The use of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine to manage nasal adenocarcinoma in a geriatric canine
Item
Title
The use of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine to manage nasal adenocarcinoma in a geriatric canine
Description
Am J Trad Chin Vet Med (2021), Burkett, B.
Journal Publication
issn
1945-7677 (print)
1945-7693 (online)
Date
Language
English
Author(s)
Abstract
An 11-year-old, male Pug presented for evaluation and treatment of nasal adenocarcinoma diagnosed via tissue biopsy and computerized tomography. Based on the aggressive nature of the tumor, the poor prognosis with either chemotherapy (30% response, short lived) or radiation (25-50% decrease tumor size, 4-6 months tumor control) versus without conventional treatment (versus without conventional treatment (median survival 3-5 months); the decision was made to forego advanced conventional treatment options. Efforts were focused on medically managing the patient's clinical signs and quality of life with traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM). The TCVM examination noted a mass slightly protruding from the cranial aspect of the right nostril and identified 3 TCVM Patterns: Qi deficiency, Blood Stasis, local (nasal) Stagnation. Several TCVM treatment modalities (Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, food therapy) were instituted as part of the dog's therapeutic regimen. After initiation of treatment was begun, the patient was monitored monthly to evaluate any changes in clinical signs or Bian Zheng (Pattern diagnosis). Improvement of clinical signs, detectable decrease in mass size and patient survival at 9 months post diagnosis, indicated a positive response to treatment. This clinical case highlights the successful use of TCVM to achieve good quality of life beyond the expected poor prognosis in a geriatric dog with a malignant tumor.
volume
16
issue
1
Abbreviated Journal Title
Am J Trad Chin Vet Med
page start
71
page end
76