For a general overview of Chinese Medicine, go to:
http://www.ameritech.net/users/kurvenal/TCM_Overview.htm
(A link is at the bottom of this page.)
Generally, seizures are caused by heat generated by the liver, which generates wind, which causes the seizure. (The image of someone caught up in a wind storm might help explain that terminology!) Seizures can also commonly be caused by imbalances on the heart meridian. The goal of acupuncture is to rebalance the body by treating the meridians.
A number of alternatives to acupuncture needles can be used. B-12 injections are
commonly used for animals, (and sometimes for humans as well). The injection stimulates the acupuncture point from the pressure of the liquid on the point. There are several advantages to this approach. It means that a dog doesn't have to hold still for 20 minutes,(and sometimes they would have to be in a very awkward postion). It also makes it easier to be sure that you're stimulating the acupuncture point--using the hair-thin acupuncture needles on a wiggling animal can make it hard to get the needle in exactly the right spot.
With the injection, you're hitting a slightly larger area, and that gives you a little leeway in the insertion point that you don't have with an acupuncture needle. And you don't have to worry about locating the needles if the dog does move and cause some needles to fall out....
Sometimes other things are used in place of the B-12, such as Vit. C, herbal solutions, saline water, etc.--it depends on what the acupuncturist feels is appropriate, and often is a matter of their own particular style.
The use of injections is called aquapuncture.
Another technique is the use of implants rather than acupuncture needles. Gold beads or gold wires is what dogs usually have implanted for this permanent form of acupuncture.
Acupuncturists might also use lasers, moxibustion (which is heating the acupuncture point by burning an herb over it), infrared or ultraviolet lights, ultrasound devices, devices which provide an electrical stimulation, or magnets. Many people also use flower essences on acupressure points. There are lots of techniques, and the skill of the practioner will be the main thing that determines the success of any of the techniques.
Here is some information in case you might want to try acupressure, (but please consult with a professional practioner before doing so. No medical advice is being given here.)
A word of caution: not all dogs can be handled when having a seizure, so if you think that there is any chance of being bitten, etc. while you dog is having a seizure, don't try this!
But, you could, if your dog tolerates it, try these points when the dog is not having a
seizure, perhaps. And, for those of us lucky enough to have dogs who will tolerate something like this whether or not they're having a seizure, you might want to make it routine to do acupressure. You can do this as often as you like--even once per day!
You can also use flower essences, (Rescue Remedy, or any other appropriate flower essences), on the acupressure point, and that can help make the treatment more effective. But, it might also be too much for any individual dog to combine the flower essences with the acupressure, so be aware of that possibility.
S = Stomach
Du might also be shown on charts as Governing Channel (GV).
P = Pericardium
Calming points:
- Neiguan (P6)
- Shuigou (DU26)
- Shenting (DU24)
- Baihui (DU20)
For epilepsy:
- Chongyang (S42)
use with Dazhui (DU14)
- Fenglong (S40)
During a seizure, if safe, you can try:
- Lidui (S45) (this is a painful point). Use with Shuigou (DU26) and
Neiguan (P6)
Before starting, try to relax yourself as much as possible. Make sure that both you and the dog are comfortable, and you might want to start with just petting the dog, or a gentle massage, from head to toe. When you are through with the acupressure, (do each point for at least 15 seconds, and on up to a few minutes, if the dog permits it. Doing 5 to 10 minutes per point per session is my goal), again, gently massage from head to toe. The direction of head to toe, by the way, is recommended, because that is the direction of the energy flow. If a point feels cold to your touch, use a gentler touch, and work on the point a little longer. If a point feels hot, use a stronger touch. You can vary the points done from time to time, but might want to check them all, and if any feel hot or cold, be sure to work on those.
If you could do a quick massage down the back to hit the bladder points too, that would be good! That is a very good thing to do daily! If you massage down the back, (going in the direction of head to tail), on both sides of the spine, you'll hit a lot of the bladder points, and that would be very beneficial!
Some vets claim that by pressing on one simple point in each ear a couple of times a day, it would significantly reduce, or stop epileptic seizures all together in dogs. They also say that if a dog does have a seizure, pushing on these spots would stop it in 15 seconds.
This point is called the "Shen men" point. You find the small fleshy knot on the inside, back of the ear (near where ear joins head), and under that is a small cave. Put your index finger in the "cave" or hollow beneath this bump, then from the outside of the ear press with the thumb so that you can feel the index finger from the other side. "Gently" massage spot for 10-15 seconds.
Recommended books, for those who would like to read more on this, or find the acupuncture points:
"Four Paws Five Directions" by Cheryl Schwartz, DVM
"Canine Acupressure: A treatment workbook", but Nancy Zidonis and
Marie Soderberg
“ Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine: Principles and Practice” (edited by Allen M Schoen DVM and Susan G Wynn DVM)
“Veterinary Acupuncture” (Schoen)
"Four Paws" also recommends vitamins, herbs, diet, etc. for various conditions, and is a good starting place for reading about Chinese medicine.
Please consult a professional practioner before implementing any suggestions made here to determine if they are appropriate for your dog.
To contact me, please send an email to:
kurvenal@ameritech.net
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Overview of Chinese Medicine