USE OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE TO TREAT GENERALIZED NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS IN DOGS

摘要

The TCVM practitioner is often presented with dogs with generalized neuromuscular disease. These diseases tend to be lower motor neuron disorders and may present with a variety of signs, including lower motor neuron paresis (weakness), a stiff and stilted gait, non-ambulatory tetraparesis, or flaccid tetraplegia1. As a rule, disorders of the lower motor neuron present with weakness, not ataxia, which is a sensory phenomenon. Spinal reflexes are decreased to absent, muscle tone is poor, and neurogenic muscle atrophy may be present. In addition to signs of limb weakness, patients may present with other signs of peripheral nerve weakness including regurgitation, aspiration pneumonia, and respiratory compromise.