Behavior Case Report

Dr. Shana Buchanan, MBA, Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Certified in Veterinary Chiropractic, Veterinary Food Therapist, Certified in Chinese Veterinary Herbs

Pet "P" is a 14 yr FS Papillon that has a long history of excessive barking, restlessness and agitation.  Recently, the owner has noticed that the dog will spend most of her days at the corner in the yard where a tree and a cat were found a last year.  Both the tree and the cat are no longer there, but the pet continues to bark at the fence corner throughout the day as if she has recently trapped the cat.  The owner has inspected the area, and nothing is present. Blood work was in January and revealed a slight elevation in ALKP 330 (3-131 Normal) and microablumineuria > 30 (< 2.5 Normal).  No Eastern examination was performed at that time.    This is almost exactly the same laboratory abnormalities that was noted in her other small breed dog that was diagnosed with a Triple Burner (TB) obstruction.  Her other dog was prescribed Xiao Chai Hu Tang (XCHT) for this problem, and since the herbs had enough to share between the two dogs, the owner started Pasqualli on the XCHT as well.   XCHT seemed to have helped with the pet’s hyper-activity and eliminated the pet’s tendency to dream; however, Pet "P" became stubborn and agitated again since the warm, weather allowed the pet to explore the yard again.  An Eastern examination revealed superficial and wiry pulses and a red tongue.  The only active acupuncture point was found at GB 34. 

 A Western diagnosis of an early stage of senility was diagnosed since the pet is unable to distinguish between past and present events of a nonexistent cat in a tree.  An Eastern diagnosis of a deeply entrenched TB obstruction was made as a result of XCHT partially alleviating some of the pet’s symptoms.   Additionally, the superficial and wiry pulse is indicative of an excess and stagnant condition, and the red tongue indicates heat.  The active gallbladder point is also indicative of heat and stagnation. 

 Since the patient seems to have a long term TB obstruction that has trapped Yang in the upper burner causing Heart Fire, Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang (CHJLMT) was prescribed.  The pet has a long history of restlessness, agitation, and anxiety.  Additionally, the partial response to XCHT is indicative that CHJLMT might restore circulation within the TB thus alleviating the heat signs seen in the upper burner.  The following are the herbs in the formula.  Bupleurum expels pathogens from the GB and TB channel.  Scutellaria descends Yang from the upper burner to reintegrate with the lower burner to generate Qi to give more limb strength and stamina.  Ginseng, Jujube and Licourice relieves Qi deficiency from the failure of Yang and Yin to merge as a result of the TB obstruction.  Pinellia removes Phlegm.  Ginger harmonzies the middle burner.  Long Gu and Mu Li descend Yang to the lower burner.  Da Huang aggressively cools the upper burner and has a descending action.  Gui Zhi restores normal descent of water to the KI and BL.

Urinary Case Report

Dr. Shana Buchanan, MBA, Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Certified in Veterinary Chiropractic, Veterinary Food Therapist, Certified in Chinese Veterinary Herbs

Pet "P" is a 10 yr old FS Calico DSH that weighs 13.4lbs (6.1kg).  Pet "P" presented in February 2011 for a presumed UTI. The patient started to have multiple urinary tract infections since September 2010.  The symptoms that the pet exhibits during these episodes are urinating outside of the litterbox, hematuria and stranguria with pain and irritability.  Prior to the February visit, the pet was restarted on oral antibiotics without the relief of symptoms.  Diagnostics included a CBC/Chemistry Panel , radiographs, urinalysis, and a urine culture and sensitivity (C&S).  In order to do a thorough examination and diagnostics, the pet had to be sedated due to the aggressive behavior.  Radiographs did not reveal masses nor stones, blood work was normal, urinalysis was normal, except for the high specific gravity of >1.050, and the urine C&S did not reveal bacterial growth in 24 and 48 hours.  While waiting for the results, the pet was started on an anti-inflammatory that has helped with the hematuria and stranguria.  A Western diagnosis is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. 

The Eastern exam was limited due to the pet’s temperament .  Pulses were not able to be felt, active acupuncture points were not palpated, and the tongue seems red when the cat hissed.  Abdominal palpation elicited pain or was an aggressive reaction.  The patient’s Eastern diagnosis is Liver Yang Rising due to the aggression, Liver over controlling the Stomach and Spleen causing Dampness to be produced, and Damp Heat leading to Blood Stasis within the Bladder causing severe pain and hematuria.  The treatment goal for the pet was to drain damp, cool the bladder, relieve the stasis and tonify the Stomach and Spleen.  Recommendations for this pet was to replace the dry food with a low carbohydrate, high protein wet food to reduce the Damp being produced by the Spleen on dry, processed kibble and to reduce the urine specific gravity, continue with anti-inflammatories, and to begin with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (LDXGT).  LDXGT was chosen since it is typically used for “excessive” cases, irritability, Liver Yang Rising, Damp accumulations and Damp Heat symptoms.    The owner is aware that an herbal formula change might be needed after either the pet’s symptoms subsides or gastrointestinal side effects occur indicating the pet needs Spleen support and a proper diet is not adequate.  As a result, the next formula to try that supports the Spleen and drains Damp Heat will be Si Miao San (SMS) due to the Spleen support of Atractylodes in this formula.  LDXGT was the first choice since Gentian, Scutellaria and Gardenia clear Heat from the Liver and Heart while drying Damp in the lower burner.  Bupleurum and Angelic prevent Qi and Blood stasis.  Rehmannia cools the Blood while protecting and replenishing Yin.  Plantago, Alisma and Poria drain Damp from the lower burner and cool the upper burner.  If the owner can give this cat the herbal formula, a recheck is scheduled two weeks after starting the herbs or sooner if the pet shows any gastrointestinal problems.