Rescue Remedy....let's try this again
 

I am very interested in other members experiences with Rescue Remedy and Calm Down. Since Part 1 of Rescue Remedy started out great and then took a turn to :rolleyes: I would like to try this again~staying on the subject. :)

So here is my original question:

Bogey is horrible on car ride, thunderstorm, construction noise and I have been debating about Rescue Remedy. I finally bought some the other day and now I am wondering about dosage. He's a big boy close to 13 lbs of yorkie lovin' He loves to go in the car and on walks but is a total freak when I take him.

What dose should be given?

Can I overdose him?

What experience has everyone else had with Rescue Remedy?

How much time should I allow from the dose to the time we go in the car?

Has anyone seen an adverse reaction to using this?

Here are the links and information that I found regarding both Rescue Remedy and Calm Down (that Mardelin suggested)

Calm Down! (love the ! in the name )
lIex Aqui
Impatiens Glan
Helian. Num.
Ornith Umb. all
3C in 13% alcohol.

Directions:
• For immediate results administer 1 tsp. twice daily orally OR in dog's drinking water.
• Amount applies regardless of size or weight of dog.
• For puppies use 1/4 tsp.
• For Cats, use CALM DOWN! - FOR CATS
• CAUTION: Keep out of reach of children.
• Store in a cool dry place.


CALM DOWN! For Dogs & Cats by NaturVet - A Veterinarian Approved Aid to Help Your Dog or Cat Through Stressful Times
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Looks like there are 2 different formulas one for pets and the other for people--

Rescue Remedy for Pets
Helianthemum nummularium 5x HPUS
Clematis vitalba 5x HPUS
Impatiens glandulifera 5x HPUS
Prunus cerasifera 5x HPUS
Ornithogalum umbellatum 5x HPUS
80% glycerin and 20% water


Rescue Remedy (People)
Helianthemum nummularium 5x HPUS
Clematis vitalba 5x HPUS
Impatiens glandulifera 5x HPUS
Prunus cerasifera 5x HPUS
Ornithogalum umbellatum 5x HPUS

Inactive Ingredients:
27% Alcohol


They both are the same dose of 4 drops on a treat or tongue but one has alcohol and the other glycerin and water base.


What I did find and this might go along with Mardelin having read that a pet died from using RR is that they also sell a candy/pill this is made with Xylitol which can cause liver damage to pets and even death.

Here is what I found relating to the Pastilles on the Rescue Remedy website:

http://www.rescueremedy.com/pdf/Resc...-Pastilles.pdf

This is the product that contains Xylitol"

Organic Pharmacy >> PRODUCTS

Boy am I glad that I asked this question otherwise I would have never started digging around.

Seems that both Calm Down and RR have about the same type of ingredients both being homeopathic flower essences. I'm questioning the alcohol but I did read in all that I looked into the the alcohol will NOT hurt our pets because of the way it is processed and if you add it to boiling water the alcohol evaporates (like adding wine to food ;))

I also would LOVE to have more information on the Peppermint Oil too. :) I'm now going to PM several of the members that contributed to the original thread and see if they would please come back and finish the discussion that was originally started regarding Anxiety and Stress caused my noise, cars rides, etc.

Hoping that this will now stay on track :)

I've already given you my input.

I have one thing to add on the Peppermint Oil. And I don't know how to put this then just say it. I watched an infommercial on Natural Products to rid your home of pests.....Peppermint Oil is used on cotton balls to keep mice away.....don't know if that makes any difference.

Now isn't that interesting~ I don't even know who I would ask about using Peppermint oil.

Thank you for answering my original thread--much appreciated. :)

I have heard great things about Lavander Oil as having a calming affect on dogs. I've never used it but, maybe worth a try.

That is interesting too. I've seen the Kiosks at the mall that sell the flower essence heat pillows and they have some with Lavender Oils for calming.

Rescue Remedy has several different formulas. I prefer to use the one that does not have any alcohol in it. I put it directly in their mouth as opposed to in their water. It is much easier to control the dose that way. Izzy can get very worked up on car rides and this has really helped her. Sorry, but I don't remember how much I gave her. I do know I put some in her mouth waited awhile after having no relief, then gave her another small amount. It took about 15 minutes to take effect and then she quit panting and shaking. Rescue Remedy worked very well for us.

So does Plush Puppy Formulas

Thank you for sharing. I believe it is the pet formula that has no alcohol. So we were able to give one dose and then add a second to to get the relief?

Oh, Jodi also! What about Melatonin for this? It can be used for this, and also for 4th of July:

Noise phobia in dogs - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And also see that link for "pressure wraps" - have you thought about using an "anxiety t-shirt" for him during walks?

I remember Nikki2+2 talking about Sugar and the pressure wraps. It sounded very encouraging.

Is the Melatonin a prescription?

I've used RR for years myself and also for my children and my dogs. I give it directly into there mouth. Sofia is very small so I gave her 2 drops within 10 to 15 minutes she was ready to go. My Maltese is closer to 8 lbs he gets 4 drops worked great for car rides. RR also has a formula for sleep it's for humans and has helped me a lot. If I can't get to sleep a couple drops or sprays under the tongue an I can get some rest. My College kids use it to help them calm down when over stressed about tests. I would recommend it to anyone with stress or anxiety. JMOP.

There were a couple of links at the bottom on the Wiki link for the pressure shirts.

Dog Anxiety Treatment | Cures Noise Anxiety In Dogs | Thundershirt.com

https://anxietywrap.com/default.aspx

pepperment oil
 

I was the poster on peppermint oil. You can purchase it at most homeopathic herbalist stores. I was told by herbalist and my accupressurist both to use on pets as calming agent to use 1 -2 dilution with mineral oil. (like 1/2 oz. oil to 1 oz. mineral oil.) To use you put on pads of the feet. You can also for human migraines by putting on temples. Lavender oil also works same way on pads of feet as well as put it on their chin. I also have used accupresurist for Samantha problems in conjuction with these.

My vets' ideas were meds amitriptiline and clomicalm. Dummy me actually tried both at vets suggestion. Result? Calmed her to zombie like....:eek: Also tried Rescue Remedy- At his suggestion- Only to end up with a very bad sick girl both throwing up and the runs. Alot of Samanthas problems started when I spayed her vet said alot of her problems were caused by extreme hormone fluctuations...Nervousness to aggression issues. Also have learned alot from Leslie K9 trainer on this forum she has helped me learn alot about behavior modification.... We have alot of wonderful ppl on here who I have learned oodles from. Sorry so lengthy -I get windy sometimes all about the love for our fur babies! I have also heard about the peppermint for mice thing... It does work, however you use lots of oil not diluted, on lots of cotton balls. Peppermint not only calms it also can be utilized as appetite deterrent if you smell it. If diluted properly can be used for congestion too!! Hugs to all!!!! :aimeeyork:animal-pa:animal-pa:D

here is a link to the previous thread about this - thanks to ann for teaching me how to google yorkietalk only :)

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...ral-drops.html

Thank you for giving us all of this mixture ratios. It's interesting that you had aggression issues after her spay. Pebbles has some issues as well and always wondered if this was the cause.

I'm still interested, but still a bit apprehensive. I'm reading all I can. Thanks for the new thread with JUST info.

I think if we could keep focused on the questions and bounce things off each other we can all try the different suggestions. No two pups are alike so you would not expect then to react the same.

The peppermint oil is very interesting too. I might stop tomorrow and try this as well. Now that I am thinking about this I think this is what my sister used on her GSH pointer when she has huge anxiety issues. It worked for her. I'm going to ask her tomorrow too.

I have definitely heard this for migraines in humans and when i feel a headache coming on i pop an altoid and it works it stops the headaches as someone told me this. Also told me to use peppermint oil on temples so i will be curious to see how it works for anxiety as well as dexter get's car sick so want to see if this works

Here is my two cents on rescue remedy. My understanding is that there is no science based study that is does anything for dogs but make you feel better that you did something to help and there for you calm down and the side effect is that dog calms down.

I tend to medicate my dog with things that are based in repeatable study that have facts in writing and by researchers that can repeat the study not by hear say and nothing repeatable or proven.

Drugs like Bio Calm. composure or Prozac. Things like Through a Dogs Ears music to calm would be a choice that is less documented not drug based thing that can calm dogs and not cause side effects with additives a dog should not have.
Also thing like T Touch or anxiety wraps work. What about a calming cap.

JL

If I try this, and if there is a noticeable difference, trust me I will know. Uni is the biggest spaz. There is no psychological difference on ME if I give her something or not. Now if only I"m not such a big baby to try it on her..... I will try it on myself first.

There ya go... you take it and calm down... and see if it effects her? Then you'll know if you're her problem or not!:D

I have one that used to get car sick and 3 that don't... well at the time 2. I seat belted them in the back seat with the sickie in the middle and the other 2 taught her how to act and that it's fun to ride in the van! It took 2-3 times but now it doesn't bother her in the least. Glad it didn't work the other way 'round.:eek:

Melatonin is available anywhere and is cheap - Target, Walgreens, CVS. It comes pretty standard - 3mg - you would want the "regular", not sustained release. And yes, Nikki (miss her so much!) was wanting to use the anxiety shirts w/ Sugar :).

Do you have links to any of these products. I've have not heard of any of them before. All I'm trying to do is find more information and give my little guy some type of relief. Are BioCal and Composure RXs? Obviously Prozac is a RX and was one of the things that my sister tried on her dog. It made her into a zombie. The oils actual did help so it makes this more confusing.

As for T touch and anxiety wraps which we touched on do you have any type of scientific studies regarding these? What is Calm Cap? Something that goes on their head? Like a hood?

When we were going to florida, the vet said to give a 1/4 of a tsp. of baby benedryl.. it is enough to take the nervousness out of the equation, but not make them like a zombie... it worked like a charm on the way down, they actually enjoyed the trip! and I didn't even have to give it on way home, they were then used to riding around by then so NO anxiety.

I have used Rescue Remedy and it works and I being a calm person don't think this is the case of why it works :rolleyes:

I also believe that if a person has a pet that has serious anxiety issues that are prolonged they need to be seeing a special vet because there may be some other concerns that are causing the problem.

There are probably people who give too much of a dose to their pets at a given time and I believe that could cause an upset stomach. To much of ANY thing can do this to a small Yorkie, so it's up to the parent/owner to use caution.

Some people have rubbed it on their pets ears and it worked fine for them this way.

thanks totally agree too much of a good thing can be dangerous. I tried the RR on dex ears when going to vet as he gets so stressed in car and was bummed when it did not work for him as I am scared to give him anything that has to be ingested especially before i knew about non-alcoholic version due to pancreas issues. Dr dodd's tech gave the non-alcoholic version to him to destress him before blood work as well and he did ok

I have just resulted in he stays home unless going to vet sadly as too stressful for him and I and groomer comes to the home now to make it easier on him :(

i read through this thread and the other one and have some input. Morgan has a terrible fear of thunder, loud noises, high pitch noises (like the beep from the CO/fire alarm when it resets), and changes in the electricity/pressure in the air (i'm guessing that's what it is). I have never tried RR or any product like that with her. I've tried ignoring it and just calming going on with whatever i'm doing but it doesn't help her. i don't baby her to enable the problem. I've tried wrapping her tightly in a blanket, wiping her down with an anti static sheet, holding her on my lap, and putting her vest harness on a little more snuggly then usual. The harness does help a little sometimes but none of the other things do. I an interested in getting one of those vest for her and am more partial to the anxiety wrap with the butt straps. i've watched the videos and read all over that site. I was going to order one but i need one custom made because morgan is just a little smaller then the smallest size they make. When i emailed them a month or so ago their custom maker wasn't able to make anything for a few weeks to months so i waiting. So i just emailed them again after reading this thread to see if she's back.

OH, and i read some one here suggested peppermint oil which i find interesting. I was just reading something on a groomers forum about what to do to make the dog more comfortable when they first meet you. Someone suggested chewing cinnamon or peppermint gum (not sure which they actual suggested) because for some reason it seems to calm them. I'm gonna start trying it at work to see what happens.

Peppermint oil
 

Be careful which peppermint oil you use, use ONLY food grade... Just a drop or 2 on your dogs paws (all 4 pads)

I have been doing some reading and from what I have read peppermint oil (the essential oil) should not be used on paws because they will lick it and it shouldn't be ingested..

Remember if you cannot cook with the peppermint oil then you cannot use it on your dog's paws.

I know peppermint oil works awesome for many other things and in humans as well. My friend buys peppermint leafs and makes a tea before bed and it helps her insomnia..

Anyhow here are some links.
HowStuffWorks "Peppermint: Herbal Remedies"

How to Calm Dogs with Peppermint Remedy | eHow.com

How to Calm Dogs With Peppermint Oil on Paws | DailyPuppy.com

I use Lavendar oil for my showdogs. when we are in the car I spray the pad in their crate before I put them in and when we are at the show I spray the blanket I lay on the table. I also spray some on my clothing and it helps calm me down also.