Archived Message of "Natural Pet News"
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NATURAL PET NEWS
July 31, 2000 Edition
http://www.TheHerbsPlace.com/pets.html

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This Issue Contains:

DONNA'S COMMENTS - Lilies are Poisonous

HEALTH/HERBAL INFO - FIV in Cats, Hot Weather Facts

SUCCESS STORY - Driving with Cats - The Easy Way!

BEHAVIORAL/EMOTIONAL ISSUE - Urinating/Defecating Outside the Litter Box

PRODUCT FOCUS - Eyebright Plus for Eyes

FEATURED WEB LINK - Hearing Aids for Dogs

LIKE THIS NEWSLETTER/REFER A FRIEND

BUYING SUPPLEMENTS AT WHOLESALE PRICES

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** DONNA'S COMMENTS **

There are many warnings for our pets' safety. This one has recently come
across my desktop so I want to forward it to you. Simple mistakes take so
many pet lives every year. Pass on this information to others you know:

LILIES - POISONOUS TO CATS

All cat owners should be aware that several types of lilies commonly found
in gardens--and in households as potted plants and floral arrangements--can
be deadly to their pets. Members of the Liliaceae family, including, but not
limited to, tiger lily, Easter lily, rubrum lily and some species of day
lily, can cause kidney failure in cats.

Within just a few hours of ingestion, a cat may vomit, become lethargic or
develop a lack of appetite. Symptoms continue and worsen as kidney damage
progresses. Without prompt and proper treatment by a veterinarian, kidney
failure can develop within 36 to 72 hours.

According to Jill A. Richardson, DVM, of the ASPCA National Animal Poison
Control Center, "All parts of the lily plant are considered toxic to cats,
and consuming even small amounts can cause severe poisoning. Owners should
remove these plants from their cat's access." For further information,
visit: http://www.napcc.aspca.org/.

Have a great week!
Donna

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** HEALTH/HERBAL INFO **

FIV - Feline AIDS

A positive test for FIV can be devastating to the human companion, but it is
NOT a mandatory death sentence, and with proper management and a high
protein diet, your cat can live a fairly normal life span. Read more:
http://cats.about.com/library/weekly/aa070500a.htm?terms=24a

A Chinese herbal formula called VS-C has proven to be successful for this
problem: http://www.theherbsplace.com/vsc.html

--
HOW TO KEEP YOUR ANIMAL COMPANIONS COOL IN HOT WEATHER

This is such a critical topic for pets. Be sure to know the facts and pass
them along to somebody else.

http://www.aspca.org/body_learn/body_hotweather.asp

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** SUCCESS STORY **

DRIVING WITH CATS - The Easy Way!

I've never had a cat that liked riding in the car. I've seen them in cars
laying on the back window like they were sunning on the porch. My cats
whether in a carrier or out must think like men do when they hit the shower.
Their voice gets several decimals louder and they vocalize sounds which we
call "singing." There's not much that sets me on edge more than to have a
cat wailing on the way to the vet or during a move or flight home. I simply
can't concentrate to drive. Many years ago I learned to handle this with an
herbal formula ( Stress-J ) which has calming herbs and in a liquid form it's
easy to administer before the trip or during.

Recently I had a stray cat that I wanted to neuter and he didn't come around
every day, so I had to make the vet appointment and hope that I would have
him to go. In the scurry of it all, I forgot I was out of Stress-J , so I
decided to use Lavender Essential Oil. It sure works to calm me down. I
rubbed some in my hands and headed for the car. My husband was driving and
I was in the back seat with the cat who was already "singing." I opened the
cat carrier just enough to let the cat put his head in my hands. In less
than a minute he was calm. He just nuzzled into my hands and laid still. I
couldn't believe it! He was calm even through the process of checking him
in at the vet.

When I went to pick him up the next day they brought him out singing loudly
and rather agitated to be in the carrier. I paid the bill quickly and took
him out to the car realizing I'd forgotten the Lavender EO. I get so
emotional about stray cats. I always carry Peppermint Essential Oil in my
purse since it has so many uses. I'd read about a vet putting it on the
paws of animals feet to calm them for examination or for thunder phobia. I
got the Peppermint EO from my purse and rubbed some between my palms to do
the same thing on the way home. The Peppermint EO did it! It was so nice
to have such a simple easily accessible solution." Donna

More about Stress-J :
http://www.theherbsplace.com/strj.html

More about Lavender:
http://www.theherbsplace.com/lavender.html

More about Peppermint Oil:
http://www.theherbsplace.com/pepoil.html

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** BEHAVIORAL/EMOTIONAL ISSUE **

URINATING or DEFECATING OUTSIDE THE LITTER BOX
From Interpets.com

Many of the behavioral problems your aging cat displays can be resolved. It
may take some patience on your part, but your feline friend is worth it!

Inappropriate elimination (urinating or defecating outside of the litter
box) is the most common behavior problem of older cats. There are numerous
causes for this behavior, many of them medical, so a cat who has
inappropriate elimination should be examined by a veterinarian.

Medical conditions which result in an increased frequency of urination or
defecation may be the underlying cause for this behavior problem. Conditions
which cause pain urinating or defecating, or make it difficult for the cat
to get in and out of the litter box, may also result in inappropriate
elimination. Treatment of these medical conditions may help to resolve this
behavioral problem. In addition, using litter boxes with lower sides,
placing the litter box in the area in which the cat spends the most time,
and increasing the number of litter boxes may be helpful.

Stress can be a major cause of inappropriate elimination in cats of all
ages. Older cats may not be able to handle stressors as well as younger
cats. Moving, changing routine, or changing the makeup of the family can
result in inappropriate elimination. Reducing these stressors or decreasing
their impact on the household will benefit your cat. For instance, when
moving, attempt to keep the cat in a quiet portion of the home when packing
and during the actual moving day. At the new residence, confine your cat to
a quiet room, placing her food, water, litterbox and favorite sleeping
material in the room. Spend time with her in that room and feed her and
clean the litter box at the usual time. Gradually let her become accustomed
to the rest of the house.

Cats of may develop an aversion to the litter box or substrate (material
inside of the litter box). Try different types of litter including sand, or newspaper.
Other tips on controlling inappropriate elimination and spraying include using
enzyme cleaners to clean areas which have been soiled, feeding the cat in the area
in which she is inappropriately eliminating, and using upside down carpet runners
(the ones with the spikes on the bottom), double sided tape, motion detectors,
or pet repellents to limit her access to the area where she inappropriately
eliminates.

Cats may become aggressive toward people or toward other animals in the
household. Again, this aggression may be the result of a medical problem
such as one causing pain, vision or hearing loss which results in the cat
being easily startled, or diseases having direct effects on the nervous
system. Stresses such as moving can cause irritability and subsequent
aggression in some cats. A combination of counter-conditioning (teaching the
cat a different response when exposed to a certain stimuli), desensitization
(gradually reintroducing the cat to the stimuli), and medical therapy may
help change the cat's behavior. Consult your veterinarian if your older cat
is becoming aggressive.

For their entire life, some cats tend to be active during the night, and
then they go into sound sleep as soon as morning breaks. Some older cats
will develop this altered sleep-awake cycle, as well. Pain, the need to
urinate or defecate more often, the loss of vision or hearing, changes in
appetite, and neurologic conditions can contribute to this behavior. Playing
or grooming your cat prior to bedtime may help her to sleep. Experiment with
changing feeding times to see if that makes a difference. You may not be
able to change the cycle, so in those cases, you may want to keep the cat
out of the bedrooms.

With patience, understanding, and treatments recommended by your
veterinarian, you can help make your cat's older years a quality time for
you and your grown-up kitten.

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** PRODUCT FOCUS **

EYEBRIGHT PLUS

Pets have eye problems too. Eyebright Plus is a formula for various eye
problems, such as: macular degeneration, vision, cataracts, and retina
problems. The ingredients will tell you why it is so effective. Read more:
http://www.theherbsplace.com/eyeplus.html

HERB USAGE TIPS:

We have used herbs and supplements with pets since 1982 and that was before
there was a market for "natural pet products." We've always adapted to the
pet. Want more info on administering herbs to your pets?
http://www.theherbsplace.com/givetopets.html

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** FEATURED WEB LINK **

HEARING AIDS FOR DOGS

Some pet insurance companies will reimburse owners for hearing aids for
their dogs - something most health care insurers won't do for people. Learn
how pet health insurance is an idea who's time has come!
http://dogs.about.com/library/weekly/aa050900.htm
HEARING AIDS

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** BUYING NATURE'S SUNSHINE AT WHOLESALE **

Nature's Sunshine allows Wholesale Buying Members to order direct from their
warehouse at 30-35% OFF retail. There is NO SIGN-UP FEE if you place a $40
or more wholesale order at the time you sign up. No monthly minimums to
purchase - you never need to order again. You can sign up on the telephone
if you have a credit card.

More Info? http://www.TheHerbsPlace.com/whsl.html
or get automatic-return info by sending an email to:
SignupInfo@TheHerbsPlace.com

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IMPORTANT NOTE: The stories, suggestions, and information in this newsletter
are not meant to diagnose or prescribe. If your pet has a medical problem,
you may want the advice and recommendations of a veterinarian. All stories
and information content that is passed along in this newsletter is for
informational purposes only and is not necessarily endorsed by "The Herbs
Place.com" This is a personal publication by Donna Watkins. The ideas and
information expressed in it have not been approved or authorized by anyone
either explicitly or impliedly. In no event shall Donna Watkins or "The
Herbs Place.com" be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from any
action arising in connection with the use of this information or its
publication, including any action for infringement of copyright or
defamation.

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Blessings of Peace and Health to You Today!
Randal and Donna Watkins
http://www.TheHerbsPlace.com
The PLACE for HERBS is "TheHerbsPlace.com"