Pet Care

Flower power
By  Karen Goldrick
    
Flower remedies have been used successfully in veterinary medicine for more than 50 years, particularly for stress-related or behavioural problems. The Bach Flower range of remedies is based on the work of Dr Edward Bach, a prominent London physician, surgeon, bacteriologist and homœopath.

Dr Bach worked as a casualty medical officer in a busy London hospital, but he became frustrated with the way doctors tended to treat their patients as a collection of disease symptoms rather than as individuals. In 1930 he left medical practice to develop his 38 treatments from non-toxic flowers. His remedies are based on flowers native to England, but other countries have developed their own sets, such as Ian White’s Australian Bush Flower Essences, and the West Australian Living Essences.

How are they prepared?
Flower remedies are plant-based remedies but are not herbal medicines. Bach Flower remedies are prepared from fresh flowers soaked in spring water and sunlight for several hours. The flowers are removed and the essence preserved in alcohol.

Stock-strength remedies have a long shelf life and are available from healthfood stores or wholesalers. Dosage remedies are made up by combining one to five different stock remedies. When treating people, these are usually further diluted in alcohol. However, for treating pets, we usually dilute them in spring water and avoid the alcohol taste. As a result, the shelf life is reduced from about six months to about two or three. It is also vital that the dropper is not contaminated with animal saliva. Flower essences need to be kept away from ultraviolet light, computer and microwave radiation, power points, chargers, routers and coffee.

The proposed mode of action is not pharmacological as in traditional Western medicines. Instead, the remedies influence the patient by manipulating energy, which affects their emotional and physical balance.

How are they used?
Each flower remedy is used for a particular emotional imbalance, eg Holly (jealousy) can be used for animals who do not get along or to smooth the introduction of a new pet into the house. Beech (intolerance), Walnut (transition) and Willow (resentment) might also be useful.

The dosage and frequency of use depend on the nature of the problem and the animal’s response. For most problems, three or four drops can be given up to four times a day. They can be given by mouth, although this may be in itself a stress, and there is a risk of dropper contamination and breakage if glass. As an alternative, they may be rubbed onto gums, massaged onto the top of the head or rubbed into the ears. Allow your pet to lick a few drops off your fingers. They may also be added to drinking water but are less effective in food.

Some specific remedies
Rescue Remedy, or Five Flower Remedy, is probably the most well-recognised flower remedy. It is made up of Rock Rose (terror), Impatiens (overactivity), Star of Bethlehem (shock), Cherry Plum (fear of losing control) and Clematis (distant and dreamy). It is used as an emergency remedy to treat physical trauma and shock.

Rescue Remedy has been used for car accidents, snakebite, heat stress, slow recovery from surgery or anaesthesia, frantic barking, after seizures and after whelping or kittening. It can also be rubbed into the top of the head of wild animals and birds after rescue.

Rescue Remedy is dosed at a rate of one to four drops (depending on the size of the animal) every five minutes. The more frequently it is used, the more effective it will be. Use a small spritz bottle, and add 10 drops of Rescue Remedy to spring water in the bottle, and succuss (thump the bottle against the palm of your hand gently but firmly 100 times). This can be misted onto your hands and rubbed over your pet’s coat to reduce stress. Cages at shows or vet clinics can be sprayed with the mist. So can the inside of the car or the clinic room.

Many dogs suffer from fear of thunder (or other loud noises). Signs range from hiding and shaking to destructive behaviours or even smashing through glass windows to escape. A combination of Rescue Remedy, Mimulus (specific fear) and Aspen (general worry and anxiety) given orally every 15 minutes should help calm the dog. After three or four storms, use of the remedy will usually create an association with being calm while the storm is underway.

Flower essences work best if accompanied by appropriate responses to the behaviour, which do not encourage it. During a storm your dog may feel anxious and by repeatedly reassuring and petting them you may inadvertently reinforce the anxiety. Instead, ignore the anxious behaviour and give your dog an alternative, eg a bone or a training game. Some dogs respond well to being given a place to sit and a commanded to sit, drop and stay. When they have calmed down, gently rub a few drops of the remedy on the inside of the ear and reward them verbally for good behaviour every 15 minutes or so.

Car sickness and stress while moving house or staying in boarding kennels can be eased using a combination of Rescue Remedy, Honeysuckle (grief), Walnut (transitions), Mimulus (specific fear) and Schleranthus (imbalance). Give by mouth or dilute with water and use to spray the car before leaving.

Bach Flower Remedies are not toxic, but if an inappropriate combination is used they are ineffective and occasionally will exacerbate the problem. For complex behaviour such as aggression in dogs or inappropriate toileting in cats it’s best to seek advice from a veterinary practitioner who has experience using these remedies in animals.