Dancing Doberman Disease And Its Ayurvedic Management

Abstract

There are a number of disorders from which the dogs suffer from. There are various diseases of different systems. Dancing Doberman Disease is a disease that has been seen in Dobermans, therefore the name of the condition is called Dancing Doberman Disease. It is a genetic disorder of the neurological system in which the hind legs of Doberman flex on their own, which makes them look like they are dancing. In the following section we shall have a look at the condition of Dancing Doberman Disease as well as its management in the contemporary system of medicine and Ayurvedic medicine. Let’s discuss Dancing Doberman Disease!!

Introduction

Dancing Doberman Disease is a distal polyneuropathy in the Dobermans. This occurs due to the spasm of the gastrocnemius muscle. The condition causes uncontrolled flexing of the stifle joint and hip as the dog stands, which makes it look like the dog is dancing. The disease can mimic other similar conditions such as disc disease, wobbler syndrome, myasthenia gravis, arthritis, neuropathy and hip dysplasia. In Ayurveda, the condition of Dancing Doberman Disease can be correlated with vata dosha vitiation. As all the conditions related to neurological problems are vata dominated. Therefore, Dancing Doberman Disease in Ayurveda can be managed by vata dosha pacification.

Causes of Dancing Doberman Disease

The Dancing Doberman Disease has unknown aetiology. There is no theory postulated about the cause of the disease. The condition usually starts between the ages of 6 to 7 months. One rear leg will flex while standing. Over the next few months it will begin to affect the other rear leg.

Symptoms of Dancing Doberman Disease

• Flexion of leg and hip
• Shifting back and forth
• Holding one leg outwards and upside
• Lying or Sitting instead of standing
• Knuckling  over the rear legs
• Walking and running may be as usual but standing is troublesome.

Diagnostic Methods

1. History taking is essential
2. Presence of symptoms as described above
3. Physical examination
4. Blood tests sometimes show raised levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).
5. X-Ray
6. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
7. Myelogram
8. Electromyography (EMG)
9. Histopathology

Management of Dancing Doberman Disease

Dancing Doberman Disease is a progressive condition but there is no cure available in veterinary medicine.

Physical therapy

• Swimming (hydrotherapy)
• Laser therapy
• Passive range of motion exercises
• Hydrotherapy
• Acupuncture and massage.

Medications

Bone and Muscle Supplements

Ayurvedic Overview of Dancing Doberman Disease

Ayurvedic management depends on the pacification of the vitiated dosha. In Dancing Doberman Disease, the vitiated dosha is vata dosha. Hence, the pacification of the same is done by herbs due to their vast nature of properties. Ayurveda is a traditional system of Indian medicine. The main principles of Ayurveda are doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). The vitiation of any dosha leads to disease and balance of the same results in overall wellness and health.

All the movements in the body are governed by vata dosha. Vata dosha does contractions, relaxation, spasms, motor and sensory functions. Furthermore vata dosha is one among dosha that is the main causative factor in almost every disorder. The vata dosha is capable of moving from one place to another but the pitta and kapha dosha stay at their particular seats. It is the vata dosha that moves them from one place to other with itself and causes diseases at where the vata dosha takes them. In case of Dancing Doberman Disease, there is a condition of spasms therefore vata dosha is behind this feature; hence it can be compared with the vata dosha dushti.

And correcting the data dushti will cure the condition of Dancing Doberman Disease. Hence, the pacification of the same is done by herbs due to their vast nature of properties. Furthermore, the symptoms associated with conditions are nicely managed by the herbs such as brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), mandukaparni (Centella asiatica), madhuyashti (Glycyrrhiza glabra), jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculata) etc. Brahmi is a vata pacifier and also relieves spasmodic conditions of the muscles and is anticonvulsant. Ashwagandha is also known for its vata shamak and rasayan properties.

As it provides strength to the muscles thus is helpful in vata vyadhi and other conditions of vata vitiation. Shankhpushpi is a vata pacifier and therefore helps in alleviating the condition of spasm. Furthermore, it strengthens the body. A paste of shankhpushpi herb can be consumed in amounts of 10 to 20 gram. Mandukaparni is a rasayan, therefore, improves overall health as well as boosts strength of the body structures such as muscles.

Mandukaparni helps in relieving contractions or spastic condition of the muscles thus is beneficial in correcting the condition of Dancing Doberman Disease. Jyotishmati pacifies the vata dosha. Thus helps in managing Dancing Doberman Disease. Jyotishmati oil can be used for massaging. Yashtimadhu is another rasayana herb that beautifully helps in managing vata conditions. Vastimadhu pacifies vata dosha and strengthens the muscles and helps in relaxing the spasmodic conditions, therefore it helps in managing the condition of Dancing Doberman Disease.

Herbal Remedies for Dancing Doberman Disease by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a renowned GMP certified, ISO 9001:2015 certified and US-FDA registered Ayurvedic Company, which adheres to the objective of producing quality Ayurvedic products as described in a number of ancient texts of Ayurveda. Planet Ayurveda has its branches worldwide. Products are manufactured without additives and preservatives and other kinds of chemicals or artificial flavour enhancers which can cause a number of side effects on the human body. Products manufactured at Planet Ayurveda are pure and devoid of any kind of adulteration. The products are purely organic and vegetarian and gluten free. Planet Ayurveda presents its magnificent products useful in Dancing Doberman Disease and other conditions of the musculoskeletal system of dogs.

Following is the list of formulations that are helpful in managing the condition of the Dancing Doberman Disease

1. Neuroplan Syrup
2. Brahmi Capsules
3. Ashwagandha Capsules
4. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras

Product Description

1. Neuro Plan Syrup

Neuro Plan Syrup is a remarkable formulation for increasing neurological health and managing all the neurological conditions. The syrup contains a variety of herbs which assuredly manages Dancing Doberman Disease. The ingredients include mandukaparni (Centella asiatica), jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculata), madhuyashti (Glycyrrhiza glabra), pippali (Piper longum), maricha (Piper nigrum), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) etc. all the herbs are known to have medhya properties which means these are helpful in maintaining a good neurological health. The herbs heal the damage of the nerves. It improves motor function. It relieves symptoms of stiffness thus promoting proper standing position of the dog with Dancing Doberman Disease.

Dosage : 10 ml twice a day to be mixed with food.

2. Brahmi Capsules

Brahmi capsules are enriched with the properties of brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). Brahmi supports wellness of the neurological system. The herb balances the vata dosha. Thus alleviating the stiffness of the gastrocnemius muscle which further helps dobermans to stand properly. By this property Brahmi capsules manage the condition of the Dancing Doberman Disease.

Dosage : Two capsules twice a day to be mixed with food.

3. Ashwagandha Capsules

Ashwagandha capsules are filled with the goodness of the herb ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) that possesses rasayana properties. The herb pacifies the vata dosha. And helps in maintaining the good health of the neurological system. As it pacifies the vata dosha it reduces the stiffness and spasm of the gastrocnemius muscle. Ashwagandha Capsules eventually solves the problem of Dancing Doberman Disease.

Dosage :  One capsule twice a day to be mixed with food.

4. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras

Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras is a classical ayurvedic mineral formulation. The ingredients of the formulation are Rajata Bhasma (silver calx), Swarna Bhasma (gold calx), Loha Bhasma (iron ash), Abhrak Bhasma (mica ash), Suta Bhasma (compound of purified mercury and purified sulphur), Mukta Bhasma (pearl calx) and Pravala Bhasma (coral calcium). It also contains juice extract of Aloe vera. It is beneficial in demyelination conditions of nerves. It is useful in neuropathies. It corrects the condition of neuritis. It is helpful in Dancing Doberman Disease as it relieves symptoms such as stiffness, pain and motor dysfunction.

Dosage : One tablet twice a day to be mixed with food.

Conclusion

Dancing Doberman Disease is a condition which affects the doberman pinscher dog breed. The condition has unknown aetiology. Usually the condition is not painful but affects the balancing of the body in which it looks like if the dog is dancing. That’s why the condition is named so. The condition progresses slowly. The cause of the condition is the stiffness of the gastrocnemius muscle. As we have seen there is no proper treatment available in the veterinary sciences but with Ayurveda the condition of the Dancing Doberman Disease can be managed at considerable level. The products explained above are beneficial in pacification of the vata dosha which is the culprit behind this disease.Therefore, Ayurveda helps in the various conditions of the neurological system as well as musculoskeletal system including Dancing Doberman Disease.