View Question

Congestive Heart Failure In A Dog

by ajerger - March 25, 2026 View Case Report

Hi there,
Very Complicated Case!
Hope is a 12 yr old Schnauzer with an early life history of processed foods. She has a long history of UTI's, then urinary calculi that required surgery, otitis externa, pancreatitis, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, was hospitalized for DKA, for about 1.5 yrs and now Congestive Heart Failure which required 2 hospitalization stays due to chordae tendonae tear!
Her last labs were 529 blood glucose, Slight BUN elevation

In trying to figure out the root cause of all the issues here her TCM is:
1. Damp Heat
2. Blood Deficiency/stasis
3. Qi deficiency
4. Kidney Qi deficiency

I am evaluating this patient later today 3/25/26. I was going to Implement Xue fu Zhu You Tang and Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang.

Thank you so much!
~Allison

Do I address the dampness using damp draining formulas? I am going to address diet ( w/d) once I get a decongestant effect from the above herbs.
Thank you so much !
~Allison

by ajerger

March 26, 2026

Hi,
Just update on her pulses: superficial to mid depth, highly toned, somewhat wirey, moderate finger lift. I felt like tonifying BL 40 relaxed the pulse somewhat.
Her tongue color is dark pink with lavender center, slight film on top, edges are a little swollen.
I also did an EKG yesterday due to a lower heart rate- ~70-80beats/min. The cardiologist is concerned for sick sinus syndrome with sinus pauses, a single atrial premature contractions, supraventricular arrhythmias may be due to secondary atrial enlargement or SSS. The dog has almost a VI/VI heart murmur.
Thanks so much!
~Allison

by naturevet

March 28, 2026

Hi Allison,

The pulse you describe sounds a lot like a Full pulse, associated with Shao Yang disharmony. Did you try treating any Shao Yang points?

Shao Yang disharmony is commonly a component of congestive heart failure. It also contributes to lower burner Stasis, which can lead to UTIs. It is a major cause of autoimmune disease (leading to pancreatitis and diabetes), so it deserves to be on your list.

I would add Xiao Chai Hu Tang in there with the XFZYT and BZYQT, and see what happens over the next few weeks. I have reversed myocarditis - in fact, cardiac enlargement - with its use, so it's worth a try given the potential SSS. I've seen ruptured chordae tendonae heal on this protocol.

Diet change is still worthwhile, not only to help stop any Dampness formation, but also to reverse the endothelial dysfunction that is compromising heart function. It will also reverse insulin resistance, which is a factor even in type 1 diabetes, making it much easier to control and lowering the required dose of insulin.

For diuretics, consider Dandelion tincture as it is potassium sparing (0.2 ml per 5 lbs BID). Also, taurine, Hawthorne (a western herb) and CoQ10 should be part of your routine supplementation. All these have ample scientific backing, so I would expect significant improvements in this patient.

Hopefully, that is what you see!

Steve

You must be logged in to reply

CuredCases.com