Scents Of Peace

Holistic Animal Care - Ear Mites

I have a nine year old dog who has a history of ear problems and when she's miserable, I treat her myself. She's had foul smelling ears that have cleared up with the following method . . .

If your dog will allow you to put oil in his/her ear try this easy home remedy.

Before you start:

Within this site you will find simple recipes that are from simple ingredients. Nothing is more frustrating than reading a recommendation for a natural remedy that requires a second mortgage -IF - you can find the required ingredients. Feel free to contact me directly if you need clarification on any of these recipes, need assistance locating ingredients, or would like me to formulate a "concoction" for you. Most recipes are intended for dogs, but some have been used on farm animals - and even a few "two-leggeds" ! But before you adapt any of these home remedies for your feline companion, please read all cautions listed. Most importantly - do your own research before using !

On that note, we need to address a very important issue and warning to cat owner's. Please heed the following information !

Cats are sensitive creatures and toxicology studies show that the feline liver usually needs 48 hours to process and excrete toxins. Safe for a dog does not mean safe for a cat in all scenarios. Their liver is more delicate; and because they lack the necessary enzyme to break down toxins, do not eliminate them as quickly. As an essential oil therapist, with few exception and rare circumstances, I do NOT advise cat owners to use essential oils. The reason is that many essential oils have trace amounts of phenols, which build up in the liver. Interestingly, phenols are contained in many household cleaning products - just another reason to "go green" when cleaning. When diffusing oils, try not to use excessive amounts of essential oil, and make sure your cat can get to 'undiffused' air if it is not to their liking. Remember cats have many more olfactory receptors than we do !

If a situation arises, only a few essential oils are safe enough and must be highly diluted before use. Please consult with a knowledgeable cat practitioner and educate yourself on proper usage. Generally, never use oils on your pets that would not be appropriate on an infant. The previous statement was more a caution than an endorsement of comparison ! Simply stated, a cat and a human infant do not have the same liver function. Comparing the healing benefits of essential oils for you, and applying them to your pet is not wise due to metabolic differences.

And to make another point . . .

Although Tina’s great-grandfather was the local country “vet” and we run a small farm ourselves, we are herbalist, not trained veterinary staff. The commentary and recipes found in the site are in no way to be interpreted as medical or veterinary advice. It is simply a composite of personal experiences and information we are freely sharing with you to read and research. Everything contained is anecdotal and it is your responsibility to evaluate your situation. We assume no responsibility if you are unable to use common sense.

Now let's get started !

Olive and Garlic Ear Oil

Shopping List :

- Olive oil

- Whole fresh garlic cloves

- Lavender essential oil (optional)

- Tea Tree essential oil (optional)

Preparation :

Take a small amount of olive oil, or other suitable cooking oil, and heat it on the stove with one or two chopped cloves of garlic.

Simmer until all the water content is gone from the garlic and it begins to brown. Allow it to cool, steep the garlic during this time, then remove the garlic. Store in a bottle or plastic tub, etc at room temp.

NOTE : If you have any essential oils of lavender or tea tree, add a few drops of each to the mixture when it has fully cooled down. HOWEVER, leave out the essential oils if using on a cat, as their liver cannot break down the phenols which can lead to toxicity.

Make sure you use PURE ESSENTIAL OILS - NOT - FRAGRANCE OILS !!!!

If you do add the essential oils, they have their own healing properties and will speed the process. But do not wait to try this if you don't have the essential oils; you can always add them later.

Usage :

Apply several drops to each ear and massage gently, as often as you can, at least once a day.

Using a clean tissue each time, thus making certain not to contaminate the healthy ear, clean the outer ear area.

Reapply more oil, massage and leave in.

Wipe area clean before applying next treatment.

TIP :

The easiest way to get the oil in the animal's ear is to saturate a cotton ball and squeeze the "excess" oil into the ear. Use the cotton ball to wipe the area clean and DISCARD. Use a clean cotton ball and repeat method on the other ear. It is NOT advised you use Q-tips, as you risk damaging your pet's ears or pushing debris further back into the canal ! Also do not soak the ear - only a few drops are needed and allow your pet to shake excess and then re-wipe with clean cotton balls.

This should work for several reasons:

- The oils drowns the mites and the garlic acts as an antibacterial/antimicrobial agent.

- It is soothing for the irritation and scratching etc., and helps heal where the dog has scratched.

- Wax and oil do not "mix" and this will help any wax build-up loosen and evacuate the ear. This action alone will assist in clearing the mites as "a clean ear is a healthy ear".

- Mites love wax, so regular oiling of the ears will help prevent future infestation.

Summary:

Depending on the problem it could clear up in a few days, but allow a week for best results. I've also used this on cats and other farm animals . . . and this remedy also works on people when you have an earache, or are prone to excess wax.

Read more here . . .

Dedication to Miss Sable and Miss Rock

Your loyal and devoted patience while enduring years of "humiliation" while being oiled, sprayed, spritzed, and lathered will be forever remembered. Know that while you romp in the Everlasting; many devoted pet owners are greatful for the remedies we created together - and through them you live on.

Miss Sable left us February 2008 and Miss Rock a month later in March, at the respectable ages of 12 and 14 years.

We will miss you . . .

Mind . . . Body . . . Spirit

"The best recipe for health is to apply sweet scents to the brain."
Anacreon (c.570 B.C. - c.485 B.C.)

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