De-skunking Your Dog

If your dog is sprayed by a skunk, you are likely to look frantically in your kitchen cupboards for something that you can wash her with that will neutralize and remove the overpowering smell. Usually this happens in the middle of the night, of course, since skunks are nocturnal creatures. Some simple chemistry will help you choose the right ingredients!

1 quart 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
1 teaspoon liquid soap

Wet the dog, and work the formula through their fur. Leave the mixture to et on the dog for four or five minutes, and then rinse thoroughly. Throw out any leftover remedy.

Does Your Dog Have Allergies

It is interesting how dogs experience many of the health issues that humans do, including allergies. Dog allergies can include skin allergies, dog food allergies (particularly corn and soy), house dust and dust mites, ragweed, molds, pollens and others.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Dog Allergies:

Common signs and symptoms of dog allergies include your dog licking her paws, Scratching her body or pawing at her ears (due to Inflammation). In severe cases, you dog may have oozing hot spots on her body. Allergies may be seasonable or your pet may suffer all year round, depending on the allergen.

How to Avoid Allergens:

Avoiding allergens should be the first step in treating your dog’s allergies. If you suspect your dog may have allergies, see your vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.

If you dog is allergic to dust mites, vets suggest you use a plastic cover over your dog’s bed, use a waterproof liner to keep mites from getting in the bed, avoid letting your dog on upholstered furniture and avoid stuffed animals. Dogs with dust mite allergies do best in uncarpeted rooms. Be sure to vacuum very frequently.

If you dog has allergic reactions to pollens, keep him out of fields and tall grasses. Keep your lawn cut short and keep your dog indoors during days with high pollen counts.

How Are Allergies Treated in Dogs?

Typically, mild allergies are treated with soothing shampoos liked oatmeal shampoo, vitamins containing essential fatty acids to help stop Itching and keep skin from getting dry. Hydrocortisone spray or shampoo may also help to relieve Itching. Check with your vet for other recommendations.

Herbal Healing for Pets

I will begin by stating that you should not attempt herbal healing for your pet unless you have a good understanding of what is ailing your pet. And a good understanding of the healing herbs.
Don't guess.....check with a veterinarian first! There are now a lot of holistic/natural vets out there - call around and see who you can find. This advice is not meant to replace the diagnosis and advice of a licensed veterinarian. That said, I will share with you the herbal treatments that we use on my ranch. Most are simple, safe, and effective.
Remember first and always that cats and dogs and other small creatures have much shorter digestive systems than us human caretakers. Fresh herbs are not digested as they are in humans. Therefore, the tincture form of an herb will work better for them.
An acceptable alternative would be a stronger herbal tea than you would use for yourself. Doses need to be compatible with your pet's weight - small amounts for small animals, larger amounts for large animals. When in doubt, consult a holistic or natural healing veterinarian. Administering several doses throughout the day, rather than one big dose once a day will speed the herbs into your pet's system and boost the immune system much faster.
And as with ourselves, no herb should be given to any animal on a continuous basis. Like us, their bodies will begin to build an immunity, and once that happens, that herb becomes useless medicinally.
A good rule of thumb for any herbal remedy for your pet is two weeks on, one week off. That gives the body time to work on its own, and gives you time to determine if the herbal treatment needs to be continued. There are exceptions to this rule, as with all rules, as in herbs that take a while to build up in the body to be effective.
Don't give herbs you wouldn't take yourself, internally or externally. Just about any herbal remedy that you use for yourself can be adapted for use for your pet - just remember to use tinctures whenever possible, stronger teas when necessary.
For overall general good health, as with ourselves, you should of course look to diet. There are many natural diets being recommended today for all sorts of pets. Do a little research, or preferably a lot, into the natural dietary needs of your pet. Raw meat added to the diet of a cat or dog, natural carnivores, can often clear up a lot of mysterious ailments, as can the addition of fruits and vegetables.

If you feed a commercial diet, feed the best you can afford, and add to it when you can. For pet birds, there is a lot of debate about diets these days - seed vs. pellets. Neither is a complete diet in itself. Fresh fruits and vegetables are necessary for the overall good health and nutrition of a pet bird. For many finch species, live food in the form of various insects is a requirement.

This is where your research into proper diet for each animal is so important. Years of healthy life can be added to your pet when diet is properly looked after!

When you are changing your pet's diet, do so gradually. Add one new item at a time, and space out those additions. That way if there is a negative reaction, you can quickly pinpoint the culprit. Not every food agrees with every animal.

Sunlight is also necessary for the health of your pet. Sunlight helps the body convert the nutrients in the foods you feed into the necessities for their systems. In place of sunlight, use full-spectrum lighting, like Vita-Lites, or an equivalent. These are ideal for your indoor pets, such as birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Here are some herbal remedies for those common problems:

Eyes:
A strong tea of eyebright, used as a wash, is perfect for irritated eyes on all pets. Also administer orally to boost the internal mechanisms to fight infection from the inside. Alternatively, you can make a saline solution. Dissolve 1/8 teaspoon of sea salt in 1/2 cup boiling water. Add 1 drop of goldenseal extract to 1 tablespoon of the saline solution, once cooled, when you are going to use it....it shrinks swollen tissues and disinfects.

Itching:
The common cause of itching is due to fleas and flea bites - some animals are actually allergic to the flea bites, compounding the problem. Brewer's yeast is often recommended, 1 teaspoon or tablet per day, as a deterrent. A word of caution here - some animals are allergic to the brewer's yeast, or react to it with dry patches of skin that itch just as bad as the fleas do.

If you use brewer's yeast, keep an eye out for these sorts of skin problems to develop, and discontinue the brewer's yeast if necessary as soon as one of these symptoms appear. A good remedy for those dry itchy skin patches is tea tree oil, rubbed over the patch. The bitter taste will discourage the animal from digging at his skin, and the oil works well to heal the dryness. Do not use it near the eyes or genitals, however.

Aloe is also good for those dry patches. Another method is to put a slice of raw cucumber over the "hot" spot, holding it there for a few minutes, and then rub aloe or tea tree oil over the area.

The shampoo you use, or the flea collar you use, may actually be causing the itching. Bathe the animal in an all natural shampoo, preferably something that has aloe in it, and find an alternative to that flea collar!! Would you wear chemicals around your neck? Neither should they!

You can make an herbal dip for your pet as follows: 2 cups packed fresh peppermint, pennyroyal, or rosemary; 1 quart boiling water; 4 quarts warm water - - Prepare an infusion by pouring the boiling water over the herbs and allow it to steep for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and dilute it with the warm water. Saturate the animal's coat thoroughly with the solution, allowing it to air dry. Use at the first sign of flea activity. This remedy will need to be repeated every three to four days, but it is totally safe.

Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis), Peppermint (Mentha piperita) with a base oil will help Itchy Skin, dry or Sluggish skin and coat and helps fight against skin Parasites.

For dog’s itchy feet, fill the tub with enough cool water to cover their feet, dissolve a couple cups of Epsom salts in the water and soak your dog’s feet for 10 minutes. Do not let your dog drink this water.

If the itching persists, and fleas or poor diet are not the culprit, use a mixture of Licorice Root, Dandelion Root, and Cat's Claw in equal drops of each tincture for two weeks. The licorice is a natural cortisone, and will help to jumpstart the immune system.

Cuts:
Fresh aloe is an excellent application for those strange cuts and scrapes we can never figure out how our pet got. It is a natural antiseptic, and will keep the area moist until the cut can heal. Another good product is Bag Balm, available at feed stores everywhere. It keeps the skin moist and pliable, so that the skin can repair itself, and new hair can grow back. It prevents scarring when the area can be kept moist, but not wet.

Abscesses:
First you must lance the abscess. I mix a betadine solution with water until it looks like tea, and then fill an eyedropper with the solution and squirt it into the hole. Do this several times per day, at least three. The important thing is to clip the fur away from the abscess and don't cover it with any bandage, or it can't drain properly. It has to heal from the inside out. If it is extremely deep, you may need a vet to put a drain in it. I also begin to administer antibiotic herbs orally, to help fight any infection that may occur.

Another course of action is to use chamomile in the wound to prevent infection. I have had a lot of success with these methods, which my vet recommends. However, I also know that if it doesn't begin to clear up within a week, I need professional help to combat the infection.

Carsickness:
Does your pet get carsick when you take him for trips? Try giving a few drops of ginger root extract prior to the trip to settle his tummy. If it is a long trip, you may want to administer the ginger again halfway through the trip.

Rose (Rosa damascena), Ylang Ylang (Cananga Odorata), Clary Sage (Salvia sclare) diluted with base oil should help taming tension for your over active dog about to take a trip to the vet or groomer or yourself during a stressful event! You can also add a bit of Sweet Marjoram (Origanum Marjorana hortensis) or Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara) for Nervous canines.

Flatulence:
Does your pet clear the room without barking? Two courses of action can be taken to give relief on that front (or should I say "behind"?!). One is to give a tablespoon of plain yogurt mixed into their food once per day. Another method is to give a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar on the food daily. Try one method, and give it time. If it doesn't work, then try the other. If the problem persists, look into his diet.

Infections:
Give a tincture of equal drops of echinacea and goldenseal. If the illness persists after two weeks, try a combination of different herbal antibiotics after careful diagnosis by your vet. If the animal recovers quickly, continue giving the herbs for a few days after, to aid in healing completely.

I generally give a capsule of garlic oil in the food once per week. It helps keep the biting insect critters away, and helps keep the immune system healthy.

Dehydration:
When a pet is dehydrated, due to illness or injury, you can give them Pedialyte, available in the baby food section of any grocery store. Alternatively, you can substitute Gatorade. However, the sugar content in Gatorade is rather high, which is not good for long term use with our pets. If using it, cut it in half with plain water.

There are also powdered electrolyte solutions available in most feed stores that work just as well, and are less expensive. Electrolyte solutions given in place of water for the first 24 hours will also help new pets that were shipped to deal with the stress of shipping. This is especially important with reptiles, amphibians, and birds of all types.

Ulcers:
If your pet is suffering from ulcers, give him two drops each of Calendula, Comfrey, Knotgrass, and Nettle twice per day. Couple this with a bland, easy to digest diet until the ulcer has healed.

Anxiety, Stress:
When your pet suffers from stress or anxiety, try a combination of the extracts of Oats, Valerian, and Chamomile. Rub a little lavendar oil near the animal's muzzle, or place some on a cotton pad in the pet's bed or in his sleeping area. And remember that if you are stressed, the animal will be too, so sniff a little of that calming lavendar for yourself as well.

Orphans:
To raise an orphan, first find some goat milk - the fresher the better - to use as the replacement for mother's milk. Goat milk is high in butterfat content, and is infinitely better to use than those powdered replacements found in stores, and miles ahead of cow's milk. This applies for human babies, as well.

Many a colicky baby has had their stomach soothed with goat milk.....and goat milk is usually easily used by those considered lactose-intolerant. Goat milk can be found in your health food store, and often in your grocery store, but the very best source is of course directly from the goat. Find a dairy goat farmer in your area.

The prices will be better, too! We have raised everything from puppies and kittens to colts and calves on goat's milk, and have observed or experienced none of the weight-gain problems or vitamin deficiency or immune deficiencies that occur often when using substitutes. Remember to feed the milk warmed. For puppies and kittens, it is often helpful to rub the face and anal area with a warm swab, to stimulate their system, much as the mother does after the baby feeds from her.

Once per day, add a little spirulina (powdered) to the milk. It boosts the immune system, so needed in orphaned babies, and provides many necessary vitamins and nutrients.

Pregnancy:
Raspberry leaf administered daily throughout a pet's pregnancy (mammals) will help tone the uterus and aid in the healing of the uterus after birth, as well as help to stimulate milk production in the mammaries.

Hepatitis:
Milk thistle and turmeric is the preferred treatment for this disease, and most liver ailments, in most pets.

Diarrhea, vomiting:
Powdered slippery elm bark is useful for treating diarrhea, vomiting, and sensitive stomachs for pets.

Shiny Coats:
One teaspoon (less for very small animals, such as ferrets) of cod liver oil dribbled over the pet's food once or twice per week will give a thick, shiny coat, as well as provide many nutrients needed by your pet's body.

Bee Pollen:
1/4 teaspoon for every 15 pounds of animal, given two to three times weekly, helps to slow the aging process. It will also restore hormone balances, regulate the digestive tract, and calm the symptoms of common allergies. Give bee pollen daily during times of stress, illness, or disease to give a boost to the body.

Vitamin C:
Giving 1000 mg to 2000 mg per day for three months to puppies from large breeds can help prevent hip dysplacia. Give 500 mg to 1000 mg daily to ease arthritis in dogs and cats. 500 mg each day can prevent urinary tract symptoms and problems for cats.

A WORD OF CAUTION:
Do not give white willow to cats or kittens. Many felines are allergic to salycin, the active ingredient in both white willow and the drug that is derived from it, aspirin. Substitute meadowsweet as a pain reliever instead.

(Note: this pet kit is geared towards dogs)

Birch – pain killer, cramps and joints.
Comfrey – poultice for sprains and sore muscles and bruises.
Lavender – burns, Skin Conditions, sedating
Lemon – cleansing, antiseptic
Tea Tree – Itching, rashes Skin Conditions and immunity
Marjoram – sedating, Digestion, Hyperactivity, relaxing
Peppermint – pain relief, Arthritis, stimulating, Digestion, fevers
Rosemary – circulation and detoxification
Eucalyptus – fleas, respiratory conditions, flu
First Aid – Aloe Vera plant used fresh for your pets sore gums, and minor cuts in the foot pads.
Flax Seed -For an extra Shiny Coat add flax seed oil to your pets food

Simple Solution-The Anti-arthritis Diet

Ingredients

2 cups brown rice
2 cups barley (pearls)
1 cup lentils
2 cups carrots
1 cup celery
1/2 cup parsley
2 cups spinach
2 cups lamb or beef hearts
2 Garlic Cloves
8 to 12 cups water

Combine ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a boil and then simmer covered for 1 1/4 hours. Stir every fifteen minutes. Add more water as needed.

Herbal Dosage Balls

These are great for giving Herbs to animals reluctant to eat the herb when it is mixed with their food. Also, you know exactly how much of the herb the animal is getting.

Mix together:
1/2 cup (8 Tablespoons) powdered or finely crushed Herbs
1/4 cup (4 Tablespoons) powdered Slippery Elm Bark (Slippery Elm acts as a binding agent to hold the herb mixture together.)

Add:
1/4 cup Honey or Molasses

With your fingers (or in a food processor), mix and kneed into a dough. Break into 16 even pieces, shape into balls and then roll the balls in a little bit of Slippery Elm powder just to coat. Each ball equals a 1/2 Tablespoon dose. Offer an herbal dosage ball to the animal first, and he may eat it right out of your hand.

If he won’t, shove it in his mouth. Often, the animal realizes the balls taste good and want more. If he spits it out, just shove further back in the mouth next time.