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Central Diabetes Insipidus In A Dog

by Dogtorcaroline - August 30, 2018 View Case Report

My own 7 year old MC Golden has been confirmed to have CDI. Desmopression is helping. Without it his most concentrated urine was 1007 and with we're up to 1035. I'm concerned about an intracranial tumor, but don't think I would biopsy a mass if I found one with advanced imaging so I'm not convinced it would be a helpful step. Only other problem is a mildly dysplastic left hip, but he does not have any radiographic changes in it now nor does he limp or respond to palpation of the relevant points.

On TCVM exam, his tongue is purple and maybe a little dry. His pulses are fairly even and strong. No areas of reaction to palpation, but he is as Earth dog as they come.

Should I start treatment for stagnation with the purple tongue? What herbal, diet, needle, any other therapies do you think would be helpful for him?

by naturevet

September 3, 2018

Hi Caroline,

The purple tongue can either indicate Kidney Yang deficiency, or stasis. Stasis, in turn, can be of the Blood, Qi, or Shao Yang

Knowing some more information may help us differentiate. What were the signs and symptoms that made you test him. Just polyuria and a very low USG, along with response to treatment? Or were there others?

When did you first notice symptoms (month). Did his thirst vary over the course of the day? That is, was he better or worse at certain times?

The diagnosis suggests it is a Shao Yang condition we're looking at. If you could needle GB 34 and see if that moderates his pulse (by making it more supple), then that would be useful information.

Let me know if there's anything else you can share

Steve

Xiao Chai Hu Tang

by Dogtorcaroline

September 5, 2018

He went to work with his dad today, so I'll check the needle tonight.

More History:
About 4 months ago we noticed that one of our dogs was drinking more (we have 4) and chalked it up to the heat. Started finding urinary accidents in the house. Everyone got a U/A and another dog did have a mild hematuria and was treated.

Accidents continue and finally Maverick has one in front of us about 2 months ago. Most days he goes to work with my husband and is outside a lot so he hadn't noticed really noticed any problems. Repeat his U/A on first morning urine. WNL with SpG of 1004. Run chemistry, CBC, lytes, T4 and its all normal. Then, he starts crying to go out multiple times a night. Radiographs normal except for the poor acetabular coverage on L hip. Urine C&S has no growth. Baseline cortisol is 1.5. AUS is completely normal. Full 12 hour day of USG q2h never gets above 1007. Started desmopressin and we went out of town on a pre-planned 4d trip and came back to 1035.

He's a voracious eater, but has been since my husband got him as a puppy. Was on Costco brand chicken food until I met my husband and I switched him to a back and forth to duck and fish based kibbles. Wish I could do home cooked, but we barely cook for us.

by naturevet

September 11, 2018

Okay, thanks for the updated information

A Shao Yang disharmony still seems a possibility

A May onset disorder can also signal Damp Heat, caused by a processed diet and aggravated by the (presumed) mid-summer heat in South Carolina. The tongue doesn't exactly fit that, but if sedating GB channel points doesn't change the pulse and sedating Damp Heat points like SP 9, BL 25 and ST 36 does, then consider Si Miao San as a possible treatment

If Damp Heat treatments do help, and home cooking is not an option, consider buying a commercial raw food diet. Even a freeze-dried low carb diet may produce many of the same medical benefits as a homemade or raw diet.

Hope that helps you out! Let us know how it goes!

Steve

Si Miao San

by Dogtorcaroline

September 14, 2018

When I needled GB34 there wasn't much change. I added GV-14 and BL-25. His pulse became much softer and his tongue started pinking up a bit. I'll get some Si Miao San and try to talk my partner into putting freeze-dried in our budget. Wish me luck ;)

by naturevet

September 14, 2018

Luck!

S

by Dr Moncayo

October 28, 2020

Is it possible to treat DI with TCVM (herbs?). Are there successful cases treated? What would be the basic approach to take, syndromes to consider?
Fernando Moncayo

by naturevet

October 28, 2020

Hi Dr. Moncayo

From a Chinese medical perspective, your differentials are the conditions that produce heat in the upper burner. These might include Damp Heat, Empty Fire, Heart - Kidney disconnect (such as in any sort of Kidney deficiency) and Shao Yang disharmony, sometimes termed Triple Burner Obstruction. You can see a couple of those possibilities discussed above.

I would expect DI to be potentially fully resolved with herbal medicine. I would certainly hold out that possibility to my clients but would naturally follow up to ensure that meaningful progress is being seen in the case

Steve

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