Veterinary Acupuncture Arnold L. Wittstein, DVM, CVA, PC Certified - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Ancient Wisdom... Modern Technique... Gentle Healing. Veterinary Acupuncture Arnold L. Wittstein, DVM, CVA, PC Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (541) 250-1302 Fax (541) 610-1830 vet@acupuncture-vet.com www.acupuncture-vet.com

Arthritis Pain ● Hip Dysplasia ● Injured Joints or after Surgery ● Developmental Abnormalities Internal Organ Disease ● Kidney Failure ● Liver Failure ● Fatty Liver Syndrome Gastrointestinal Disease Heart/Lung ● Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disorders ● Chronic colitis ● Megaesophagus ● Congestive Heart Failure ● Feline Allergic Bronchitis

General Debility ● Advancing age ● Cancer ● Cancer treatment ● Feline Leukemia Virus Skin Disease ● Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ● Allergic Skin Disease ● Chronic Ear Infections Neurologic Disorders ● Hot Spots/Lick Granulomas ● Intervertebral Disc Disease Behavioral Disorders ● Epilepsy ● Noise Phobias ● Cognitive Dysfunction

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) ● Acupuncture ● Traditional Chinese Herbs ● Dietary Modification ● Nutritional Supplements ● Lifestyle Changes

Doesn't It Hurt? ● Extremely thin (36 G) ● Smooth tip, not a cutting bevel ● Flexible

C'mon, Does It Really Work? Western medical research has shown the following:

Overview of Acupuncture's Effect on the Body

Acupuncture points are highly infiltrated with dense collections of specialized nerve endings.

The “Gate” Theory

Release of Neurohormones in the Brain

Positron Emission Tomography Measures activity within the brain as a result of external stimuli

“I can't fit all this into my brain!”

“Murgatroyd” 8 year old, neutered male Great Dane Severe stifle arthritis Bilateral cruciate surgery at 2 years of age NSAIDs no longer working

“Murgatroyd” After three weekly treatments Jumping on bed Chasing squirrels Fighting with other dogs

“Garland” 2 year old, neutered male Boston Terrier Megaesophagus Chronic regurgitation Intermittent vomiting Intermittent aspiration pneumonia Intermittent diarrhea

“Garland” Regurgitation reduced to once or twice a month Vomiting resolved Diarrhea resolved

“Bayou” Acute onset paralysis (IVDD) Surgery not an option Poor response to steroids

“Bayou” Every other day electroacupuncture Complete recovery 2008 JAVMA study: Medical therapy combined with electroacupuncture had same prognosis as surgery. Medical therapy alone had poorest prognosis.

“Frisco” 8 year old, neutered male DSH Diabetic neuropathy Diabetes poorly regulated Very weak hind legs

“Cyrano” 13 year old, neutered male DSH Chronic renal failure Owner unable to change diet or give SQ fluids Treated with AP and herbs in canned food

“Sammy” 10 year old, neutered male mixed breed Congestive heart failure, intervertebral disk disease On furosemide and enalapril Back surgery deemed too risky due to CHF

“Bo” 12 year old, neutered male Golden Retriever mix Chronic skin disease for the last eight years – always scratching, always on antibiotics, antifungals or both Always “hot” - skin radiates heat After first treatment – skin cool After four treatments – no more medications After 3 months – hair is growing

“Livia” 8 year old, spayed female Golden Retriever Mast cell cancer Started on leg, spread to lymph nodes and abdomen Chemotherapy ineffective

“Cecil” 12 year old, neutered male Lab mix Seizures since 3 years of age – recently are no longer controlled with medication Acupuncture and herbal treatment have gotten them back under control Owner has not attempted to wean Cecil off conventional drugs

“Juliette” 5 year old, spayed female Domestic Shorthair “Wobbly” since a kitten, recently getting worse. Having trouble walking now. No conventional tests have determined the problem Now also has head tremors

Electroacupuncture

Electroacupuncture A very tiny electrical current is passed through the acupuncture needles. ● Increases stimulation of the acupuncture point ● Extends time between treatments ● Provides increased pain relief

“Shea” 8 year old, neutered male German Shepherd cross Hip dysplasia, Lumbo-sacral stenosis, degenerative myelopathy

“Doot-Du” 9 year old, spayed female DSH Inflammatory Bowel Disease Not well controlled with diet and conventional medications

“Amy” 13 year old, spayed female Lab-cross Hip dysplasia, DJD Difficulty rising Muscle atrophy Only partially controlled with NSAIDs

“Gus” 8 year old, spayed female Shep-X HBC, 4 days ago Spinal trauma Paralyzed, no deep pain

“Gus” Daily electroacupuncture for four days EOD electroacupuncture x 5 Tx Then twice weekly treatments

“Gus” Three weeks post-injury

It matters not whether medicine is old or new, so long as it brings about a cure. It matters not whether theories are Eastern or Western, so long as they prove to be true. Jen-Hsou Lin