Ben has a wonderful character and despite his age is still desperate to play and have fun. Unfortunately, he is suffering from severe osteoarthritis of both hips. Ben was being treated with NSAIDs (metacam) and tramadol which had helped manage his pain, however, the side effects of vomiting had resulted in the cessation of their use.

Ben’s owners contacted me as they were so concerned about his level of pain and discomfort. Prior to acupuncture treatment, Ben was struggling with exercise, he was unable to cock his leg to urinate and was unable to walk up or down stairs.

On examination, Ben moved with extremely limited movement of both hindlimbs with a very upright, stiff and stilted gait. There was a degree of rotation about his left lock and toe drag of both hindlimbs. Ben had discomfort in the thoraco-lumbar region and vocalisation of pain on very mild palpation of both hips with extremely limited range of motion.

So far Ben has had 5 acupuncture treatments and his owners are very pleased with his progress. He is much happier in himself, bouncy, playful and keen to go on his walks, he has also started cocking his leg again to urinate.  Currently Ben is receiving treatments at two weekly intervals but the time period between acupuncture will increase as he becomes more comfortable.

Ben stands and enjoys a few triangles of dairylea during his acupuncture treatment! His tail never stops wagging, he is a real gentleman.