Combination of acupuncture and aquapuncture using vitamin b complex for treatment of chronic degenerative changes of hip joints and anal relaxation in a dog

Abstract

A beagle dog, aged 10 years old, was presented with anal relaxation. Chronic arthrosis of hip joints had been diagnosed and treated on this dog's first visit to the National Chung Hsing University Veterinary Medicine Teaching hospital. Except for unwillingness to walk on both hind limbs, pain on both hips and uncontrolled defecation due to anal relaxation, no other clinical signs were found during physical examination. The body temperature was 38.60C. CRT was normal (less than 2 sec). Heart beat was 110 beats/min and strong pulse was palpated. Based on the Glasgow composite pain scale, the pain scale of this dog was 2. Radiology of the hips revealed moderate hip dysplasia with osteoarthritis. The dog was then treated with acupuncture twice a week for 3 weeks with the owner's consent. The local acupoints were GV-1 (Chang-qiang), Bai-hui, and GB-30 (Huan-tiao). After the treatment for 3 weeks, the dog was willing to walk with less pain on the hips during physical examination, and the defecation could be controlled by the anal sphincter. Thus, it is suggested that acupuncture may be an alternative therapy to improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis of hip joints and anal relaxation in dogs.