Food Therapy and Tui-na to Treat Liver Qi Stagnation in A Wood Constitution Horse with Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) and Arthritis

Abstract

A 30-year-old Wood constitution mare developed Liver Qi Stagnation following dose increases of conventional medications being used to treat chronic arthritis, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and chronic laminitis. Presenting clinical signs were generalized weakness and pain along the lumbosacral area and hips, which elicited angry behavior when acupoints were scanned. Acupuncture treatment became dangerous, and the mare also rejected Chinese herbal medicine. Wood constitution horses with chronic disease and lifelong daily drug regimens are at risk of developing Liver Qi Stagnation. Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) is not limited to acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, but also provides other treatment modalities such as Tui-na and food therapy, which may be more easily accepted by some animals. In this mare, TCVM treatment with Tui-na and food therapy allowed complete discontinuation of conventional drugs and their detrimental side effects, while maintaining good quality of life. Effective control of PPID with food therapy was monitored by blood concentration of adrenocorticotropic hormone relative to the reference standard for the season.