Comparison of the efficacy of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine versus conservative management for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament injury in 40 companion dogs

Item

Title

Comparison of the efficacy of Traditional Chinese
Veterinary Medicine versus conservative
management for treatment of cranial cruciate
ligament injury in 40 companion dogs

Description

Am J Trad Chin Vet Med (2020), Bogdan Ciolanescu

Journal Publication

issn

1945-7693

Date

Language

English

Author(s)

Subject

Abstract

This study compared the efficacy of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) and conservative management (CMT) for treatment of canine cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injury. Forty dogs diagnosed with CCL injury were equally assigned to either CMT or TCVM study groups for a 24-week treatment period. The CMT Group received treatment consisting of joint supplements, laser therapy, pain medication and strength training, whereas the TCVM Group received acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tui-na, and food therapy. Pain severity and activity interference were scored based on the Canine Brief Pain Inventory form by owners (Days 0, 14, 30, 60, Week 24). The mean TCVM pain score was significantly reduced when compared to CMT at all study time points after study start and became increasingly more significant as the study progressed
(i.e. Day 14, p=0.046 and Week 24, p=0.0003). For the TCVM group, the mean improvement was significant at Days 14, 30 and 60. The mean activities interference from pain score, which was more difficult for owners to grade consistently, attained statistical significance for TCVM (compared to CMT) at Week 24. The within group comparison (mean pain score, mean activity interference and mean improvement) was significant at all time points in both study groups. The study concluded that
both treatments significantly improve pain in dogs with CCL injury by Week 24, however, TCVM treatment attained quicker results. These findings suggest that when surgery is not an option, both treatment approaches are effective with TCVM resulting in more rapid pain relief.

volume

15

issue

1

Abbreviated Journal Title

Am J Trad Chin Vet Med

page start

23

page end

34