Dog Disc Herniation: Symptoms, Treatment, and Care
Dog Intervertebral Disc Disease Symptoms:
The affected dog exhibits a body temperature of 38°C and is showing signs of anxiety. There is weakness in the hind limbs, making walking difficult, although the eye reflexes remain normal.
Upon gentle tapping with a reflex hammer on the knee, there is no patellar reflex. Light pressure on the extremities of the hind limbs elicits a faint pain reflex.
When at rest, the hind limbs are unable to stand normally, tilting outward and exhibiting ataxia, with the toes dragging on the ground. The dog is unable to perform singleleg hops, lateral biped hops, stand on its head with feet facing up, or pass the table edge test, all of which indicate dysfunction in the hind limbs.
Palpation of the abdomen shows tension, and stimulation of the hind limbs elicits a reflex. The surface temperature of the hind limbs is normal.
Western Medicine Treatment:
Injection of Methylprednisolone Acetate (20mL/vial, 20mg) is administered subcutaneously at a dose of 2mg/kg based on the dog's weight, at the Baihui point.
Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium Injection (10mL/vial, containing 1400mg of Amoxicillin and 350mg of Clavulanate) is administered subcutaneously at a dose of 50mg/kg, also at the Baihui point.
Injection of Vitamin B (2mL/syringe, 100mg) is given at a dose of 50mg per injection, mixed with Vitamin B Injection (1mL/syringe, 0.5mg) at a dose of 0.5mg per injection, and injected subcutaneously around the Baihui point.
Danshen Injection (1mL per dose) is administered subcutaneously.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment:
Baihui Point: Located between the last lumbar vertebra and the first sacral spinous process, needle insertion is straight and 13 cm deep.
Tail Root: Situated between the last sacral vertebra and the first coccygeal spinous process, needle insertion is straight and 0.51 cm deep, or moxibustion can be applied.
Huanjiu Point: Found in the depression anterior to the greater trochanter of the femur, needle insertion is straight and 24 cm deep, or moxibustion can be applied.
Yangling Point: Located in the interval between the gastrocnemius muscle and the lateral side of the knee joint, needle insertion is straight and 23 cm deep.
Xi San Li: Situated on the lateral side of the lower leg, one quarter up from the ankle, needle insertion is straight or oblique and 23 cm deep.
Jie Xi (Posterior Cubital Fossa): Located in the middle of the transverse crease in front of the wrist joint, between the tibia and the ulna, needle insertion is straight or oblique and 13 cm deep.
He Gu (Calcaneus): Found in the depression between the lateral side of the calcaneus and the distal end of the fibula, needle insertion is straight or oblique and 0.52 cm deep.
The above acupoints are treated with electrical acupuncture stimulation using continuous waves, starting with a strength of 1. Infrared light therapy is applied at a power of 40W for 20 minutes.
The dog receives a combination of traditional and Western medicine treatments every 3 days at the hospital. At home, a warm compress is applied to the lumbar spine and hind limbs daily to promote blood circulation.
