[Comparison of the diagnostic possibilities of palpation of the abdominal cavity and ear acupuncture in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in dogs].

The diagnostic possibilities of the use of palpation and auriculodiagnosis were compared in 89 and 78 dogs with clinical signs of gastritis acuta, gastroenteritis acuta, and gastroenteritis acuta haemorrhagica. A significant difference in the success of diagnosis in favour of auriculodiagnosis was confirmed by the statistical evaluation of the results. The best results were obtained when gastritis acuta was diagnosed: auriculodiagnosis was successful in 100% of the cases, in contrast to palpation which was successful in 33.3% of the cases. The objectivity of detection painfulness and the decrease of relative skin resistance were secured by the use of an atraumatic electrode. The results which are of primary importance in veterinary medicine agree with similar findings in human clinical acupuncture.