Métodos terapêuticos complementares como alternativa na reabilitação de espondilose anquilosante de um cão: relato de caso

Abstract

Deforming spondylosis is a degenerative disease of the intervertebral discs, resulting in instability of the vertebrae and bone neoformations of the vertebral end plate, which can cause ankylosis of the vertebral bodies resulting from the aggregation of the enthesophytes with the progression of the disease. The etiopathogenesis is not fully understood, but some authors assume that the cause comes from the rupture of Sharpy fibers, which are external extensions of the fibrous annulus of the disc that are anchored in the vertebral epiphysis. Factors that are predisposing to its development may be due to disc wear due to aging, heredity and micro trauma. It is a pathology that has no cure and as the animal ages the enthesophytes progress. Usually the canine that suffers from the disease is asymptomatic and in acute cases of spondylosis includes stiffness in the back, lameness and pain. The disease can be diagnosed by simple radiographs of the sites with the highest incidence, which are the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral regions. This work proposed to carry out a case report of a canine with ankylosing spondylosis who performed pharmacological therapies complemented with integrative rehabilitation as treatment. The animal showed clinical signs of back stiffness, lameness, decreased proprioception and difficulty in standing. Due to the fact that he had nephropathy, NSAIDs were not administered and Tramadol and Gabapentin Hydrochloride and Chondroitin Sulfate and Glucosamine and UC-II were used as initial treatment for acute pain. The treatments instituted for the physical rehabilitation of the animal were focused on improving its physical conditioning, joint discomfort and proprioceptive improvement. Physical rehabilitation was with the use of laser therapy for 8 days and balance exercises, the canine improved his physical conditioning, was less lame and more active, and the use of medication was suspended. After 40 days, only one acupuncture session was performed, the animal discreetly raised the pelvic limb to urinate. By associating physical therapy treatments with integrative practices, it enabled physical rehabilitation and improved locomotor function. In these cases, integrative practices are alternatives for the control of pain and animal welfare, helping to reduce or suspend the use of pharmacological drugs.