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Pica In A Cat

by CorinneC - February 12, 2019 View Case Report

Parvati is a lively 5yo FS black DSH. She has always been prone to pica and will literally consume the owners socks, blankets, tissues, and recently ate a patch off of a homemade quilt! She came to me last Fall 2018 after being hospitalized for hepatic lipidosis. I used the Wei Ling Tang per rectum and have continued her on Wei Ling Tang since she recovered but the pica is not improving at all.

The owner has 5 cats, all fed a good quality raw diet with canned. There is some anxiety in the house as one older female cat bullies Parvati. We think this was the reason for the hepatic lipidosis incident. Since they have all been on CBD oil and behavioural concerns are much reduced.

Her tongue appears to be a healthy pink, wet. Her pulses are hard to read as she is a wiggler! I have felt them on occasion and there appears to be a decent tone.

Is pica considered ST Heat every time? I have tried using Harmonize the Stomach (Ping Wei San) on a few of these cases but haven't seen improvement. Wondering if I'm on the right track with Parvati?

by naturevet

February 20, 2019

Hi Corinne,

I usually associate pica with Spleen deficiency, which you are addressing, and which is confirmed as present by the response of the lipidosis to WLT.

Normally, then, I would have expected what you've done to have worked, but I would also not expect too much of a toned pulse in that event. That might suggest a Liver Qi stagnation underlying the Spleen deficiency, creating a situation where Wood is over-controlling Earth.

If that is the case, you might want to consider Xiao Yao San. If the above thinking is correct, it may help. If, on the other hand, the cat is anxious, and chewing hairy and furry things brings her the same comfort as when she nursed as a kitten, it might likewise help.

Steve

Xiao Yao San

by CorinneC

February 21, 2019

That is a very interesting idea for Parvati. I am just so afraid to upset her balance otherwise after all she and her owner have been through. However, I am also concerned about a potential foreign body! I will branch this with her owner and see if we can't at least try a low XYS dose.

Thank you again,
Corinne

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