Question Details
Licking Madly In A Dog
by CorinneC - March 15, 2025    View Case Report
Buffy is a 15yo FS Papillon that has been a chronic licker with AG issues for many years. I met her last Fall when she was suffering an AG infection which I corrected with an AG infusion. Unfortunately, starting every Fall she tends to get itchy feet and starts licking all 4 as well as her anus. They have to keep her in a cone or she won't stop. Last year Buffy was being fed kibble with cooked meat and veggies. My boss gave her Cytopoint which made no difference, then Clindamycin with no effect. This is when I met her with the AG infection, gave her the infusion, and got her started on a fresh food diet. Still a bit itchy by November but her AGs were quiet, and she was getting pretty skinny so we increased intake and I added GF oats. Unfortunately in Jan 2025, she came in for acute vomition, saw a locum, bloodwork showed a sl low WBC/lymphopenia and low T4, and was sent home with Clavamox (!!), Cerenia, and SQF. Soon after this she came back for ramped up licking 24/7, licking her her anus, feet, and rubbing her face and ears as well as full AGs again. She is being fed lean gr beef and veggies, BMs WNL. I suspected dysbiosis from abx and added a probiotic and Cessorex as she is prone to allergies. No real change by February and Os going crazy with her licking, having nights with growly tummy, can't get comfortable, appetite off and on, drinking more than usual, and having urinary accidents in the house. Her tongue is bright reddish-pink, sl swollen, moist. Pulses seem toned but she's wiggly and so small! Her feet and anus look WNL, no skin lesions or signs of parasites. I rec'd they stop Cessorex and start a SMS trial as well as a Vit/min supplement.

These folks live on Saltspring Island so it makes it hard to see Buffy, but an email in March suggested no change yet again. O says she is keeping them up with the licking every night, as well she is up to go out to pee at least 2X in the night. With all of this in mind I started wondering about Spleen Qi Sinking and Stagnant Qi and Blood in the lower burner causing Qi and Blood deficiency in the upper?? I sent her home with BZYQT and I am crossing my fingers and toes!

Can you see where I've gone wrong and whether I am on the right track oh wise one!?!

Grateful as always,
Corinne
Replies
by naturevet
March 16, 2025
Hi Corinne,

I'm right there with you in your thinking. The Clavamox likely caused a dysbiosis, flare up of allergies and a leaky gut. Since the dog does not respond to Cytopoint, there is not as much immune excess there. That plus the lack of response to a diet change and Damp Heat approach suggests immune deficiency, making BZYQT a good choice. It can help correct the dysbiosis by improving the immune response to unfriendly gut flora.

I would still continue the Cessorex and probiotics. And I would add Qing Ying Tang if the itch gets intense and lesions severe. I would continue the diet, too.

If that doesn't help you can try XFZYT +/- BZYQT and XCHT, to treat it as a persistent upper burner infection and immune deficiency, but you can see the ingredients of that approach are similar to what you're about to do, so the current strategy plus the above additions should be a winner!

Steve
by CorinneC
March 16, 2025
Brilliant Steve! Thank you so much! I'll keep the format posted. Really hopeful we can see some solid nights of sleep for all!
Corinne
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