Symptoms & Treatment of Dog Rheumatism: A Comprehensive
Causes: The disease is primarily triggered by sudden changes in climate, exposure to cold night dew and frost, constant dampness, and prolonged lying in wet areas. Additionally, a dog's insufficient yang energy and weakened defense mechanisms can lead to blood and Qi stagnation. This condition is more prevalent during cold, damp, rainy weather, and excessive fatigue.
Primary Symptoms: Clinically, the disease is characterized by muscle and joint rheumatism. Muscle rheumatism commonly affects larger muscle groups such as the shoulders, neck, and waist, causing an unstable gait, shuffling walk, and an elevated body temperature of 40 to 41.5 degrees Celsius. Palpation reveals that the affected muscle groups are tense, firm, and painful. Symptoms may improve with increased activity.
Joint rheumatism often occurs in large, mobile joints like the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. Affected dogs may have difficulty standing up, limping, and an unsteady gait. However, these symptoms may diminish or disappear with increased activity and prolonged exercise. The affected area may become warm and painful, with joint effusion and a palpable波动感 (wavelike sensation). Over time, the synovium and surrounding connective tissues may thicken and grow, leading to joint deformity, difficulty in movement, and a grinding sound during activity.
Treatment: The primary focus is on antiinflammatory and analgesic, as well as antirheumatic measures.
(1) Intravenous injection of 1 to 5 ml of 10% sodium salicylate solution, intramuscular injection of 2 to 4 ml of hydrocortisone acetate injection (50 to 100 mg), 2 ml of Angelica Sinensis injection, once or twice daily for a week. Alternatively, 2 to 4 ml of WindRheumatism Injection can be administered.
(2) Treatment for lumbar sacral rheumatism in dogs. The treatment principle is to expel wind and dampness, and to activate meridians and collaterals. Medications include: ① Intramuscular injection of 5 ml of Analgin Injection, twice daily. ② Modified Sanbi Decoction: 30g of Rhizoma Cynanchi, 30g of Saposhnikovia Divaricata, 30g of Notopterygium Incisum, 20g of Clematis, 15g of Stephania Tetrandra, 15g of Angelica Sinensis, 20g of Chuanxiong, 15g of Carthamus Tinctorius, 45g of Morus Alba, with 250 ml of yellow wine as a decoction. Boil the mixture to extract 100 ml of juice, divide it into two servings for oral administration, and the remaining juice can be used for electrotherapy. Electrotherapy: Roast 2.5 to 3 kg of bran over a fire while adding the remaining medicine, until the bran is dry and no medicine is oozing out. The temperature should be around 50°C. Place the bran in a cloth bag and cover the lumbar and sacral areas of the dog (the dog must be secured). Ensure that the Gate of Vitality, Yangguan, Baihui, Shenshu, and Huantiao points are covered. When the bag temperature drops below 45°C, use a heating pad (55 to 60°C) to iron the bag outside, just like ironing clothes. If the bag becomes dry, spray it with vinegar or yellow wine. The bag temperature should be comfortable for the dog. This method can cure mild cases in one session, while severe cases may require 2 to 3 sessions for recovery.
