ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT FOCUSED ON FIVE ELEMENTS, EIGHT PRINCIPLES AND SYNDROMES OF ZANG FU IN THE GERIATRIC CANINE PATIENT WITH SPONDYLOSIS

摘要

Spondylosis is a chronic condition of the vertebral column, characterized by the bony proliferation at the level of vertebrae that may or may not involve the intervertebral disc. This anomaly is mainly found in geriatric patients and, even though itsetiologi-cal factors are not yet fully investigated, there is a hereditary component. Osteophytes develop ventrally, laterally or dorsolaterally from the vertebral border. Spondylosis does not always cause clinical signs. Patients appearing at the doctor's office show column hyperpathia, mainly in the affected region, and/or a variety of neurological signs of varying intensity depending on the severity of the medullar compression. Signs can include paresis, paralysis, reduction or absence of proprioception, sensibility alterations and problems with urination and defecation. The level of the medullar compression defines if signs involve the hind limbs or all four limbs.1'2