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Copraphagy In A Dog

by CorinneC - February 12, 2019 View Case Report

I have been treating Treasure (8yo FS Golden Retriever) for several months for chronic chewing/licking of all 4 feet (mostly interdigital). I finally figured out that this was a peripheral circulation issue and put her on Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang and Whammo! She slowly improved! However, she has always been a poop-eater and will literally play mind games with the owner. If the owner spots stool on the beach she will try and distract and call Treasure away, only to have Treasure race and around and back to eat the poop!

It has become a relationship killer for the owner as her breath can be "off" after her poop munchies :)

She is an Earthy, sweet, easy-going girl. Her pulses are toned, tongue usually a ruddy pink, wet lately. She has minor interdigital porphyrin-staining but no interdigital skin inflammation. She still has her anal glands fill up on occasion. Otherwise there isn't much that stands out with her. Good energy and appetite - owner feeds Carnivora raw food.

Love to know your thoughts on why she still craves the poop so badly!

by naturevet

February 20, 2019

Hi Corinne,

Despite the reddish tongue, you could try adding in Wei Ling Tang, to boost her Spleen Qi further. Stronger Spleen Qi reduces the drive to seek "pre-digested" food.

Be prepared to stop the WLT if her feet get itchy again, or better yet, use Chu Shi Wei Ling Tang instead to hopefully prevent any skin inflammation from its use. You can be more sure this will help by tonifying ST 36 and seeing if the deep toned pulse improves.

Hope that helps you out!

Steve

Wei Ling Tang

by CorinneC

February 21, 2019

Ok great! I have been considering Wei Ling Tang for awhile but was afraid to make her itchy again for sure. I will get on this today!

Thank you so much,
Corinne

by CorinneC

March 24, 2019

So I stopped Wei Ling Tang as the coprophagy persisted and she began chewing and licking her feet incessantly again. Since the skin on her feet and inter digitally was normal, I decided to switch to Xiao Yao San. It has minor Spleen tonification, but I still think Treasure is more of a Blood deficient leading to Qi Stasis (and potential Blood Stasis) dog. Her owner consistently refuses to have me draw blood but I have told her that if XYS does not help, we must take blood next visit!

by CorinneC

June 26, 2019

The Wei Ling Tang seemed to increase Treasures' feet licking and did not stop her coprophagy after a full month on board so the owner stopped. After much discussion, I honestly think this dog is enjoying being chased down by her owner and it's become a game.

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