Integrative TCVM Therapy for Adjunctive Care of Presumptive Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy in a Bernese Mountain Dog

An 11-year-old neutered male Bernese Mountain dog was evaluated for presumptive geriatric onset laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy (GOLPP), multi-joint osteoarthritis, pelvic limb weakness, and exercise-associated respiratory difficulty. Traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) Patterns diagnosed were Kidney Jing Deficiency, Kidney Qi Deficiency, Lung Qi Deficiency, Spleen Qi Deficiency, and Bony Bi syndrome. Treatment principles were to tonify Kidney, Lung, and Spleen Qi; support pre-natal and post-natal Jing; and resolve Qi and Blood Stagnation. Five treatments were administered over 4 months using dry-needle acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, aqua-acupuncture, scalp acupuncture, Chinese food therapy, and owner-administered Tui-na. During this time, the dog remained ambulatory and experienced periods of improved energy, mobility, and respiratory comfort, although pelvic limb weakness and heat-associated respiratory difficulty progressed intermittently with the underlying disease. This case highlights the use of multiple TCVM therapies as supportive management to improve quality of life in a geriatric dog with presumptive GOLPP and chronic orthopedic disease.