Progressive Ataxia And Atonic Bladder In Old Cat
I saw a 15 year old cat today with progressive weakness in the hind end (now with proprioceptive deficits). The weakness began approx. 1 1/2 years ago. Today, her hind legs are hyper wrt her reflexes. Her owners have been expressing her bladder over the past 7 months. She has had recurrent episodes of hematuria. The use of NSAID's, steroids and antibiotics (oral or injectable) seem to result in diarrhea (and no real clinical gain except that the hematuria resolves). Her tongue is reddish and on the small side. Her pulse is deep and thready. Her feet are cooler relative to her body, and there is increased heat over BL 28. She seems to prefer warmer areas. Her appetite has always been good, and her thirst is not excessive according to the owner (however, her urine sg is in the 1.020 range). She had always been an easy going cat but is now becoming more irritable. My take is that what may have started as a Cold invasion is now evolving into a Heat pathogen. Rads and ultrasound have been unrewarding, an MRI has been declined. I suspect, given the progression and lack of response to Rx's, that a spinal tumor is on the differential list.
In many ways, your description of Bupleurum and Kudzu Clearing Formula seems appropriate. However, the hesitation is that if the steroids and antibiotics resulted in diarrhea, would such a cooling formula cause a similar reaction? Would you consider another formula? You have also mentioned other approaches such as homeopathy. Could I use both modalities together?
Thank you for your advice. I wish you a Happy New Year and all the best.
Rita