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.