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Portosystemic Shunt

by alaska2mt - September 13, 2021 View Case Report

Penny is a 7yr FS Westie/yorkie/poodle mix with a lifetime of neurological problems just recently diagnosed with PSS. Consult with Surgical Specialist deemed the condition too tenuous for surgery at this point. Dog is doing much better with lactulose and Hills L/D diet. She is nervous, very thin, dog aggressive. Tongue is slightly red, pulse is wiry, sensitive at liver points. Frequent UTI's but no stones. If nervous at all, has head jerks but they do not progress to a seizure.

We are working to find a nutritionist who could build a diet for her. Suggestions?

I have been doing acupuncture for internal wind / liver but would really like a recommendation for an herb to support her?

Also, I have been using Alpha Stim for Cranial Electrical Stimulation in hopes of calming her. Wondered if anyone thought this was a good idea or a really bad one? I really like it's calming affect overall but not sure about adding electrical stimulation in this case.

Thank you!

by naturevet

September 20, 2021

Hi there,

I'm wondering about Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, provided you use the Nat Path or Kan versions, as they are more Liver Blood tonifying. I've used it before in anatomical shunt cases and it fits the:

Aggression

Threatened seizures
UTI tendencies

Pulse and Tongue

If it proved too strong for her, then I'd look at Xiao Yao San, but it doesn't really cover the UTIs. Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang covers recurrent cystitis, especially if symptoms are muted, but is not necessarily safe for seizure tendencies, so LDXGT seems the safest choice right now.

Let us know how it goes. As for Alpha Stim, I've never used it, but if the manufacturer doesn't caution its use in seizure patients, it should be okay

Steve

Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

by alaska2mt

October 11, 2021

So started Penny on LDXGT (Natural Path). Dog is 9 lbs so dose would be 1/4 tsp BID. Recommended started on 1/8 tsp. Dog vomited. Next day, even a smaller dose - still vomited. No vomiting with regular meal without herb. So, stopped. Both the regular vet and owner were thrilled about preventing the UTI's (dog currently has hematuria and vet concerned about resistance if continued antibiotics. Should I try BZYQT and monitor the head tremors that only happen with stress?

Thank you!!
Donna

by naturevet

October 12, 2021

Hi Donna,

Yes, let's do that. Try the BZYQT first.

Note that the usual dose is 60 mg/kg. A 9 lb dog is about 4.5 kg. 60 x 4.5 = 270 mg. 1/2 tsp of herbs is 1000 mg. You're looking for about 1/4 of that. Thus, 1/4 x 1/2 = the correct dose, or 1/8 tsp.

That being said, if LDXGT was right for the dog, there should not have been vomiting, so something with more Spleen and Stomach support is next. BZYQT may fit that bill

Steve

by alaska2mt

October 13, 2021

Oh geez, then I misunderstood the charts - the Natural Path guide and your Essential Guide. BID dose for 10 lbs listed as 1/4 tsp for granular extracts. So a single dose is half that!?! So glad you caught that.

Thank you

by naturevet

October 13, 2021

You might be using older publications. The newer guide has the correct dose. There is also a dosing chart on the NPHC website under using herbs. Other granule companies often need twice the dose of NPHC granules to compensate for their content of excipients. NPHC herbs are organic so they have no chemical additives

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