Guest guest Posted August 4, 2003 Report Share Posted August 4, 2003 12yo gelding HEREDITY: Mother had the same underlying pattern, though slightly different presentation. She was physically strong, very bold, bright and alert, great stamina, intelligent and gregarious but quite 'highly strung'. Had acute episode one summer - lethargy, muscle wasting and weakness and was never really right again. She developed lumber/pelvic/back problems and HQ weakness/myopathy, and a debilitating fear/anxiety/paranoia which progressed over the years. High cortisol, high insulin, thyroid problems (adenocarcinoma) - no diagnosis but started to look a bit cushingoid at the end of her life. Their seasonal pattern in common was: Spring: digestive disturbance and tenderness over abdomen, electrolyte disturbance (dehydrated skin), hyper, nervous behaviour (high sugar grass?). Summer: collapse in energy, lethargy, weakness, irritable/abdominal discomfort, excessive appetite, muscle myopathies. Autumn: recovery of energy, hyperactive again, Winter: always seemed quite well Gelding- problems appeared at an early age Born June 27, large, weak for a couple of days (lost placental blood). Very bright, bold, joyful, and extremely playful for first 5 weeks. Summer heat came - very dull and lethargic, unable to adapt, grew poorly. Autumn - lost his home, removed from other foals, VERY frustrated play urge, plus new autumn grass - became very hyperactive, very aggressive, angry, gained weight instead of height, got epiphysitis. Dentition late all through 'childhood'. Went into same annual pattern as mare, but with aggression and weightgain problems, started to get noticeably fearful around 5 yrs of age, progressively worse each year (not behavioural, not scared of handlers). Symptoms (remaining*, or resolved in part by whatever) Anxiety/fear (thyroxine) Confusion (thyroxine) *Aggression (if he gets Kd tonics) *Irritability (peony formula) *Low drinking (possibly a bit low still) *Low urine (ditto) Low temperature (warm now on thyroxine) *Mild leg oedema occasionally *Lethargy **Heat intolerance (stressed by heat) Total exercise intolerance (thyroxine) *Partial exercise intolerance *Touch intolerance *Slow, uncomfortable gut/bloating? (better on peony formula) *Anhidrosis (can sweat in winter with heavier coat, not usually summer) *Poor stress response *Muscle pain/weakness/myopathies (thyroxine improved) Hyper-ness (antacids - overnight response) Emotional lability (better thyroxine/peony formula) *Liquid with normal stool (caused by grass sugar) **Laminitis (ischemic condition of feet - inflammation and/or veno constriction) *Digital pulses (sign of some hoof inflam/reduced circulation still) *Allergic/hypersensitivities (eg buttercup, clover) *Irritability/impatience (better with high level Vit E/antoxidents and peony) Abnormally high appetite (better with vits and peony formula) Dull coat - thyroxine/vits Greasy coat - late summer worst *Topline muscle wasting summer (extra oil helps but damages spleen) Relative hypoglycemia (thyroxine) *Fat pads (unusual fat distribution - insulin resistance) *Weight gain (started to gain weight early summer - now holding) *Excess smegma *Itchiness in summer Dehydrated appearance to skin (early spring particularly) Fast shallow breathing (summer mostly, esp when nervous) *Shortness of breath which does not improve with training *Runny eyes (more noticeable/or worse winter) **Lumbar discomfort - noticed this year for the first time CLINICALLY: Glucose in range (tendancy to reactive hypoglycemia) T4, T3 normal range, FT4 always below range Insulin at high normal or just above range. Cortisol at high normal or just above range. Rest of bloods totally normal, high AP accasionally. OTHER ILLNESS: Had anaemia once, long post-viral white cell reversal. No respiratory or urinary abnormality ever seen. Some localised skin problems in youth. Holds his tension somewhere behind saddle. Blocked naso-lacrimal ducts Photosensitises on clover Muscle myopathy on buttercups Mild congenital heart murmer (grade two out of five - no problem) Hypomagnesemia - needs extra Mg One anaphalactic reation to something in the grass CHARACTER Very physical, communicative, intense, gregarious, pushy, intelligent, fun-loving, mischeivous, dominant, aggressive, demanding - but very insecure. Stong-willed, determined, tenacious but very sensitive- is very willing if handled right and made to feel safe, loved, admired, appreciated. Needs to be close, bonded, connected. Hates to feel isolated, disconnected, misunderstood or not heard. RISK He remains at risk from laminitis, it can cripple a horse. It is usually associated with toxins from excess sugar/starch disrupting caecal/colonic microflora, can be caused by corticosteroids, and high insulin. Formulas tried: Gastric British herbs - marshmallow, meadowsweet, chamomile, slippery elm, ginger, dandelion etc- little or no response seen. Milk Thistle for one year - little or no response seen Vitex Agnus Castus - aggression?. TCM vet diagnosed Liver qi stagnation and Spleen qi deficiency in autumn: 50g Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang - very large response immediately - anxious, fearful to the point of panic almost. 50g Chai Hu Qing Gan 'Tang - very large response immediately - greatly increased aggression, irritability, signs of stomach acidity returning (excessive appetite), digital pulses worse, eyes started running. Ayurvedic liver and general tonic formula: At 50g liquid HUGE initial response in a few days - became happier than he had been for years, BIG surge of energy and enthusiasm for work, bouncing joyfully, feet even improved a bit I think. Settled to a lower level as dosage reduced according to instructions - still more playful, touchable and less aggressive, irritable, but not enough energy to work. Medical herbalist of world renown saw horse in winter on above tonic and 30g Ashwaganda, felt pulse fine, no sign of liver qi stagnation, just low in energy and still fat so prescribed spleen qi tonic: Spleen qi tonic formula - lots of energy at first, then increasing irritability and aggression then at 3 weeks developed gastric ulcers. Herbalist prescribed new formula including chai hu (with peony) under protest from me - immediately caused digital pulses, worsening of ulcer symptoms. Herbalist resigned. I arrived at the following formula, by trial and error, which never got any adverse reaction, and kept his liver/stomach/ulcer quiet for 3 months, no aggression, no irritability etc: Bai Shao 30 Bai Zhu 20 Mu Dan Pi 15 Fu Ling 15 Chen Pi 10 Shan Zha 5 Gan Cao 5 Lately Dan Shen 15g - seems to suit well Sometimes add Dang Shen 5-10, currently trying Suan Zao Ren 5-10 0.5-1g daily Jiao Gu Lan sent him through the roof in three days, his yang literally lifting him off the ground, with fear and rising sense of panic. Also gave him digital pulse. Horse needed increasing amount of above Lv formula to stay content. All attempts to give him Kd tonic/heart formulas failed, however many heat clearers were included in the formula. He would become aggressive and get a digital pulse. Finally one trial gave him laminitis 5 weeks ago, with which he has twice relapsed just as he seemed to be recovering, and be able to go out to exerise. He is now confined to a stable for a min of four weeks, needed NSAID's to get him over the last relapse, and as of yesterday has had a bad relapse of his gastric ulcer.Now on omeprazole for that, at a cost of nigh on $400 per week. Feet are quiet after a week on box rest. We have taken an ACTH blood to test for Cushings disease, which I know is Kd yin deficiency, and which I am sure he does not have in winter when all his hormonal bloods return to normal, just. Cushings cases are normally worse in winter - he is worse in summer. Cushings have less than 30% cortisol rhythm - his tested 30% summer, 62% autumn. Comments from LAc following. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 7, 2003 Report Share Posted August 7, 2003 Your horse was sexually abused as a yearling? jackie <jackie wrote:12yo gelding HEREDITY: Mother had the same underlying pattern, though slightly different presentation. She was physically strong, very bold, bright and alert, great stamina, intelligent and gregarious but quite 'highly strung'. Had acute episode one summer - lethargy, muscle wasting and weakness and was never really right again. She developed lumber/pelvic/back problems and HQ weakness/myopathy, and a debilitating fear/anxiety/paranoia which progressed over the years. High cortisol, high insulin, thyroid problems (adenocarcinoma) - no diagnosis but started to look a bit cushingoid at the end of her life. Their seasonal pattern in common was: Spring: digestive disturbance and tenderness over abdomen, electrolyte disturbance (dehydrated skin), hyper, nervous behaviour (high sugar grass?). Summer: collapse in energy, lethargy, weakness, irritable/abdominal discomfort, excessive appetite, muscle myopathies. Autumn: recovery of energy, hyperactive again, Winter: always seemed quite well Gelding- problems appeared at an early age Born June 27, large, weak for a couple of days (lost placental blood). Very bright, bold, joyful, and extremely playful for first 5 weeks. Summer heat came - very dull and lethargic, unable to adapt, grew poorly. Autumn - lost his home, removed from other foals, VERY frustrated play urge, plus new autumn grass - became very hyperactive, very aggressive, angry, gained weight instead of height, got epiphysitis. Dentition late all through 'childhood'. Went into same annual pattern as mare, but with aggression and weightgain problems, started to get noticeably fearful around 5 yrs of age, progressively worse each year (not behavioural, not scared of handlers). Symptoms (remaining*, or resolved in part by whatever) Anxiety/fear (thyroxine) Confusion (thyroxine) *Aggression (if he gets Kd tonics) *Irritability (peony formula) *Low drinking (possibly a bit low still) *Low urine (ditto) Low temperature (warm now on thyroxine) *Mild leg oedema occasionally *Lethargy **Heat intolerance (stressed by heat) Total exercise intolerance (thyroxine) *Partial exercise intolerance *Touch intolerance *Slow, uncomfortable gut/bloating? (better on peony formula) *Anhidrosis (can sweat in winter with heavier coat, not usually summer) *Poor stress response *Muscle pain/weakness/myopathies (thyroxine improved) Hyper-ness (antacids - overnight response) Emotional lability (better thyroxine/peony formula) *Liquid with normal stool (caused by grass sugar) **Laminitis (ischemic condition of feet - inflammation and/or veno constriction) *Digital pulses (sign of some hoof inflam/reduced circulation still) *Allergic/hypersensitivities (eg buttercup, clover) *Irritability/impatience (better with high level Vit E/antoxidents and peony) Abnormally high appetite (better with vits and peony formula) Dull coat - thyroxine/vits Greasy coat - late summer worst *Topline muscle wasting summer (extra oil helps but damages spleen) Relative hypoglycemia (thyroxine) *Fat pads (unusual fat distribution - insulin resistance) *Weight gain (started to gain weight early summer - now holding) *Excess smegma *Itchiness in summer Dehydrated appearance to skin (early spring particularly) Fast shallow breathing (summer mostly, esp when nervous) *Shortness of breath which does not improve with training *Runny eyes (more noticeable/or worse winter) **Lumbar discomfort - noticed this year for the first time CLINICALLY: Glucose in range (tendancy to reactive hypoglycemia) T4, T3 normal range, FT4 always below range Insulin at high normal or just above range. Cortisol at high normal or just above range. Rest of bloods totally normal, high AP accasionally. OTHER ILLNESS: Had anaemia once, long post-viral white cell reversal. No respiratory or urinary abnormality ever seen. Some localised skin problems in youth. Holds his tension somewhere behind saddle. Blocked naso-lacrimal ducts Photosensitises on clover Muscle myopathy on buttercups Mild congenital heart murmer (grade two out of five - no problem) Hypomagnesemia - needs extra Mg One anaphalactic reation to something in the grass CHARACTER Very physical, communicative, intense, gregarious, pushy, intelligent, fun-loving, mischeivous, dominant, aggressive, demanding - but very insecure. Stong-willed, determined, tenacious but very sensitive- is very willing if handled right and made to feel safe, loved, admired, appreciated. Needs to be close, bonded, connected. Hates to feel isolated, disconnected, misunderstood or not heard. RISK He remains at risk from laminitis, it can cripple a horse. It is usually associated with toxins from excess sugar/starch disrupting caecal/colonic microflora, can be caused by corticosteroids, and high insulin. Formulas tried: Gastric British herbs - marshmallow, meadowsweet, chamomile, slippery elm, ginger, dandelion etc- little or no response seen. Milk Thistle for one year - little or no response seen Vitex Agnus Castus - aggression?. TCM vet diagnosed Liver qi stagnation and Spleen qi deficiency in autumn: 50g Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang - very large response immediately - anxious, fearful to the point of panic almost. 50g Chai Hu Qing Gan 'Tang - very large response immediately - greatly increased aggression, irritability, signs of stomach acidity returning (excessive appetite), digital pulses worse, eyes started running. Ayurvedic liver and general tonic formula: At 50g liquid HUGE initial response in a few days - became happier than he had been for years, BIG surge of energy and enthusiasm for work, bouncing joyfully, feet even improved a bit I think. Settled to a lower level as dosage reduced according to instructions - still more playful, touchable and less aggressive, irritable, but not enough energy to work. Medical herbalist of world renown saw horse in winter on above tonic and 30g Ashwaganda, felt pulse fine, no sign of liver qi stagnation, just low in energy and still fat so prescribed spleen qi tonic: Spleen qi tonic formula - lots of energy at first, then increasing irritability and aggression then at 3 weeks developed gastric ulcers. Herbalist prescribed new formula including chai hu (with peony) under protest from me - immediately caused digital pulses, worsening of ulcer symptoms. Herbalist resigned. I arrived at the following formula, by trial and error, which never got any adverse reaction, and kept his liver/stomach/ulcer quiet for 3 months, no aggression, no irritability etc: Bai Shao 30 Bai Zhu 20 Mu Dan Pi 15 Fu Ling 15 Chen Pi 10 Shan Zha 5 Gan Cao 5 Lately Dan Shen 15g - seems to suit well Sometimes add Dang Shen 5-10, currently trying Suan Zao Ren 5-10 0.5-1g daily Jiao Gu Lan sent him through the roof in three days, his yang literally lifting him off the ground, with fear and rising sense of panic. Also gave him digital pulse. Horse needed increasing amount of above Lv formula to stay content. All attempts to give him Kd tonic/heart formulas failed, however many heat clearers were included in the formula. He would become aggressive and get a digital pulse. Finally one trial gave him laminitis 5 weeks ago, with which he has twice relapsed just as he seemed to be recovering, and be able to go out to exerise. He is now confined to a stable for a min of four weeks, needed NSAID's to get him over the last relapse, and as of yesterday has had a bad relapse of his gastric ulcer.Now on omeprazole for that, at a cost of nigh on $400 per week. Feet are quiet after a week on box rest. We have taken an ACTH blood to test for Cushings disease, which I know is Kd yin deficiency, and which I am sure he does not have in winter when all his hormonal bloods return to normal, just. Cushings cases are normally worse in winter - he is worse in summer. Cushings have less than 30% cortisol rhythm - his tested 30% summer, 62% autumn. Comments from LAc following. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 7, 2003 Report Share Posted August 7, 2003 > Your horse was sexually abused as a yearling? Was that really a serious question? No. He was rather 'oversexed' after weaning - covering fillies at 9 months. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2003 Report Share Posted August 10, 2003 Shai mahn hu? I think that since all other methods for this horse have been tried that it is necessary to look for the cause of the problem. Delayed stress can happen in horses as well and some early problem will cause the weaker horse to die at an earlier age. That is why I reccomende the head wrap to cover the ears 4-6 pm and the cornshuck poultice which is native amaerican horse medicine Tu ahi shda ma tdgi eiien/ jackie <jackie wrote:Shame on you. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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