TCVM

Specific Conditions Part I

Laminitis

Liver Damp Heat in the Feet of Horses

under construction

Colic

Colic, or abdominal pain, is a common presentation of horses with diverse causes from both a Western-Conventional and TCVM perspective.

Integrating TCVM treatment alongside Western-Conventional Veterinary and Emergency Care is essential for optimal response. Please click for local EMERGENCY and full service equine veterinary referral information.

Colic is represented in TCVM as Qi Blood Stagnation in the abdomen and can be due to one or more of the following main TCVM pattern diagnoses:

Cold

Damp Heat

Stomach Qi Stagnation-

(Wood constitution predisposed)

Food Stagnation

Obstruction

Common Clinical Signs:

Pawing, looking at flank, lip curling and neck arching, kicking at abdomen, lying down, roiling, sweating, abdominal distention, stretching out as if to urinate, loss of appetite, depression, decreased number of bowel movements, etc.

Treatment goals:

Treat underlying pattern(s)

Resolve stagnation/treat pain

Regulate Qi flow

Restore normal GI motility

and more...

Acupuncture Treatments

Acute cases vs chronic maintenance and prevention will require varying numbers and frequency of treatments on a case by case basis

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Variable based on underlying TCVM pattern(s)

TCVM Food Therapy

Variable based on underlying TCVM pattern(s)

Note: Treatment plans vary with each individual patient and are modified as needed

Anhidrosis

Anhidrosis, a compromised ability of horses to sweat, is a potentially dangerous condition in the summer heat of Arizona.

Common clinical signs:

Acute onset of nonsweating after climate change, dry coat, fever, exercise intolerance, fatigue, decreased appetite & water consumption

Integrating TCVM treatment in April before the summer heat is recommended for horses with known condition

Acupuncture treatments

2 to 6 treatments every 1 to 4 weeks

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Typically given for a minimum of 2 month duration

TCVM Food Therapy

Single food therapy and recipes available

Note: Treatment plans vary with each individual patient and are modified as needed