Urine is dilute with an S.G. of 1.010. There was no proteinuria in the sample from 1 month ago. Trace proteinuria in the recent sample. UPC is pending. Urine culture negative.
Tongue is lavender centrally with darker pink (but not really red) edges, pulses are deep and weak - very hard to find.
She has been showing symptoms of a developing KI deficiency for the last year. Hind end weakness with moderate ventral spondlylosis of the lumbar spine (and more recently some hind leg trembling), increasing hearing loss which became most pronounced over the last few months, and sporadic ear discomfort which always self resolved until 1 month ago. This past summer she showed more heat intolerant signs - wanting to sleep on the floor (although carpeted) rather than get up on the bed. More recently she has started to get on the bed again, however. I'm uncertain as to whether this is due to external weather factors, or an internal change. She has no significant arthritis in her other joints.
One year ago she had a liver abscess which she seemed to have fully recovered from, although her AlkP never fully returned to normal. She has had a long-standing issue for years of licking her vulva, but discharge/urinary leakage has never been present.
Supplements for the past year (although not the past month) have included Benefit Hips and Knees and Spine Lithe, Milk Thistle, Omega 3 FA's and Liver Support powder from Standard Process. Getting pills into her has become a problem because of her poor appetite.
Current diet is home cooked, which she only eats sporadically. She will readily take dog biscuits and other treats.
My biggest concern is the rate of progression, which has caused me to question if there could be an excess pattern here.
Could there be a TH blockage, or is it just a progressive KI Qi and Yin deficiency pattern?
What is the best supplement for her at this point in time?
Your help is appreciated and I will be happy to post progress on the case.