ANIMAL ALOE - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS by DAVID URCH

Q 1: Are there any supplements animals could take to be less scared of fireworks and such like noises? A: The Gel can help to calm animals and David Urch advises that a dog can be given up to 1ml per pound. Q 2: I have a horse who is 19 and although he has no problems with regards to movement or soundness, he is getting older I want to start supplementing his diet. What quantity do I need to feed him? He has no problems so it's maintenance as apposed to cure. A: The Aloe Vera Gel is an excellent preparation for more mature horses. It acts as a general pick me up and helps keep all systems, particularly the immune system, at peak performance. I recommend giving 100-120mls of the Gel every day. Q 3: For my Dog, I note in David Urchs book to take 60ml per day, is this ok when they are having injections from the Vet. A: The recommended amount for a 30kg dog is 60mls daily and this should not react badly with the Vet's injections but he should be made aware of what is being taken. Q 4: I have a vet who is interested in the business, but wants to know - the 30% profit he makes on the products; does it need to go through his business? He is currently a partner in a small veterinary practice dealing with pets (no horses/farm animals). A: This gentleman would have to register with Forever under his own name but he could incorporate this into his own business if he wants. He really needs to speak to his accountant about this issue. David Urch says vets are always worth approaching with our products but it may take a lot of time and effort to get them on board. It is much easier to talk to the animal owners direct, who will in the long-term persuade the vets. Another approach is to offer David Urchs book to them on loan. This might get them sufficiently interested to try the products themselves, introducing additional products as the opportunity arises. Keep in touch with them until they are using significant amounts of the products then tell them about the 30% discount if they join as a Distributor. Q 5: My cat has ear mites, can I use Aloe Vera to help rid her of them? A: Although Aloe Vera will not specifically kill mites, I have found in practice if the ears are firstly cleaned out with small amounts of Aloe Liquid Soap diluted with warm water, you can clean out the discharges from the ear but ensure not to over wash. Then I apply a few drops of Aloe Veterinary Formula, massage this gently in and then remove carefully with cotton wool. Finally, I introduce a small amount of Aloe Vera Gelly into the ear, gently massage in. Repeat the Aloe Veterinary Formula and Aloe Vera Gelly twice daily for one week and only use the Soap if there is a lot of discharge. In persistent cases I replace Aloe Vera Gelly with the Aloe Propolis Crme. If there is no improvement after 3 days seek veterinary advice. Q 6: What preparations are useful cases of orf in sheep and goats? A: Always remember that orf is highly contagious to people and therefore great care must be taken when trying to help this condition. The areas are best first sprayed with Aloe Veterinary Formula and then covered with Aloe Vera Gelly or Aloe Propolis Creme. This should be repeated for at least 3 days, by which time the scabs should be coming away and the lesions will then heal over the next week or so. Q 7: I am now being asked if Aloe Vera can be used for reptiles? A: I have seen some very good results for skin conditions in reptiles. Applying the Aloe Vera Gelly 2-4 times daily encourages wound and skin disease to resolve quickly with very little secondary infection. Another excellent product for skin problems in reptiles is the Aloe Veterinary Formula.

Q 8: Can Bee Propolis tablets be used in animals? A: Yes. Bee Propolis is one of the most effective natural anti-microbial agents known. It can be used alone, but if used with antibiotics it often increases their potency. For mild infections I have found that animals require fairly large amounts and although it does not always completely stop the disease process, it often decreases both clinical signs and the duration to recovery. Always remember to carry out a test dose first. Q 9: Are Aloe Vera preparations safe to use for eye conditions? A: In all cases if an eye problem is suspected in a pet, always take it to the vet. Once the vet has diagnosed the problem then check with him/her that they agree on the use of Aloe Vera. When I started using Aloe Vera for eye problems I always used the Aloe Activator diluted 50:50 with sterile water. I soon realised however that similarly diluted Aloe Veterinary Formula worked just as well and the container lasted longer. The diluted Aloe Vera is excellent for itchy eyes in the case of pink eye and I also use it for red eye and blue eye. A number of farmers have also had good results when using it for New Forest Eye in cattle. Q 10: Can Aloe Vera Preparations be used in sheep? A: We have just completed our third lambing season using Aloe Vera. The main conditions I use it for are Twin Lamb Disease and Mastitis. For Twin Lamb disease drench with 100mls Aloe Vera Gel and 100mls Glycerol twice daily. ForMastitis strip out the udder and ensure the teat is clean. Infuse a mixture of 5mls Aloe Vera Gelly and 10mls of Aloe Veterinary Formula into the quarter and massage well in. Aloe Vera Gelly can also be massaged into the quarter. Repeat twice daily and drench ewe with 100mls Aloe Vera Gel twice daily. Some cases will require veterinary medication as well.For Orf spray the areas with Aloe Veterinary Formula and rub in Aloe Propolis creme once or twice daily. Q 11: Will Aloe Vera help in disease of tropical fish such as white spot, gill/fin rot and slime disease? A: Many of these are caused by parasites and encouraged by bad water quality. The most important factor is to change the water and improve the filtration system. There are a number of veterinary and pet shop remedies, which can be purchased for these conditions. In addition Aloe Veterinary Formula can be added to the water to help the fish cope with these medicated treatments. Q 12: What products will help keep racing pigeons in peak conditions? A: Aloe Vera Gel added to drinking water has proven very beneficial. Aloe Veterinary Formula, Aloe Vera Gelly and Aloe Propolis Crme are excellent for skin wounds and skin infections. Diluted Aloe Liquid Soap can also be used to clean off wounds. Q 13: When can I use the Aloe Veterinary Formula? A: The Aloe Veterinary Formula can be used for all types of skin infections as well as wounds and burns. The other Aloe Vera preparations are more effective if the area has first been sprayed with Aloe Veterinary Formula. It can also been used in the mouth and nasal chambers. With veterinary supervision it is also useful for ear and eye conditions. Q 14: Whats the best way of administering oral gel to animals? A: Directly into the mouth using a syringe, or add to their food or drinking water. Any food or water not consumed that day should be discarded and replaced. Q 15: Can Aloe Vera be used to help conditions affecting birds? A: Yes. There are several conditions affecting birds, which respond well to Aloe Vera. As with other animals the most benefit is seen in conditions affecting the skin, digestive system, the respiratory system and the immune system. Both the oral Aloe Vera Gel, topical Aloe Vera Gelly and Aloe Veterinary Formula have produced good results.

Q 16: Can Aloe Vera be used for interdigital cysts in dogs? A: Yes. These cysts which frequently form discharging sinuses from the interdigital skin between the toes. In the summer they can often be confused with grass seed penetration and sinus formation. The most suitable products are the Aloe Veterinary Formula and Aloe Vera Gelly tube. In persistent cases I also use the Aloe Propolis Crme. Q 17: Can you tell me more about Laminitis? A: It is very important to enlist the help of the ponys veterinary surgeon and farrier. With correct management our products can help. To help prevent the reoccurrence of this, problem ponies need to be kept on 60 to 120 mls of Aloe Vera Gel per day depending on how susceptible they are. Strict control of the diet and regular exercise are essential. If the pony has an acute attack then the vet and farrier should be called immediately and the pony given 200mls of Aloe Vera Gel by mouth daily. This level should be maintained until the symptoms improve when it can be reduced to 120mls. When recovered the pony should be kept on 60mls daily. Together with correct management and assistance from a vet and farrier Aloe Vera can help control this problem in 80% of cases. This result will not be achieved with Aloe Vera alone. Q 18: Can Aloe Vera be used for mastitis? A: Most clinical work on the efficacy of Aloe Vera has been carried out in the cow and ewe. The great problem with mastitis is that you can never predict which way it will go. This condition can move frighteningly fast from a subclinical case with few symptoms to an acute toxic example, where the animal is dead within a few hours. It is therefore very important that the farmer keeps a close eye on all cases, particularly if using complementary medicines. The latter often needs more time to work than conventional antibiotics and corticosteroids. When trying to help a case of mastitis, first wash off and thoroughly clean the udder. Strip out any infected milk from the gland and wash off the teat again. Infuse a mixture of Aloe Vera Gelly and Aloe Veterinary Formula up the teat canal using a syringe and canula. Massage this mixture well up the teat canal and gland. Aloe Vera Gelly or Aloe Heat Lotion can also be used externally on the udder. Repeat the stripping out and infusion twice daily. I have always used up to 20mls Aloe Veterinary Formula mixed with 10mls of Gelly in cows. However, recently a large number off farmers have achieved considerable success using 10mls of the mixture rather than the maximum 30mls. In some cases I have also found it beneficial to give the oral Aloe Vera Gel and Bee Propolis. The management of mastitis is a subject, which is covered in some detail on page 181 to 183 of David Urchs book Aloe Vera Natures Gift. The main products used to help non toxic types of mastitis are the oral Aloe Vera Gel and a mixture of Aloe Veterinary Formula and Aloe Vera Gelly. After stripping out the milk from the infected quarter 10 to 20mls of this mixture is infused up the teat canal using a sterile syringe and cannula. This is repeated twice daily until the milk returns to normal. Natural products such as Aloe Vera should only be used in cases of non-toxic mastitis. If toxaemia or systemic involvement is suspected by the farmer then the normal veterinary drugs will have to be used as well. Q 19: Is there an Aloe Vera preparation suitable for Mud Fever in the horse? A: Mud Fever is a dermatitis, which particularly affects the pasterns of both ponies and horses. It does not always have to be associated with muddy conditions. We frequently get cases in the summer when conditions are dry. The lesion consists of scabby areas particularly on the backs of the pastern, which often develop into areas of moist eczema. To help these areas heal; I clean them off and break down the scabs gently with Aloe Veterinary Formula before finally applying Aloe Vera Gelly. In severe cases I may use Aloe Veterinary Formula and Aloe Vera Gelly 4-6 times daily. Too much washing creates dampness, which can make the condition worse so it is advisable not to over wash. If the area appears very infected, use Aloe Propolis Crme instead of the Gelly.

Q 20: Will Aloe Vera Gel help in cases of navicular disease in horses? A: This is a complex condition because the cause is often related to conformation, shoeing practices and the type of work the horse has done. The picture is further complicated because not only is it bilateral but also it is often present as degenerative joint disease in other joints and today is often referred to as distal limb polyarthritis (D.J.D.) navicular syndrome. Forever Freedom can therefore only help if it is combined with corrective and often surgical shoeing (bar shoes). When combined with corrective shoeing I use 250mls of Forever Freedom given as 125mls twice daily until the lameness improves. This should take about 3 months, after this time I keep them on a maintenance dose for the rest of their lives of 120mls per day. Q 21: Tell me more about Osteochondritis Dessecans/OCD A: Most cases of OCD require surgery as the final solution. However the Freedom would be an excellent product to give to help repair damaged cartilage and possibly make surgery unnecessary. The owners should keep their veterinary surgeon informed of any complementary products being given and take advice on diet and exercise. Q 22: Is Aloe Vera Gel suitable for elderly animals? A: The Aloe Vera Gel is an excellent preparation for our more mature animal friends. It acts as a general pick me up and helps keep all systems, particularly an immunological system in peak performance. I recommend the following amounts: Cats 15-20mls per day, Dogs 40-60 per day, Horses 100-120mls per day. Each year I am called to examine mature horses and ponies from January onwards because they are losing weight and showing signs of not coping. When these are examined and blood tested, many show signs of poor digestion and liver/kidney problems usually associated with the ageing process. These animals need a wellbalanced, appetising and nourishing diet, protection from the weather, check teeth and worm regularly. As animals age they will develop arthritis and therefore I also recommend they are given Forever Freedom daily. Q 23: Is Aloe Vera Gel of any benefit to a dog with pancreatic insufficiency? A: If the pancreas stops producing sufficient digestive enzymes, the animal will not be able to digest its food efficiently. This leads to loss of weight even though the dog may have a ravenous appetite. They may also show poor, dry coats and pass bulky fatty faeces. This disease can be confirmed by a veterinary surgeon who will then prescribe the necessary medication and dietary advice. I have found that adding 60mls Aloe Vera Gel to their diets with these tablets/capsules can also prove beneficial. Q 24: Are Aloe Vera preparations suitable for pregnant and lactating animals? A: Oral and topical Aloe Vera Gels and Aloe Vera Gelly are made from 100%-stabilised gel are perfectly safe to use in all species, which are pregnant or lactating. A number of studies carried out in the sixties showed that Aloe Vera has no measurable levels of toxicity. Q 25: What preparations can be used for Rain Scald in horses? A: This is a condition seen particularly on the backs of horses left out during wet weather. Any area where water accumulates on the skin allows multiplication of spore-forming bacteria, called Dermatophilus Congolensis. This damages the epithelial layer of the skin, allowing secondary opportunist bacteria (such as Staphylococci and Streptococci) to also invade, making the infection worse. Eczema-like lesions develop, similar to Mud Fever of the lower limbs. Always deal with the cause first and bring the horse in from the wet weather. Wash off areas, which are essentially similar to moist eczema (often scabby and matted hair), with a medicated scrub or Aloe Liquid Soap. Dry very well. Spray lightly with Aloe Veterinary Formula and rub in the Aloe Vera Gelly. For the first five to seven days expect the healing crisis, after which the lesions should heal quickly. Any persistent areas with secondary infection can be encouraged to heal using Aloe Propolis Crme. Do not repeatedly wash these areas because it will only make the condition worse.

Q 26: What is the best treatment for Ringworm? A: Spray all areas with Aloe Veterinary Formula. Apply Aloe Vera Gelly to the infected areas of the skin daily as often as you can. Give Aloe Vera Gel in the food each day. In persistent cases change from the Aloe Vera Gelly to the Aloe Propolis Crme. You can see from page 63 of Davids Book Aloe Vera Natures Gift that applying the Aloe Veterinary Formula and the Aloe Vera Gelly works well. This needs to be done at least twice daily and more often if possible. If there are a lot of lesions then I would also add Aloe Vera Gel to the diet of 120mls daily until the hair starts to grow again. Q 27: Can Aloe Vera be used for Sarcoids in horses? A: In general I have found very few instances where tumours have consistently responded to internal and external use of Aloe Vera preparations alone. Sarcoids fall into one of the following groups 1) Wart like with or without a stalk 2) Proud flesh like with or without a stalk 3) A mixture of the above two 4) Flat thickened nodular type. No hair. I have treated types 1 to 3 with oral and topical Aloe Vera preparations for periods exceeding one year with very little success. Type 4 however responded consistently to topical Aloe Veterinary Formula and Aloe Vera Gelly with Aloe Vera Gel added to their diet. However I have improved the healing and non-reoccurring rates with types 1 to 3 by the oral and topical use of Aloe Vera following conventional veterinary treatments such as surgical removal, cryosurgery, BCG and caustic topical chemotherapy. Sarcoids are difficult to treat because they have a habit of coming back when removed. Veterinary surgeons have a selection of treatments for these tumours ranging from cryosurgery, BCG to very strong topical pastes. Some respond to giving the horse oral Aloe Vera Gel and the frequent topical application of Aloe Veterinary Formula, Aloe Vera Gelly and Aloe Propolis Crme. See page 64 of Davids book Aloe Vera Natures Gift 2nd edition Q 28: Which Aloe Vera preparation can be used for helping chronic sinusitis in cats? A: The commonest cause of chronic sinusitis in cats is following cat flu. Secondary infection and inflammation of the sinuses by bacteria results in an almost continuous production of a Muco Purulent (mucous and plus) nasal discharge, sneezing and coughing. Many cases will require traditional veterinary medication such as antibiotics but this can be supplemented with inhalation of nebulized Aloe Veterinary Formula and the addition of 20 mls Aloe Vera Gel to the diet daily or directly by the mouth in divided doses. It can also prove beneficial to give half a Bee Propolis tablet twice daily following a test dose. Q 29: Which products do you recommend for Spondylitis A: The Freedom would certainly be the most beneficial product for cases of spondylitis. The usual dose is one ml per pound body weight for a dog and in severe cases this level can be increased. When the condition is under control it is sometimes possible to reduce this dose gradually. Many cases require occasional veterinary drugs when the symptoms are particularly severe. The owner should take advice directly from their own vet on what and when these should be used. Q 30: Can Aloe Vera help with Sweet Itch? A: While sweet itch must be treated conventionally the dermatitis does respond well to Aloe Vera. Firstly wash the area with the Aloe Liquid Soap, dry well, spray the area lightly with Aloe Veterinary Formula and finish off by applying the Aloe Vera Gelly or Aloe Propolis Crme. Adding Aloe Vera Gel to the diet would also help. Sweet Itch is an allergic dermatitis set off by biting midges. You can see a detailed explanation of this disease on pages 49-50 of David Urchs book Natures Gift. The dermatitis is easily controlled with our products, the problem is preventing the midges from attacking the horse/pony and the self-mutilation inflicted by the patient. We have found that dilute MPD and Aloe Heat Lotion can help in preventing the insect attacking the animal particularly if combined with other management suggestions described in Davids book.

Q 31: Which preparations are suitable for tendon injuries in horses and dogs? A: Competition horses and racing greyhounds frequently strain tendons. This results in an acute inflammatory reaction causing damage to the collagen fibres. It is very important that this inflammatory reaction is limited as soon as possible. I achieve this using cold, pressure, analgesics and rest, (Cold hose the limb, apply frozen crushed Aloe Veterinary Formula or Aloe Vera Gel in a towel followed by massaging with Aloe MSM Gel then a padded pressure bandage and allow plenty of rest). This procedure should be repeated 4-6 times a day while this acute inflammatory condition is present. After a few weeks when this acute heat-forming reaction has subsided then Aloe Heat Lotion can be applied. I also add Aloe Vera Gel and Forever Freedom to their diets. Q 32: Which preparations are most beneficial for use in animals suffering from oral ulceration? A: Washing the mouth out with Aloe Veterinary Formula helps in many cases. One can also use the Aloe Vera Gelly. Q 33: Which preparation can be used in fish with skin ulcers? A: Ulcers develop quite frequently in goldfish and koi carp and can be very difficult to resolve. Cases can be helped by the addition of Aloe Veterinary Formula, while the fish is in a treatment tank. The fish can also be treated directly by the application of Aloe Veterinary Formula and Aloe Vera Gelly, but this may involve a veterinary surgeon anaesthetising the fish first. Q 34: Can Aloe Vera be used for mouth ulcers in animals? A: Aloe Vera preparations such as Aloe Veterinary Formula, Aloe Vera Gelly and Aloe Vera Gel are excellent for use on all types of mouth problems. Unlike a number of veterinary preparations these Aloe Vera ones are perfectly safe to use in the mouth. The oral cavity can be first rinsed with Aloe Veterinary Formula or Aloe Vera Gel and Aloe Vera Gelly applied to any specific areas. This should be repeated four to six times daily until the ulcers have healed. Q 35: Which products are suitable for Gastric Ulcers A: These are most commonly seen in horses and are present in over 90% of race horses in training. Since the cause is mainly associated with the way the horses are managed this needs to be corrected first where possible. Aloe Vera Gel at a rate of 250mls daily added to the food is an excellent supplement to correct management. Q 36: Can Aloe Vera be used as a wormer? A: Aloe has been used as a purging wormer for several centuries. Unfortunately, although purging would clear out a few of the adult worms it has little effect on the majority and no effect on the immature migratory stages. Aloe Vera should therefore not be relied on as a wormer. Trials have indicated that the daily addition of Aloe Vera Gel to an animals diet boosts their natural immune system against intestinal parasites. Q 37: Which product is best for wounds? A: If the wounds can not be sutured, excellent healing can be achieved by first cleansing the wound with diluted Aloe Liquid Soap spraying with Aloe Veterinary Formula and then dressing the wound with Aloe Vera Gelly. Most wounds heal up to 35% quicker than when using conventional preparations resulting in less scaring and more hair re-growth. Q 38: Can Aloe Vera be used in nail bed infections? A: Most species can suffer from fungal infections of the nail beds. These can be very difficult to resolve even with intensive and prolonged use of orthodox drugs. This type of deep fungal infection leads to distorted and thick chalky nail. In practice I have found repeated liberal application of Aloe Vera Gelly to the whole nail and the surrounding area in conjunction with the addition of Aloe Vera Gel to the food has produced very good results. New normal nail

growth is usually noticeable after a few weeks and over a period of months an entire new nail grows. Q 39: Can Aloe Veterinary Formula be used instead of Activator? A: In practice I have found Aloe Veterinary Formula works as well as Aloe Activator for treating a whole range of conditions in animals. These two products are very similar, with the Aloe Veterinary Formula having an insignificantly lower Aloe Vera content. It is excellent for use in all areas in animals where you would normally use Activator. Q 40: I find the dose rates of the oral Gel for animals confusing? A: Because of the number of different animal species and their variation in weight, I am not surprised that there is confusion. Fortunately basic principles can be applied to cover most animals. Firstly it is virtually impossible to over dose on Aloe Vera voluntarily. I tend to advise that the animal is started on a low dose and then is increased over a week. I prefer to give twice daily before or with meals. The table below gives some indication of the levels I use in the practise. I make sure I use a table including the weight of the animals.

Hamsters, Mice, Gerbils 50-100g

2mls

1ml

0.5ml

Rats, Pigeons, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits 400g-2kg

4mls

2ml

1ml

Cats 5kg

20mls

10ml

5ml

Dogs 30kg

60mls

30ml

15ml

Sheep, Pigs, Humans 150kg

120mls

60ml

30ml

Cows 500kg

250mls

120ml

60ml

Horses 500kg

250mls

120ml

60ml

Q 41: Can Forever Freedom be used to help arthritis in animals? A: This is an excellent and very safe product to give to animals suffering from joint problems. Forever Freedom not only contains the recommended levels of glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM but also over 80% Aloe Vera Gel. The Aloe Vera will increase the absorption of the chondroprotective agents thus maximising their benefits. Q 42: Which preparations are suitable for dogs with Arthritis? A: Forever Freedom would be an excellent product for a dog of a Labradors size, start on 5mls per day and increase to 60 mls over a two-week period. The condition can also respond to giving one Arctic-Sea Super Omega-3 capsule twice daily and massaging the area with Aloe Heat Lotion and/or Aloe MSM Gel. Q 43: How much Forever Freedom is required to help arthritis in animals? A: As with Aloe Vera Gel there are loading and maintenance levels. There can be some variation in response between animals but as a guide I have found the following levels produce good results: cats- 5 to 20mls, dogs- 15 to 60mls and horses 60 to 250mls per day.

Q 44: Is Aloe Vera of any benefit to horses with osteoarthritis? A: We often refer to this condition as degenerative joint disease. Arthritis can occur through age-related wear and tear of a joint or it may be as a result of repeated trauma. Whatever the cause, the end result is changes to the joint cartilage, the synovial membrane and the fluid it produces as well as damage to the bone under the joint cartilage. In horses particular names are given to different areas where arthritis occurs. So you will often hear people referring to ring bone, spavin, pedal osteitis and navicular disease. These horses require a combined integrated approach to keep them comfortable and to try and hold back the progression of this disease. This usually involves support for the limb, corrective farriery, rest, physiotherapy, complementary preparations and sometimes drugs. I have found that some cases respond beneficially to the addition of 250mls of Aloe Vera Gel to their diets daily. As they improve this can be reduced gradually to a maintenance level of 60mls per day. Even greater benefits can be achieved if similar volumes of Forever Freedom are given instead of Aloe Vera Gel. Notes In case of arthritis where new bone formation around the joint is minimal and the main damage is to the articular cartilage, Forever Freedom alone will normally control the condition. However if the joint degeneration is more advanced, then these animals often require both drugs and Forever Freedom. It is important to remember that Forever Freedom will take several weeks before its benefits will be apparent. Q 45: Which Aloe Vera preparations are suitable for bumble foot? A: This is an inflammatory condition of the ball of the foot in birds usually caused by infection by staphylococcus bacteria. Firstly clean off the feet well with Aloe Liquid Soap getting well down into the cracks. Apply Aloe Vera Gelly to the feet twice daily for 7 days. Q 46: My dog has colitis - will Aloe Vera help? A: Colitis in the dog has many similarities to Irritable Bowel Syndrome of people. The dog suffers inflammation of the colon which leads to diarrhoea which sometimes contains blood and mucous. There is often a lot of straining and the dog may show signs of abdominal pain. Just as in the case of humans, the cause is not always clear. Many respond to starving for 24 hours followed by a bland diet of white meats and rice. During the starvation period I give Aloe Vera Gel by mouth. Start on 5mls and gradually increase this to 60mls per day. If possible try to find the triggering factor, as well as diet, this may also involve stress. Q 47: Is Aloe Vera beneficial in cases of cystitis? A: This condition is seen most commonly in cats and dogs. It is more frequently seen in female animals than males. Typical signs are blood in the urine and frequent attempts to urinate. Some cases require veterinary attention but many can be helped by the addition of Aloe Vera Gel to their diets. I prefer to use Aloe Berry Nectar at a rate of 20 mls per day for cats and up to 60 mls per day for dogs. In persistent cases I also give Bee Propolis tablets. Q 48: My cat has cystitis can Aloe Vera help with this condition? A: Cystitis is common in both female cats and bitches. This infection of the bladder needs to be taken seriously because it can ascend up the ureters to the kidneys, leading to nephritis. The typical symptoms are blood in the urine, licking, frequent attempts to urinate with little success and cats in particular will spend considerable time in the litter tray or favourite patch in the garden. The animal may otherwise appear relatively normal. If any of these signs are present then the animal should be taken to the vet. If you have an animal which frequently suffers from cystitis adding Aloe Vera Gel or Aloe Berry Nectar to the diet can prove beneficial. Always try to increase fluid consumption of the animals so that the bladder is flushed out frequently. As a general rule, I would give an average cat 20mls Aloe per day and an average dog 60mls per day. Giving it a quarter of a Bee Propolis tablet twice daily for cats and 1 twice daily for bitches can also prove beneficial.

Q 49: What can I recommend for flea allergy dermatitis in dogs and cats? A: One must always deal with the cause as well as relieving the symptoms, so a good quality anti flea veterinary formula preparation must be used. The dermatitis can be improved be cleansing the area with Aloe Liquid Soap or Aloe-Jojoba Shampoo and then applying Aloe Veterinary formula followed by Aloe Vera Gelly. The Gelly Should be applied 2-4 times daily. Q 50: Can Aloe Vera Gelly be used for Guinea Pigs with dermatitis? A: These little creatures frequently suffer from a very pruritic dermatitis, particularly over their shoulders and backs caused by a mite. Much of the reaction is caused by self-infected damage through scratching. I have achieved excellent results by washing the areas in Aloe Liquid Soap, spraying with Aloe Veterinary Formula and then rubbing in Aloe Vera Gelly. Although this is very effective, the mite is best killed by preparations obtained by your veterinary surgeon. Q 51: Is Aloe Vera beneficial in cases of diabetes? A: Although Aloe Vera does not specifically act in these cases, it is often found that in both people and animals there do seem to be beneficial effects. In practice dogs are the most common species we see with diabetes. I have found that if 60-80 mls Aloe Vera Gel is added to their diet daily for at least 6 weeks, many have shown a more consistent blood glucose level and in up to 20% of cases, the insulin doses required have been reduced. It is important to remember that one must never interfere with any drug prescribed by a veterinary surgeon. It is always the vets responsibility to decide on any change in medication. Q 52: Will Aloe Vera help with Digestive upsets in Dogs and Cats? A: Both these species suffer conditions similar to those seen in people like Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Colitis. The normal veterinary treatment is to change to a bland diet based on rice and white meats with no diary products. An excellent addition to this is Aloe Vera Gel either in the food or water. I give dogs up to 60mls daily reducing to 30mls. Many settle within a week but one must remember that the bacterial flora within the intestines can take 2 weeks to re-colonise. Q 53: Can Aloe Vera be used for ear conditions? A: Yes. In dogs and cats these are often long term chronic reoccurring conditions. Once diagnosed as Chronic Otitis by your Veterinary Surgeon, the condition can often be controlled by gently cleansing out the ear with Aloe Veterinary Formula and then applying the Aloe Propolis creme two to four times daily in persistent cases. Q 54: Can I use Aloe Vera for eczema? A: Firstly the cause of eczema must be diagnosed. There are several causes, the most common being an irritation from parasites such as fleas; wounds and burns. Whatever the cause this must be alleviated first. The area of eczema should then be washed with Aloe Liquid Soap and dried well. Spray with Aloe Veterinary Formula and then rub in the Aloe Vera Gelly. The gelly may have to be applied 4-6 times daily and expect it to look worse before it gets better (healing crisis). Too much washing can make the condition worse. As the eczema improves, the daily applications can be reduced to twice daily. If the area is particularly infected, then use the Aloe Propolis Crme. Q 55: Can Aloe Vera be used to help animals suffering from fits? A: No. Epilepsy in animals is caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain the cause is unknown but they often occur following periods of relaxation or sleep. Unfortunately, Aloe Vera has no influence on these discharges. Q 56: Can Aloe Vera be used in cases of grass sickness in horses? A: This disease is most commonly seen in horses during the spring and in summer when they are at grass. Although the cause remains unknown, it is believed that a neurotoxin present in

the grass damages the autonomic nervous system, which controls the movement of the digestive system. In the past most cases were put to sleep because they either were wasting away or suffered from colic. Over the last twelve months we have treated six cases with up to four litres of Aloe Vera Gel per day. Initially this was either given by a vet via a stomach tube or by owners giving small amounts at regular intervals throughout the day. All the horses treated in this way have made a full recovery Q 57: Will Aloe Vera help in conditions which lower the immunological response of an animal? A: This is one area where I have found Aloe Vera Gel excels itself. Some interesting references here are: - Peter Greens article in the Veterinary Times on Post Viral Lethargy Syndrome and the document produced by the Carrington Laboratories on the Pharmacologic effects and mechanisms of action of Acemannan. I have found in practice that in conditions which decrease an animals immunological response that the incorporation of Aloe Vera Gel in their diets for at least 6 weeks has relieved their symptoms in up to 80% of cases. Horses require 250mls daily, dogs 60mls and cats 20mls. Part of the mechanism of action is the Aloe Veras ability through its acemannan component to increase the cooperation of T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes thereby increasing antibody production. It has proven useful in all species, which suffer post viral lethargy syndromes, and in any disease where the immunological response is decreased. Q 58: Can Aloe be used for kidney diseases? A: Mature cats commonly suffer from ageing kidney disease. One often notices that they drink from unusual places such as ponds, bird baths and puddles. They lose weight, often suffer teeth and oral problems with bad breath and they will often bother you for food but will either decide not to eat it or eat only a little. There are a number of veterinary drugs, which are used to help this condition including special low protein diets. I have found in practice that Aloe Vera can be used in conjunction with these, producing beneficial effects for the cat. I generally advise 20mls Aloe Vera Gel added to the diet or fluid daily. The Aloe Berry Nectar can also be used. With both preparations it is often best to add a few drops to the diet to start with and then to increase slowly to 20 mls, since many cats are fastidious eaters. Q 59: Can Aloe Vera be used in cases of Feline Acne? A: This is quite a common condition of cats seen as loss of hair, follicular papules with a localised furunculosis (spots) particularly around the lips and chin. Best results are achieved by cleaning off the area with dilute Aloe Liquid Soap. Dry gently then apply Aloe Veterinary Formula followed by Aloe Vera Gelly. Rub these well in and repeat 3-4 times daily. This initial treatment may stimulate the healing crisis which should settle down after 5 days or so. If secondary infection is a particular problem, then change from the Aloe Vera Gelly to the Aloe Propolis Crme. Adding 20mls Aloe Vera Gel to the diet daily also proves beneficial. This can be reduced to 10mls once the acne is under control Q 60: What preparations are suitable for animals with skin allergies? A: Most skin allergies lead to areas of Dermatitis, which we usually refer to as eczema. It is always important to first identify the cause of the allergy. This may be from something the animal has eaten or it may be initiated by direct contact with the skin. Whatever the cause the end result will be inflammatory type skin reaction. This irritates the animal leading to rubbing, scratching and licking of the areas. When trying to help this type of condition first remove the cause, if known. Gently wash any discharges and accumulated debris from this area with dilute Aloe Liquid Soap. Dry the area. Then spray lightly with Aloe Veterinary Formula. Follow this with reasonable amounts of Aloe Vera Gelly rubbed into the area. Repeat the Aloe Veterinary Formula and Aloe Vera Gelly combination 4-6 times daily. Too much washing can make the condition worse. As the eczema improves, the daily applications can be reduced to twice daily. If the area is particularly infected change to the Aloe Propolis Crme. Because this allergy is a result of a hypersensitivity reaction where the immune system has become over-active, it is important to give Aloe Vera Gel orally to animals either directly by

mouth or in the food. Some animals have also shown improvements when Bee Pollen tablets have been added to their diet. Q 61: Will Aloe Vera Gel help with poor appetite? A: Yes, in most species, by giving oral Aloe Vera Gel, appetite is restored, usually within 48 hours. Q 62: My dog has anal gland problems- are there any preparations which may help with this condition? A: Impaction of the sacs on either side of the anus (anal glands) is quite a common reoccurring problem particularly in dogs; it is also seen in cats but not so frequently. Domestication and artificial diets are the main contributory causes to this complaint. Attention to diet is therefore very important when trying to prevent the reoccurrence of this problem. Try to encourage an active bowel with a well formed motion. A well balanced diet with plenty of fibre helps, as does regular exercise. If the dog suffers from constipation or diarrhoea this will exacerbate the condition. Adding up to 60mls of Aloe Vera Gel to the dogs diet daily may help. This can be built up from 5mls over a 10 day period. If symptoms have already developed then clean off the area with dilute Aloe Liquid Soap and dry gently. Then spray lightly with Aloe Veterinary Formula and Aloe Vera Gelly 3-4 times daily. It can also be beneficial to add 1-2 Bee Propolis tablets to the diet daily. If the main presenting symptoms of licking around the area and rubbing their bottoms along the ground persists, then consult your Veterinary Surgeon. The Vet will often digitally express the glands.

Davis Urchs excellent book is available for 17.50 from Amazon [ www.amazon.co.uk ]