Klover is a 7 year old, FS, terrier mix
-Raw fed most of her life
-6 months ago began to show signs of acid indigestion - stretching her neck, loud stomach noises, voracious appetite, lip smacking and regurgitation at night (wakes up and looks uncomfortable)
-Owner tried switching to cooked diet - Just food for dogs - Venison and chicken and both made her worse
-Soft stools
-Drinking more water
On exam, she was slightly overweight with mild gingivitis.
In December, I switched her to a cooling protein diet (ground turkey and butternut squash) and put her on Wei Ling Tang. Looking back, I understand why this was a poor choice (giving a warming herb to an inflamed system). She did not do well on it.
I switched her to Yi Guan Jian instead.
Owner came back last week for a recheck. Said that patient initially seemed to do better on the YGJ, but then started to have "stringy" stool... I tried to figure out if she meant soft? But she kept saying stringy... so I assume soft. Owner found that when she gave a very small dose of YGJ the stool was better and the Gastritis was slightly better. But not gone or fully improved.
Overall, seems like things have not really improved. A few weeks prior, owner tried adding homemade bone broth to the diet and the patient developed urgent, bloody diarrhea. This has since resolved but took a long time to go away.
Owner found that adding oatmeal or buckwheat has helped symptoms somewhat. Was worried patient was losing too much weight (in my opnion, she was not), and feels the added carbs have helped with that.
Pet was much more comfortable when owner added Sucralfate but she doesn't want pharmaceutical treatment long-term.
The owner is a bit high anxiety and I feel like the dog is picking up on that. The dog has some blood deficiency tendencies too - protective when around owner.
My thoughts are: There is still a damp heat component to this patient and I need something to counteract the cloying nature of the Yi Guan Jian. I am considering Si Miao San... possibly adding in some Dang Gui (these LA dogs are all so dry!)... but maybe starting with just the SMS?
But would love any input!
Thank you!!
Magda :)