College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China.
Xi'an Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Northwest A&F University, Xi'an, China.
Complement Med Res. 2023;30(2):174-180. doi: 10.1159/000528047. Epub 2023 Feb 2.
Atrophy and weakness of the limbs is a common condition in animals, especially dogs. It typically presents with flaccidity and weakness of the limbs, especially the hind legs, muscle atrophy, and the inability to walk. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), this is known as wei syndrome (WS). According to TCM, the etiology of WS can be (1) lung heat and fluid consumption; (2) insufficiency of the liver and kidneys; (3) dampness-heat invasion; (4) damage to the spleen and stomach, which are also the patterns of WS. This report aims to provide an alternative option for the treatment of canine paralysis. Four dogs with different WS patterns were treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, and Chinese herbs based on the guidelines of the TCM literature. Three patients recovered normal functioning. The fourth patient could walk normally after 2 weeks of treatment, but his hind limbs became weak again 3 months later. Weekly acupuncture treatment was resumed until his death 18 months later. TCM application of acupuncture, moxibustion, and Chinese herbs can be an effective treatment for canine WS. It is hoped that this case report will broaden the treatment options of other veterinarians when patients present with this condition.
四肢萎缩和无力是动物，特别是狗的一种常见病症。其特征通常为四肢（尤其是后腿）弛缓无力、肌肉萎缩以及无法行走。在中医（TCM）和中兽医（TCVM）中，这种病症被称为痿症（WS）。根据 TCM，WS 的病因可以是（1）肺胃热盛津伤；（2）肝肾不足；（3）湿热浸淫；（4）脾胃受损，这些也是 WS 的证型。本报告旨在为犬类瘫痪的治疗提供一种替代方案。根据 TCM 文献的指南，对 4 只患有不同 WS 证型的犬进行了针灸、艾灸和中药治疗。3 名患者恢复了正常功能。第 4 名患者在治疗 2 周后可以正常行走，但 3 个月后后腿再次变得无力。每周进行针灸治疗，直到 18 个月后他死亡。TCM 的针灸、艾灸和中药应用可以作为治疗犬类 WS 的有效方法。希望本病例报告能为其他兽医在遇到这种情况时提供更多的治疗选择。
