Essential Oil Use in Canine Veterinary Medicine: From the Practices of Holistic Veterinarians

By Elizabeth Rowan Keith

This book comes from more than three years of doctoral research on essential oils, and their use in canine veterinary medicine. In this book hundreds of holistic veterinarians practicing across the United States describe their use of essential oils in treating dogs. Surveys and interview data are used to develop a comprehensive understanding of the specifics in clinical application of essential oils to promote healing and to maintain wellness in canine patients.

The purpose of this research is to assess and relate essential oil use with canine patients in veterinary practices within the United States. In order to develop the most comprehensive understanding possible, a qualitative, ethnographic style of research was employed to assess the scope, methods, purpose, and philosophy of essential oil use with canine patients among holistic veterinarians thoughout the United States.

In the summer of 2009, members of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) were asked to complete and return a survey on their essential oil use with canine patients. Utilizing data from a 34.47% response rate, essential oil use by survey respondents was organized in a clinically useful manner to describe the essential oils used by responding AHVMA members and for what purposes. Information sources for essential oil topics were also collected and categorized. In all, 52 individual essential oils and 128 commercially prepared therapeutic blends were reported in use by survey respondents. Treatments with essential oils range across a wide spectrum of mind, body, and spirit conditions and include aromatic, topical, and internal applications. An essential oil protocol may be individual in application or may be included within multiple modalities in canine veterinary medicine.

To develop a deeper understanding of essential oil use in veterinary practices throughout the United States, fifteen members of the AHVMA were interviewed in depth regarding their methods, decisions, and experiences relating to essential oil use with canine patients. Treatments, administrative protocols, and case summaries are included.

Twenty-two holistic veterinarians were interviewed regarding their views on the future of essential oil use in veterinary medicine. Their visions of the future vary. The most likely developments in therapeutic applications of essential oils were discussed, as well as present undiscovered potential for beneficial use. Present and possible influences and scenarios involving essential oil use in veterinary practice have been developed by the veterinarians interviewed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elizabeth Rowan Keith
• Release date: Sep 16, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465870957

Elizabeth Rowan Keith

Elizabeth Rowan Keith is an independent writer and researcher who writes on investigative, ethnographic, and scientific subjects. She also writes award-winning fiction and poetry. She has a doctorate in the biological sciences specializing in ethnobotany and a Master’s degree in public administration. Her teaching and research span the fields of sociology, geography, Native American studies, government, natural medicines, and the biological sciences. She holds certifications in many forms of mind/body/spirit medicine. Recently she relocated to the Twin Cities of Minnesota, USA, with her collie, Belle. She is the widow of award-winning author and photographer, David H. Keith.

Book preview

Essential Oil Use in Canine Veterinarian Medicine:

From the Practices of Holistic Veterinarians

Elizabeth Rowan Keith, PhD

Published by Elizabeth Rowan Keith, PhD, at Smashwords

Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Rowan Keith, PhD

Smashwords Edition License Notes:

This e-book is licensed for your personal use only. It may not be redistributed to other individuals or institutions. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedication

To my wonderful canine companions

Cicely and Abby

who passed into spirit during the course of this research.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 — Past and Present

Chapter 2 — A Bit of Science

Chapter 3 — A Survey of the Members of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association

Chapter 4 — Interviews with Members of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association

Chapter 5 — Visions of the Future

Chapter 6 — Conclusion

References

List of Tables

Table 1: Reasons for not using essential oils with canine patients among veterinarians who do not include essential oils in practice

Table 2: Information sources regarding essential oils among veterinarians who do not use essential oils with canine patients

Table 3: Reasons for using essential oils with canine patients among veterinarians who include essential oils in practice

Table 4: Information sources regarding essential oils among veterinarians who use essential oils with canine patients

Table 5: Essential oils used by veterinarians with canine patients without corresponding purpose

Table 6: Purposes for essential oil use with canine patients without corresponding essential oils

Table 7: Lavender essential oil use by use category

Table 8: Frankincense essential oil use by use category

Table 9: Tea tree essential oil use by use category

Table 10: Eucalyptus essential oil use by use category

Table 11: Peppermint essential oil use by use category

Table 12: Lemongrass essential oil use by use category

Table 13: Helichrysum essential oil use by use category

Table 14: Balsam fir essential oil use by use category

Table 15: Ylang ylang essential oil use by use category

Table 16: Juniper, myrrh, and rose essential oil use by use category

Table 17: Miscellaneous essential oil use by use category

Table 18: Essential oils receiving a single mention by use category

Table 19: Essential oil blend use by use category

Table 20: Commercial essential oil blend use by manufacturer and use category

Acknowledgements

This work would have never been possible without the contributions of the members of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association who took the time to participate in this research. Heartfelt appreciation will always rest with the veterinarians who completed a survey, participated in an interview, and provided enthusiasm and encouragement for this work.

To my friends Diane Rickerl, who assisted with printing and mailing the surveys, Valerie Eikstadt who helped to organize the mailings, and Trudi and Dave Gedge who spent many hours with me addressing envelopes, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Your help made a monumental task seem smaller.

To Richard Palmquist, DVM, who offered to read the original drafts in early 2010, I thank you for stepping in. Your timing and assistance were invaluable.

To my research assistant, editor, and life partner, David H. Keith, thank you for your patience, advice, and unending support. Marrying you was a good idea.

And to Belle, thank you for posing for the cover photograph. You are a charming companion.

Introduction

This book is intended primarily for veterinarians, holistic health care providers, aromatherapists, and researchers. It comes from research designed to assess and relate a comprehensive understanding of essential oil use with canine patients in holistic veterinary practices within the United