Medical records from 2011-2014 were reviewed for dogs with neurological signs associated with canine distemper virus (CDV) infections, referred for acupuncture and receiving 3 or more treatments. Of 9 dogs identified, limb paresis or paralysis was found in 8/9 (89%), myoclonus in 3/9 (33%) and seizures in 2/9 (22%). Duration of signs ranged from 1 month-4.5 years. All dogs with paresis were assigned a spinal deficit grade of 1-5 before and after treatment. TCVM patterns at the time of the 1st treatment included: 7/9 (78%) with Qi/Yang Deficiency, 1/9 (11%) with Yin Deficiency and 1/9 (11%) with Jing Deficiency. Internal Wind was diagnosed in 7/9 (78%) dogs (seizures, myoclonus or delirium). Dogs were treated with a combination of dry needle acupuncture (DNAP), electro-acupuncture (EAP) and aqua-acupuncture (Aqua-AP) weekly for 3-9 times then bimonthly in 4 dogs for a total of 10-18 acupuncture treatments. The dogs were followed clinically until they were discharged (6 dogs) or died (3 dogs). The dogs died from pneumonia, automobile accident and cachexia. After acupuncture at discharge or prior to death, 7/8 (88%) dogs with paresis had improved 1-3 grade levels and 3/3 dogs with myoclonus had reduced strength and frequency of contractions. Seizures had resolved in 2/2 dogs by the 5th treatment. The results of these clinical cases suggest that a combination of DNAP, EAP and Aqua-AP treatments can improve paresis, reduce the severity of myoclonus and control seizures in dogs with acute and chronic neurological signs associated with CDV infection warranting further study.
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Download Categories: 2017, Articles, Retrospective Studies
Download Tags: acupuncture, aqua-acupuncture, Canine distemper, electro-acupuncture, myoclonus, paralysis, paresis, seizures, traditional Chinese veterinary medicine
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