Survey and general case evaluation of patients treated at the acupuncture outpatient clinic of the Clínica Veterinária Escola PUCPR: retrospective study

Abstract

Acupuncture is a therapeutic modality of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with applicability to various illnesses and diverse species. In this context, the retrospective study provides evidence that contributes to the expansion of its understanding and recognition as a proven effective integrative approach. The present study aimed to conduct a retrospective survey of the appointments carried out in the acupuncture outpatient of the Veterinary Clinic School PUCPR (CVE-PUCPR), from June 2019 to June 2023, in order to identify and explore the profile of the patients treated, as well as to establish the prevalence of the diseases affecting these animals. A total of 419 clinical records of 85 patients were analyzed, containing information about the date of treatment, species, breed, gender, age, complaint (Western diagnosis), corresponding TCM diagnosis, and treatment methods, including specific acupuncture points. The data were compiled and organized into a spreadsheet for comparative analysis in terms of frequency and percentage. In the year 2021, the highest number of treatments was conducted (42% of the total). Most of the patients were of the canine species (91.76%), followed by the feline species (7.06%), and lagomorphs (1.18%). Females predominated, representing 56% of dogs, 50% of cats, and 100% of lagomorphs. Most patients were over 6 years old (70.88%), with mixed breed (SRD) being the most treated (32.05% of dogs and 83.33% of cats). The most common complaints were related to the musculoskeletal system (57.74%), with discopathy being the most prevalent (88.89% in dogs and 11.11% in cats). Discopathy was more common in SRD dogs (28.57%), Shih-Tzu (17.14%), Lhasa Apso (8.57%), and Dachshund (8.57%). According to TCM, discopathy was primarily associated with kidney yin deficiency (19.44%). Treatment involved meridian points such as kidney, bladder, stomach, and spleen-pancreas, with dry needling as the predominant method. Through this study, it was possible to conclude that the highest prevalence of patients treated in the acupuncture outpatient clinic of CVE-PUCPR, from June 2019 to June 2023, were dogs, mixed breed, female, over 6 years old. The musculoskeletal system was the most affected among the reported complaints, with discopathy being the most common condition.