Case reports/examples--Acupuncture Treatment by

Dr. Karen Collins, Holistic Pet Healing, Langhorne, PA

Arthritis/ Geriatric Weakness

These patients have responded to acupuncture treatment in 1 to 5 sessions. They have displayed an increase in comfort, mobility, and energy.

Higgins - 5 year old neutered male Newfoundland with severe hip dysplasia and DJD of the right stifle. Before acupuncture, Higgins was very stiff and sore. He became more comfortable and playful and energetic since he began having acupuncture treatments.

Noelle - a 3 year old female spayed medium sized mixed breed dog with elbow and hip dysphasia and DJD of the hocks. Noelle belongs to a veterinary surgeon and had multiple joint surgeries, but was unable to go for walks with her people and was slow to get up and stiff and sore when walking Noelle showed much improvement after the first treatment. She continued to receive acupuncture every 1 or 2 months until she moved out of the area.

Goodie - a 13 year old female spayed chocolate Labrador retriever with rear weakness, stiffness and pain. She also has presumed laryngeal paralysis, based on clinical signs. The owner reported that she was “like a puppy” after her first treatment and her inspiratory stridor.was no longer noticeable.

Boone - a 12 year old male neutered black Labrador retriever with stiffness and pain noticed in all 4 limbs and exercise intolerance. He vomited all anti-inflammatory medications that were administered. By the 4th treatment, the owner noticed an improvement in Boone’s mobility and by the 5th treatment, he was responding well. He was significantly more comfortable, more lively and playful.

Skye - an 11 year old female spayed Golden retriever with rear weakness, stiffness, episodes of hind limb collapse. She showed considerable improvement after 2 treatments and now receives treatments monthly to help maintain her level of comfort and mobility.

Blackjack - a 12 year old male neutered Cocker spaniel with bilateral elbow arthritis causing front limb lameness. He improved dramatically after the 4th treatment. He continues to receive monthly acupuncture and Chinese herbal medication.

Boutrous - a 7 year old male neutered Chow mixed breed dog with bilateral hip and stifle arthritis. He showed improvement in his symptoms after the first treatment. In addition to increased mobility and comfort, these patients also experienced an improved appetite and decrease in any GI signs that they were previously experiencing. Fractured lumbar vertebra and rear paralysis

Willie - a 6 year old Yorkie who was hit by a car and sustained a fracture of L2. He was able to stand on his own after the 4th treatment and was able to walk after the 6th. He received acupuncture twice a week for 3 weeks, then once a week for another 3 weeks.

Anorexia resolved with one treatment

There are many cats and dogs that have experienced anorexia for various reasons including cancer, dental extractions, pneumonia, and hepatic lipidosis.  These patients have had a return of appetite during or within 2 hours of their acupuncture treatment.

Whitney - a 14 year old female DSH cat had not eaten for 4 days. Physical findings were non-remarkable. Blood was submitted for a complete blood count and chemistry. Acupuncture treatment was given. The needles were removed and the cat ate 2 tablespoons of food immediately. Whitney was offered food 4 times a day and continued to eat normally. Her lab work was all normal. She has not had a recurrence of anorexia.

Taffina - a 9 year old spayed female Maine Coon cat had multiple dental extractions. She had not eaten in 5 days and showed no interest in food. She received acupuncture and was offered food during the treatment and ate ravenously. She continued to eat well and did not require any further treatment.

Rudy - a 9 year old male neutered Maltese was hospitalized with pneumonia. He was febrile, coughing, slightly dyspnic and anorexic. Within 2 hours of his acupuncture treatment, he was brighter, more lively and ate all the food offered to him. He was discharged from the hospital and continued to heal well at home and maintained a good appetite.

Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia 

Acupuncture has helped both dogs and cats with gastrointestinal disorders, acute and chronic. The beneficial effects are noted within 1 to 2 hours of treatment.

Polly - a 6 year old female spayed pug had gotten into a large bag of dry dog food and overindulged. Her abdomen was bloated and painful and she vomited several times. She received acupuncture and was noticeably more comfortable within 30 minutes.

Simone - a 2 year old female spayed Italian Grayhound mix presented with an acute onset of vomiting and diarrhea with lethargy,Her only treatments were acupuncture and dietary recommendations. Her attitude improved within minutes of acupuncture and she had no additional vomiting. Her next bowel movements were normal.

Nasal discharge and congestion in a cat

Salty - A 10 month old Scottish Fold cat who had been experiencing paroxysms of sneezing and copious nasal discharge many times a day for over 6 months. His symptoms resolved after the first treatment. He had already had a thorough western medical workup and had been on several medications, which had not helped him.

Immune support

Frida - A senior spayed female shepherd mix belonging to a veterinarian, was presented for treatment of hip arthritis. She was also undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. After her first acupuncture treatment, she jumped into the car for the first time in 2 years. As an added benefit, her side effects of chemotherapy diminished when she started receiving regular acupuncture treatments. Prior to beginning her acupuncture therapy, Frida experienced some adverse side effects after each chemotherapy treatment—anorexia, diarrhea and a drop in her white blood cell count. Once she began having regular acupuncture, she maintained a good appetite and attitude and WBC after her chemotherapy.

Back pain/ Neck pain

Tobey - An 11 year old male neutered Dalmation. He had lumbar pain and rear weakness and initially had acupuncture every 1 to 2 weeks for two months and now receives monthly treatments and is able to go for walks and lives comfortably. In addition to acupuncture, he is also taking Chinese herbal supplements.

Peanut - A 14 year old male neutered miniature Schnauzer suffered with back pain [hunched back, stilted gait] for over 2 years. Immediately following his first treatment, he had a normal posture and bouncy, comfortable gait. He continues to do well with monthly therapy.

Miles - A 3 year old male neutered Shepherd mix. He had severe back pain in the lumbo-sacral region. He had weakness in the rear limbs, bunny hopping gait, was hesitant and slow to rise. Within 2 days of his first treatment, he was bounding up and down the stairs and able to scratch his ears with his hind foot, which he had not been able to do in months. He received 6 treatments over 3 months and did not require additional therapy.

Toulouse - a 3 year old male neutered French Bulldog. He had a history of intervertebral disc disease and paralysis and surgery for his back problem. He was presented for back pain and responded well to acupuncture with his first treatment. We continue to see Toulouse every few months to help support his back and overall well-being.

Angel - A 9 year old female spayed Miniature Pinscher. She experienced neck pain and neurologic deficits in her front limbs. Her pain resolved after the first treatment, the ataxia improved after the second treatment and she continue to do well. We plan to continue acupuncture therapy several times a year for prevention of recurrence.

Samson - A 5 year old male Beagle. Samson had severe neck pain and was not improving with medical therapy. He showed a dramatic improvement in his comfort level immediately after the first treatment. He received 4 treatments over 4 weeks and our plan is to treat him with acupuncture 3 or 4 times a year to maintain the response and prevent recurrence.

Paralysis-Charlie walking again after 1 treatment

Charlie- A 3 year old male Cocker Spaniel presented with hind leg paralysis of 4 days duration. He had sudden onset of paralysis, most likely due to a herniated disc in his back. He was carried in for his initial treatment and was completely unable to move his hind legs.His reflexes improved during his first treatment. And one week later, he walked into the office. He was still ataxic (wobbly), but able to support his weight and walk.  He has continued to improve and is playing and running again.