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Herbal Help Please

by Steve - October 24, 2009

Hi Steve - would love some help for Gus - I think he would too
Gus: 9 yr M(N) WheatonX
S: H/O taurine responsive heart disease.
Territorial aggression with timid under tones.
Owner reports the he swallows frequently, especially when stress. This stresses him even more and the cycle self perpetuates (phlegm?). Owner also reports that at times his stomach looks disended (aerophagia?) and he will eat grass (ST heat?). Lastly the reports he shakes his head often, yet has no ear discharge (more phlegm? tinntius?) Currently receiving fluoxetene, prilosec, diet purina hypoallergenic.
O: walked in to the exam room and he barks and barks and barks. Pays no attention to the owner. Diffucult to examine due to energy. Tongue = moist and more red than lavender Pulses tight more superficial that deep, but hard to assess. No discernable ah shi points. GB34 hot - not much else I'm able to comment on.
A: seems to me like he's got some blood def, phlegm, and Stomach heat - thinking of dispel stasis in the palace of the blood, but would love some help. Thanks - Steve

by naturevet

October 25, 2009

Hi Steve,

Interesting that you found GB 34 hot, because to get a lot of these animals started, I've had to approach it from a Triple Burner obstruction perspective. As you may recall from the recent IVAS lectures, the TB has an over-arching regulatory effect on peristalsis. When obstructed we can get distention and also nausea, which I interpret excessive swallowing as indicating. Either that or the dog is trying to relieve esophageal spasm, which the TB would also cover. If the TB is obstructed, it usually is by Phlegm. The obstruction creates a wiry pulse, and often signs of agitation, (since Yang is trapped in the upper burner). TB obstruction causes tinnitus in people. Eating grass is a behaviour I associate with Phlegm accumulation.

So everything about this patient would make me start with the TB, through Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Combination). Symptoms should subside and become much less intense. Eventually, though, we'll need to follow up with a more typical peristalsis or gastric formula, most likely Yi Guan Jian or Wei Ling Tang, based on who the dog presents next. So count on resolving this over a few months and a few visits. But I've had identical cases, and have resolved them, so the prognosis should be good, given that what I did fits your patient as well.

Good luck,

Steve

by Steve

October 25, 2009

As always - thank you for your time - that makes a lot of sense - thanks for breaking it down for me!! We'll get a script together tomorrow morning. Steve

by mikemesley

October 26, 2009

Is it possible this dog could do with the added heat clearing of CHJLGMLT - also focussing on unblocking the TB but with more aggressive heat clearing. Fits with the redder tongue and excessive pulse a bit too maybe?? Heart disease as well?

Mike

by naturevet

October 26, 2009

Hi Mike,

Yes, potentially. Except that the pulse for CHJLGMLT is often, but not always, somewhat superficial. It's strong heat clearing properties make it of most use where the case is strongly defined by the Yang trapped in the upper burner, creating a superficial pulse.

I'm sure there are exceptions, but this is how I've been thinking of it lately.

S

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