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Muscle Spasm And Ear Pinnae Vasculitis In A Dog

by LJH - January 20, 2019 View Case Report

Hi Steve, Late Oct. I started acupuncturing a 3 yr M(N) LabxShep, presented for hind limb lameness. Early August he started holding up his RH leg, then switched to holding up the LH, then back to the RH, seemed worse after lying down and would work out of it with gentle motion and worsen again with more exertion. Owners have kept him from jumping up, doing stairs etc. He is a friendly but a bit nervous dog. Dreams alot. Snores a little. At the time of presentation he was being treated by his rDVM with Cartrophen for the lameness ( helped some) but was also being treated with antibiotics and NSAIDS for ear pinnae lesions, that started about the same time, and would sometimes begin as "blisters" but were usually more scabby. The last several months he was also unable to fully open his mouth, and was painful on attempting.Temporal muscles not atrophied.Bloodwork showed mild thrombocytopenia. MM antibody negative. Biopsy showed vasculitis of pinnae. No abnormalities on xray of skull, spine and hindlimbs.The owner was not interested in trying herbs at the time, but had him on probiotics and omega 3's.He has no real temperature avoidance/seeking.Lameness may have been a bit worse on cold damp days this fall. He has a good appetite for his regular kibble, normal stools,minimal to no eructation or flatulence, no mucous on stool, no vomitting but is picky about new foods and in the past would get soft stool if changed diets. We have discussed less processed homemade low carb diet and owner seems interested. Also discussed titre testing.When I first saw this dog he had alot of epaxial and generalized hind quarter muscle spasm,tight masseter muscles, and was sensitive on palpation at BL 18,19 22, 25,27,28 GB27,29,30, BL-54 ST-7. Tongue has been pink with a lavender tinge,moist. Pulse sl. weak, deep, sl thin, wiry. Responds well to GB points. I recommended a chiro assessment (including S-I)but owner reluctant. Since starting acup. his activity and mobility has improved greatly, as has the muscle spasm of the hind quarters. He is now able to open his jaws almost fully. Scabs on ears still occur but significantly reduced. Points I have used different times have included BL-60/KI 3, BL 19,18,20 25, 28, GB27,29,30, 34 LI 4, LIV 3, SP-6, and lasering ST-7,SI18,19,TH-17 GB20 The owner is now willling to look at herbs. I didn't think the pulse and tongue quite fit Qing Ying Tang so, with the more chronic picture, response to GB points, Blood def/general spasm, mild thrombocytopenia, was wondering about Xiao Chai Hu Tang ( Benefit Hips and Knees )with Bu Gan Tang. If there turns out to be more Damp than he appears to have at this time maybe even SMS and DGSYS? Any thoughts or suggestions you might have would be appreciated.Thank you again, Llewanda

by naturevet

January 25, 2019

Hi Llewanda,

Sorry about the delayed reply. I love your thinking here, and would proceed as you've outlined.

I'm not anticipating Dampness to arise, but DGSYS would be a choice if it overtly rears its head. The pulse is probably too deep to contemplate SMS

Steve

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