WORK METHODOLOGY FOR ANIMAL SHELTERS

Formulas and Guidelines

There are currently many animal shelters that have neither the staff nor the necessary time to treat each animal that manifests an anomalous behaviour. The animals at a shelter are often scared or depressed because they have been mistreated and/or abandoned prior to their admission to the shelter. They may also show some aggressiveness due to territoriality or fear. The increasing number of abandoned animals and animal shelters’ lack of economic resources to enlarge kennel facilities create space issues which may lead to aggressiveness in animals living together in the same area. Thus, it has become necessary for us to prioritize the use of Flower Remedies, limiting oral and local remedy application to only the animals that are arriving at shelters and those that are leaving into foster care or adoption.

Animals that don’t manifest any behavioural problem

Animals that manifest fear, panic and/or hyperventilation when arriving at the shelter

For animals of a timid and fearful nature, and those that manifest fear when facing their new circumstances, administer the following formula for at least 15 days at a rate of 4 drops, four times per day (see ‘Preparation of a remedy for oral application’, p.21):

Beech (intolerance) + Holly (jealousy, possible aggressiveness) + Star of Bethlehem (trauma) + Walnut (adaptation) + Rock Rose (panic) + Sweet Chestnut (anguish) + Rescue Remedy (if the animal is very restless).

The first four remedies, common to the previous formula, make it easy for the animal to adapt to its new situation. The last three help manage the fear, worry and anxiety that its new circumstances imply and also ‘cleanse’ the residues of distressing panic from its past. Furthermore, especially if the animal hyperventilates, Rock Rose will help release tension caused by the stress experienced in the period between abandonment and rescue. In very acute cases also consider adding Rescue Remedy.

The last three remedies of the formula are also widely used in animals that experience extreme stress when confronted with loud noises such as thunder, fireworks, festivals, fairs, celebrations, etc.

Animals that manifest fear or panic due to mistreatment and show signs of malnutrition

Star of Bethlehem (trauma) + Walnut (adaptation) + Rock Rose (panic) + Sweet Chestnut (anguish) + Olive (exhaustion).

Olive is administered to an animal which is exhausted due to a previous situation of suffering, including malnutrition due to abandonment, devitalization, being run over by a car, attempted poisoning, mistreatment, etc. Star of Bethlehem, Rock Rose and Sweet Chestnut will help it deal with the after effects of panic and anguish as a result of the traumatic situation it experienced. Moreover, Walnut will enable it to adapt better to its new circumstances.

If the animal arrives dying of starvation, not of disease, add Gorse (submission) to the above formula. Also add it if the animal refuses to eat not because of a physiological disease but because it has given up fighting for survival. The joint action of Olive and Gorse enhances the correct functioning of its immune system.

Animals that manifest certain types of aggressiveness

If an animal that arrives at the shelter has some type of aggressiveness, be it towards the staff or other animals, administer the following formula for a minimum of 15 days at a rate of 4 drops, six times per day for the first week and then decrease the dose to 4 drops, four times per day (see ‘Preparation of a remedy for oral application’, p.21):

For cats you should also add Willow (resentment).

The first four remedies help the animal to adapt to its new environment. Vine is added to help with territorial or domination aggression, Rock Rose is for fear-induced aggression, and Cherry Plum helps an animal that seems calm and affectionate but suddenly attacks without reason.

Willow, together with Beech, is very useful for cats, the latter being the characteristic remedy of many of them. The combination of these two remedies helps the cat tolerate change better.

If in any of the above-mentioned situations the animal’s behavioural problem persists for longer than two weeks, we recommend adding Rock Water (resistance to change) and Chestnut Bud (learning process) to the formula.

Animals that have not manifested any behavioural problem during their stay at the animal shelter

Even if an animal has adapted well to the shelter and has not manifested any anomalous behaviour during its stay, it is important that it leaves the shelter with a treatment focused on adapting to its new circumstances (new home, new family, coexistence with other animals, etc.).

It is recommended that the following formula be used for a minimum of 15 days at a rate of 4 drops, four times per day (see ‘Preparation of a remedy for oral application’, p.21).

Chicory (possessiveness) + Heather (demanding attention) + Star of Bethlehem (trauma) + Walnut (adaptation) + Rock Rose (panic).

After two weeks, and depending on how the animal reacts, the need to continue the treatment or start a different one should be evaluated. Remember that we are dealing with animals with a history of abandonment and mistreatment. Although the change of habitat is positive for most of them, some may experience it as a traumatic situation, as it is once again leaving behind its environment, its companions, its carers, and so on. Rock Rose and Star of Bethlehem help to manage the potential traumas and phobias associated with the change of situation, Walnut will make adaptation easier, and Chicory and Heather will help the animal to avoid establishing an excessively possessive connection with its new family. This type of connection is one of the factors that induces anxiety in the animal each time it is left alone at home (see ‘Separation anxiety’, p.111).

Chicory (possessiveness) + Heather (demanding attention) + Walnut (adaptation) + Rock Rose (panic) + Star of Bethlehem (trauma) + Beech (intolerance) + Cherry Plum (lack of control, hysteria) + Holly (jealousy).

It is important that an animal that will live with children and/or other animals quickly learns to share food, space, affection and attention. This prevents unnecessary ‘returns’ and other more serious problems. We have found that the remedies Chicory, Heather and Walnut are not always sufficient to harmonize the animal’s coexistence with its new family. The addition of Holly and Beech deals effectively with a situation of jealousy and rejection towards another family member. Furthermore, Cherry Plum helps to control aggressive impulses when sharing food and toys, or when it has to be brushed and have wounds cleaned.

As a means of prevention and caution, it is advisable to apply the same formula to the animals already living with the adoptive or foster family.

If the animal has not adapted after two weeks of treatment, add Rock Water (resistance to change) and Chestnut Bud (learning process) to the formula.

Animals of a fearful type

To treat animals of a fearful nature, and those that manifest signs of having experienced a traumatic event (an accident, mistreatment, etc.), Rock Rose should be added to the first four remedies of the above formula (this is often the case for an animal which is fostered or adopted).

Animals of a fearful nature, such as those that have suffered traumatic events, often live on the alert, even when they are in no imminent danger. When suffering is sustained the energy of the kidney area is weakened. Olive is therefore an important remedy for animals living under chronic stress.

Animal of a nervous and/or anxious type

This type of animal needs to be treated as soon as possible with a formula that lowers its anxiety level, at a rate of 4 drops, five to eight times per day depending on the intensity of symptoms (see ‘Preparation of a remedy for oral application’, p.21):

Rescue Remedy (emergency) + Star of Bethlehem (trauma) + Walnut (adaptation) + Agrimony (anxiety) + Impatiens (acceleration) + Vervain (overexcitement) + White Chestnut (accelerated repetition).

Star of Bethlehem is also included in this formula because we are dealing with animals that have been abandoned, and Walnut will facilitate their adaptation. The other remedies are aimed at managing the animals’ anxiety and nervous nature, also moderating their hyperactivity. In very nervous animals, Cherry Plum is also added to help them release their inner tension.

Unsociable behaviour is observed in some puppies with this character type. When separated from their mother prematurely they have not experienced the whole socialization process (four months), a period when important codes and interaction with their siblings are learned. In these cases we also recommend adding Chestnut Bud (learning process) to the formula mentioned above.

The third treatment method corresponds to the local treatments which have proven very effective, especially for ocular and dermatological problems.

Eye-drops for dogs and cats with eye infection

A formula is prepared with a sterile saline solution and the remedies listed below (see ‘Preparation of Flower eye-drops’, p.24). Apply two drops in each eye, two to three times per day. If the ocular infection is acute, the treatment can be complemented by cleaning the exterior area of the eye with a sterile gauze soaked in an aqueous solution containing the same remedies as the eye-drops. Repeat this every time the drops are applied to the interior of the eye.

Two to three days’ treatment will be enough for the infection to subside. Nevertheless, it is recommended that you carry on the treatment for five to seven more days.

Beech (irritation) + Crab Apple (cleanse) + Vervain (inflammation).

Peripheral corneal ulcers

Prepare eye-drops with a sterile saline solution and the remedies listed below (see ‘Preparation of Flower eye-drops’, p.24). Apply a few drops of this formula on a sterile gauze, leaving this compress on the damaged ocular area for a few seconds, at least three times per day.

Beech (irritation) + Crab Apple (cleanse) + Hornbeam (local energy) + Star of Bethlehem (cicatrizant) + Vervain (inflammation).

The eye-drops should also be prepared with a sterile saline solution even if the ulcers are on the outside of the eye. The periphery of the eye is a very sensitive area and if you use mineral water as the diluent vehicle for the remedies it is probable that the animal will feel pain and a burning sensation during each application.

Crab Apple (cleanse) + Elm (pain sensitive to touch) + Vervain (inflammation) + Vine (liquid causing pressure: pus).

In any process of local infection it is necessary to help drain the material (pus) produced in the infected area. Vine, like a grape, is associated with a liquid causing pressure. This remedy encourages the rupture of the lump and the expulsion of the pus inside, and Crab Apple completes the cleansing of the area. Usually such an infection produces a severe swelling (treatable with Vervain) and a lot of pain (improved with the action of Elm).

Rescue Remedy (physical trauma due to rupture of tissue) + Crab Apple (cleanse) + Hornbeam (local energy) + Olive (revitalization) + Star of Bethlehem (energetical repair).

Apply in the areas with necrosis, at least three times per day.

The properties of the Rescue Cream (Rescue Remedy + Crab Apple) are enhanced by the action of Star of Bethlehem which treats the disconnection or energetic breakage of the necrotic area, by the action of Hornbeam for the energetic weakening of the area, and finally by the action of Olive that revitalizes this area due to its energetic input.

In animal shelters there are specific risk situations requiring mass treatment of all the animals. This is the case for kennel cough and colds in winter which occur due to low temperatures, especially in shelters located in rural areas.

For kennel cough, it is recommended that pharmacological treatment be complemented with Bach Flower Therapy. For colds, it is recommended that a preventive Bach Flower treatment be carried out for one month before winter arrives and throughout the winter period.

Kennel cough (canine infectious tracheobronchitis)

In Autumn 2007, 175 dogs suffered from kennel cough in one of the animal shelters where SEDIBAC volunteers.

Its scientific name is ‘canine infectious tracheobronchitis’ and it only affects dogs. It is usually a mild respiratory disease except in the cases of very young or very old dogs.

The infection is caused by three types of viruses (Reovirus, Adenovirus type 2 and Parainfluenzavirus) and by one bacteria (Bordetella Bronchiseptica). It has an incubation period of about three to four days from the time the animal enters into contact with these microorganisms.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The main symptom is a persistent dry cough that ends in a kind of retch. It sounds like the dog has a foreign object in its throat and is trying to expel it. As a result it usually vomits bile. If the animal is not treated, it stops eating. The cough can last for days or even weeks.

HOW IS IT SPREAD?

Although it is a mild disease, it is very contagious and is transmitted by direct contact or proximity. To catch kennel cough, it is enough for the animal to breathe infected particles in the air or drink water contaminated with the microorganisms.

An animal can catch it anywhere: in the street, parks, veterinary clinics, boarding kennels, competitions and exhibitions. It is even possible to catch kennel cough in a building’s lift if an infected dog has used the lift previously.

PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT

This should be carried out according to the criteria of the animal shelter’s vet.

It is recommended that pharmacological treatment be complemented by administering a Bach Flower formula to all dogs living in the animal shelter where the disease outbreak has occurred. This is also the case when any animals at home have the disease.

The formula quoted below is the formula that the canine trainer and Bach Flower Therapist Antonio Paramio (2009) presented in his ‘Kennel cough’ talk:

Beech (irritation) + Centaury (submission) + Crab Apple (cleanse) + Vervain (inflammation) + White Chestnut (accelerated repetition) + Cherry Plum (lack of control) + Holly (sudden outbreak).

In his lecture, Antonio Paramio explained his reasons for choosing the remedies in the kennel cough formula.

Beech to deal with irritative cough and intolerance to infectious agents.

Centaury to stop the spread of the infection and to boost the animal’s immune system. Efficient energy supply to break the animal’s pattern of submission to the infectious agents.

Cherry Plum because the disease’s outbreak spreads quickly and uncontrollably. Cough out of control.

Crab Apple to cleanse the respiratory airways eliminating mucus and fluids.

Holly for its close association with the bile and also because the crises manifest as sudden outbreaks (eruptions).

White Chestnut for the accelerated repetition of coughing in each crisis.

When a Bach Flower treatment is to be applied to a large group of animals (animal shelters, farms, zoos, etc.) that share a disease or a common behaviour, the formula is prepared in a different way (see ‘Concentrate formula’, p.30).

For kennel cough, it is also advisable to treat puppies, older dogs and those dogs initially affected by the disease with an oral formula prepared in the standard way (see ‘Preparation of a remedy for oral application’, p.21).

RESULTS FROM AN EXPERIMENT ON KENNEL COUGH AT THE AMICS DELS ANIMALS DE LA NOGUERA SHELTER

The dogs affected by the disease outbreak were treated with doxycycline and a Bach Flower oral formula (4 drops, two times per day). Two drops of the concentrate formula per litre of water were poured in each trough. Each time the troughs were refilled the drops of the concentrate formula were also added.

The symptoms of the animals responsible for the disease outbreak disappeared after four days of treatment with doxycycline and Bach Flower Remedies. The administration of combined treatment for two days to the first animals that showed symptoms of infection was enough to eliminate their cough. Animals that entered the shelter while the treatment was being administered, and therefore drank from the troughs with Bach Flower Remedies, were not infected.

CONCLUSIONS

Colds due to low winter temperatures

Colds are more common in places where there are many animals and the weather is cold. It is important to resolve this issue for cats because when they catch a cold they lose their sense of smell and find it more difficult to recognize food. This is not a problem for a cat that lives in a house and has a family that controls the amount of food it eats. However, cats that live in large areas, as in the case of animal shelters, can become malnourished if they lose their sense of smell.

A preventive treatment is recommended, with the remedies listed below, and should start one month prior to the winter period and continue until the weather is milder (see ‘Concentrate formula’, p.30).

Centaury (weakness, submission) + Crab Apple (cleanse) + Gorse (submission) + Olive (energy input) + Walnut (adaptation).

In any physical situation where the immune system is involved, the use of Gorse is a must. It deals with patterns of submission, boosting the animal’s immune system. Centaury will also strengthen its immune system by enhancing resistance to infectious agents. Olive will provide extra energy input to address any possible invasion of pathogenic microorganisms. Walnut will help the animal to adapt better to adverse weather conditions. Finally, as always, Crab Apple will cleanse the animal’s physical body in case of infection.

Due to the limited available volunteer staff, the animal shelter decided to carry out the study only in the feline population since cats are much more likely to catch colds than dogs. Moreover, when cats get sick they often have more complications (excessive mucus, loss of sense of smell and loss of the instinct to seek food).

The preventive treatment was carried out during the four coldest months of the winter season. Only one third of the feline community caught a cold, whereas the infectious outbreak the previous year when there was no Bach Flower treatment had affected all of the cats.