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Young St. Bernard With Poor Conformation

by Marketa - February 18, 2010

Hi Steve,
could you please recommend a formula for Russell, a new patient of mine? He is almost 2 year old St. Bernard cross (140 lbs) with very straight hocks and knees, his hind legs are completely straight and pushing his back up, so his hind quarters are much more elevated than the shoulders. He si a very gentle stoic dog, and on back palpation he is sensitive all the way from low thoracic area to the pelvis, he also resists full flexion and extension of hips, Right worse than left, so I suspect hip displasia (unfortunately no x-rays and owner will not likely go ahead with any diagnostic tests) His mom was a rescued dog, that had poor nutrition at least through the first part of the pregnancy, had 14 pups, 4 dead, other pups seemed more aggressive and often ganged up on this one. He has trouble with coordination on slippery surfaces, his back legs slip to the side, he falls, on grass he moves quite well. He has normal pink tongue (maybe slightly lighter pink), slightly more white coating. His pulses feel normal, but for a smaller dog, (they did get wider and fuller after acupuncture (GV 20, Bai Hui, BL 20,21,23,54,60 -> KI 3, GB 29,30,34, eyes of the knee)He also has a history of recurrent diarrhea usually triggered by change of diet (is on Gastro diet)or anxiety (travelling to the cabin)the diarrhea often has a stong odor to it and resolves if treated with Metronidazole within couple of days. Owner would like to maintain his quality of life and eliminate the diarrhea. I recommended C/T support, if it doesn't give him diarrhea, Traumeel, Cartrophen vet injections.

Marketa

by naturevet

February 19, 2010

Hi Marketa,

Tough case! Do you have a sense of why the dog has that conformation? Do you suspect an UMN problem? Or just muscle spasms in general? Given the pulse, I'm wondering about a tendency to spasm. That, in turn, would signal poor peripheral circulation, which also tends to accompany reduced cortical blood flow, making the dog more a victim of his own emotions. It would also make it more likely this dog is a Kidney Jing deficiency case, since so-called Jing or Essence is the foundation of Blood. Jing deficiency is very consistent with the difficult gestation, and I'm assuming some questionable parentage.

Assuming all the above is correct, we need a tonifying formula that won't aggravate the Spleen. Perhaps the best way to support peripheral circulation, relieve anxiety, and tonify the Spleen would be to start with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang. While not a Kidney tonic or a potent antispasmodic, it can pave the way for use of those later, if needed at all.

Meanwhile I would use Valerian root for your antispasmodic and to promote better peripheral circulation. It's most helpful in deficient animals like this one.

Lastly, at some point, an osteopathic or chiropractic evaluation is essential. Hopefully you can set that up.

Good luck on this. Let us know how things are going.

Steve

by Marketa

March 30, 2010

Hi Steve, I saw Russell the St. Bernard cross again after 3 weeks (I was away). O noticed improvement with walking and more strength in the back end after 2 acupuncture treatments, 4 doses of Cartrophen vet injections, daily Traumeel and Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang for 4 weeks. He gets BZYQT 1 tsp twice daily. The O can not increase the dose due to diarrhea developing. The O feels, the diarrhea situation is better in general, but he still gets bouts of it few times per week. He eats Gastro dry and canned. O is not eager to change diet due to worries about more diarrhea.
My question is: Should we continue with the low dose BZYQT or introduce a new formula. I have not started him on the Valerian root yet (should it be given in a form of decoction, tincture or other formulation and can you please help me with the dose for 140 lbs dog?)
Russell has been referred to me from a chiropractor, so he has had several adjustments already.

Thanks very much for your input

Marketa

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