Question Details
Chronic Cough That Responds To Pred
by drsusie - November 4, 2009
Hi Steve,
I just had a new client in today who has a 7yr old spayed female husky who has had a chronic cough for 3 years. She has had a full work up, with no diagnosis. She does have a history of some mild anemia, but no other health problems. She is currently on 5mg pred EOD which controls the cough. The only side effect that the owner is aware of is that the dog is ravenous. Has not noted any PU/PD.
The dog was treated with acupuncture once before which seemed to help and has been on multiple herbs, none of which have worked. These include: Liu Jun Zi Tang, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, San Ren Tang, Xiao Chai Hu Tang and Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang. The owner would prefer to use herbs over pred if we can find one that works! The dog's tongue is slightly pale and her pulses are on the slow side and wirey. She seeks heat and prefers soft areas to sleep on. Active points included LU 1, LI11, BL 13,SP6 and GB 24. If you have any suggestions, that would be great!
Susie
Replies
by drsusie
November 5, 2009
I forgot to mention that the dog is also hypothyroid and the owner has noticed a great difference with thyroid supplementation!
thanks!
by naturevet
November 6, 2009
Hi Susie,

Were you dispersing those points (sedating them) or tonifying them? This is crucial information to devising the right formula.

From a western perspective, I'm assuming we have an 'old dog lung' type of pattern on radiographs? If so, then the pred is acting as an anti-inflammatory. From a Chinese medical perspective, though, animals that benefit from both pred and thyroid hormone are commonly Kidney deficient. Kidney deficiency is a common cause of pulmonary patterns, and I see you've thought of that already by trying the Kidney Yin tonic Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Rehmannia Six). To properly support the Kidneys in a coughing animal, however, we need a Qi or Yang tonic like Rehmannia Eight. Even that formula is unlikely to suffice, given the Lung points you were identifying. If it turned out you were tonifying those points, then the formula I'd recommend is one called Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang (Perilla Descend the Qi Decoction), which is commonly used in China for chronic bronchitis in the elderly. We can get that to you if you'd like to try it. Just let us know and we'll make it up for you.

Please let us know what happens if you go that route.

All the best,

Steve
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