Case studies
- Cat pulling out fur
- Family pony with Cushing’s related laminitis
- Elderly Cat with Eczema and Skin Cancer
- Laminitis - From tears to smiles
- Sarcoids
- Mud Fever
- Behaviour - Finn
- Behaviour - Keats
- Jovi – Cat with tumors and travel hysteria
- Beagle with separation anxiety
Cat pulling out fur
Moosh is a beautiful cat who has been rehomed by the present owner from the Cats Protection League. When Moosh arrived at his new home he had been pulling hair from his 'trousers' and it had been thought it may have been an allergic reaction to fleas, although he had been thoroughly treated for this. There was no inflamed skin just pulling out of fur. Moosh was a lovely cat to work with - very decisive as to what he wanted and what he didn't! moving swiftly away behind the window blinds when he was not impressed. However, he made his way very determindly over to my bags containing the herbal powders.
Moosh indicated his wishes very clearly - chose his remedies - enjoyed them and promptly had a good groom and fell fast asleep on his armchair. Within 24 hours the fur pulling had stopped with the occasional pieces of fluff being found on the carpet in the morning from his night-time playing.
27 Year old family pony with Cushing’s related laminitis
I had been asked to help a horse that had been described as ‘explosive/unpredictable and dangerous. Whilst I was working with this horse, the owner drew my attention to the little pony in the next stable who was craning her neck around the stable door to inhale the molecules of the oils I was offering to the horse.
This little pony was suffering from Cushing’s related laminitis and at 27 years old the prognosis was not good. The little pony had belonged to the family for many years and now belonged to the little daughter. The pony was on veterinary medication, unable to stand-spending most of her day lying down and the decision had been made to put her out of her suffering. The little girl had been told and wanted to be there when the time came to put her pony to sleep. The owner agreed that as the pony had stood up and been trying to access the oils, we would try and help her although the owner was concerned not to raise false hopes in the little girl.
The pony showed a keen interest in the oils, extracts and dried powdered herbs that were potent anti-histamines, anti-inflammatories, heat relieving and immune supporting. After taking what she needed the pony was left to process the healing. The next day the pony showed improvement, standing up and moving around her stable, progressing to moving outside the stable. Although she was a little sore on the concrete she was fine on the softer ground.
15 months later the now 28 year old pony has not had a re-occurrence of the laminitis, is enjoying life and in the words of the owner ‘at times running around like a 2 year old’. To me this shows the truth of self selection – this pony was not even being offered the oils but knew in her desperate state just what she needed to heal herself and save her life – and she did.
Jovi – Cat with tumors and travel hysteria
Jovi is a 12 year old cat that had suffered with cancer and had recently been to the vets to have the tumours removed. The prognosis from the vet had not been good with the probability that the tumours would return and the cat had a limited time left to live – possibly 3 months.
Jovi had to go back every four weeks for a check up but was so distressed about going to the vets and became hysterical in the car to the extent that the owner had to have someone else drive as she was unable to concentrate.
Oils that are felt to inhibit cancer were offered along with differed herbs/ grasses and spirulina and turmeric and immune stimulants. Other oils for calming for visits to the vets were also used.
These are some of the comments from the owner after visits to the vet:
‘Good news – Jovi is still tumour free so doesn’t have to go back til the
end of November (2009). (original operation in the summer 2009)
I like to think that the oils are helping Jovi (with regard to the tumours) but I know for a fact they definitely help in the baskets (visits to the vets). Cried a little on the way to the vets but nothing compared to how stressed he normally is and on the way back he was silent, it was great, thank you so much.
Jovi at this time of writing March 2010 is still tumour free and long
may it continue.
This study shows how the oils and the skills of the veterinary surgeon
can work well together.
Beagle with separation anxiety
This little Beagle is 5 years old and has been with his owner since being a little puppy. His owner describes him as: ‘Loving; obedient; affectionate; sociable, loves children and other dogs, not at all aggressive’ The problem was one of severe distress when being separated from his owner with barking, howling, scratching at doors.
The owner wanted to address the origin of the problem, not just cover
it up with calming drugs.
The dog responded to several oils starting with Angelica Root - often
opens an animal up to healing. The other oils selected were for releasing
emotional stress and Yarrow to support this release, with comforting oils
also selected. The oil Frankincense (for fear of an unknown origin)
was a favourite and often sniffed. After the initial consultation,
the dog had a good nights sleep. Over the course of the next few
days the oils were offered and selected when necessary.
The following are some comments from the owner after she had left him for a little while…
"not a sound out of him – great news"
"so happy with the results – what a difference – thank you so much"
"I have to say the relationship between us is better than ever since you helped me and he is now so good in all areas – a dog really is a man’s best friend!"
Other people have also commented on how their relationship with their animal has changed and reached a deeper level of understanding. I also found that my relationship with my own animals became deeper as if we had connected to a more spiritual level and understanding - a feeling that goes beyond words.
Elderly Cat with Eczema and Skin Cancer
Missy Cat is an elderly cat of about 20 years. She has suffered with Eczema down her back for some time now. Steroid injections have given some relief but the Eczema returns when the steroids have worn off.
Eczema down back
Skin cancer on Ear
Missy cat also has a skin cancer on the outside tip of her ear. Missy Cat responded well to the Sea Buckthorn gel with great success and was purring whilst the gel was applied. The cancerous sore dried up, grew hard and came away with healthier skin being formed underneath.
The gel applied to the eczema on her back was a little more difficult because Missy Cat licked off the gel and whilst this was not detrimental to her internally it was irritating to the sores. A collar was put on her and her eczema began to heal. However, when the collar was removed the licking returned and so did the irritation.
I felt that we were addressing the symptoms but not the cause of the eczema and I telephoned Caroline Ingraham to ask what causes eczema? – grief was her reply.
This made sense to the owner, as Missy cat had been the only cat in the household until a rescue cat had been introduced. This rescue cat soon made himself at home and would not allow Missy Cat into what he considered to be ‘his territory’ swiping her and hissing when she walked past. The owner took measures to remedy this and actively encouraged Missy Cat.
It was at this point that German chamomile was offered and accepted and, in a hydrolat form, was applied down the back. The back started to heal.
The owner had to spend a couple of weeks away in America and was concerned as to how the eczema would be when she returned. Happily, the skin had healed and new white ‘baby fur’ was growing with no sign of irritation. The owner also reported that Missy Cat had become more confident in herself and was able to deal with the situation with the other cat much more successfully.
Eczema gone, hair regrown, Skin Cancer cleared
Laminitis - from tears to smiles
I was asked if the oils could help Kelly a 13 year old Shetland pony who had gone down with acute laminitis and could hardly move and despite being on ‘Bute’ every step was so very painful. She just wanted to lie in her stable and not move, the edges of her hooves had started to turn upwards and when standing was in a typical ‘laminitis stance’ weight going back wards. Her owner was distressed to see her pony in pain and discomfort.
Kelly took to the oils straight away making her choice very clearly known and took as much as she needed twice a day. Kelly was happy taking German Chamomile, Garlic, Yarrow and Peppermint and a pain relieving gel and loved the Rosehips – she would even stagger forward for these. After a couple of days Kelly came off ‘Bute’ and this day was very sore for her – amazingly she upped her self dosage of the oils – particularly German Chamomile so I offered Gt. Mugwort which has a stronger effect – she took this keenly for a day, then when she had dosed herself sufficiently ignored the Gt. Mugwort and went back to the German Chamomile.
Within a few days Kelly was bucking and squealing and running around the soft rubber arena although hard ground was still a little difficult for her. Kelly decreased the amount of oils she took and the twice daily application gradually reduced to once a day, once every two days to nothing needed at all. The owner carefully managed Kelly’s grazing and now she is back to being as cheeky and naughty as a Shetland should be and trotting around her paddock being a normal bossy mare!
Sarcoids
This horse has had sarcoids for 2 years and had applied veterinary preparations to try and remove them. The preparation had burned her skin and the sarcoid was still there and expanding. The horse was very head shy about anyone touching or raising their hands to her ear.
The horse was offered oils that are known to help with sarcoids, she chose the one most suited to her, allowed it to be applied easily – even putting her head down so that I could see what I was doing (she is nearly 17 hands) and allowed me to wave a camera around.
The photographs below show progression over 3 weeks - the treatmentis on going at present. The last photograph bottom right is the latest taken on 25th August.
Mud Fever
I was asked if the oils could help a horse with Mud Fever.
The horse had sores and scabs but the skin had not yet cracked open and the owner was desperate to heal the condition. The horse had had veterinary preparations/anti-biotics but the Mud Fever had not cleared fully and kept returning. Although the legs were sore and the horse apprehensive to having more preparations applied to her legs, she responded to the inhalation of the oils and allowed the owner to apply the gel containing the oils – it is important to note that the owner offered the oils to the horse first to allow it to choose whether or not it wished to have the gel applied to the legs. The horse was a little worried on the application to the first sore leg but then stood still and willingly let the owner apply the gel to the rest of the sores and scabbed legs.
Within days the scabs disappeared and healthy pink skin took their place.
Behaviour - Finn
My horse Finn is 10yrs old and a TB cross of some kind who has always had problems being kept in a stable for long periods of time.
Over the winter, he was kept in a box for 22 to 23 hours a day due to pasture flooding, and only turned out in an arena by himself after spending the previous year and a half in the company of another horse when out in the field. When stressed he gets very panicky and then comes across as very pushy and dominant and gets very spooky and prone to running round in circle when being led due to extreme fear and hyperactiveness and tension. Needless to say this wasn't fun for my horse or me!
So I knew of Gill already as she'd seen some of my lessons on Finn
with my Natural horsemanship instructor, and I'd seen her do a short demo
at a nearby yard at alternative therapy clinic day and had been very impressed
by her open-mindedness and calm/relaxed demeanour around twitchy/stressed
horses and so I searched for her contact
details and found her teacher, who is the foremost authority in aromatherapy
etc in the UK and runs a school, her name is Caroline Ingraham, and she
said she considered Gill was more than capable of helping me with the problem. I
couldn't agree more!
Gill had arranged a date to come out in less than a week of my initial email as I was having so many problems. When she turned up, on time and with a smile and a large box full of oils, Gill spent about an hour discussing Finn's history and explaining all the different ways a hors could take an oil, by simple sniffing, by curling the top lip (flehmen) or by licking, and that contrary to popular belief, greedy horses wouldn't take oils just for the sake of it, they only take what they need. She explained that although the oils are palatable when the horse needs them to balance itself mentally or physically, they become bitter in taste/smell when not needed so the horse won't take it, this is why oils must always be offered and never given in food, the horse will select everything he/she needs and nothing else.
Gill spent a good two hours going through at least twenty different oils, plant suspensions, root/plant powders and rosehips for vitamins as Finn had nowhere near an optimal diet with no grass for three months by then! She was quiet and patient and explained to me all the reactions, however small, Finn was giving to each oil and what it might mean and what the oil was for. Finn was instantly attracted to Gill's calm energy and was fascinated by everything she did and eagerly investigated everything offered to him, even if he eventually didn't chose to medicate himself with that particular oil. In the end I had a nice little stock of oils, suspensions and powders to offer him regularly that Gill would make up and dilute appropriately to Finn's needs, and get to me within a few days.
By the end of the treatment, I had some of my relaxed, gentle horse back and he could clearly be seen heaving a sigh of relief, and he mentally and physically let go of a lot of tension in just that one afternoon. I couldn't have been more impressed with Gill and I still check in with her every time I have a question or hit a problem, or find an interesting habit/behaviour/reaction to the oils in Finn developing and Gill is always happy to help, and one of the most friendly and generous professionals I've ever come across. Lately I've been having problems bridling Finn again, which has always been a problem as he has been badly treated in the past, and Gill sent me free samples of the oils she thought would help and said I could just pay for any I'd buy when the samples run out. And she hardly ever charges me for postage either, and always posts me supplies when I need them. All in all, I find her a more than consummate professional and a compassionate lady dedicated to helping every animal and owner she can. I hope to have her help throughout Finn's life and with any luck, she'll still have a booming business throughout most of my life as well as horses will always be my passion and it's peace of mind assured with my pets in Gill's capable hands.
My horse is now at a happier home and due to all Gill's ministrations, the move was a smooth one and he's settled in his home and a great favourite on the yard, in short, Gill gave me my horse back.
Thank you Gill! Best wishes, one loyal customer AKA Jennifer!
Behaviour - Keats
My horse was initially treated for possible pollen allergy having displayed serious head-shaking behaviour under saddle together with running nose, swollen/reddening of nasal membranes. However, during treatment my horse chose oils linked to behaviour/emotional issues e.g. sadness, unpredictability, unsettled, anxious etc., if he was a human I’d say he was having some sort of emotional crisis! What triggered this – who knows- but treatment continued on these lines as this was what my horse was choosing. One day my horse, and I can only describe it this way, was so angry in the school. It seemed that whatever ‘it’ was had come to a head and this was the only way to let ‘it’ out.
I am sure that the oils helped stabilise his emotional/mental attitude, and together with patient and careful handling and management of the whole situation encouraged my horse to get over ‘it and manage/cope better. He has come out the other side, no longer interested in any oils. Although he’s still testing how much he can get away with, he manages much better when I say ‘NO’!
