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Bizzare Behaviour In A Dog

by maggie - October 2, 2014 View Case Report

O has experienced for a number of years where this dog will attack out of the blue and for no reason family members. O has described episodes where this dog will be sleeping and wake up , jump up on owners lap and attack him. Or if he is petting the dog in his lap it will attack unprovoked. No other phobias and O can't figure out what the triggers are.
I happened to be in an exam room working on another patient and heard neurotic screaming etc ( i thought it was a dog coming out of anesthesia..but No it was this dog just waiting out in the lobby (no other pets around). No hx of seizures
When it presented to me it was for complaint of diarrhea. Was calm and friendly for exam with me.
tongue lavendar/pale
pulses unremarkable

the attacks to O come across my mind as that of a rattlesnake. Quick and done.

your thoughts....

by naturevet

October 2, 2014

Hi Maggie,

A pairing of the diarrhea with aggressive behavior suggests a Liver Spleen disharmony, and IBS

Liver Qi stagnation is the cause, is often due to Blood deficiency, and will manifest as a pale lavender tongue

Based on that, I'd give Xiao Yao San a try first. Other ideas: omega 3 fatty acids, and a thyroid panel.

Per Jean Dodds, aggression can be the main manifestation of hypothyroidism, which in turn is commonly associated with Liver Blood deficiency. In fact, you could start with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a Blood tonifying and moving thyroid gland formula, with some Dan Shen (Salvia) added for its calming effects. The only problem is it's not as potentially helpful to the diarrhea concerns as Xiao Yao San. So perhaps start with XYS, but anticipate a potential later move to XFZYT if hypothyroidism is present.

Hope that helps,

Steve

by maggie

October 6, 2014

On alprazolam.
Treated for simple colitis w minimal western meds. On my hx with owner he was describing episodes where this dog will attack him and other family members w/o provocation . Sometimes wakes up out of a sleep and attacks owner.
I was in an exam room and thought a dog in our treatment area was waking up from a dental. but no it was this dog in the lobby waiting ( no other animals or people around)
Tongue: didn't get to see
Pulses:
Think I need something more than just xiao Yao San ( free and easy wanderer)
Ps thanks for helping me find my path back to the question/ reply box Steve
Maggie

by naturevet

October 6, 2014

Hi Maggie,

You asked this question twice.

I moved your most recent question over to this thread and posted it as one of your replies, so we have everything in one place.

If Xiao Yao San seems to mild, you can try Long Dan Xie Gan Tang instead. If colitis is an ongoing concern, you can pair the LDXGT with Si Miao San, or use them in their combined form, known as Long Dan Er Miao San. That should address the colitis and provide an added cooling effect for the dog's temper. Note, though, that the pulse and tongue you describe seems to indicate a milder formula. How about Jia Wei Xiao Yao San?

For very vocal aggressive animals, consider also using homeopathic Lachesis, in addition to the formulas mentioned above. I'd give a 30C dose once a day for a couple of weeks while assessing if it's helping. If yes, find the lowest required frequency of dosing to maintain the improvements.

I would still test the dog's thyroid levels

Steve

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