Electroacupuncture and "Duhuojisheng-tang" administration for postoperative treatment in 3 dogs with traumatic spinal cord injury

Three dogs with severe traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) due to falling wound were admitted to the Veterinary Medical Center, Chonbuk National University for evaluation of severe pelvic limbs paralysis without deep pain, normal defecation and urination. Based on physical examination, neurological assessment and computed tomogram (CT), the diagnosis was made as subluxation and compressed fracture. All the cases were surgically treated with dorsal laminectomy and a spondylosyndesis using pin and bone cements. For 2 weeks, the dogs didn't show any improvement. Consequently, the dogs were treated with electroacupuncture (EA) and Duhuojisheng-tang (DHJST). All the dogs got back the deep pain and presented wagged tail on 14-35 days after starting EA with DHJST. Especially, two of 3 dogs recovered almost normal ambulation and capacities of urination and defecation. But, one dog failed to regain normal ambulation due to inflammation of operative site which is thought to be caused by the bone cement. From these cases, it was thought that the combination of EA and DHJST mightbe one of the suitable therapies in dogs with no neurological improvement.