Question Details
Episodic Air Licking And Discomfort
by landauvet@gmail.com - May 1, 2020
Hi Steve,
I am seeing a 1 year old FS Greater Swiss Mountain Dog who has been having episodes of licking furniture and air, bloating, and discomfort which can last hours at a time. These have occured at 3 -6 month intervals. This started at age of 3 months! She is on a raw diet and has fisho oil added to the diet. The breed is known for this issue and has some issues with enlarged spleens possibly causing the problem according to the owner. Some who get this problem improve after a splenectomy.
Physical exam was interesting in that her pulses were thin and deep and toned, tongue a bit lavender. She had active shao yang points and pulse improved with needling of GB-34, 25, and BL-19. SInce this seemed like a yang moving upward issue, I chose to start with Settle the Yang (CHJLGMLT). She had an episode last night lasting three hours and I am trying to figure put best course. I went through all the possible herbal formulas on one of her recently deceased older dogs who bloated after every meal despite my best efforts.
I am considering Xiao Yao San, Yi Guan Jian. Also allimend which is an oral hyaluronic acid and mushroom liquid which has been quite effective in settling upper GI.

I have some good video but not sure how to upload it.

I would love some input.

Kevin Landau
Replies
by naturevet
May 8, 2020
Hi Kevin,

I would go with Minor Bupleurum instead of CHJLGMLT. It's anti-nausea ingredients form a higher percentage of the formula. I'm sure it is the most important formula to have on board, but if there is an underlying Yin deficiency (which is common in Shao Yang disharmony), then you may need to use Yi Guan Jian at the same time. The two of them together should help a lot.

No problem as well with the Allimend

Hope that helps! Just let us know!

Steve
by landauvet
May 8, 2020
I will. Thanks for the reply!!
Kevin
by landauvet
June 2, 2020
This dog has been somewhat improved since starting Settle the Yang 3 weeks ago. She just had a shorter episode of airlicking and bloating two days ago. I made the switch to Harmaonize the Qi (4 pills 2x daily) and Yi Guan Jian at 1/2 tsp 2x daily. Will keep you posted on progress.
by landauvet@gmail.com
August 31, 2020
Hi Steve,

I wanted to continue sorting out this case with you and the forum. This dog has continued to have cases of air licking and bloat with increasing severity and frequency despite the herbal supplementation. She was trying to use the Alimend at the start of an episode which initially seemed like it would work to decrease duration and severity of episodes but that seems to no longer help as well.
At last exam, 2 weeks ago, she had a deep and thin pulse with active GB/TH points still. I needled BH, GV-14,GB-25, BL-19, GB-34.
She is getting 3/4 tsp 2x daily of YGJ and 5 pills 2x daily Harmonize the Qi.
She weighs 80 lbs.

I would love to be able to help but am out of ideas.

Thanks for any input!

Kevin
by naturevet
September 2, 2020
Hi Kevin,

One idea is to continue the YGJ, but switch to Xiao Chai Hu Tang. It has a stronger effect on nausea than CHJLGMLT

You don't mention what time this is happening, but if it is the middle of the night, then I would try Wu Mei Wan, while continuing the YGJ

If it is happening in the morning and using the YGJ hasn't helped, then try Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang

Hopefully one of those ideas will help!

Steve
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