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Raptor Acupuncture for Treating Chronic Degenerative Joint Disease
Keum Hwa Choi1, Gail Buhl2, Julia Ponder2
1Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA.
Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies
|December 25, 2016
Summary
Acupuncture significantly improved lameness and bumblefoot in a captive bald eagle with degenerative joint disease. While radiographic signs didn't change, clinical symptoms greatly reduced, suggesting acupuncture as a viable treatment for raptor musculoskeletal conditions.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Integrative Medicine
- Avian Health
Background:
- Chronic degenerative joint disease (DJD) in the stifle joint caused severe lameness (Grade 5) in a captive bald eagle.
- Clinical signs included decreased mobility, vocalization, limb non-weight bearing, inappetence, depression, and pododermatitis (bumblefoot, Grade 3).
- Conventional anti-inflammatory and analgesic treatments (carprofen, celecoxib) provided no clinical improvement.
Observation:
- The eagle underwent dry needle acupuncture weekly for two months, then biweekly for two additional months.
- Traditional Eastern Medicine diagnosis was Bony Bi syndrome, with specific acupuncture points selected (ST 36, LI 4, BL 40, BL 60, GB 34, Ba Feng).
Findings:
- Acupuncture treatment resulted in a significant improvement in lameness, decreasing from Grade 5 to Grade 1 over four months.
- Pododermatitis improved from Grade 3 to Grade 0.
- Associated symptoms like inappetence and vocalizations were substantially reduced.
- Radiographic evidence of DJD showed no significant change.
Implications:
- Acupuncture demonstrates potential as a therapeutic option for managing musculoskeletal conditions, such as DJD, in permanently captive raptors.
- This study highlights acupuncture's efficacy in improving clinical signs and quality of life for raptors with chronic joint disease.
- Further research into acupuncture for avian musculoskeletal disorders is warranted.
