Peripheral Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Conventional Drug Therapy and Acupuncture for Cerebellar Ischemic Stroke in a Dog: A Case Report

Background: A common site of ischemic stroke is the cerebellum. Dogs affected by rostral cerebellar ischemic stroke typically present with a neurological deficit characterized by ataxia, head tilt, and nystagmus. The clinical signs are usually sudden and nonprogressive, and a gradual improvement is typically seen, although further neurological deterioration may develop. The long-term effects depend on the severity and the area affected. Acupuncture is recommended by the WHO as an alternative and complementary strategy for stroke treatment. Acupuncture may improve balance, weakness, and paralysis and reduce spasticity. Peripheral magnetic stimulation (PMS) noninvasively delivers a rapid pulsed, high-intensity magnetic field and may induce proprioceptive afferents resembling movement therapy that may increase motor control in stroke patients. PMS to extremities is a novel therapy technique and may offer better motor recovery and reduce spasticity.

Material and Methods: A 14-year-old female mixed breed dog was presented with diffused encephalopathy after gastropexy for correction of gastric dilation and volvulus. The neurological examination revealed abnormal mentation, right central vestibular syndrome and weak menace response on the right eye. Ischemic stroke was suspected. The dog received dimenhydrinate injection for anti-motion sickness, nutraceutical (Aktivait) as an antioxidant for the nervous system, oxygen and fluid supplement to maintain blood perfusion to brain tissues. Four days after treatment, the neurological signs were improved, and the mentation was back to normal, but the vestibular syndrome was still present. The dog received acupuncture and peripheral magnetic stimulation (PMS; Table 1).

Results: The clinical signs significantly improved after treatment. The remaining clinical sign was only mild right head tilt without any other abnormalities in the subsequent 3 months.

Conclusion: Multimodal treatment can improve long-term signs of cerebellar ischemic stroke.

Table 1 Acupuncture points, PMS treatment protocol, and therapeutic exercise program

Modality	Details	Duration
Acupuncture	–Baihui (GV20) Dazhui (GV14)–Zusanli (ST36) Quchi (LI11)–Taichong (LIV3) Hegu (LI4)–GanShu (BL18) Fengchi (GB20)	–Started on days 5–10 (daily)–Days 11–20 (every other day)–Once a week (3 mo)–Once a month
PMS	25 Hz frequency with 3 s pulse width and 6 s pause in between total stimulation time of 10 min	Started on day 10 (every other day)5 sessions
Weight shifting	Ground balancing	Daily
Ground walking exercise	Support with harness; walk parallel (side-by-side)	Daily

 

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No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
12 September 2025