I tried to do the Ask a Case question post but it says I need to update my other questions. I did post 2 updates today but maybe not to the right place. I did have a question to ask, though, re: a case I saw today.
Rhino is a 22 month old, MN, Pittbull. My client adopted him last summer and he started with seizures shortly after. Initially they were a couple of times a week and he had an MRI with NSF. He has slowly increased the need for anti-seizure medications and the frequency of his seizures has increased. He now has them in his sleep (petite Mal) and is clustering with grand Mal when he is walking. He was recently hospitalized x 4 days and he is taking Keppra, Zonisamide, Phenobarbital, Potassium Bromide, and Topiramate. The neurologist is having her do rescue doses of his seizure meds and also giving him q 6 hour valium x 48 hours post clusters to try and avoid hospitalizing him again. He is not overly sedate in general on the medications but the Bromide has added some sedation (this was added in the last week). The Valium makes him almost non-functional. Very ataxic walking, muddled thinking and demeanor. I saw him on a valium day. He does have a history of both Ca Ox and struvite crystals and is on S/O diet and Potassium Citrate. Minimal history of GI sensitivity, no vomiting pre-seizure. Even as a bully breed, his skin has been generally quiet with no history of yeasty ear infections. He has had surgery for elongated soft palate. Any heat sensitivity seemed more related to breathing more so than feeling "hot." He is well muscled, hair coat is nice. He is very small in stature- 50lbs but short. He is not over weight.
The owner is seriously considering PTS but is willing to give the K Br a month to work. I did acupuncture him today. On initial presentation, tongue seemed lavender.Maybe sl dry. Pulse was super weak, not thin. It was deep. It felt softer and more full after I treated him. I started him on Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang with adding Jiang Can today and Denamarin. I don't know that the Ban Xia is the right formula to use- he doesn't have a lot of the GI signs but I thought maybe the crystals could be dampness in the bladder? He didn't seem like an over the top dog like Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. He is pretty chill in general but when he plays with other dogs he will get overly excited to where he cannot focus. There is no aggression at all. Looking at Dr. Xie's book wondering if Di Tan Tang and Epimedium might be a back up plan? I will see him next week.
Sorry this is a bit disjointed- trying to get my question out to the ether between appointments! Thank you for any insight!!!
Sincerely,
Krisi