Essential oils have been used for health and well being for centuries. In fact, well preserved oils have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs. There are also 188 references to essential oils in the Bible! Essential oils are volatile liquids that are distilled from parts of plants. They are not to be confused with essential fatty acids. The best oils have been distilled at low temperatures and low pressure. The oils are so concentrated that it may take thousands of pounds of plant material to produce just 16 ounces of quality oil. Pure oils are not made in a lab, however, and do not have any added chemical constituents.
The natural chemical composition of an oil can have an emotional, as well as a medicinal, impact. Many oils contain hydrocarbons called terpenes, which can aid in kidney and liver detoxification. Others contain high levels of caryophyllene, which is an anti-inflammatory constituent. These components make many essential oils a great choice for allergy symptoms.
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Five+ Essential Oils For Your Dog’s Allergies
Lavender ~ Lavender is the most versatile essential oil and is often used to cleanse and soothe minor burns, cuts and other skin irritations. Lavender is a great analgesic, anti-fungal, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. Its refreshing, relaxing scent has balancing properties that also calm the mind and body. Note that while Lavender is very useful, it contains no antioxidant compounds and can oxidize when it is stored. These oxidized alcohols can cause allergic responses, so be sure your oil is high quality and has not been sitting in your cupboard. It may be applied topically, taken orally, or it can be diffused.
Roman Chamomile ~ Roman Chamomile has calming, relaxing properties and has been traditionally used to soothe overworked muscles. This oil also has anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious and anti-parasitic properties. It may be applied topically, diluted to be taken orally, or it can be diffused.
Elemi ~ Part of the same family as Frankincense and Myrrh, Elemi has been traditionally used to support skin health and improve overall skin tone. It may also soothe fatigued muscles and help clear the mind. Elemi is anti-infectious, antiseptic and works as a sedative. It may be applied topically, taken orally, or it can be diffused.
Myrrh ~ An ancient biblical oil, Myrrh has a long history of use in skin care for its restorative benefits to aging and dry, chapped skin. This oil is anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and also has astringent properties. It may be applied topically, taken orally, or it can be diffused.
Peppermint ~ Peppermint may help support normal digestion and has traditionally been used to ease tension. Peppermint is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and analgesic. Its fresh, minty aroma is both uplifting and energizing. It may be diffused, or diluted to be used topically or orally.
Mountain Savory, Oregano and Clove ~ These oils can be added for immune support, an important component of allergy prevention and treatment. They may be diffused, or diluted to be applied topically or given orally.
~ Mountain Savory is an energizing oil that revitalizes and stimulates the body. It also has strong purifying properties and supports the body's natural defenses.
~ Oregano is warming to the skin and is known as a purifying oil.
~ Clove is an important ingredient in our Young Living Thieves oil blend. Containing high amounts of eugenol, it supports the body's natural defenses, as well as the body's natural response to stress.
Cautions: While oils are useful and generally safe, they are powerful and can cause a wide variety of adverse effects. The largest problem with essential oils is that they may contain contaminates that make more serious issues arise. For this reason, you should only use therapeutic grade oils from a reputable company (we use and recommend Young Living) and verify the quality of oils before using them.
Animals have an acute sense of smell, so in most cases it is best to use oils that are diluted and always provide an escape route. Watch your dog carefully for signs that he may not be tolerating the oils very well, and remove them if he does not seem to like it. Cats are particularly at risk for oil reactions, and in most cases we use oils very sparingly on cats. One drop of essential oil diluted in 50 drops of a pure dilutional oil such as V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex (available through YL), or grape seed oil is usually enough.
To reduce the chances of sensitivity and organ toxicity, do not use the oil for more than two weeks and then provide a rest period. Oils can be used for longer periods, but it’s best to consult with somebody trained in their use before considering this.
Interested in using Essential Oils for you or your Pet? Please visit our Young Living Essential Oils website at http://www.GiftedGuidanceEssentialOils.com
About Dr. Jodie Gruenstern ~ Jodie Gruenstern, DVM CVA has been practicing veterinary medicine in Muskego, Wisconsin since 1987. She is a certified veterinary acupuncturist and food therapist by the Chi Institute. Dr. Jodie is the owner of the Animal Doctor Holistic Veterinary Complex, an integrated, full-service small animal practice.
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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her online specialty pet boutique (http://www.TheGiftedPet.com), and premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)
For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/TheGiftedPet), or email her at Raven@TheGiftedPet.com
Raven is also a professional intuitive, spiritual consultant, Animal Reiki practitioner & writer, who works with the Angels, Archangels, Ascended Masters, Spirit Guides, and Animal Spirit realms in her readings, Reiki energy healing, writing, and consulting.
For more information, and for your own personalized reading, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/GiftedGuidance), or email her at Raven@Gifted-Guidance.com.
Skin problems rank high among the most common reasons that pets go to the veterinarian. Chief complaints include unexplained lumps and bumps that develop on the surface of the skin, under the skin, or even inside the mouth. The good news is that most of the time these swellings are simply benign (non-cancerous) growths. However, it is imperative to have any suspicious growths examined by your vet since they could lead to a more serious condition that may require treatment.
There are a few things that you can do at home if you spot a ‘bumpy lumpy’ on your pet. You should immediately inspect your companion to see if there are multiple bumps or just one. Your pet could be acting fine, the lumps not sensitive to the touch but they can still be serious. The size of a lump is not an indication of its severity. If your pet is acting normally, the lump does not appear painful, and it’s not accompanied by a bad odor, then you probably aren’t facing a dire emergency. Benign growths can include fluid-filled cysts, fatty tumors, warts, skin tags and histiocytomas. Don’t make yourself crazy by trying to diagnose the malady at home. Simply schedule a vet appointment and find out what’s going on.
On the other hand, if you do notice a change in your pet’s behavior then this should be an immediate red flag. Other red flags include fatigue, food avoidance, or inexplicable limping. Symptoms of an infected lump may include red swelling, foul odor coming from the lump, and obvious pain or tenderness associated with the area. Bumps that appear overnight could be due to an abscess, an infection in a wound. Of course, the ‘worst case scenario’ for many is that a bump will prove to be a cancerous tumor. If left unchecked, malignant tumors can grow and spread to other parts of the body. It probably bears repeating … if there’s any question about what’s going on with your dog or cat, take them to the vet for testing.
When you bring your pet in to see your vet, he or she will ask you some questions regarding when you first noticed the lump or swelling, whether you’ve noticed any changes in its appearance, and more. These questions are necessary for your vet to start narrowing down the possible causes and treatments needed. Don’t be alarmed if your vet uses the terms mass, tumor, or growth when referring to any bumps. These are simply medical terms used to describe any swellings and does not automatically mean a cancerous diagnosis. Additionally, your vet will likely perform a physical examination from head to tail. This exam is critical for the assessment of your pet’s health state, and to determine whether there are multiple lumps present (i.e., any that you might’ve missed in your home exam). The look and feel of a bump can give your vet a lot of insight towards what could be wrong. Further testing may be needed to successfully establish the source of the trouble.
After the physical exam, your vet will either offer some immediate treatment options if nothing serious is going on, or ask for permission to conduct further diagnostic testing. A simple test, known as cytology (Greek for ‘the study of cells’) of the lump, may be initially recommended. During this test, a needle is inserted into the bump or swelling, and cells are extracted. The sample will be studied under a microscope for further analysis. The only problem with cytology is that the results can provide only a limited amount of information. If this procedure does not provide a sufficient explanation for the problem, your vet may recommend a biopsy.
There are two types of biopsies: incisional and excisional. With an incisional biopsy, a small amount of the lump is sampled and sent out for analysis. An excisional biopsy requires the removal of the entire mass or swelling, also sent out for analysis. Your pet may need local anesthesia or general sedation before a biopsy is performed, dependent upon the size and location of the mass, as well as the behavioral temperament of your companion.
Ultimately, treatment options will depend on the results of the lump’s analysis. Your vet may determine that the lump or swelling is only cosmetic and poses no threat to your pet kid’s health. In this case, you will want to keep a close eye on the area and notify your vet of any changes. If the diagnosis is more serious, your veterinarian will discuss all available treatment options to address, and hopefully heal, whatever’s going on.
If you remember nothing else, the take-away here is that your greatest resource in diagnosing and treating any skin problem is your vet.
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More and more pets are reaping the benefits of holistic veterinary care every day. Veterinarians are becoming frustrated with their patients not responding to the protocols that they were taught in veterinary school. As a result, many are continuing their education by taking classes in complementary modalities. These may include: Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy, Chiropractic, and Flower Essence Therapy, to name a few. Large and companion animal vets have embraced these new therapies. In wildlife and zoo animal medicine, homeopathy and flower essences are especially beneficial. This is because of their palatability, infrequent dosing requirements and the fact that they work so well in cases that have a strong emotional basis.
Of course domestic animals have their share of emotional issues also. One of the most rewarding aspects of obtaining a holistic veterinary education is the knowledge one acquires to be able to help in the area of grief. As in people, animals become sad and despondent with the passing of a loved one. Many times the holistic veterinarian will prescribe homeopathic remedies for grief. A common scenario is: two senior dogs, let's say Labrador Retrievers who are brothers, 10-12 years old. One becomes ill and dies. The remaining brother stops eating and loses his will to go on. Most vets are not called until this has been ongoing for 1-2 weeks. The pet parents are grieving and afraid they are going to lose their other senior boy. However, once they start giving one of the homeopathic remedies for grief (there are a few), within a day or two the remaining Labrador begins to eat, and he is no longer ill from being sad.
All types of animal patients benefit from holistic pet care. The conditions holistic vets see the most are: Arthritis, Allergic Dermatitis, Neurological Disorders, Cancer, and Autoimmune disease. However, emotional issues are common also, such as aggression, separation anxiety, dementia and fearfulness. As in people, often the physical symptoms of the diseases vets see are preceded or accompanied by emotional imbalances. Luckily, holistic veterinary medicine provides a myriad of treatment options for the few, but increasing, holistic vets who have had the good fortune to experience and learn these modalities.
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To keep your pets healthier, happier, and living longer lives, we recommend feeding them our premium line of natural pet food, treats and supplements, as well as caring for them with our line of holistic pet care products. All of our products are formulated by our holistic veterinarian, Dr. Jane Bicks, who works very hard to not only provide the best, health-promoting products . . . . Dr. Jane and Life's Abundance have also established a foundation to help improve the lives of abandoned companion animals all across the U.S. Every time you purchase a Life's Abundance product, a portion of the profits are contributed to a fund that supports the operation of this organization. Thank you so much for your continued business! Together, we are making a positive difference in the world, one animal at a time.
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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her online specialty pet boutique (http://www.TheGiftedPet.com), and premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)
For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/TheGiftedPet), or email her at Raven@TheGiftedPet.com
