Return to Joy Drops?

[ChinMommyFL]

As some of you know, 3 weeks ago ChinDaddy and I lost DJ (he died during a surgical repair of a diaphragmatic hernia.)

Today during an Herbology class I am taking, the teacher's aide asked me how DJ was doing. I let her know DJ unfortunately did not make it and I started to cry. I also mentioned that along with all the feelings of sadness and guilt I am having, I also think DJ's cagemate, Gizmo, is grieving as well. The teacher's aide asked me what kind of animals these are, and I told her chinchillas. She graciously handed me a bottle of Anafloras "Return to Joy" drops, and told me to add 3 drops to Gizmo's water, and for me to take 3 drops under my tongue in the morning.

My question is, is anyone familiar with this product? Have you ever used it in chinnies? Do you think it is safe? I know my teacher's assistant was trying to be nice, and her intentions were good.

The ingredients are mainly flowers:

-Bleeding Heart
-California Wild Rose
-Castle Lake Azalea
-Echinacea
-Shooting Star
-Flannel Flower
-Lady Slipper
-Water
-Brandy

This is meant for animals experiencing stress from abuse or trauma.

 

[Christina Noraas]

I've heard of stuff like that, we use similar remedies in my religion. However, you may want to make sure that the flowers/herbs used in it are not manufactured essential oils. I'm guessing that's a no because she also told you to ingest them but be 100% sure, I make my own essential oils so the ones that I make are okay to ingest because they don't have the perfume qualities that are used in the ones sold in stores.

I'm a little iffy on the brandy, I guess it would depend on the percentage used in the bottle. Alcohol does the same amount of damage to animals as it does humans, however since we often eat alcohol in our foods our body has an immunity to the lower doses and we barely even notice it's there, unless if you read the ingredients or make it from scratch. It can cause stress on the heart, liver, and digestive tract. However if it's a seriously small percentage, I doubt it would cause harm.

As far as I can recall none of those plants are toxic to animals, I'm sorry if I'm wrong. I'm sure someone else will come up with a better answer for you. :]

 

[starleomach]

Toxic Plants
Indoor
Mother in laws tongue (sonseveria trifasciata)
Elephants ears (caladium)
Dieffenbachia (dieffenbachia hoffmannii/ imperials/maculate)
Devil’s ivy (epipremnum aureum)
Peace lily (spathiphyllum)
Blood lily (haemonthus)
Flamingo flower (anthurium)
Chinese evergreen (aglanema)
Spanish bayonet (yucca aloifolia)
Poinsettia (euphorbia)
False caster oil plant (fatsia japonica)
Calla lily (zantedeschia)
Outdoor
Ivy (hedrera helix)
Yew (taxus baccata)
Hemlock (conium maculatum)
Golden chain (laburium anagyroides)
Hen’s foot (various types)
Autumn crocus (colchicum autumnale)
Hydrangeas (hydrangea)
Oleander (nerium oleander)
Rhododendrons (all varieties)
Sheep laurel (kalmia angustifolia)
Black Nightshade (atropa belladonna)
Euphorbia (various types)

 

[menagerie]

I just did a bit of research on the drops. I would not put them in the water, I don't like putting anything in the water as it can sometimes put them off drinking. I hadn't heard of this particular brand, but I do have experience with Bach Flower Essences and animals and these drops appear to be used in the same way. I've always rubbed the Bach Essences on the animal's ears, as they also work trans-dermally.

 

[3CsMommy]

Rather than in his water, a few drops on a cloth near his cage might have the same effect. Remember, they're far more sensitive to smells etc. than we are, and I wouldn't put anything with alcohol in it in my chin's food or water. I'd also worry about the Bleeding Heart, Lady's Slipper, and Echinacea-- not sure what their uses are, and I don't think I've heard of any of them going into an herb supplement mix, so I'd want to talk to an holistic vet before I used it on a chin.

Will it hurt *you*? Not at that distillation unless you're allergic to a component, but if you're on any prescriptions, your doctor should know about herbs or vitamins you add to your routine too.

 

[Jazicat]

I was under the impression that bleeding heart was poisonous and that lady slipper is what's used to make digitalis which is used for heart patients. I haven't read about tinctures, which use alcohol to extract the herb, or essential oils in a while but I would look them up as my memories is off. Also azaleas are in the same family as rhododendrons. I hope this helps.

 

[menagerie]

I was under the impression that bleeding heart was poisonous and that lady slipper is what's used to make digitalis which is used for heart patients. I haven't read about tinctures, which use alcohol to extract the herb, or essential oils in a while but I would look them up as my memories is off. Also azaleas are in the same family as rhododendrons. I hope this helps.

Bleeding heart is only toxic if large amounts are eaten. Foxglove is digitalis.

 

[tunes]

I also want to point out, you should NEVER add anything to your chins water unless absolutely necessary (a certain type of antibiotic needs to be added to water to dilute it). If you change the taste of the water, your chin may very well stop drinking.

 

[Christina Noraas]

I was thinking about this and if you feel the need to release his stress and distress, I would find out if mint oils or lavender oils are toxin free for chins and rub a dab on their ears, but I would be careful about the mint because it can be very strong and certain brands make it so it tingles...

I buy all of my oils from a place in Siesta Key, FL if you want to know the address or online store I can look it up for you when I get home.

 

[ticklechin]

Rescue remedy is what I have used in the past, never give it by mouth IMO especially to malo chins. You will have to peel them off the ceiling since alcohol stings...... I also rubbed it on the ears.

http://www.rescueremedy.com/pets/

 

[Stackie]

Rescue remedy is what I have used in the past, never give it by mouth IMO especially to malo chins. You will have to peel them off the ceiling since alcohol stings...... I also rubbed it on the ears.

http://www.rescueremedy.com/pets/

I have used Rescue Remedy for years with my dogs (mostly for 4th of July, my dog hates loud sounds), and I have also used it with stressed chins. I took in a rescue a few years ago who was afraid of his own shadow and rubbed the Rescue Remedy on his ears. I do think it helped to an extent.

 

[ChinMommyFL]

Thank you to all that have responded.

I tasted the drops myself, the Brandy in in does not taste too strong. If anything, whatever it is I'm tasting does not taste familiar to me *shrug*

Rather than add it to his water, I let Gizmo have a tiny lick of it off of the dropper. He didn't seem to like it too much, but he didn't seem to totally be upset by it.

I think I will buy a spray top for the bottle and "mist" him as is also recommended on the instructions if one chooses not to do it orally. That way, it won't (hopefully) hurt him since it won't be ingested.

 

[tkc1038]

I was just about to say Rescue Remedy is what I use for stresses pets AND me, tell ya what it really seems to help. I rub it either on the ear or the foot pad. I like the ear best though.

 

[3CsMommy]

I would find out if mint oils or lavender oils are toxin free for chins and rub a dab on their ears, but I would be careful about the mint because it can be very strong and certain brands make it so it tingles...

Lavender is also an antibiotic/antimicrobial and needs to be used with caution on skin and around membranes (like the eye, inside the nose, etc.).

 

[menagerie]

I think I will buy a spray top for the bottle and "mist" him as is also recommended on the instructions if one chooses not to do it orally. That way, it won't (hopefully) hurt him since it won't be ingested.

I wouldn't "mist" him, not sure what it will do to his skin. I would put a drop on your finger and rub it into his ears.