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Diarrhea Responsive To B12 Injections

by kderfuss - February 2, 2022

Good evening Steve,
Duke is a 7 year old m/c mixed breed - super high energy, huge appetite, weight loss, with intermittent diarrhea and occasional vomiting for the past 8 months. I tried Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San with no change. I have not done a TCVM evaluation yet.
The only abnormal tests in this time were low albumin a low fasted cobalamin level, and he responded well to B12 injections.
A few general questions: With a great appetite I don't see this as a SP Qi deficiency, but low albumin could be, correct? He doesn't look like a damp dog but the excessive appetite and diarrhea could indicate Damp,
correct? Or not....
Thank you,
Karin

by naturevet

February 4, 2022

Hi Karin,

I tend to think of low albumin as a Liver Blood deficiency sign. If total protein was low as well (meaning perhaps globulins, too), then I'd wonder about PLE. PLE makes me think of leaky gut. The response to B12 likewise suggests - even if globulins are normal - that there is a bowel wall integrity issue.

Blood deficiency is an important cause of the weak bowel integrity that is associated with it. Blood and Yin deficiency can occur together, with Yin deficiency causing an Empty Heat that drives appetite. The heat accumulation in the Stomach can pass to the Heart, causing the high energy. Vomiting and diarrhea can both occur in Stomach and Large Intestine Yin deficiency. I treat these conditions with Yi Guan Jian

The most common cause of Stomach Yin deficiency and Heat is Shao Yang disharmony. It can cause colitis as well. I'd try feeling this dog's pulse. If it is strong, toned and mid-depth, I'd try treating the Shao Yang using Xiao Chai Hu Tang. Pair it with Yi Guan Jian to address the Blood and Yin deficiency.

If it is weak, try YGJ alone. If you use YGJ alone. If you're nervous that the dog is Damp, try a lower dose first. The lack of response to HXZQS makes Dampness less likely, though

Hope that helps!

Steve

by kderfuss

February 4, 2022

Thank you Steve. Some days I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing - this is one of those days.
Karin

by naturevet

February 5, 2022

Well, I could be wrong, in which case we will be lost together!

S

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