View Question

Epistaxis In A Dog

by lehuavet - October 8, 2024 View Case Report

This is a 12 year MN Miniature Schnauzer who presented for acute onset epistaxis 2 months ago. In retrospect, he may have been sneezing prior to developing the epistaxis but at the time no one thought it was significant. His Western dx is nasal aspergillosis, confirmed with CT/Rhinoscopy. He had two clotrimazole treatments and his symptoms have resolved, no further epistaxis. The owner reports that he sneezes a slight amount each morning but he never had any mucousy discharge even before treatment.

The owner requests an herbal formula to prevent it from returning.

For a 13 yr old dog his is quite bright. He has a good appetite and no GI signs. His ALP is moderately elevated (he is a schnauzer after all). He has a grade IV/VI systolic murmur but no CHF. His tongue is nice and pink and his pulses are strong "bounding" and superficial. He is a good body condition (4/9). He has a nice personality as far as I can tell, the owner does not report irritability. He does have a caution note in the record from a previous visit - I don't know the details. I have not tried acupuncture on him yet.

I was leaning toward Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang but was curious about other ideas.

Thanks!
Noelani

by naturevet

October 11, 2024

Hi Noelani,

That seems a good choice. The bounding pulse suggests a potential Wind invasion component. Xin Yi San can help expel chronic Wind pathogens from the nose and works well with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang.

Before I used that, though, I would check and see if the pulse moderates if you tonify GV 20. If you're not an acupuncturist, then use your fingers. Place your fingers gently but firmly on the sagitall crest, and push rostrally. If the pulse moderates, then the dog likely needs Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang to resolve the condition and prevent recurrence. Use it with the XFZYT.

If instead, the pulse moderates by pushing from the crown caudally down the midline, then you need to internalize Yang to stop the epistaxis. Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang would be used for that, potentially along with Yi Guan Jian. You would NOT then use XFZYT since it's dispersing, and the action needed is internalization.

One of those two strategies is probably called for. Let us know how things go!

Steve

You must be logged in to reply

CuredCases.com