Acupuncture

As more veterinarians attend special workshops and courses on the technique and physiologic mechanisms for its effects are demonstrated, acupuncture is gradually becoming accepted in the Western world as a valid means of treating pain and disease in animals.

A discussion of either the Chinese philosophy of energy flow, on which acupuncture was originally based, or the functions of the central nervous system or peripheral nerves that might explain its actions is beyond the scope of this book. In fact, the discipline is so complex that it is pre­sumptuous to suggest that competency can be gained in a few weekends or even a few months. However, veterinari­ans with acupuncture training for other species may have the occasion to treat goats. For them, information concern­ing the location of points and prescriptions (point selec­tions) for caprine diseases would be helpful. Unfortunately, very little information specific to goats is available. In addi­tion, the beneficial effect of acupuncture remains unproven in the typical published case report (Pawde et al. 1998).

Goat Medicine, Third Edition. Mary C. Smith and David M. Sherman. © 2023 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Published 2023 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Acupuncture points (or stimulation points) can be located on the surface of the body using an electric point finder. At these points, the electrical resistance is much lower than in the surrounding skin, while the points have a higher millivolt potential.

Charts of traditional Chinese acupuncture points for goats have been translated into English and published, accompanied by indications for stimulation of each point (Klide and Kung 1977). Most schools of acupuncture in the United States teach the meridian theory for organizing and locating points. There are 12 regular meridians along which Qi energy and Blood are believed to circulate from the body to the extremities and return to the body. Two important meridians are located on the dorsal and ventral midlines. The meridians and the points along them are named for body organs or functions that they influence. The bladder meridian, on each side of the back, has been demonstrated as a low impedance line in goats as well as in other species (Yu et al. 1994). Points are identified by the name of the meridian and a number, such as ST36 (stomach 36).

Anatomic transposition of sites of clinical importance for humans has been used to create meridian charts for vet­erinary species, especially horses and dogs (Schoen 2001), but also cattle (Kothbauer 1999; Kothbauer and VanEngelenburg 2001). Most acupuncturists use one of these charts as a starting point when treating goats. Points for cattle might be chosen when attempting to influence internal organs, while points for dogs might be appropriate for treating arthritic conditions of proximal joints. Points on the lower limbs of goats and cattle are most problematic (Kothbauer 1999), because transposition from human charts is not possible.

Once specific points have been selected, whether to treat a local problem such as a wound or painful joint or to rec­tify an internal imbalance, they must be stimulated. The stimulation may be provided in various ways, including pressure, heat or cold, cold laser (if hair is clipped), or insertion of fine needles that may be twirled or stimulated electrically.

Acupuncture has also been used to provide analgesia and sedation for surgery. Although a study has been published on the use of electro-acupuncture for abdominal and udder surgery in goats (Jaiswal and Kumar 2005), the effective­ness of acupuncture for reducing the dosage of drugs required for surgery has been questioned by others (Skarda and Glowaski 2007). Stimulation of a specific point on the nasal philtrum (GV26) is widely recommended for cardio­pulmonary resuscitation in humans and animals. Some benefit was shown in a study involving anesthetized sheep (Davies et al. 1984).