Use of Electroacupuncture Treatment on Traumatic Facial Nerve Paralysis in a Horse

A 4-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was referred to Chonbuk National University Animal Medical Center with inability to blink and drooping lower lip on the right side after traumatic accident. Through clinical examination, the horse was diagnosed as right-sided facial nerve paralysis. Acupuncture treatment was performed to treat the facial nerve paralysis. The selected acupoints were ST3, ST5, ST7, ST9, SI17, CV24 and Yintang. At the end of the 2^nd weeks of electroacupuncture treatment, the palpebral reflex was normally recovered. One month after the therapy, symmetry of the face was completely accomplished without the drooping lower lip. This case shows that electroacupuncture should be considered as an effective therapy for the traumatic facial nerve paralysis in horse.