​ I am often asked if there is any natural dewormer one can use for our dogs and cats, because as fur parents we are always worried about overuse of dewormers etc

The following intestinal parasites are some of the most common types of dog worms (taken from Viera East Vet Centre):

• Roundworms: The most common dog worms of all types. Roundworms in dogs grow reach 3-5” long in adulthood, and they resemble a piece of wet spaghetti. Roundworms in dogs can be transmitted via the nursing process, by feeding on an infected animal, or by contact with the infected faeces of another animal.
• Tapeworms: Tapeworms in dogs have long and flat ⅛” segmented bodies that can grow to 8 inches in length. Tapeworms in dogs happen when a dog encounters or ingests a host that is carrying tapeworm eggs, like a bird or a flea.
• Hookworms: Hookworms in dogs are the smallest of all common dog worms varieties. Hookworms in dogs reside primarily in the small intestine. They grow to approximately one inch in length and feed on the blood. They can cause life threatening anaemia in dogs of all ages, but especially puppies. Hookworms are passed in the faeces, and can infect other animals and people too. *Hookworm can also stay in the ground for years. *My add in.
• Whipworms: Whipworms in dogs are about ¼” long and reside in the cecum and colon. Whipworms can cause severe damage to these organs, and are considered one of the most harmful dog worms in existence, but are also more geographically distinct than other dog worms.
• Heartworms: Heartworms in dogs live in the heart and pulmonary arteries. They are transmitted by infected mosquitoes, which migrate throughout the body over about 6 months before finally coming to rest in the circulatory system. Heartworms are transmitted only from an infected mosquito’s bite, and not within or between species. They are preventable and treatable, but can be fatal if not diagnosed and arrested before the advanced stages of infestation. (not common in South Africa)
• Ringworm: Ringworm, or dermatophytosis, is a skin disease caused by a fungus that results in lesions and sores on the epidermal (or outer skin) layer. Interestingly enough, ringworm is not caused by a worm at all, but rather by an infection of dead layers of skin, hair and nails. Ringworm is curable, but treatment can take time and the condition can be very painful.

Another worm, found in South Africa is Spirocerca lupi.  It is a deadly worm that lives in a dog’s oesophagus after a long journey through the body. On its journey to the target organs (oesophagus and aorta) S. lupi causes serious damage that leads to disease of the intestinal, respiratory and circulatory system.



Worms in Cats:

• Roundworms
• Hookworms
• Tapeworms
• Whipworms

There are also a number of less commonly diagnosed worms in cats that can cause serious health problems and can even be fatal, including:

• Lungworms
• Stomach worms
• Bladder worms
• Liver flukes
• Heartworms

As you can see from the above there are a lot of different worms that animals can get and it affects their health and can even be fatal.  Signs of worms are in dogs are:

• Weight loss accompanied by a marked increase or decrease in appetite
• Distended abdomen, or ‘pot-bellied’ appearance
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea/chronic soft stools
• Chronic coughing
• Dulling of coat and/or hair loss accompanied by skin irritation/inflammation
• Rubbing or dragging the hindquarters across the ground
• Visible presence of segments of tapeworms in dogs attached to the skin and fur around the anus/hind quarters area
• Visible presence of roundworms in dogs in infected stool, like tiny grains of rice

Common signs of worms in cats include (taken from PETMD):

• Vomiting (sometimes with worms in the vomit)
• Diarrhoea (with or without blood)
• Tarry faeces
• Weight loss
• Distended abdomen
• Skin lesions
• Generally poor body condition and a dull coat

As infestations worsen and symptoms progress, you may see signs such as:

• Weakness
• Dehydration
• Pale lips and gums due to anaemia
• Low blood pressure
• Shock
• Death, in the most severe cases

As an Animal Aromatherapy Specialist, my recommendation is to do faecal floats at your vet to check for worms and that way one only deworms with traditional deworming when necessary.  And of course prevention as much as possible.  Pick up the animals stools 3 times a day if necessary especially if you have dogs that eat poop.  

When it comes to essential oils there are oils we can use like Thyme for example, but these need to be worked out by a qualified Animal Aromatherapy Specialist. I have a range specifically made for dogs and cats, so please contact me to purchase yours

If you would like a consultation with me, to purchase essential oils or find out when my next class is, please contact me on +27 769414079 or email ingridliberte.loveofanimals@gmail.com

The information provided is for educational purpose only and is not a substitute for vet care.  The statements made about the essential oils, blends, recipes and products mentioned have not be evaluated by the FDA.  The information given is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent disease.  It is always recommended to consult with a vet or healthcare professional.

Milk thistle is a supplement often recommended for dogs to support their liver.  It is considered an aid to healing after drug therapy, vaccinations, and infections like parvo virus etc.  Milk thistle generally supports the immune system throughits powerful antioxidant, free radical scavenging action.
Milk thistle should be reserved for treatment for an existing disease or when your animal is on medicines like Phenobarbital that affect the liver, rather than using it everyday on a healthy dog.

Dosage is particularly important as high dosages of milk thistle will eventually suppress the liver function. As a general guidance, the recommended dosage is 75 to 100mg for every 5kg of body weight, once a day.
Please be aware of what product you purchase at your local shops as some of the  milk thistle products have other ingredients in them like magnesium and vitamin b12  and turmeric etc.
​
Why must one be careful with the added ingredients?  In the case of magnesium, there is not a lot of research into the use of it with dogs and in the case of turmeric, if your dog is on epilepsy meds, turmeric is contra indicated for use with these meds.

As I always say, natural does not equal safe.  One must know how to use these products correctly with animals in all cases.
 
If you would like a consultation with me, purchase essential oils or to find out when my next class is, please contact me on ingridliberte.loveofanimals@gmail.com
​or +27 76 941  4079 
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for vet care.  The statements made about the essential oils, blends, recipes, and products mentioned have not been evaluated by the FDA.  The information given is not intended to diagnose treat or cure or prevent disease.  It is always recommended to consult with a vet or healthcare professional.

Grief in Domestic Animals
 
Animals experience grief when losing a friend and a lot of the times this grief goes unnoticed as they do not display grief in the same ways as we do.  In fact, some people believe that animals do not grieve.
 
Every animal grieves differently, however there are certain universal sign:
Dogs or cats grieving the loss of a friend:

1. They may eat less, or not eat all.
2. They may sleep more.
3. They may be more listless.
4. They may not want to play.
5. They may hide.
6. They may move around more slowly.
7. They may withdraw from people and more.

 
Horses show their grieving slightly differently to cats and dogs:

1. They may wait at the gate for their friend.
2. They may exhibit reduced social interaction.
3. They may eat less.
4. Sometimes they are just a litter quieter overall which can go unnoticed.

Here is a beautiful article about wild horses and their grief:
​https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2018/07/04/wild-horses-death-grief-insight/
 
How do we help our animals in their time of grief?

1. Tell them that you can see how losing their friend has affected them and that you are here for them.
2. Share stories of their friend with them and talk to them in a calm voice.  I do believe in crying with your animal, however you do not want them to get overwhelmed by your grief as well, so please be aware of this.
3. Do different activities with them.  Perhaps a walk in a new place, or a something new to learn or focus on.
4. Do more of what your animal already loves.
5. Use essential oils specifically for grief during this time.

 
Essential Oils and Grief
One of the easiest ways to use essential oils during this time of grief is a diffuser.  I use the Diffuser with the intermittent function of 5 min on and 5 min off, which is the best for animals. When we use diffusers we always make sure the animals can leave the area and we never close them in with the diffuser on.
One of the oils I recommend for grief in the diffuser is Wild Orange as it is well known for use in depression in animals as it is a very uplifting oil and has numerous benefits.


If you would like a consultation with me or to find out when my next class is, please contact me on ingridliberte.loveofanimals@gmail.com or +27 76 941  4079
 
​​The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for vet care.  The statements made about the essential oils, blends, recipes, and products mentioned have not been evaluated by the FDA.  The information given is not intended to diagnose treat or cure or prevent disease.  It is always recommended to consult with a vet or healthcare professional.

 With regards to massaging, often people just use their hands and do not use any essential oils, however the benefit of adding the oils in is phenomenal!

There are various ways one can incorporate them into the massage:

1. One can use the Essential Oils in the area the dog need only;
2. One can use the Essential O ils along the spine only;
3. One can use the Essential Oils all over where you are massaging.

General Massage Recipe
Here is my general recipe for you to use on your dogs:
1 drop Frankincense
1 drop Peppermint.
1 drop Cypress
1 drop Lavender
1 drop Basil (please leave out if your dog has epilepsy) 
Place all 5 drops into a 10ml bottle and top up with Fractionated Coconut Oil.  
​
Instructions for use of the General Massage Recipe Mixture
For use in are of need only:  1 – 2 drops and massage in;
For use in spin area only:  1 – 3 drops and massage in;
For use all over:  1 drop at  a time as you move to a new area up to max of 5 drops
 
If you would like a consultation with me or to find out when my next class is, please contact me on ingridliberte.loveofanimals@gmail.com or +27 76 941  4079

​​The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for vet care.  The statements made about the essential oils, blends, recipes and products mentioned have not been evaluated by the FDA.  The information given is not intended to diagnose treat or cure or prevent disease.  It is always recommended to consult with a vet or healthcare professional.

Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt (LMT) says there are 4 T’s we need to be aware of when we massage: Temperature, Texture, Tenderness and Tension and these we need to do all by feeling with our hands/fingers. 
Temperature
Changes in the temperature of the dog’s skin suggests that certain problems exist in that area.  For example, an area that is abnormally cool to touch compared to the rest of the body, due to lack of blood circulation in that area, may indicate problems such as muscle contraction etc
Texture
Texture of the tissues refers to the density and elasticity of the skin and muscle fibres.  With practice you will develop a sense of touch for what feels normal and or too soft or puffy.
Tenderness
Tenderness of the structures such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, will relate to the sensitivity response of the animal to your touch.
Tension
Tension refers to the tonicity of the muscle fibres.  Muscle tension can be a result of too much exercise or overuse of certain muscles due to pain like arthritis in other areas of the body.
Therefore please remember that when you start to massage that you use your fingers as sensors to get feedback through the 4 T’s on the condition of your animal.
Common Stress areas in dogs are:

• The head and neck
• The shoulders and forelegs
• The back and ribcage
• The hind quarters and hind legs

Part 3 will include essential oils, so see you next week.
 
If you would like a consultation with me or to find out when my next class is, please contact me on ingridliberte.loveofanimals@gmail.com or +27 76 941  079

We all love a good massage, right?  But imagine if you are giving your dog a massage and she is not enjoying it?  In this article I will give a few pointers on the benefits of massage and how to keep in tune with your dog’s comfort.
 
First and foremost, YOU need to make sure you are in the mood to massage your dog.  They are so sensitive to our moods and it is no good trying to get them to relax and enjoy it when you are impatient, irritable, and not fully present.
 
The first thing you need to do is create the ambience.  I use soft music, dim lights, and relaxing essential oils in the diffuser like Lavender.  I make sure the diffuser is on the 5 min on and 5 min off function and I use only 1 drop of Lavender as they cannot leave the room while you are massaging like I recommend in the safety guidelines with diffusers. (for more info on this contact me for my next essential oils and animals’ class)
 
Your first approach of touch must be gentle with no massaging yet. Speak softly to her while you are busy as she may feel her space is being invaded.  Because of this she needs to know you are there to part love and healing to her and this will develop trust between you with regards to massaging.  Watch her body language as she will tell you if she is uncomfortable by lip licking, panting and generally looking tense.  This process of developing trust for massaging must not be rushed and if you need to do only 5 minutes a day of just touch for a while, then do it.  Remember the goal is that you are wanting to develop trust and a deeper relationship with your dog so that she will relax and enjoy a massage and this will only benefit both of you in the long run.
 
When you place your hands on her, your hands must be warm, as it is no good tensing her up with a freezing hand.  Always keep one hand on her if you need to do something with the other hand, e.g. add oil to the massage (this is later).  This constant touch keeps her relaxed because if you take your hands off her and then place them back on, it is like starting from the beginning again.
 
Part of your ‘dog sense’ is to learn to read her body language so that you can learn if you have pressed to hard, or she has sensitive area of pain etc.  Take your lead in your massaging from your dogs’ cues as you keep speaking softly to her and learn to be sensitive to her body’s cues under your hands and fingers.
 
Sensitivity of the hands is important, and you need to learn to trust your hands and your fingertips to give your accurate feedback of the physiological state of the parts you are working on. A good way to develop your perception is to do the work with your eyes closed as this will help you focus on your fingertips and developing your tactility.
 
 All of this is started straight away when you are just touching your dog in the beginning without even massaging yet.
 
If you wouId like a consultation with me or to find out when my next class is, please contact me on ingridliberte.loveofanimals@gmail.com or +27 76 941  4079

In today’s day an age with so much information out there about essential oils for animals, how does one know what is true? I use the following guidelines:

1. Is the article written by a Vet that used Essential Oils or an Animal Aromatherapy Specialist?
2. Where do they get their information from? Sometimes it is just a regurgitation of other articles without research into scientific documents etc.
3. Do they know in depth about the oils, and I do not mean just what they can be used for?

The difference for me now that I have studied Animal Aromatherapy to when I just knew oils, is remarkable. I approach it in a totally different way and much more in depth. There is so much to learn about the oils and the help one can get from someone who is not qualified does not even scratch the surface.
​
Using essential oils is like using medicine and not everything is safe for animals or can be used on certain animals and more. And with being a Veterinary Assistant for 10 years, I totally get this. Before I would have thought “what do you know?” I understand now that I am a qualified Animal Aromatherapy Specialist.

Enjoy your essential oils safely and ask help from the right people. You would not go the pool specialist to ask about essential oils would you?

To book a consult with me contact +27 76 941 4079
edit.

It is important that the Essential Oils you use for your animals and your family are 100% pure and this is why I have chose doTERRA. They are CPTG - Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade oils and each bottle has a batch number on the bottom so you can check that batch for yourself.  Synthetics that are in other oils are toxic to yourself and your animals so I don't recommend any other brand because of this.

I have been in love with animals since I was a child and yet, because I didn't want to do veterinary, I never even thought of how else I could work with them. Fast forward to 2000, when Terrence and I were missionaries in India, and all I was worried about were the animals that came across my path, yet it was only in 2007 that I began working with animals as a Vet Assistant at a Vet Practice in Muzienberg.

It was during this time that I started Australian Shepherd SA Rescue Org in 2012 and subsequently moved the rescue to Gauteng in 2016. I have been full time in the rescue since 2016 and in 2019, due to many aussies with cardio issues I started investigating a more holistic approach to compliment the meds they were already on and this led me to discover dōTERRA Essential Oils.

I have been learning from 3 different vets in the USA, 2 of which are on the veterinary board of dōTERRA. I am loving this new journey that the rescue and myself is on and learn new things every day.

The reason I chose these oils is because:
1. In my experience, most dogs and cats don't eat the herbal powders;
2. dōTERRA oils are 100% pure and therefore no harmful synthetics for you and your pet;
3. They are easily accesible world wide;
4. It not only benefits you and your own household, but you can help others with them;
5. You have support as you continue to learn
6. I can trust this brand;
​7. I can earn from these oils and get oils free too;
8. These oils treat the whole: emotions, soul, spiritual and physical!

To find out more about these oils or Australian Shepherd SA Rescue Org, contact me, Ingrid on 0769414079