I have a 12.5yr old intact male rough collie: unremarkable bloodwork, 6 month history of weight loss/muscle loss (6kg total) with good appetite, possible increased thirst but holds urine well, bilateral cataracts, severe seperation anxiety/cognitive dysfunction(vocalizes often for no reason, stares into corners), restlessness and pacing at nite, circling and head tilt to the left with no nystagmus (yeast otitis externa but couldn't see ear drum), knuckling and splaying of hindlimbs with T-L pain, marked hindlimb weakness so sits on a stool to eat, dropped hocks, marked gingivitis, a rapid irregular heart rate, difficult to find femoral pulses. Oh yeah and he has always had a dry hacking cough with normal chest rads. Any miracle suggestions?:) We are starting him with accupuncture ASAP. Thanks!!
Question Details
OLD Rough Collie
by
erb152
-
September 17, 2009
I have a 12.5yr old intact male rough collie: unremarkable bloodwork, 6 month history of weight loss/muscle loss (6kg total) with good appetite, possible increased thirst but holds urine well, bilateral cataracts, severe seperation anxiety/cognitive dysfunction(vocalizes often for no reason, stares into corners), restlessness and pacing at nite, circling and head tilt to the left with no nystagmus (yeast otitis externa but couldn't see ear drum), knuckling and splaying of hindlimbs with T-L pain, marked hindlimb weakness so sits on a stool to eat, dropped hocks, marked gingivitis, a rapid irregular heart rate, difficult to find femoral pulses. Oh yeah and he has always had a dry hacking cough with normal chest rads. Any miracle suggestions?:) We are starting him with accupuncture ASAP. Thanks!!
Replies
by
naturevet
September 17, 2009
Hi there,
An ominous collection of symptoms, to be sure. I guess with evidence of weakness ('cold') down below (down in the hocks, weak pulses) and excess ('heat') above (thirst, gingivitis, anxiety, dizziness, pacing and restless at night) , I wonder about a Triple Burner obstruction. This is the main cause of vestibular disorders in dogs, I find, and is also an important cause of coughing. In addition, the most successful formula I've found for brain tumors treats TB obstruction as well, so in the event you had pondered that differential, you can have it covered as well. The formula I'm thinking of here is Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang (Bupleurum with Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Combination). That would be my advice, as well as perhaps some acupuncture to the GV and GB channels, and a visit to the chiropractor to relieve the T-L pain, ensure there are no neck fixations, and get as much power to the hind legs as possible.
Good luck!
Steve
An ominous collection of symptoms, to be sure. I guess with evidence of weakness ('cold') down below (down in the hocks, weak pulses) and excess ('heat') above (thirst, gingivitis, anxiety, dizziness, pacing and restless at night) , I wonder about a Triple Burner obstruction. This is the main cause of vestibular disorders in dogs, I find, and is also an important cause of coughing. In addition, the most successful formula I've found for brain tumors treats TB obstruction as well, so in the event you had pondered that differential, you can have it covered as well. The formula I'm thinking of here is Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang (Bupleurum with Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Combination). That would be my advice, as well as perhaps some acupuncture to the GV and GB channels, and a visit to the chiropractor to relieve the T-L pain, ensure there are no neck fixations, and get as much power to the hind legs as possible.
Good luck!
Steve
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