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Optimum ConnectionsNews from Optimum Choices, LLCJune 2005To receive this newsletter in your e-mail, click here. ContentsCurrent news Current newsMaxFund Lucky Mutt Strut
Benefit for
MaxFund Animal Adoption Center 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. Saturday massage availableSaturday, June 18 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. Add Years To Your Pet's Life with Natural Pet CareJune 25, 2005, 10:00-2:00See details below under Upcoming Classes Canine Wellness ExpoSaturday, July 9, 10:00 - 2:00 Library Park in downtown Ft. Collins, CO 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. Colorado Association of Animal Massage & Bodywork
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. Hydrosols: a safe alternative to essential oils for animalsUsing essential oils safely with animalsWhen 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.
For further information and precautions go to: www.optimumchoices.com/animals_oils.htm. We also recommend the book Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals by Kristin Leigh Bell. Using hydrosols with animalsHydrosols 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.
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. Upcoming classesAdd Years To Your Pet's Life with Natural Pet CareJune 25, 2005, 10:00-2:00Panera Bread: Grant & 13th Avenue, Denver, CO$33 by June 18, $39 thereafter. Price includes lunch, pre-registration required.Does your pet have?
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. Book of the month
Animal Wellness Magazine Click picture to go to website
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. Contact us
General Information:
Russell@OptimumChoices.com Telephone303-271-1649 Location (call first for appointment)416 Plateau Pky
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