Treatment of multiple thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease using electro-acupuncture and oriental herbal medicine in a dog

A 4-year-old male Pekingese dog was admitted to the veterinary medical center, Chonbuk National University for evaluation of severe hind limbs ataxia, atrophy and paresis. Diagnosis based on physical examination, neurological assessment and computed tomogram (CT) indicated multiple thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) throughout the thoracic and cranial lumbar spine. Traditional veterinary medicine (TVM) based diagnosis was kidney yang deficiency syndrome. Initial high dose prednisolone therapy (1.5 mg/kg PO, twice daily) did not show any significant improvement. The dog was then treated with electroacupuncture (EA) and oriental herbal medicine for 6 months, which significantly improved mobility, proprioception and spinal posture of the patient.