Parenting-Furkids

Non Species Specific Furkid Topics => Pet Care Websites => Member FAVORITES => Topic started by: Pookie on July 11, 2011, 05:05:01 PM

Title: Dr. Jean Hofve (retired)
Post by: Pookie on July 11, 2011, 05:05:01 PM
Note:  All information here is from the site Little Big Cat, http://www.littlebigcat.com/ with Dr. Hofve's written permission.  Please visit the Free Article Library at Little Big Cat for some great information about feline nutrition, health, behavior, and holistic healing.

Holistic veterinarian and author Dr. Jean has 18 years’ experience in conventional and alternative veterinary medicine. She has a passion for feline health and nutrition; she has intensively studied and researched pet nutrition and the pet food industry since the early 1990s. She is recognized as an expert on pet food, having written dozens of articles and been interviewed for print, radio, and television around the world.  In 1995, she founded Spirit Essences (now owned and operated by Jackson Galaxy), which makes flower essence remedies for many animal health and behavior problems. Her first book, The Complete Guide to Holistic Cat Care: An Illustrated Handbook, co-authored with nutritionist Dr. Celeste Yarnall, won a 2010 Certificate of Excellence as well as the 2010 Muse Medallion Award for best book from the Cat Writers’ Association.
Title: Re: Dr. Jean Hofve (retired)
Post by: Lola on July 12, 2011, 01:02:02 AM
Dr. Jean Hofve IS awesome!   thumbsup1 thumbsup1

She is also on Twitter...if anyone is interested.  
http://twitter.com/#!/drjeandenver (http://twitter.com/#!/drjeandenver)
Title: Re: Dr. Jean Hofve (retired)
Post by: Shadow on July 12, 2011, 05:22:17 PM
and is on facebook too :)
Title: Re: Dr. Jean Hofve (retired)
Post by: CarnivorousCritter on July 12, 2011, 10:54:38 PM
Thanks for the heads up, Kitties!
Gotta love her twitters--

Dr. Jean Hofve
drjeandenver Dr. Jean Hofve
Is There a Link Between Fish Oil and Hyperthyroidism in Cats?: http://EzineArticles.com/?id=2610833
15 Jul 09


Dr. Jean Hofve
drjeandenver Dr. Jean Hofve
Nutro recalled several dry cat foods (which you aren't feeding anyway, right?) : http://bit.ly/10R4C6
25 May 09

Title: Re: Dr. Jean Hofve (retired)
Post by: Lola on July 13, 2011, 01:56:09 PM

Dr. Jean Hofve
drjeandenver Dr. Jean Hofve
Nutro recalled several dry cat foods (which you aren't feeding anyway, right?) : http://bit.ly/10R4C6
25 May 09


 :)   thumbsup1 thumbsup1
Title: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: Lola on September 04, 2011, 11:43:33 AM
Quote
If you’re looking for reliable information on holistic health, behavior, and nutrition for your cat (and dog!), holistic veterinarian Dr. Jean Hofve (http://www.littlebigcat.com/about-2/) and feline behavior expert Jackson Galaxy (http://jacksongalaxy.com/)  are here to help! We want to help you keep your cats (and dogs!) healthy and happy by preventing and resolving behavior, nutrition, and health issues through holistic, “mind-body” methods.
Title: Dr. Jean's Blog (jhofve77)
Post by: Lola on September 04, 2011, 12:12:48 PM
An active blog with LOTS of great information!


http://www.littlebigcat.com/author/jhofve77/
Title: spiritessences.com
Post by: Lola on September 04, 2011, 12:27:03 PM
Quote
About the Essences
First, our company was founded by Dr. Jean Hofve, a respected holistic veterinarian. Our remedies are the only veterinarian-formulated essence remedies in the world. Dr. Jean has more than a dozen years' experience working with essences in a wide variety of species and settings. Jackson Galaxy, Spirit Essences president, is a nationally known and respected cat behavior consultant who has helped develop and refine our remedies based on his experience and the needs of his own clients.

We make our own line of essences, Rocky Mountain Essences, but we do not restrict our formulas to any one line or even to just the Bach remedies. Spirit Essences draw from many of the finest essence lines in the world: Flower Essence Society, Kauai Flower Essences, Master's Essences, Pacific Essences, South African Essence and Gem, Australian Living Essences, AUM Himalaya, Green Hope Farm, Bailey Essences and Watersong Sanctuary. These include essences of not only plants but also animals, gems and some very unusual ethereal essences.

Spirit Essences use only pure Eldorado Natural Spring Water from a cold-water artesian spring in Eldorado Canyon near Boulder, Colorado. This water is then enhanced with Full Color Spectrum Light, Reiki Energy, and our own gem enhanced base water. Spirit Essences use up to 20 essences (http://www.spiritessences.com/pages/Master-Essence-List.html) in each of our remedy formulas. We continuously review and update all our remedies as we add new essences to our repertory of over 300 essences, and we also constantly fine-tune these formulas based on feedback from clients as well as clinical and personal experience.

Spirit Essences is a pioneer in the vibrational essence field. For example Ultimate Peacemaker (http://www.spiritessences.com/products/Ultimate-Peacemaker.html) was the world's first multi-formula set for animal use; it has been extremely successful, even in very difficult situations.

We know and respect the many other makers of essences and essence formulas that are out there for you to choose from. We are all working for the same thing, and that is to help your animal companion heal from emotional and physical trauma.

Thank you for your support. Please let us know what you think - we would love to hear from you!

http://www.spiritessences.com/
Title: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: Lola on September 04, 2011, 12:32:23 PM
Her book ...

Quote
co-authored with nutritionist Dr. Celeste Yarnall, and 2010 winner of a Certificate of Excellence and a prestigious Muse Medallion award from the Cat Writers’ Association

The Complete Guide to Holistic Cat Care: An Illustrated Handbook (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592535666?ie=UTF8&tag=littlebigca04-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1592535666)
Title: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: Middle Child on December 01, 2011, 10:59:13 PM
I have lost all respect for this vet and this website.  I do not see how any veterinarian can be so irresponsible as to post this kind of advice on the internet.  People in general are not...bright, nor do they follow instructions carefully.  They look for cheap easy fixes, unwilling to spend any money or effort on their pets. Many do not know what 20% means.  Many will read this and think it is okay to give cats brandy or vodka.

 In fact, there is at least one person who already does, the person I am trying to reason with,  who is trying avoid "wasting" money at the vet for a cat with a serious eye problem, based on their description.

 They have quoted this website to me telling me it is okay to give vodka to their cat for his eye problem, because a VET recommends giving a cat vodka and linked me to this site, where I discovered Dr J Hofva does indeed instruct people to include 20% vodka or brandy when mixing their own flower essence concoctions.  I am just blown away by such blatant irresponsibility.

http://www.littlebigcat.com/health/do-it-yourself-bach-flower-essences/

How this person I was trying to help came to the conclusion that giving vodka to the cat will help the cat's eye infection is beyond me, but it illustrates my point, that people will hear what they want to hear, and it is the cat who suffers.
Title: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: Lola on December 01, 2011, 11:37:49 PM
I dunnnnno, MC.  That is kinda like the person that blamed the soup company for not stating, on their label, to OPEN the can of soup BEFORE heating it in the microwave.  
People have to take SOME responsibility for not having or using common sense.

Title: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: Middle Child on December 01, 2011, 11:57:10 PM
I guess.  But Lola, alcohol IS toxic to cats.  It is poison to cats.  I just can't see how anyone with any sense of responsibility, especially a veterinarian,  can recommend people use alcohol in home preparations for cats. I just...can't wrap my mind around it.  That's what this idiot kept saying to me.  A VET says it is okay to give my cat vodka.

Yes, but not the cat's vet.  A net-vet.  Anyone can call themselves a vet on the internet.  Oh I know Jean Hofva is considered legitimate.  But all the more reason to not post such stuff, without even adding at least some kind of warning or caution about how alcohol is toxic to cats, and great caution should be used.

I admit, I am over worked, over stressed, over tired, and grieving just now.  But this is incomprehensible to me.
Title: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: Lola on December 02, 2011, 12:13:31 AM
I do get what you are saying.  I am TOTALLY fine with your post and opinion!  I was just kinda going with the other side of the coin...so to speak.
Personally, I wouldn't give any of my pets any kind of alcohol either.
Also, I don't know anything about her flower essence product line.  
Title: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: Auntie Crazy on December 02, 2011, 01:02:08 AM
...
..., but it illustrates my point, that people will hear what they want to hear,....

This is a true statement, and applies to every topic imaginable; however, it is by no stretch of the imagination a reason to refrain from disseminating information.

Dr. Hofve doesn't recommend feeding alcohol to cats, that's an extrapolation your acquaintance made to suit his own desires. The relaxation remedy she describes is to be used primarily on the cat and around the cat's environment, with only a few drops offered for consumption.

I have corresponded with Dr. Hofve personally and she is an exceedingly intelligent, caring person with a high level of expertise. It is no more her fault that this person chooses to twist something she wrote to justify his insane behavior than it is my fault when someone starts throwing down chicken wings as their cat's sole diet after reading my Frankenprey / Whole Prey Feeding Guide on CatCentric.org.

I understand your dismay at this person's behavior, but the responsibility for that choice lies at his feet, not Dr. Hofve's.

And big <<HUGS>> for having such a gosh-awful rough day!!!!!   :-*

Best regards.

AC
Title: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: Middle Child on December 02, 2011, 07:17:07 AM
Dr Hofva answered my complaint promptly and has said she will add a caution to her article about how to add the alcohol to the home made tinctures. :)
Title: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: Middle Child on December 02, 2011, 07:51:34 AM
She has altered the article to be more specific on how to use the alcohol.  I am mollified. bananamiddlechild
Title: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: CarnivorousCritter on December 02, 2011, 08:19:16 AM
I dunnnnno, MC.  That is kinda like the person that blamed the soup company for not stating, on their label, to OPEN the can of soup BEFORE heating it in the microwave.  
People have to take SOME responsibility for not having or using common sense.

NO such things as either one anymore (generally speaking = mainstream).

red is mine

....(people)  They look for cheap easy fixes, unwilling to spend any money or effort on their pets. Many do not know what 20% means.  Many will read this and think it is okay to give cats brandy or vodka....

How this person I was trying to help came to the conclusion that giving vodka to the cat will help the cat's eye infection is beyond me, but it illustrates my point, that people will hear what they want to hear, and it is the cat who suffers.


You nailed it -- ONLY what they want to hear with TWO prerequisites: EASY and instant.
Title: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: Lola on December 02, 2011, 01:17:01 PM
MC,
I'm impressed with Dr. Jean Hofve (once again).   thumbsup1 She answered your complaint AND edited the wording in her article.  My GUESS would be she never assumed (in her wildest dreams) that someone would interpret the article in the way your acquaintance did.  Doh1    

In all fairness to Dr. Jean Hofve, the following is her response:
Quote
Essences can be given topically or just sprayed around the room. The cat does not have to take them by mouth. This is clear in the instructions. It is also easy to evaporate out the alcohol by setting in warm water; for a few minutes. The dose is a few drops, of which 20% is alcohol. The dose is miniscule. We have tried many other substitutions but they really don’t work as well. Since it is so easy to get rid of the alcohol before administering the drops, we don’t worry about cumulative effects of 1/4 drop or two. This vet has worked with these remedies closely for more than 20 years and given them to thousands of animals with no adverse effects. I believe that the love and intention is the most important ingredient! BTW Spirit Essences is a separate entity from Little Big Cat; we’re about 1000 miles apart, actually. If you have comments about the remedies, you should really contact them. Little Big Cat is totally different.

Title: Re: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: Middle Child on December 02, 2011, 02:39:49 PM
Yes, I have had my faith restored by her prompt replies to my emails and the quick action that she took.  We had a very pleasant exchange and I learned something: how you can let the alcohol evaporate from the drops, if you are giving them internally..  Just from the dose you are about to give, not from the whole bottle, as she also explained why the preservative is necessary.

And she also learned something from me....about human nature and how....clueless..... people can be. :D
Title: Re: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: Lola on December 02, 2011, 04:08:55 PM
Soooooo, does the person that was treating an eye infection with vodka ( :o) also clued in now?
Title: Re: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: FurMonster Mom on December 03, 2011, 02:16:02 PM
Sorry, late to the party here.

The problem is that most folks don't really understand herbal remedies at all.

Only a couple hundred years ago, almost everyone knew some bit about how to prepare herbs for treatments.  Poultices, slaves, teas, and tinctures were the norm in many households.  Some folks excelled in it, and were the equivalent of the town's pharmacist, but common treatments were... common.

Today, it's a completely different story.  The reliance is on the medical and pharmaceutical industries to treat all our ills.  Treatments come in easily swallowed pills.

When people go to the Whole Foods, or local health store that stocks salves, oils, tinctures and herbs, they often have to be instructed on the proper use of them.  There is a whole "re-education" process involved.

A few years ago, I got curious about herbalism, bought several books on the subject, and I learned a lot of small details that most folks would not know.

I knew you could evaporate the alcohol in a bit of water before treating with a tincture.
I know that the medium (oil, alcohol, water) determines how something is to be used.
I have an understanding of what kind of herbs should be steeped (infusion), and which should be boiled (decotion).
Also, each medium or preparation will "pull" different properties from the herbs.

BUT even then, I count my knowledge as "simple" at best.  I would still recommend anyone new to herbalism to rely on an experienced herbalist for preparations and treatments.  Doing it yourself without proper research is taking an incredible gamble.

.
Title: Re: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: Middle Child on December 03, 2011, 10:40:05 PM
Sorry, late to the party here.

The problem is that most folks don't really understand herbal remedies at all.

Only a couple hundred years ago, almost everyone knew some bit about how to prepare herbs for treatments.  Poultices, slaves, teas, and tinctures were the norm in many households.  Some folks excelled in it, and were the equivalent of the town's pharmacist, but common treatments were... common.

Today, it's a completely different story.  The reliance is on the medical and pharmaceutical industries to treat all our ills.  Treatments come in easily swallowed pills.

When people go to the Whole Foods, or local health store that stocks salves, oils, tinctures and herbs, they often have to be instructed on the proper use of them.  There is a whole "re-education" process involved.

A few years ago, I got curious about herbalism, bought several books on the subject, and I learned a lot of small details that most folks would not know.

I knew you could evaporate the alcohol in a bit of water before treating with a tincture.
I know that the medium (oil, alcohol, water) determines how something is to be used.
I have an understanding of what kind of herbs should be steeped (infusion), and which should be boiled (decotion).
Also, each medium or preparation will "pull" different properties from the herbs.

BUT even then, I count my knowledge as "simple" at best.  I would still recommend anyone new to herbalism to rely on an experienced herbalist for preparations and treatments.  Doing it yourself without proper research is taking an incredible gamble.

.

 bananamiddlechild bananamiddlechild bananamiddlechild bananamiddlechild bananamiddlechild

(in lieu of a thumbs up which I guess we don't have..yet)

Your post expresses much of why that article disturbs me so much.
Title: Re: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: Lola on December 04, 2011, 06:58:54 PM


(in lieu of a thumbs up which I guess we don't have..yet)


It is inbetween these two   cat3 thumbsup1 Bumpurr1
Title: Re: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: Middle Child on December 04, 2011, 07:02:14 PM
It is inbetween these two   cat3 thumbsup1 Bumpurr1

 thumbsup1 thumbsup1 thumbsup1

I see it now!
Title: Re: LittleBigCat.com
Post by: Lola on December 04, 2011, 07:06:25 PM
 ;D
Title: Dr. Jean Hofve Is Also Attending The AAFCO Meeting In Vegas
Post by: Lola on January 18, 2012, 08:20:09 AM
Her Blog:

Quote
Little Big Cat is coming to you today from beautiful Reno, Nevada; I’m attending the mid-year meeting of AAFCO (http://www.littlebigcat.com/nutrition/pet-food-regulation/), the Association of American Feed Control Officials. If that organization sounds familiar, it’s because you’ve seen it on virtually every can, bag, roll, and every other form of commercial pet food you’ve ever bought. AAFCO sets the standards for pet food regulation in the U.S. (and essentially for Canada). Although AAFCO is not itself a regulatory body, its members–volunteers from each state–are the regulators and enforcers of state laws affecting animal feed and pet food.

Years ago, when I worked at the Animal Protection Institute (now Born Free USA), I was what was then called a “liaison” (now referred to as an “advisor”) to AAFCO on its Pet Food and Ingredient Definition Committees. These are the primary committees dealing with pet food issues. I learned a lot from attending these meetings, and have continued to attend when possible since then. I haven’t been for a few years, but now, in my capacities as veterinary advisor to Only Natural Pet Store, blogger, and general rabble-rouser, I’m back! And I’ve regained my (literal) place at the table on the Pet Food and Ingredient Definition Committees as an advisor. The meetings of those committees will take place tomorrow and Thursday. I’m sure there will be lots to report after that!

Meanwhile, this morning’s general session included several speakers from FDA and a few other interesting surprises. For details on today’s meeting, check out Susan Thixton’s blog at TruthAboutPetFood.com. We’ve joined forces to And most importantly, tonight Susan and I will be having a live internet chat at Google+ Hangouts. This is totally new technology for me…but if you’d like to join us, and you have a Google account, add Susan to your circle on Google+, or friend her on Facebook to get details. I’m sure we’ll do it again, if you can’t make it on such short notice (sorry!).

I’ll keep you posted on new developments as they occur!

http://www.littlebigcat.com/blog/hot-news-on-pet-food/

Quote
Dr. Jean Hofve, veterinarian, former Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, has researched pet food and pet nutrition for more than a dozen years. Working two years as a full-time animal advocate for the Animal Protection Institute, she was a liaison to AAFCO, the organization that sets standards for the pet food industry. Also serving as a practicing veterinarian and four-term President of the Rocky Mountain Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, she has unique knowledge of the pet food industry and pet nutrition. She has written extensively on nutrition for Animal Wellness Magazine, The Whole Dog Journal, DogWorld, Cats Magazine, and the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.
Title: Re: Dr. Jean Hofve Is Also Attending The AAFCO Meeting In Vegas
Post by: Shadow on January 18, 2012, 12:30:29 PM
 thumbsup1