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.

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Goniometry is a low-cost, user-friendly and widely available technique used by different veterinary medicine professionals to estimate joint range of motion (ROM). Studies providing breed-specific reference ranges for goniometric measurements are scarce and there is a lack of information regarding joint angles in French Bulldogs. This prospective study set out to determine normal ROM for the carpus, elbow, shoulder, tarsus, stifle and hip joints in healthy, adult French Bulldogs using goniometry. We hypothesized ROM would be similar in this and other dog breeds. Twenty dogs met the inclusion criteria. Sample size was calculated using power analysis based on previous studies. Goniometric measurements were made by a single examiner. Limbs were measured in random order and three measurements made per joint. Dogs were not sedated. Joint angles measured in French Bulldogs in this study were similar to those reported in Labrador Retrievers (shoulder, carpal, and tarsal flexion), Rottweilers (shoulder, carpus, and hip flexion), and Dachshunds (hip, stifle, and tarsal flexion). Similar flexion angles and ROM were detected in right and left limb joints. Findings of this study suggest similar ROM in French Bulldogs and other dog breeds. Lack of radiographic assessment and the fact that goniometric measurements were made by a single examiner were the major limitations of this study.

This prospective, comparative, randomized, horizontal, and double-blind clinical study investigated the clinical efficacy of leucocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (PRP, n=8) or allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC, n=8) in dogs with bilateral degenerative hip joint disease (DHJD). Sixteen dogs were treated with two intra-articular injections of PRP or ADSCs, within a 30-day interval. The Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI), the Helsinki Chronic Pain Index (HCPI), and Visual Analogue Scales for pain (VAS-pain) and locomotion (VAS-loc) were assessed by the dog owners. Analysis-of-gait using a force plate, response to palpation (VAS-palp), and the descriptive numerical scale for pain (DNS) were measured by a veterinarian. The assessments were performed before (baseline), 30 and 60 days after the first treatment. Data were analyzed using the unpaired t test, paired Wilcoxon test, Fisher’s exact test, and Mann-Whitney and Friedman tests ( P <0.05). Compared with baseline HCPI, CBPI, VAS-pain, and VAS-palp scores reduced 41%, 52%, 51%, and 48% ( P =0.0001–0.03) at 60 days in the ADSC group. In PRP-treated dogs, CBPI, VAS-loc, and DNS scores decreased by 43%, 43%, and 33% at 60 days, respectively ( P =0.0003–0.011). Based on CBPI data, the rate of success at 60 days was 75% and 25% in the ADSC and PRP groups ( P =0.13), respectively. Both therapies were apparently safe and effective to reduce chronic pain in dogs with bilateral DHJD during a 60-day period. However, a trend towards greater improvement was provided by the ADSC treatment.

Summary This review discusses the applications of acupuncture (AP) and its eastern medical philosophy in equine health, and the main techniques used to stimulate acupoints in equine practice. These methods include dry needling, electroacupuncture (EA), moxibustion, laser therapy, haemopuncture, aquapuncture, pharmacopuncture, acupressure and gold implants.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a eficácia e os métodos de acupuntura utilizados no tratamento dedoenças neurológicas em cães, bem como discutir a abordagem holística dos padrões de doençasencontrados nestes pacientes. Foram estudados 43 casos de doenças neurológicas em cães. A cadasessão semanal e a cada melhora clínica ou observação diferente feita pelo proprietário do paciente, oneurologista veterinário fazia uma reavaliação neurológica. O tratamento foi considerado eficaz quandoos pacientes foram capazes de recuperar seu controle neuromuscular ou a capacidade normal dedeambulação. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a exames complementares e somente animaiscom diagnósticos conclusivos foram incluídos nesta investigação. As doenças neurológicas maisencontradas foram hérnia de disco, espondilose e trauma medular, sendo que alguns pacientesapresentaram mais de uma afecção simultaneamente. Noventa e três por cento dos animais melhorarame sete por cento não apresentaram resposta significativa após o tratamento com acupuntura. Estesúltimos foram acometidos por doenças como síndrome da cauda equina, “síndrome de cambaleios ouoscilações” e hérnia de disco com ausência de dor profunda. A acupuntura com agulha simples foi atécnica mais utilizada para os tratamentos, com cerca de 46% de prevalência. O número de sessõessemanais de acupuntura variou de 6±4 até 25±22. Conclui-se que o estímulo de acupontos utilizandodiferentes métodos foi eficiente no tratamento dos padrões ocidentais das doenças neurológicas dosanimais estudados nesta investigação e que um bom diagnóstico diferencial ocidental e oriental é necessáriopara o sucesso no tratamento de doenças neuromusculares.

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