 mg CBD BID.  My instructions to the owner were to maintain the current dose of phenobarbital and begin the CBD and then contact me in 2 weeks to discuss their impressions. 

I heard back from the owner about 10 weeks later and they let me know they had cut the phenobarbital dose by ½ one month after starting the hemp formula and then discontinued the phenobarbital one month after that.  At the time they called, Paco had been off phenobarbital for 2 weeks with no recurrence of seizures.  They also reported he had more energy and seemed to be much happier.  

While the owner did not follow my treatment instructions, the results of the CBD formula are impressive.  At two weeks post phenobarbital, it was too soon to know for sure if the dog would remain seizure free without the medication and I instructed the owner to monitor closely.  At present, Paco is 6 weeks post discontinuing phenobarbital and has not had a seizure.  The owner will continue to administer the CBD product and monitor closely.

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The adorable Sir Theodorable is a 14-year-old male neutered Burmese diagnosed clinically and radiographically with severe osteoarthritis in both elbows in March 2019. He is currently well managed with an integrative approach including monthly acupuncture treatments, cartrophen injections, nutritional supplements and conventional medications, as well as an environmental modification at home. He has excellent quality of life thanks to his committed human servants and is very receptive to his acupuncture treatments, stretching out on the acupuncture bed and regally receiving the fawning of his staff.

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'Bitsy' is a three-year-old female spayed terrier mix who became paralyzed in the hind legs after jumping across another dog in the car and taking a tumble. Bitsy's owner was referred for acupuncture treatment after two weeks of conventional treatment with a diagnosis of disc rupture at the T10-T11 intervertebral space. We began integrative therapy which included Chinese Herbal Medicine, photobiomodulation (cold laser) therapy and electroacupuncture. After biweekly acupuncture and laser treatments for one week, Bitsy was already showing strength in her hind legs and was beginning to be able to wag her tail again! Because of a dedicated owner and continued weekly laser and acupuncture treatments, Bitsy is able to move her hind legs and stand for brief periods. Bitsy now is active at home, has a new cart and is entering the rehabilitation phase of her recovery. It is uncertain how Bitsy would have done without integrative therapy but look at her now! Go Bitsy!!

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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.