EDITOR'S MESSAGE
UPCOMING MEETINGS
AUGUST SPECIALTY SHOW
Also, Hannah Dingman has donated a handmade spaniel water bowl and matching food bowl set Tickets for the raffle are $5 each or $20 for 5 tickets. These are great basket donations that are well worth over the cost of several tickets. Please support your club by purchasing raffle tickets at the show. Alice Alford will be selling tickets for the raffle. We will also have a very limited amount of Specialty catalogs available for sale at $5 each. Cash only, first come, first serve. Please see Sharon Utych or Susan Kent at the Specialty.
IT'S OUR QUARTERLY PUPPY PARTY!
UPDATE - SM/CM HEALTH RESEARCH
We wanted to update you with progress on one of the research studies we were able to fund, thanks to generous donors like you.
This study, conducted by Natasha J Olby, VetMB, Ph.D. at North Caroline State University, was entitled “Defining the Genetic Foundations of Chiari-Like Malformation and Syringomyelia as a Tool to Better Treat Neuropathic Pain in the Dog.”
Several central nervous system malformations are seen in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels which cause symptoms of pain and abnormal sensations such as tingling or numbness. SM/CM is complex, and study is difficult because not all dogs with anatomic abnormalities show clinical signs and there are some dogs that exhibit severe signs but have no malformations.
Investigators at North Carolina State University completed an extensive study of the anatomic and genetic characteristics of this disorder and how they relate to clinical signs. Results will help define the disorder and provide veterinarians and breeders with valuable information to identify and care for affected dogs and breed away from this painful condition.
Through the use of MRI scans, researchers were able to identify one spinal structure in particular that was associated with pain. Neither the location of the end of the spinal cord proper (which seems to be closer to the tail in affected dogs), nor the membrane that surrounds it were associated with pain. However, when the elastic band connecting the end of the spinal cord and its membrane to the vertebrae was short, dogs were more likely to experience pain. It is believed that this shorter connecting structure places stress on the spinal cord and related structures.
This information provides valuable clues as to the cause of lumbar pain in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels affected by these malformations. With a precise description of the structures involved, veterinarians can more accurately diagnose affected dogs and eventually develop more targeted and effective treatments.
Investigators have also completed a genetic analysis of dogs with this disorder (publication pending). Identification of genetic mutations associated with the malformations and clinical signs described here will provide another approach to identify affected individuals and inform breeding decisions to decrease the incidence of this disorder. The AKC Canine Health Foundation and its supporters, including the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel owners who participated in this study, remain committed to unraveling complex diseases so that all dogs can live longer, healthier lives.
This is just one of the studies that the ACKCSC Charitable Health Trust has funded to help provide a better, healthier future for our dogs.
We appreciate your past and continued support!
Warm Regards,
Mark Baillie, Trustee
ACKCSC Charitable Health Trust
NATURAL REMEDIES
Top 7 Essential Oils For Dogs & How to Use Them
June 20, 2017 by Sierra Bright
Essential oils can offer a multitude of benefits for humans, but can they help our pets – and especially man’s best friend – too? Smell is an essential primeval sense, in fact, the first major nerve that enters the brain can detect a scent, and our emotions are strongly influenced by it.
Good smells can calm and relax us, as well as bring other benefits, while bad smells can do the opposite. Our pets, of course, also use their sense of smell, but it overpowers our own dramatically. Scientists say it’s anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 times as acute. Dogs can detect some odors in parts per trillion, which means while we can usually detect if our morning coffee has had a teaspoon of sugar added to it, a dog could detect a teaspoon of sugar in a million gallons of water, or two Olympic-sized pools worth. Our pets use their sense of smell to gain all sorts of complex information from the environment and that information is used to calculate and predict what states of energy and response they should adopt.
While aromatherapy can be of great use to animals, before attempting it, it’s important to know how to properly use essential oils so that they aren’t harmed in the process. Essential oils are absorbed by inhalation, ingestion, and contact with the skin. They enter the bloodstream very quickly and are distributed to various tissues. As with all compounds, some have a biological affinity for specific tissues, and those who are aromatherapy experts can use that property to select oils that will target specific tissues. It’s very important to remember that very small amounts of these compounds can have powerful biological effects on every system of the body. For example, lavender oil has powerful effects on the brain and creates a calming sensation. Tiny amounts of lavender oil can be used to calm pets or make them feel sleepy, such as when traveling, for example.
Something else that’s important to know is that while there are some oils that are fine for dogs and horses, they often aren’t good for cats, rabbits or birds, simply due to the smaller size of their bodies. If you want to use them on these smaller animals, be sure to speak with your veterinarian first.
30 Essential Oils You Should Never Use On Any Animal
- Anise (Pimpinella anisum)
- Birch (Betula)
- Bitter Almond (Prunus dulcis)
- Boldo (Peumus boldus)
- Calamus (Acorus calamus)
- Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora)
- Cassia (Cassia fistula)
- Chenopodium (Chenopodium album)
- Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum)
- Garlic (Allium sativum)
- Goosefoot (Chenopodium murale)
- Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)
- Hyssop (Hyssopus sp. with the exception of Decumbens)
- Juniper (Juniperus sp. with the exception of Juniper Berry)
- Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
- Mustard (Brassica juncea)
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
- Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
- Red or White Thyme
- Rue (Ruta graveolens)
- Santolina (Santolina chamaecyparissus)
- Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
- Savory (Satureja)
- Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
- Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
- Terebinth (Pistacia palaestina)
- Thuja (Thuja occidentalis)
- Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
- Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
There are some essential oils that are considered safe for dogs in very small amounts, however, it’s important to take certain steps first so they can get used to the scent, and so that you’ll be aware of how that scent will affect them.
Choosing The Best Essential Oils
Using a poor-quality essential oil could be ineffective or even harmful. These oils have been distilled from poor crops and may have additives, have been handled improperly, or are old.
There are a number of signs to look for that will help ensure that your oil is high quality and 100% pure.
- When shopping online, be sure the online store includes the common name of the oil as well as the Latin name. If the Latin name isn’t there, it may actually be a non-essential oil that simply has perfume added to give it its scent. For example, when purchasing peppermint essential oil, look for something that reads: Peppermint, Organic, Mentha x piperita.
- If the oil is very low priced, there’s a good chance that it isn’t of good quality as it takes a surprisingly large amount of plant to produce them. The quantity may decrease or increase depending on the type, but consider that just one pound of lavender oil requires over 150 pounds of lavender flowers, and more than 250 pounds of peppermint leaves are needed to make pound of peppermint essential oil.
- As essential oils are created from plants, buying organic oil is important in order to avoid potential pesticide contamination. While most brands carry the official USDA seal, you should also look for an oil that is labeled “wild-crafted.” That means that the plant used to make the oil was harvested in the wild, and not farmed – which indicates that it hasn’t been sprayed with chemicals
- The label should always indicate if the essential oil is 100% pure essential oil. If it doesn’t, that means that it’s been altered, or mixed with something else. For an oil to be effective, it needs to be pure.
- You can also test your oil for purity once you’ve purchased it. To do so, simply place a single drop onto a piece of white paper and then allow it to dry. If an oil ring is left behind, it’s not a pure essential oil. There are exceptions (sandalwood, patchouli oils, and German chamomile) as some oils are deeper in color and heavier in consistency and can leave a slight tint behind, though it shouldn’t be greasy.
Plant Therapy Essential Oils are the number one supplier of high-quality, organic, 100% pure essential oils. They offer free shipping in the U.S. and returns for up to 90 days after purchase.
Essential Oil Therapy Introduction
Before using any oil on your dog, try simply holding a bottle of it in your hand with your four-legged friend in the same room. Allow the dog to approach the new item, but avoid letting it actually smell the bottle just yet. Remember that dogs are scent-driven animals, and you don’t want to overwhelm them with too much too fast. If your dog seems okay with the scent, you can let it smell from the bottle. Give it a day or two and try it again, then moving forward only if everything is okay. At that point, you can diffuse it in a room, adding a couple of drops to a diffuser, but do not apply it topically. The idea is to begin aromatherapy to help your dog feel good, rather than starting a routine when you are trying to resolve an issue.
If your dog shows no signs of irritation or other negative effects and you want to use it topically, then you can start with a single drop of oil diluted in 50 drops of a carrier oil (such as grapeseed oil or olive oil) and apply it to the back of its neck.
7 Best Essential Oils That Are Generally Safe For Dogs
Veterinarians are skilled in the diagnosis of disease in animals and should always be consulted when your pet is displaying severe or persistent symptoms, however, the following essential oils can be used in first aid and are generally considered safe for short-term use.
1. Cedarwood oil
Cedarwood, or cedar oil, (Latin name Cedrus Atlantica or deodara, is best known for its powerful ability to repel and kill pests like fleas. It has a wide range of beneficial properties, including being an antiseptic for the lungs and an expectorant for coughs like kennel cough. It stimulates circulation and is good for resolving stiffness in dogs that commonly occurs with increasing age, as well as arthritis and back pain. It may also help eliminate dandruff, strengthen kidney function, and be used as a general calming tonic, calming, especially for nervous aggression, dogs who are especially shy or timid, or those who need a greater sense of inner security, including those that have severe separation issues.
2. Lavender oil
Lavender oil, Latin name Lavandula angustifolia, is considered one of the most versatile essential oils, creating a sense of peace and harmony and offering a calming effect on dogs, and their humans too. This oil is soothing to the central nervous system and can only be used effectively to help a dog get used to a safe space. It can ease car ride anxiety and car sickness as well as help with allergies and insomnia. A 2006 study found that using lavender essential oil on dogs reduced their movement and vocalization during travel. The author of the study concluded: “Traditional treatments for travel-induced excitement in dogs may be time-consuming, expensive or associated with adverse effects. Aromatherapy in the form of diffused lavender odor may offer a practical alternative treatment …”
This is a good, safe oil to use anytime your dog will be in a stressful situation, like a trip to the vet or when traveling, as well as during training in order to slow hyperactivity.
3. Lemongrass oil
Lemongrass oil is well-known to repel insects like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, due to its high citral and geraniol content. It can also be used to kill fleas. Add 2-3 drops of the oil to water in a spray bottle, and then apply the spray to your pet’s coat and massage through. Not only will it keep those ticks and fleas away, but it can also improve the condition of your dog’s skin.
4. Citronella oil
Citronella oil is also known for its insect-repelling abilities. Don’t use those chemical-filled, store-bought citronella candles though. When you think of citronella oil, you probably picture a candle burning on a humid summer evening keeping mosquitoes at bay, but it also has a scent that overpowers humans, so just think about what it will do to your dog. But when using pure essential oil, not only is it considered totally non-toxic, but when used in small amounts, it won’t overpower yet the smell will still ward off insects. It can not only keep ticks and fleas away but it’s been found to be very effective on a species of mosquito known as Aedes Aegypti whose bite causes the dreaded Yellow Fever. You can use it like lemongrass by adding 2 to 3 drops to water in a spray bottle and massaging through your dog’s coat.
5. Frankincense oil
Frankincense is less potent than many other essential oils and is generally considered to be an excellent all-around oil. It can help to calm your pet and ease anxiety, and it’s even been used to help in some cases of cancer as well as reducing tumors, external ulcers and strengthening the immune system. As few studies have been conducted using frankincense specifically on animals, if your dog has cancer, be sure to discuss using frankincense oil with your vet.
Great care must be taken not to make medical claims, so my research led me to specific studies involving human cancer since fewer studies with essential oils are done with animals. In one study, frankincense from Boswelia carteri was used for human bladder cancer to see if it would be effective as an anti-tumor agent and results showed great promise. Research from the University of Leicester showed that frankincense may be a potential treatment for breast, brain, colon, stomach and pancreatic cancers as well.
6. Spearmint oil
Spearmint oil, when used as directed by your vet, can help support weight loss in your dog and also address issues like diarrhea and colic. It’s known to aid in balancing the metabolism and stimulating the bladder. When used diluted in small amounts over the short term, it’s known to help a wide range of gastrointestinal issues in dogs.
7. Cardamom oil
Cardamom is well-known for its benefits to the digestive and respiratory systems. It’s generally gentler and safer for children, and the majority of experts consider it safe for dogs. It helps to maintain optimal gastrointestinal balance, ease indigestion, and calm stomach upset as well as support respiratory health, and promote better breathing. It can uplift the mood of a sullen or anxiety-ridden dog. It’s excellent for humans as well as their pets for regaining control when feeling overwhelmed and particularly beneficial for dogs with a long history of aggression. Diffusing it can help create a calming environment for your pet.
Where To Buy Essential Oils
As previously discussed, it is important to choose 100% pure essential oils, free of adulterants and additives. It is also advisable to opt for certified organic essential oils.
Plant Therapy is our favorite supplier of high-quality essential oils and they offer an entire range of organic essential oils on their website.
Essential Oils & Pet Safety
Before embarking on essential oil use around pets, consult your veterinarian. It is important to always dilute essential oils before use in a carrier oil – a rate of 1 drop of essential oil to 50 drops of carrier oil is usually sufficient. Cats are much more susceptible to essential oils and so essential oils should not be used around cats.
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Beef and Vegetable Balls
Some dogs prefer meaty treats over sweet ones. These treats have a hearty meat flavor and good aroma that all dogs love. When I made these, my dog stood outside the oven door, not so patiently waiting for the treats to cool.
Ingredients
- 2 6-ounce jars of organic beef and vegetable baby food
- 1 cup of whole-wheat flour (or white substitute)
- 2 cups of dry milk
- 1 cup of water
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Mix all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
- Drop the mixture onto a baking sheet in large spoonfuls.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Allow the treats to cool completely. Store beef and vegetable balls in the fridge for up to five days.
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
THE CAVALIER CHRONICLE
CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL CLUB OF GREATER ATLANTA
Mark Fitchpatrick, editor