Successful use of acupuncture to treat facial paralysis in a horse

Authors: Koning MMG
Publication: Complementary Veterinary Medicine Branch Newsletter, Volume 2015, Issue Autumn, pp 29-35, Apr 2015
Publisher: Complementary Veterinary Medicine Branch of the NZVA

Animal type: Horse
Article class: Case Study

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Abstract:

A 19 year old Arab-Standardbred mare presented for acupuncture with residual signs of an acute idiopathic facial paralysis, which had occurred about 10 months previously. The residual signs consisted of paresis of the right side of the lower lip with accompanying difficulty to apprehend food, changed sensation of the right side of the head, and increased lacrimation during eating. Laser acupuncture of local, distant and special points resolved the functional residual signs completely, improved the aesthetic part and slightly improved the increased lacrimation during eating after three laser acupuncture sessions within one week. Laser acupuncture is worth trialling in horses with suspected idiopathic facial paralysis as it is relatively easy to perform, economic and, in responsive cases, fast to respond.

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