Ruby is a beautiful 9 year old GSD who was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis of the right elbow in June 2015. Despite NSAIDs and tramadol, Ruby remained very lame.  Her owner had experience of the benefits of acupuncture personally and contacted me in the hope that acupuncture treatment for Ruby could help with her pain management.

On examination, Ruby was markedly lame at walk and there was vocalisation of pain on palpation of the right elbow with a limited range of motion, thickening of the elbow and crepitus.  Ruby was very quiet and her owner was concerned that she was depressed.

After one acupuncture treatment, Ruby’s owner reported that she became much brighter and bouncier in herself, although she remained very lame.  The lameness was much improved by the third treatment and her owner was reporting that Ruby was much happier and moving much easier.

Each patient is an individual and their acupuncture treatment protocol is tailored to suit their needs.  When we tried to increase the time period between treatments to 5 or 6 weeks, Ruby became markedly lame again.  Currently she is being treated at 4 weekly intervals and is sound and comfortable.

Ruby lies still and relaxed without any restraint during insertion of needles and throughout her treatment

Ruby’s Owner writes:

‘Ruby is my gorgeous baby, superb temperament and very cheeky. She became very lame and after x-rays the vet confirmed severe osteoarthritis to her right elbow. She was prescribed tramadol and Metacam. I also gave her cod liver oil and glucosamine.

I contacted Emma for help. Ruby was so lame and unable to walk without distress. Ruby became very quiet and looked really depressed.

After the first treatment she became much brighter and after 3 treatments started to walk without a limp! I couldn’t believe the difference. Even my vet couldn’t believe how much Ruby has improved.

Nearly 10 months on she is a very happy, bouncy and mobile dog. I am over the moon! Thank you so much Emma you have given me my old Ruby back again’. Lorraine