I've started seeing a 1 1/2 yr F(S) Golden Retriever. In early Dec/15 she started with skin problems, very itchy,( esp axilla, inguinal, lateral thighs, occasionally licking and chewing feet) general mild erythema, and ventral hyperpigmentation. Would improve with some hypoallergenic dry diets then flare up again. Have advised homecooked low carb diet. Worse on antibiotics, didn't do well on steroids, PU/PD and incontinent. Haircoat progressively drier,thinned and shortened,( esp ventrally and lateral thighs) and deep red color faded to blond. Good appetite, even for breakfast despite wanting to stay in bed, coporphagia, eats a lot of grass, no vomiting, frequent burps, very little flatulence, good stool, mild weight gain. Drinks very little, smacks lips, has white ropey saliva, swallows a lot at night and seems to have to snort to take a deep breath. Dreams a lot day and night. Yawns a lot. Increasing nervousness/ anxiety including separation anxiety. Owner describes her as worried almost depressed, but as anxiety worsens she is developing an "edge". Growls and barks ferociously often when meeting people on walks, or at the door, even people she knows who she saw and greeted only a few minutes before. Once she settles she is a happy, stuffy- toting" wiggleworm". Gets obsessive about fetch and has started getting possessive over sticks with other dogs. Bilateral mucoid ocular discharge, waxy itchy ears during hot humid weather this summer. Heat intolerant, but will sometimes go lay in the sun and pant. Stamina has always been poor even as a pup. Will get very excited and run like crazy playing with other dogs but will "poop out" very quickly and flop down panting so hard and fast owner is worried she can't catch her breath. Other dogs able to continue their play. Happens with only throwing the ball for fetch a couple of/few times as well The panting can continue for almost an hour after she has stopped to lie down, even in a cool area. She used to be extremely hot to touch on her head, ears and torso, but is less hot after being on SMS with DG (a little improvement in itching and almost none with haircoat).Initially tried her with Qing Ying Tang but even a low dose for a few days made her itching and nervousness worse. No cough, NAF on auscultation thorax, seems normal during exam. Tried Dry Derma Relief and after a few days developed red papules on ventral abdomen, which I expected would happen sooner or later as her skin looks typical Blood deficient but she seems to have quite a bit of Damp/ Damp Heat/Heat and Stagnation.Tongue sl pale pink, sl swollen, thin white coat,moist (though gums feel a bit tacky, has tenacious ropey white saliva) Gets very reddish purple with panting. Pulse 84, a bit weak, moderate depth, somewhat toned/wiry or occasionally sl slippery. Last several weeks as mouth seems drier, teeth are quickly developing more tartar. Dips at BL-18,20,23. Sensitive on palpation BL-19, 27, GB-30, 34. Pulse improves with needling GB points. Shao yang imbalance/ obstruction with Damp? Damp Heat damaging Blood?. Liv Blood def and stagnation? Where to go from here? Xiao Yao San? XCHT +/- Damp/ SP formula? Skin was the presenting problem but her behaviour and worsening lack of stamina/ panting is emerging as the bigger concern. Hope cooler less humid weather will help some. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks again, Llewanda
Question Details
Poor Stamina In A Dog
by
LJH
-
September 7, 2016 View Case Report
I've started seeing a 1 1/2 yr F(S) Golden Retriever. In early Dec/15 she started with skin problems, very itchy,( esp axilla, inguinal, lateral thighs, occasionally licking and chewing feet) general mild erythema, and ventral hyperpigmentation. Would improve with some hypoallergenic dry diets then flare up again. Have advised homecooked low carb diet. Worse on antibiotics, didn't do well on steroids, PU/PD and incontinent. Haircoat progressively drier,thinned and shortened,( esp ventrally and lateral thighs) and deep red color faded to blond. Good appetite, even for breakfast despite wanting to stay in bed, coporphagia, eats a lot of grass, no vomiting, frequent burps, very little flatulence, good stool, mild weight gain. Drinks very little, smacks lips, has white ropey saliva, swallows a lot at night and seems to have to snort to take a deep breath. Dreams a lot day and night. Yawns a lot. Increasing nervousness/ anxiety including separation anxiety. Owner describes her as worried almost depressed, but as anxiety worsens she is developing an "edge". Growls and barks ferociously often when meeting people on walks, or at the door, even people she knows who she saw and greeted only a few minutes before. Once she settles she is a happy, stuffy- toting" wiggleworm". Gets obsessive about fetch and has started getting possessive over sticks with other dogs. Bilateral mucoid ocular discharge, waxy itchy ears during hot humid weather this summer. Heat intolerant, but will sometimes go lay in the sun and pant. Stamina has always been poor even as a pup. Will get very excited and run like crazy playing with other dogs but will "poop out" very quickly and flop down panting so hard and fast owner is worried she can't catch her breath. Other dogs able to continue their play. Happens with only throwing the ball for fetch a couple of/few times as well The panting can continue for almost an hour after she has stopped to lie down, even in a cool area. She used to be extremely hot to touch on her head, ears and torso, but is less hot after being on SMS with DG (a little improvement in itching and almost none with haircoat).Initially tried her with Qing Ying Tang but even a low dose for a few days made her itching and nervousness worse. No cough, NAF on auscultation thorax, seems normal during exam. Tried Dry Derma Relief and after a few days developed red papules on ventral abdomen, which I expected would happen sooner or later as her skin looks typical Blood deficient but she seems to have quite a bit of Damp/ Damp Heat/Heat and Stagnation.Tongue sl pale pink, sl swollen, thin white coat,moist (though gums feel a bit tacky, has tenacious ropey white saliva) Gets very reddish purple with panting. Pulse 84, a bit weak, moderate depth, somewhat toned/wiry or occasionally sl slippery. Last several weeks as mouth seems drier, teeth are quickly developing more tartar. Dips at BL-18,20,23. Sensitive on palpation BL-19, 27, GB-30, 34. Pulse improves with needling GB points. Shao yang imbalance/ obstruction with Damp? Damp Heat damaging Blood?. Liv Blood def and stagnation? Where to go from here? Xiao Yao San? XCHT +/- Damp/ SP formula? Skin was the presenting problem but her behaviour and worsening lack of stamina/ panting is emerging as the bigger concern. Hope cooler less humid weather will help some. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks again, Llewanda
Replies
by
naturevet
September 9, 2016
Hi Llewanda,
The tongue, weak pulse, worsening on antibiotics, and abundant Spleen and Damp symptoms make me think of Chu Shi Wei Ling Tang. You could augment it to improve cognition by using a granular extract version and adding 15g Shi Chang Pu (Acorus). That can open the orifices of the Heart to improve cognition, and is used in humans for ADD types of conditions.
If you're sure about the Shao Yang points helping, another option is San Ren Tang, which calms and addresses Spleen deficiency and Dampness while opening the Triple Burner. CSWLT is more specific, though, to her case, and would explain why she got worse on QYT, since QYT is quite cooling to the Stomach (and Spleen).
So, two decent options to try. I put the exercise intolerance down to severe Qi deficiency, which either Xiao Chai Hu Tang or potentially Chu Shi Wei Ling Tang could address
Hope that helps you out!
Steve
The tongue, weak pulse, worsening on antibiotics, and abundant Spleen and Damp symptoms make me think of Chu Shi Wei Ling Tang. You could augment it to improve cognition by using a granular extract version and adding 15g Shi Chang Pu (Acorus). That can open the orifices of the Heart to improve cognition, and is used in humans for ADD types of conditions.
If you're sure about the Shao Yang points helping, another option is San Ren Tang, which calms and addresses Spleen deficiency and Dampness while opening the Triple Burner. CSWLT is more specific, though, to her case, and would explain why she got worse on QYT, since QYT is quite cooling to the Stomach (and Spleen).
So, two decent options to try. I put the exercise intolerance down to severe Qi deficiency, which either Xiao Chai Hu Tang or potentially Chu Shi Wei Ling Tang could address
Hope that helps you out!
Steve
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