Animals and Aloe
David Urch BSc, MA VetMB, MRCVS, is an advisory board member for Forever Living Products. He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in complementary medicine for animals gained over 30 plus years.
myaloeworld is proud to be associated with such a respected veterinary surgeon. Complementary medicinal herbs such as Aloe Vera should not be used as an alternative to traditional medicines, but as an additional preparation in an integrated way along side orthodox drugs.
Aloe Vera is not the cure all it was once thought to be but used selectively it is a very beneficial herb for many conditions involving epithelial tissues and the immune system. Animal owners should seek veterinary advice to ensure the correct diagnosis is made and the most beneficial treatment selected.
Aloe Vera can be used by the owner of an animal as a complementary medicinal herb to help a previously diagnosed condition or as a first aid treatment whilst waiting to see a veterinary surgeon. In practice the Aloe Vera used must be filleted and cold stabilised so that it contains mainly parenchymatous gel from the inner leaf of the plant.
Aloe Vera first started to be commonly used for the treatment of animals in the 1800's in the UK. It can benefit skin conditions such as eczema and fungal infections. The oral gel can be given in the food and the topical preparations applied directly to the skin. The Aloe Vera will help to decrease the inflammation and itching as well as helping to remove the dead cells and discharge.
Wounds and burns respond particularly well to Aloe Vera, but some will require veterinary treatment. The gel will keep the wound clean and moist with a supply of nutrients that will promote healing.
Aloe Vera can prove very beneficial in helping conditions of the digestive system particularly where inflammation is involved. Conditions such as stomatitis, gingivitis and oral ulceration can all be helped using Aloe Vera. The most helpful preparations for use in the mouth are spray solutions and gelly.
The most common immunological system problems affecting animals are conditions such as asthma, hay fever, rhinitis, rheumatoid arthritis, post viral lethargy syndrome and lupus. Oral Aloe Vera can be useful through its immune-modulating properties, thus helping to return immunity to normal by boosting the level of antibodies through increased B-Lymphocyte activity.
Ear and Eye conditions can be common in animals. Ear conditions are often mixed infections of mites, bacteria, fungi and yeasts, causing uncomfortable inflammation and infection. Aloe Vera gelly with its soothing properties used in conjunction with bee propolis with its natural antibiotic properties is particularly useful. Eye conditions can be more serious and must always be examined by a vet before any form of complementary medicine is used. However a dilute solution of Aloe Vera can be soothing for inflammation and reduce infection.