Effects of Bee Venom Injections at Acupoints on Neurologic Dysfunction Induced by Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Disorders in Canines: A Randomized, Controlled Prospective Study

Abstract

Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) is a major spine disorder in canines that causes neurological dysfunction, particularly in the thoracolumbar area. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs are typically used to reduce nociceptive signals to decrease canine suffering. Bee venom (BV) has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Injection of BV at acupoints has been widely used to treat clinical disorders including inflammation, pain, and arthritis. The current study was intended to determine whether BV injections at acupoints can enhance treatment of canine neurological dysfunction caused by IVDD. A single-blind controlled trial involving 40 adult canines with neurological dysfunction induced by IVDD subdivided into 2 groups was designed, and 36 canines finished the study. The myelopathy scoring system (MSS) grade and functional numeric scale (FNS) scores improved further after BV treatment than after control treatment. BV injection exerted a particularly strong effect on canines with moderate to severe IVDD and dramatically reduced clinical rehabilitation time. The results indicate that BV injections at acupoints are more effective at protecting canines from IVDD-induced neurological dysfunction and pain than is treatment alone.

Figure 1

Flowchart of canines involved in this study.

Figure 2

MSS grades of the control and experimental groups. (a) MSS grades of control and experimental canines with mild IVDD (Grades 1 and 2). (b) MSS grades of control and experimental canines with moderate IVDD (Grades 3 and 4). (c) MSS grades of control and experimental canines with severe IVDD (Grade 5). ∗ indicates P < 0.05, compared with the control group. ∗∗∗ indicates P < 0.001, compared with the control group.

Figure 3

FNS scores of the control and experimental groups. (a) FNS scores of control and experimental canines with mild IVDD (Grades 1 and 2). (b) FNS scores of control and experimental canines with moderate IVDD (Grades 3 and 4). (c) FNS scores of control and experimental canines with severe IVDD (Grade 5). ∗ indicates P < 0.05, compared with the control group. ∗∗ indicates P < 0.01, compared with the control group.