Eletroacupunture in treatment of cervical intervertebral disc disease in dogs: retrospective study (2005-2015)

• Grant number: 15/25668-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2016
• End date: December 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Ayne Murata Hayashi
• Grantee: Bruna Cristina Penna
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cervical intervertebral disc disease shows clinical signs of severe pain and ataxia of the pelvic and/or forelimbs in dogs. Non-ambulatory tetraparesis is present in around 11% of cervical disc pathologies. Acupuncture leads to a sensorial stimulation that affects the central nervous system and increases the release of neuropeptides and it has been described in some reports treating cervical discopathies. This study is based on data collection and analysis of dogs with records of clinical signs of cervical intervertebral disc disease undergoing treatment with electroacupuncture at the School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of São Paulo's Veterinary Hospital, from 2005 to 2015, to evaluate the clinical evolution, the patient's profile and the therapeutic response. The objective is to corroborate with the release of the clinical applications of acupuncture and contribute to its acceptance and approval as part of the treatment of this condition.