Question Details
Epilepsy
by sabokimb - July 20, 2026
I started seeing Baxter (10yo MN Boston Terrier, 22#) in 2024 for his epilepsy.
Grand mal seizures lasting 3-5 minutes and he is prone to cluster seizures.
Meds: Keppra ER 500mg:1 BID, Phenobarbital 32.4mg: 1BID, Potassium Bromide 250mg: 1/2 in AM, 1 in PM. Midazolam IN prn. Hepato supplement
Diet: Raw

PE: BAR, FAS 2, BCS 5/9
tongue pink-lavender base with lavender edges
pulses superficial, thin, wiry, forceful
bilateral corneal lipid deposits (OD lesions resolved after starting hepato, OS lesions improved without resolution)
Mild rear limb ataxia with normal CPs and no cervical/spinal pain

Dx: 12/2025
CBC- thrombocytosis
Chem- mild elevation ALT (127), ALP (323)

My goals for treatment is to clear wind and damp, and improve circulation.
I commonly use points BL 10/18/40, LV 3 and when he was not improving with this point prescription, we replaced/added PC 6, LI 4/10.
His seizures were better for the end of 2025 but frequency has increased in 2026. He is now having episodes within a week of acu treatments. I have always moderated his pulse with acu treatments so I am a little confused as to why he has episodes so close to treatment dates. My working diagnosis has been Liver Blood Deficiency
We have not started herbs since he is on many meds. The owner wanted acu to do the heavy lifting but I can likely get her to buy into herbs.

Any suggestions for modifying his treatment plan are welcomed!
Replies
by naturevet
July 26, 2026
Hi there!

If the liver enzymes were elevated in December but are not now, then Liver Blood deficiency is part of the diagnosis. If they are more elevated NOW, then you're looking at a Liver excess type of condition.

The forceful pulse tells us it may not be a simple Liver Blood deficiency, since usually a Liver Blood deficient pulse is thin, toned yet weak in force. A combination of a thin pulse that is nonetheless forceful suggests you may ALSO have a Shao Yang disharmony going on. The two conditions - Liver Blood deficiency and Shao Yang disharmony - commonly co-exist in dogs. Shao Yang disharmony causes damage to Yin (and thus Blood) when present long term.

Essentially, then, "Wood Yang Excess" and Wood Yin Deficiency" appear to be co-existing. From an acupuncture perspective, you can confirm this role of Shao Yang disharmony if you see the pulse moderate with inclusion of important GB points like GB 20, BL 19 and GB 34

Shao Yang disharmony is common in raw fed dogs, particularly if the diet is lacking in plant material (which many raw diets are). I find at least 1/6 and as much as 1/3 of what is in the bowl needs to be plant material for Shao Yang dogs to thrive. Probiotics like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium need to be added as well to make use of the plant material. By "checking this box", you will be addressing any seizures arising from dysbiosis or a disrupted "brain-gut" axis - something we have yet to learn about in regular medicine but which research is confirming is an issue.

Regarding the other findings: (1) high platelets usually is attended by chronic systemic inflammation, which is usually mediated by Shao Yang disharmony; and (2) the improvement of the cholesterol deposits on "Hepato" means that improved liver function is an ideal feature of whatever we use and that the liver issues are having a comprehensive impact on this patient. Logically, that would include the seizures.

Rolling that all together, we need an anti-seizure approach that:
- nourishes Liver Blood
- harmonizes the Shao Yang
- promotes improved liver function
- has a reputation for reducing seizures
To address these, I would suggest using three things in tandem:
- Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang (Bupleurum, Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Combination)
- Yi Guan Jian (Glehnia and Rehmannia Combination)
- Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin (Gastrodia and Uncaria Combination)
The first two come pre-mixed from Gold Standard Herbs as Halscion, or you can mix them yourself. Use 2 parts CHJLGMLT and 1 part of YGJ. Give 1/4 tsp of that mix and 1/4 tsp of TMGTY, and do that twice daily. If seizure control is partial, you can easily double both doses if necessary, starting with the TMGTY.

The combination above does seem pretty reliable, though, in making seizures milder, less likely to cluster, and less frequent. Meanwhile, see if adding GB points into your protocol extend the seizure-free period between acupuncture treatments.

Hopefully, that is exactly what you see!

Steve
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