The Successful Use of Veterinary Chiropractic, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine to Treat a Guinea Keet with Tan-huan Syndrome

An approximately two-week old Guinea keet presented for evaluation and treatment of acute paresis and paralysis of 24-hour duration. Based on the lack of improvement with nursing care, severity of clinical signs and lack of conventional options, the decision was made to pursue treatment using traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) and veterinary chiropractic medicine (VCM). Although limited, the TCVM examination revealed a cold, lethargic, weak patient with a pale tongue and history of acute paresis and paralysis secondary to a traumatic event. The TCVM pattern identified was Tan-huan syndrome with Qi/Blood Stagnation and Qi/Yang Deficiency. After initiation of treatment was begun, the patient was monitored daily to evaluate any changes in clinical signs of Bian Zheng (Pattern Diagnosis). Marked improvement and resolution of clinical signs at 67 hours and continued improvement 44 days later indicated a positive response to treatment. This clinical case highlights the successful use of TCVM and VCM to successfully treat Tan-huan syndrome with local Qi/Blood Stagnation and Qi/Yang Deficiency in a juvenile Guinea keet.