Abstract
Western medicine uses physical exam, observation and diagnostic techniques to identify disease etiology and pathogens.1,2 Diagnosis in TCVM involves combining the Constitution, palpation, and tongue diagnosis with the Five Element theory, Eight Principles and Zang-Fu organ to identify a pattern. Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) began many centuries ago when modern diagnostic techniques such as blood analysis, ultrasound, radiographs, etc. were not available. TCVM diagnostic skills were developed using observation, palpation, interrogation, hearing, smell, symptoms and signs.2-5 The practitioners observed the seasons, the life cycles of plants and animals and the earth's natural elements; water, wood, metal, fire and soil and noticed similarities. The Five Element Theory was devised based on the observed correlations between the major forces in nature and specific internal organ systems in the body.5 Disease patterns in TCVM are categorized into the Eight Principles which include Yin and Yang; Interior and Exterior; Cold and Hot; and Deficiency and Excess.5 Observation of the animal's behavior allows identification of the Constitution which gives insight into disease predispositions. Observation of the animal's tongue is an invaluable tool both in giving insight into the current health status and response to therapy.3,5 Tongue diagnosis involves analysis of the color, shape, coating and size. Palpation of meridians allows identification of A-shi or alarm points which correlate to internal organs. Pulse is evaluated for rate, depth and location to help identify organ (Zang-Fu) and pattern disharmony.3,5 The treatment principle is to balance the pattern, i.e., tonify or strengthen a deficiency, sedate an excess, clear or remove excess heat. This presentation will introduce the use of TCVM principles to evaluate Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins and how Western medicine and TCVM were integrated to diagnose and treat an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus.
An 8 year-old female Atlantic bottlenose dolphin had three consecutive stomach samples showing moderate inflammation on gastric cytology evaluation.1 The dolphin had been deemed a Wood Constitution with some Fire. A Wood Constitution is associated with the organ Liver in the Five Element Theory. Liver controls Earth which is associated with Stomach and Spleen. With Liver Qi Stagnation the smooth flow of Qi in the Stomach and Spleen is inhibited and can transform into Heat/Fire which impairs Body Fluid or Yin.6,7 The treatment strategy was to nourish Stomach Yin.8 Stomach Happy8,9 was prescribed and the gastric inflammation resolved.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Dr. Huisheng Xie and Jing Tang Herbals for their support and donation of Chinese herbs and the wonderful trainers at Dolphin Research Center.
References
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