8YO NM Golden I just diagnosed w/ T-zone LSA. He has persistent, shifting LN enlargement since last summer, some shifting lameness, but not lame now. He has had, until I took over his case, the typical American dog life, poor diet, over-vax, etc. and a long history of Dampness accumulation and Damp Heat - over-weight, colitis, dermatitis, sebaceous cysts, lipoma, cystitis, and otitis. Also severe anxiety, an unexplained bout of persistent thrombocytopenia in 2020 (resolved), and a mild heart murmur. Currently, serum chem looks great; he has a leukocytosis w/ ^LO & MO. T is dark pink, fleshy; P is deep, toned, and deficient for his size.
He has responded beautifully to a raw diet and herbal detox started in December while I chased a vector pathogen (he is Lyme+ since last summer, tx w/ doxy x 2) and has never looked or felt better. He has no GI issues, has lost weight, graying coat is golden again, and is full of energy, much less anxiety. So, a lot Damp/Heat and Spleen def. at his core, but I don't see a lot of that now and assess the T-zone LSA as more Blood Stasis d/t it's indolent nature, so not sure where to start w/ herb selection. He has been on prednisone, 20mg SID, for many months. When I backed him down to 10mg, the LNs plumped up. Owners report no side effects from the steroid.
What is the consensus on starting Damp Heat protocol for LSA that is indolent (SMS + Hoxsey) along w/ XCHT w/ Qing Dai, Mu Li, and Xuan Shen) v Blood Stasis protocol (mod. XFZYT?, LJZT w/ a Blood tonic?) v something else? I know that palliation w/ only pred can prolong him for 2-3 years, but I would love to do more and back of the steroids as much as possible.
Thanks as always,
Franchesca