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Neurological Beagle

by Kris - March 6, 2010

Hi Steve,
Heidi, is a 9 year old F/S beagle who had a hemilaminectomy done for lumbar discs about 4 years ago. Presented now with cervical disc lesions about C4-5 (Xray only). knuckles on front weak in back. pulses were deep, weak and slow. Tongue pale pink.TCM Dx: bi, blood stasis, yin defic and mild shen disturbance.
points used were Kid3/bl60, 4 gates, bl23, GV20,GV4, GB34 and around hips. Responded amazingly for 2 treatments. Skipped 2 weeks because of weather and mom had eye surgery. last 2 times presented very agitated, panting...tongue now on red side, pulses quicker, stronger still on deep side. Added GB20, GB21, hrt7. Hard to say if anxiety is because folks not home as much because of doctor appointments (and she has separation anxiety)or are things moving and and I need to do something different acupuncturally or now herbally. I have not heard how the rescue remedy is working yet. She was given a prescription by fellow DVM of Xanax, but that sounds like it does the opposite and from between the last appointments, she was much worse anxiety wise. Neurologically starting to knuckle again.
Thank you for your time and knowledge.
Kris

by naturevet

March 8, 2010

Hi Kris,

Off hand, I would wonder if the tonification, after correcting whatever deficiencies were there, have now 'pressurized' the dog. In other words, it needs both tonification and a removal of an excess. The excess in this case is often a pathological Wind invasion of the Tai Yang (dorsum), rather than straight blood stasis.

Of course, in the absence of repetitive treatments, it may be wrong to be labeling this response as due to the acupuncture. The dog may simply be shifting into a more acute inflammatory phase of the problem, regardless of acupuncture. This might be especially true if the lesion was not a disc, but a tumor or some other inflammatory problem.

Either way, the dog needs cooling, and a possible expulsion of Wind from the Tai Yang, all using a formula with a reputation for relieving severe neck pain and inflammation. My top choice here would be Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang. The Kan variety is called Bupleurum and Kudzu, and contains added Du Huo to assist with Wind expulsion. It is a good formula for rapid strong pulses.

Hope that helps,

Steve

If the dog had just plateaued, and not become more hot and aggravated, Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (Du Huo and Loranthus; Angelica pubescens and Loranthus) would have been a better choice given the response to Kidney tonic points.

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