Margaret Auld-Louie of Optimum Choices will be offering 10 minute mini
canine massage sessions for $5 at the annual Maxfund Lucky Mutt Strut in
Washington Park, Denver. Russell Louie will be demonstrating the
benefits of our holistic whole food product for pets,
BioPreparation. We will be joined by Cindy Lloyd of
Natural
Pet, LLC, who offers anesthesia-free teeth cleaning services at area
vet offices. For more information, see
www.maxfund.org.
Margaret Auld-Louie will now be available selected Saturdays for massage
sessions
at The Whole Cat & Dogs, too! store.
Call Optimum Choices at (303) 271-1649 for an appointment or e-mail
Margaret@OptimumChoices.com.
The store is located at 1540 South Pearl St, Denver, CO. Click on the
logo for a map.
Russell Louie and Margaret Auld-Louie will be demonstrating the benefits
of our holistic whole food product for pets,
BioPreparation. For more information on the expo,
click
here.
Lisa Speaker of Dogma
and Margaret Auld-Louie of Optimum Choices are developing a local chapter of the
IAAMB, International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork
(IAAMB). This will be a
Colorado state organization that meets quarterly to network, mentor, discuss and
affect state legislation and to work on advancing credibility for our
professions. We would like to have a guest speaker at each meeting so that it
will also be an educational experience as well. We are calling this new
organization CAAMB - Colorado Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork.
We are just pulling things together and have not set a date for the first
meeting. We believe this is a very important step in advancing the credibility
of our practice on a local level and hope all Colorado Animal Body Workers will
join us! If you are a Colorado animal body worker or energy worker and have an
interest, please fill out our online form or send e-mail
to Margaret@OptimumChoices.com
or call us at (303) 271-1649.
When wild dogs, wolves, cats and horses are sick they seek out certain plants
to eat in order to get well. As we domesticated these animals they lost this
instinct and their access to wild plants. Plants combine minerals from the soil,
water and energy (in the form of sunlight) to produce certain chemical compounds
(a process called photosynthesis). These essential chemical compounds nourish
the plant, protect the plant, heal broken parts, counteract infections and
fungus, attract insects for reproduction and allow the plant to adapt to harsh
environmental conditions. All these healing properties are encoded in the
plant's DNA which is embedded in the plant's resin (blood) or essential oils. To
obtain these same healing benefits animals will seek out certain plants, eat
them and digest the plant material for the healing chemical compounds.
But just because essential oils are "100% natural" doesn't mean they are safe
for all domesticated animals. Dogs and cats have a large nasal cavity and their
sense of smell is 50-100 times stronger than humans. Always avoid any oils high
in phenols and ketones (e.g., cinnamon, clove, oregano, thyme, savory, sage).
These are generally called the "hot spice" oils. Avoid stimulating oils of
peppermint, rosemary, niaouli, melaleuca (Tea Tree), spearmint, ravensara and
eucalyptus unless in highly diluted form. It is also recommended to avoid
rosemary on dogs that are prone to seizures or with epilepsy. It is not
recommended to use essential oils on medium to large breed puppies younger than
eight weeks. For small or toy breed puppies wait at least until they are older
than ten weeks. When in doubt use the gentler hydrosols (by-products of
essential oil distillation) on puppies instead of essential oils.
Cat's livers do not have the necessary enzymes to break down and excrete
certain chemical compounds in essential oils. The chemical compounds, therefore,
accumulate in a cat's body and are sometimes toxic to the point of death. Cats
are very sensitive to beta-carotene, morphine, certain sulfanomides, salicylic
acid (Aspirin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), allyl propyl disulfide (onions) and
compounds with the benzene ring (benzyl alcohol preservative). Wintergreen and
birch oils contain methyl salicylate the same chemical compound in aspirin. It
is best to avoid any oil containing phenols: oregano, thyme, cinnamon (cassia),
clove, savory, birch, and melaleuca (Tea Tree oil) or ketones: sage. A third
group to avoid are the monoterpene hydrocarbons pinene and limonene most
commonly found in the citrus and pine oils: lemon, orange, tangerine, mandarin,
grapefruit, lime, bergamot, pine, spruce, and any fir oil. Many household
cleaners and even pet products have these latter substances in them to make them
smell nice to the owners. Symptoms of a toxic buildup include being despondent,
clumsy, uncoordinated, partially paralyzed, vomiting, drooling or in a daze. The
diagnosis for toxic poisoning is a blood test that shows elevated liver enzymes.
It is best to seek a veterinarian's care if toxic poisoning is suspected.
Hydrosols (by-products of essential oil distillation) are safer to use on
cats. This is because the monoterpene alcohols have an affinity for water and
are safe for cats. Phenols and ketones do not appear in hydrosols. There are no
known case histories of hydrosols or monoterpene alcohols causing toxicity in
cats. Hydrosols of chamomile and a combination of rose, lavender, geranium and
neroli are known to have a claming effect on cats. Wounds can be cleaned with
diluted lavender, rose, geranium, and chamomile oil or their hydrosols. Itching
can be alleviated using witch hazel, rose, lavender or German chamomile.
Does this mean we need to stop using essential oils if we have cats? There
are plenty of anecdotal testimonies of how essential oils have helped cats. But
there is no scientific or long-term studies proving essential oils and hydrosols
are totally safe for cats. The safest, most conservative rule is not to use
essential oils full strength on or around cats until they are scientifically
proven safe. If one must use essential oils, here are some suggested rules to
follow. Each animal guardian must make their own decision.
If I use any of the oils mentioned above on myself or around the house,
I keep the cats away for at least one hour. I never diffuse any of the
strong oils above or blends containing these oils around cats.
I never keep cats in an enclosed area when diffusing oils. I always keep
a window open or put the cats in a different part of the house.
If I want to use essential oils on cats, I always use a highly diluted
formula with essential oils (8 parts mixing oil to 2 parts or less essential
oil). When in doubt I use hydrosols instead of essential oils on animals.
Hydrosols are water-based, gentler and much easier to tolerate.
When using cleaning products with the above essential oils, especially
citrus or pine, I keep the animals away and off the floor until it dries. I
make sure you rinse and dry the surface as thoroughly as possible.
Rather than assume a certain protocol or suggested oil is good for an
animal I always test the essential oil first before using it. I introduce
the essential oil to the animal by letting them sniff it and watch for signs
of acceptance. I also use kinesiology with a human surrogate tester for the
animal. One can also use a dowsing pendulum or one of the many electronic
radionic devices for testing an oil.
Hydrosols are aromatic water extracts that are a by-product of the steam
distillation manufacturing process to produce essential oils. The water is
derived from the herbs that have been put into the steam kettles for
distillation. The water has properties that are similar to the essential oil,
but in much lower concentrations. They are gentle, fragrant, and suitable for
all ages and ideal for use on animals (who have more sensitive noses). Many
essential waters are rehydrating, nurturing, and protective to the skin. They
are also uniquely uplifting, calming, soothing, relaxing, and restorative.
Animals have a sense of smell 50-100 times more sensitive than humans. I prefer
to use the gentler hydrosols rather than straight essential oils on animals. One
must always be cautious when using any citrus, pine or oils with methyl
salicylate (wintergreen and birch) on animals.
Caution: DO NOT SPRAY DIRECTLY INTO EARS OR EYES.
How to Use:
Diffuse in a cool mist diffuser.
Spray into the air to freshen the home or office.
Spray in an airplane or other enclosed environment to sanitize stale
air.
Spray on face to energize, and overcome fatigue and drowsiness.
Drink undiluted or diluted to taste with water or juice.
Spray on animals to deter pests.
Spray on plants to deter pests.
Chamomile (German) Hydrosol—relaxing and soothing for sore muscles, tendons,
and ligaments. Excellent for soothing skin irritations, rashes, itching,
sunburns, burns, blisters and swelling. Also used to calm the nerves and a
nervous stomach. This is an excellent "must have" hydrosol for animals. Good for
calming your pet before the ride to the vet, thunderstorms, fireworks and other
traumatic experiences. Great for animal's skin irritation, to heal wounds and
accelerate recovery from surgery.
The above information was taken from the Essential Oils Desk Reference which can
be purchased at Essential Science Publishing (1-800-336-6308,
www.essentialscience.net).
Optimum Choices has acquired a limited supply of fresh (just squeezed) Chamomile
(German) hydrosol. Because of the limited supply, this product is not being made
available for online purchasing. You must call or e-mail (do not send credit
card number) us with your order.
Product Code 3711, German Chamomile Hydrosol, 3.8 oz, cobalt blue spray bottle -
$10.00 plus tax and shipping
$33 by June 18, $39 thereafter. Price includes lunch, pre-registration
required.
Does your pet have?
Cancer and tumors
Hormonal imbalances
Chronic dry skin and fur
Adrenal or thyroid problems
Arthritis and flexibility issues
Seasonal sinus allergies or rashes and hot spots
Weight problems that different diets have not been able to solve
Chronic (bacterial, fungal or viral) infections that just won’t go away
Any health condition unresponsive to traditional treatments
In our next workshop, we will be discussing Alfred Plechner’s, DVM,
break-through discovery regarding a silent pet epidemic caused by a hidden
adrenal gland defect. This hidden defect causes an endocrine-immune system
imbalance that creates all the above symptoms and more. We will offer holistic
options for people in addition to educating them on how to look for quality
ingredients in premium food and how to read manufacturer’s labels.
We will show pet owners how they can play an active role in extending the
life expectancy of their pets through optimum nutrition and complementary
wellness therapies. We will focus on optimum nutrition for our pets, which is
the foundation of good health. We will also touch on some of the many natural
options for pet owners including aromatherapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, canine
massage, Reiki and Bach flower essences. Participants are invited to bring their
pet food package labels for a free analysis and to receive suggestions for diet
modifications.
Since the 1950s, life expectancies of our pets have dramatically decreased
and our pets are now commonly suffering from the degenerative diseases of humans
such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and kidney disease. Due to
mainstream commercial brand pet food diets that have significantly decreased in
nutritional value and have become far removed from what Mother Nature intended
our pets to eat, pet owners are faced with new challenges in making sure their
pets are receiving the best nutrition possible. Optimum Choices teaches pet
nutrition from the perspective of what Mother Nature designed our pets to eat,
not what popular pet food manufacturers promote.
This month we feature a magazine rather than book, that we recommend to
everyone interested in holistic health for animals. Animal Wellness
Magazine, available at selected health food stores and natural pet
stores, is the premier magazine of holistic health for animals. We first
found it in our holistic vet's office and have been a subscriber for
several years. It is well worth the cost of subscribing for the wealth
of information it provides. Each issue covers a wide range of holistic
options for companion animals, with articles pertaining to cats, dogs
and horses. Other animals are covered less frequently, such as rabbits.
Regular features include a column by nationally-known holistic vet Dr.
Martin Goldstein, an article by animal communicator Sharon Callahan, a
column by an animal legal expert and book reviews. The current issue
includes Part 2 of a series on vaccinations, plus articles on a variety
of topics including gemmotherapy, liver disease, arthritis, body
language, pet insurance, the healing power of mushrooms and an inspiring
story on how a dog overcame hip dysplasia and arthritis to become an
agility champion.
The
Animal Wellness Magazine website offers further information beyond
the magazine, an association for subscribers and the option to purchase
an online subscription to the magazine. The ads in Animal Wellness
Magazine are almost as interesting as the articles, providing
information on unique products and services for animals in the holistic
health field. I always find some product in each issue that I want to
check out further on the web. Animal Wellness Magazine is also a sponsor
at various holistic health pet fairs around the country, including the
Canine Wellness Expo in Fort Collins,
Colorado on July 9 where we will be an exhibitor. Animal Wellness
Magazine will be be offering free trial subscriptions to expo attendees.
Nothing on this website has been evaluated by the FDA. This information
is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please
see a qualified healthcare practitioner for any disease or illness.
Using essential oils safely with animals
Cat's livers do not have the necessary enzymes to break down and excrete
certain chemical compounds in essential oils. The chemical compounds, therefore,
accumulate in a cat's body and are sometimes toxic to the point of death. Cats
are very sensitive to beta-carotene, morphine, certain sulfanomides, salicylic
acid (Aspirin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), allyl propyl disulfide (onions) and
compounds with the benzene ring (benzyl alcohol preservative). Wintergreen and
birch oils contain methyl salicylate the same chemical compound in aspirin. It
is best to avoid any oil containing phenols: oregano, thyme, cinnamon (cassia),
clove, savory, birch, and melaleuca (Tea Tree oil) or ketones: sage. A third
group to avoid are the monoterpene hydrocarbons pinene and limonene most
commonly found in the citrus and pine oils: lemon, orange, tangerine, mandarin,
grapefruit, lime, bergamot, pine, spruce, and any fir oil. Many household
cleaners and even pet products have these latter substances in them to make them
smell nice to the owners. Symptoms of a toxic buildup include being despondent,
clumsy, uncoordinated, partially paralyzed, vomiting, drooling or in a daze. The
diagnosis for toxic poisoning is a blood test that shows elevated liver enzymes.
It is best to seek a veterinarian's care if toxic poisoning is suspected.
