| Combination
of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for successful management
of the epileptic Greyhound --- by Dr. Pamela Wood-Krzeminski
Ramses, an eight year old,
92 pound brindle male Greyhound was presented three years ago
for uncontrollable seizures. The dog had been diagnosed with
idiopathic seizures after a full neurological workup including
spinal tap, EEG and serologies. The dog was on four medications-
prednisone, Imuran, phenobarbitol and potassium bromide. He
was lethargic, twenty pounds overweight and still had severe
grand mal seizures despite the high doses of anticonvulsants.
His personality was withdrawn, not overly outgoing, but not
aggressive or unpleasant. His tongue was slightly red, his pulses
slightly weak. His Western diagnosis was idiopathic seizures.
His TCM diagnosis was Internal Wind due to Liver Yin Deficiency.
For the first three months,
he was treated with acupuncture, milk thistle (to help support
his liver during chronic drug usage) and a diet change to more
fresh meats, less dry commercial food. After the first three
months, the dog was off the Imuran, on 3 of the original dose
of prednisone and had lost almost 15 pounds. His attitude and
energy were slowly improving. He received acupuncture treatments
every 4 weeks thereafter, sometimes up to 6-8 depending on the
owner's schedule. He was treated with the following points-
GB20, GV20, LI4, LI11, ST36, LIV3 and electrical current applied
to BL18 and BL25, for some soreness/stiffness in his lumbar
region. After two years of the above regimen, the patient had
lost twenty pounds, had more energy, more personality and was
going longer between seizures, up to 8 weeks. When they occurred
they were still very violent, he would have bloody scrapes and
sores after them. Last fall the phenobarbitol was slowly decreased,
and the potassium bromide was increased to use it as the primary
anticonvulsant. Also, a new regimen was begun, due to the veterinarian's
training in Chinese Herbal medicine. The formula chosen was
Tian Ma San for internal wind/chronic seizures. The Minshan
Brand Tian Ma San was purchased through Mayway. The dog received
7 pills bid for three months, starting in November 1998. His
current status is excellent- he had his first seizure in 8 months
in late May, and it occurred with much less force and violence
than in the past. He is now taking only potassium bromide once
a day, he is off all other conventional drugs, has lost 22 pounds
from his first visit and is in good spirits. He recently developed
nailbed infections of three paws. Fungal infection was suspected
but no fungi were found on cultures, just Staph aureus. The
owner used her conventional DVM for this, and the dog was placed
on oral antibiotics, and chlorhexidine soaks of his feet. Additional
support using oral aloe vera and Astragalus for immune support
for 4 weeks was also begun, and as of June 1999 this appears
to be resolving, the dead nails are off and new ones are regrowing.
This case represents a major
success for acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medical therapy,
and nutritional therapy. The owners have a happier, healthier
dog, when at the time of first presentation they were ready
to consider euthanasia.
|
1-800-891-1986
