Since I was a young girl (many years ago!) I have always been interested in complementary medicines and all things holistic and as I grew up, this naturally expanded into my animal world.  I lived abroad from the age of 5 and remember seeing Aloe plants, and breaking off a bit to help with burns, especially sunburn. Back in the UK they aren’t native to our country, so I didn’t come across them again for many years and had forgotten about the healing properties of the Aloe plant.

My name is Emma Du Feu and I own and run a pet care business in the UK. Established in 2002, we care for people’s pets when they are at work, on holiday or when ever they need us. I have a certificate in basic animal nursing and have completed Animal Aloe training with the Veterinary Consultant to Forever Living Products – David Urch BSc MA Vet MB MRCVS. I am not an expert, but have seen the results 1^st hand in my own pets and my customers, so feel I am qualified at least to recommend the products I am going to talk about. Scientifically, you will have to make your own minds up. The Japanese have a name for the Aloe – ISHA IZARU – which translated means “no need for a doctor”.

I only use what I consider to be the best quality Aloe from Forever Living Products, (my personal opinion) so these are what I recommend through my business to my customers.

Why? Forever grow all their own Aloe Vera in a toxic free environment, with no herbicides or insecticides, and have one this for over 30 years. They also manufacture all the products, so are in complete control of the whole process and can ensure top quality, chemical free products. Aloe is the number one ingredient and carries the International Aloe Science Council Seal of Approval, which certifies that the products contain 100% Stabilised Aloe Vera Gel. This stabilisation process prevents the loss of Aloe’s nutrients and other important elements.

Other reasons important to me are that none of the products or ingredients is tested on animals and the company works in harmony with the earth, using sustainable practises.

It looks like a cactus but is actually a member of the lily family. There are four medicinal species but only one is used extensively – Aloe Barbedensis Miller.

 Known as an adaptogen, the body takes out what it needs to help the condition it is suffering from. Aloe helps the body to heal itself by restoring the body’s natural balance.  This means it can be used to help extremes of the same condition. I.e. diarrhoea and constipation. It can help conditions relating to the immune system and skin. (External & internal). 

“1991 Baxter, G.M. Management of burns, Equine medicine and surgery, 4^th edition Vol II pp. 1625-9 an American Veterinary Publication. Reported that Aloe Vera Gel relieves pain, decreases inflammation, penetrates deeply into the skin, stimulates cell division and kills bacteria and fungi.”

I am not going to list all the properties that aloe contains, but a few that will give you a good idea of how amazing it is.

Aloe contains 75 nutrients including 9 minerals and at least 10 vitamins, along with 20 amino acids, of which 8 are essential to animal diets.

Salicylic acid, which has anti inflammatory, analgesic and anti bacterial properties. Present also are simple sugars, one in particular, accemannan – which has immunomodulating properties, which means it helps return the immune system to normal and anti viral, particularly against tumour producing viruses such as feline leukaemia.

If you would like more in depth details of Aloe Vera in veterinary practise, then David Urchs’ book, Aloe Vera – Natures Gift, is the book to read. Available online from Amazon.

It has no known side effects and is safe to use with other drugs, in fact it enhances the action of other drugs such as antibiotics and homeopathic preparations.

 

We use the Aloe drinking gels ourselves on a daily basis and to keep our dogs well. Our older dog, Zeik, an 8 year old border collie, has this year started to get stiff in his hips after prolonged exercise and we find giving him a small measure of the aloe combined with the joint supplements, Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM it helps relieve this stiffness. As he gets older it will be a part of his every day diet regime as a preventative as well as to ease any problems. This drink is available with the supplements already added, it is called Forever Freedom. The aloe helps the body absorb the supplements better than if you took them with out it.

You can add it to their food or water, but ours take it readily in their food. In fact when our younger dog, Rosie, was recovering from having puppies and a major operation all in the same day, she took it on its own as I am sure she knew it was helping her. She was back to full strength and completely recovered within 7 days and her wound had healed with no soreness or infection when it was time for the vet to remove the stitches a week later. As well as the drinking gel she was taking throughout whelping, we also sprayed an aloe solution (vet formula) on her scar to help it heal and keep it free from infection whilst nursing her pups. Unlike steroid and antibiotic creams that can only be applied once or twice a day, topical aloe gels and creams can be applied more often, whenever needed.

Rosie & her puppies 1 day after her major op to remove two puppies and have a complete hysterectomy. With her pups pushing on the stitched wound whilst suckling, it was an infection waiting to happen.

 

I keep a large selection of natural Aloe based products at home for our use, at all times. I don’t travel without them either. The products we use on a daily basis are;

Aloe drinking gels, both for us and the dogs, keeping us at optimum health.

Aloe Liquid soap, Very mild and chemical free.

Shampoo, Great for dogs with skin allergies.

Aloe Vet spray, to rinse wounds or to stop itchy skin conditions.

Aloe gelly, For wounds, burns, any skin trauma, bites stings etc.

Propolis Crème. Aloe and bee propolis. Anti viral & anti bacterial, for infected skin etc.

Heat lotion. Good for joint, tendon, ligament and muscle problems.

MSM gel. For arthritis, muscle injuries, strains and sprains.

Toothgel. Aloe & Bee propolis again, great to keep teeth clean and a healthy mouth.

Sunscreen. Great for dogs and horses prone to sunburn. And me!!

If your dog licks and chews constantly at a sore place or wound, smear a little of the heat lotion around (not on, as it will sting) the area. They hate the smell and leave it alone to heal. You can then put the healing gelly on the wound and they won’t lick it off. This is also great to stop your dog chewing the furniture!

I can tell you many stories of how these products have helped us over the last few years, but instead why don’t you try them for yourselves. I have a page on my website dedicated to those we can use both for us and our pets. You don’t need to buy separate ones for each. I explain in detail what they all do.

 If you, like I was, are keen to get your hands on these amazing natural products, there is a link direct to an online shopping facility. If you would like to know how to buy them at wholesale prices, direct from the manufacturer, please email or call me and I will give you the information you need to do this.

www.aloe4animals.info   Click on the link to go directly to the information page & there you can find links to order your products.