INTRODUCTION
This malady can be broken down into a group of disorders with a variety of signs and symptoms. Most of what we will see is diarrhea and/or vomiting and sometimes accompanied with mucous and blood. This problem can be considered analogous to what is known in humans as Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis a chronic inflammatory and ulcerative disease which may eventually involve the entire colon. In dogs and cats one may also see an increased frequency of defecation along with straining. WHO DOES IT AFFECT
Usually animals that are middle aged with no sex predilection CONVENTIONAL THERAPIES
Dietary management together with drug therapy is often the preferred mode of treatment . Drugs like prednisolone, azulfidine,and/or flagyl have been used with limited success. In some instances immunosuppressive agents have been used. ORGAN RELATIONSHIPS
From a TCM ( Traditional Chinese Medicine ) point of view this problem in the large intestine may be due to imbalances of the Spleen, Stomach and Liver. These are imbalances of the Stomach Qi, Liver Qi and what we call Spleen Yang. External causes such as food and toxins may also be the culprits which mediate an inflammatory reaction in the large intestine. In TCM the Large intestine has a direct functional relationship with the Stomach and Spleen These two organs together carry out the functions of absorption and digestion, and long standing problems with the large intestine will affect their transportation and transformation activities. TCM DIAGNOSIS
Damp Heat in the Large Intestine is what we will treat based on the above. It is the Heat which causes the bleeding we see which leads to frequent defecation and loose stools. If bleeding is excessive we will sometimes see a pale tongue and be able to palpate a very thin and deep pulse. The Damp on the other hand is responsible for the mucous noted and the slippery tongue coating. TREATMENT GOAL
To eliminate the signs of excess along with curbing the diarrhea and resolving the dampness. Acupuncture is very effective in draining heat and resolving dampness. Point prescriptions may differ by practitioner but the aim should be to strengthen the Spleen, regulate the function of the Large Intestine and clear Damp from the digestive system. Some practitioners may also supplement their acupuncture with herbs used to treat Damp and heat thereby reinforcing their treatment and hopefully bringing a quicker restoration of normal function to the large intestine. -Robert Ferran DVM
Doctor's Corner Archive
|
