Schnauzer Constipation and Vomiting: Effective Treatmen

Canine constipation refers to a condition where the feces become dry and difficult to pass due to prolonged retention in the intestines. This issue often arises from improper feeding, such as overly rough, dry, or monotonous diets, insufficient water intake, and feed that is hard to digest. Other causes include gastrointestinal dysfunction, lack of exercise, and imbalances in the autonomic nervous system. From the perspective of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, constipation is attributed to heat stagnation in the gastrointestinal tract, deficiency of both yin and cold, and insufficient Qi and blood flow, all of which lead to the problem.

In treating constipation with traditional Chinese medicine, the principle is to promote bowel movement. The following formulas can be considered:

① Modified Dachengqi Decoction: 15g of rhubarb, 3g of magnolia bark, 3g of bitter orange, 40g of niter, 5g of costus, and 3g of sandalwood. The mixture can be sprinkled on the food or brewed into a decoction for oral administration or enema.

② 15g of oil当归, 10g of Cistanche deserticola, 5g each of senna leaves, fried bitter orange peel, and acetic rhizoma cyperi, 4g of magnolia bark, 3g each of sandalwood, flumecin, and tungroot. The decoction is strained, cooled, and mixed with 50g of edible oil before being administered. This formula is suitable for weak dogs suffering from constipation.

Vomiting is not a standalone disease but a symptom associated with various canine illnesses. It can manifest as retching with or without visible matter, and dry retching, all of which are caused by the stomach failing to descend and the upward movement of stomach Qi. Common causes include external invasions of wind, cold, summer heat, and epidemic toxins, overeating of refined foods that lead to stagnation, or a weakened spleen that cannot warm and disperse coldness, affecting the stomach's normal function and causing Qi to rise.

In this case, the dog experienced constipation followed by vomiting and drowsiness. The vomiting is likely due to overeating, and the constipation is attributed to insufficient gastrointestinal motility. Postmeal vomiting suggests excessive gastric acid secretion, while constipation is primarily due to inadequate gastrointestinal motility.

A suitable herbal formula for this condition includes 2g each of amomum, atractylodes, hawthorn, malt, persimmon calyx, and tangerine peel. The herbs are roasted, ground into a powder, and mixed with boiling water for twicedaily administration. This treatment should be continued for two days.

Additionally, in cases of severe vomiting and constipation, it is important to consider the possibility of intestinal obstruction.