Chiara Cassis DVM chiara.cassis88@gmail.com

Purpose:
Since ancient times, man has found in dogs a valid aid for work activities such as hunting,
guarding and flock management. Even today, dogs see their use as auxiliaries in finding lost
people, in rescuing at sea or under rubble, in the aid of the disabled and in the police force.
From this desire to carry out activities and tasks together in recent years, dog sports
disciplines have developed and become widespread, enhancing the qualities of dogs and
handlers. Among the most common we mention: agility, obedience, utility and defense, disc
dog, search and rescue etc. A dog for sporting activities must have an excellent physical shape,
in order to obtain an excellent performance, and avoid risks of accidents.
Materials and methods:
This work defines the importance of Chinese Medicine, in particular of Acupuncture, in the
prevention of the physical health of the sporting dog and in the treatment of possible injuries
that may arise during the training or competition phase of the animal itself. Starting from a
pre-established point protocol (to which individual points have been added depending on the
individual animal), several sporting dogs have been treated both for preventive purposes and
for the treatment of injuries. The acupuncture treatment had a weekly mono cadence and
included only the use of Chinese bimetallic needles with steel blade and spiral copper handle
without tube.
Results:
According to this study it can be stated that acupuncture is a valid tool for the prevention and
treatment of injuries in sporting dogs, improving their performance.
Conclusion:
It would be advisable to use the Veterinary Acupuncture in athletic training plans for sports
dogs so as to be able to resolve any contractions that limit the performance of the dog during
training and competition, using it as a valid tool for the treatment of possible injuries, without
forgetting its primary function preventive.
References:
1.Klinik für Innere Medizin IV, University of Vienna, Department of Sport and
Performance Medicine (Head: Univ. Prof. Dr. P. Haber). Influence of Acupuncture on
Physical Performance Capacity and Haemodynamic Parameters
2. Gervasi E., Pozzi R. (2006): ” Lo stress psico fisico nel cane da lavoro”; Tesi IV Corso
Triennale SIAV di Agopuntura Veterinaria. (BO)
3. Molina F., Pozzi R. (2017): “Performance sportive in cani di razza staffordshire bull
terrier”; Tesi X Corso Triennale SIAV di Agopuntura veterinaria.