right dose of slippery elm bark?

[Mark]

I finally spoke to Belinda this afternoon. She said she thought it was safe as it is used as a food. I pointed out that becasue something is safe for humans doesn't always mean it is safe fo cats. She has various books (her own reference books) by juliette de bairachi levy and oddly, SEB wasn't listed in the index. Belinda said she is the authority on herbal remedies for animals.


This is the book.
http://www.faber.co.uk/work/cats-naturally-natural-rearing-for-cats/9780571162314/

[Mark]

I think the effect should be instant as it coats the insides with mucous 
I went to speak to the herbalist yesterday but forgot it was her day off. Wednesday is 1/2 day closing here and she has a friend in to cover for her.

[Desley (booktigger)]

i buy powder from my local health food shop and sprinkle a pinch over food - Molly tolerates very little added to her food but will eat it no problem. Just be careful with his diet though KAte, as Applaws isnt complete, so he isn't getting a balanced diet.

[swampmaxmum]

many thanks Mark. I think I'm underdosing but I like to do that, so we have somewhere to go if needs be. I got some pure stuff from the health shop but they think it's too strong for cats (?!) so I'll stick with the H&B one.  Do you know how fast it works though?

Max only eats Applaws chicken breast. And if it's too dry, he won't touch it. I'd prefer to give it in a gelcap in case he goes off the only food he eats.

[Mark]

They are the same ones I have and I believe Helen also had. I guess there are purer ones around but probably hard to find. I will speak to the herbalist over the road tomorrow and see what she thinks. (OH helped her with Excel last week so she owes me  )

As for putting it on food, you may be surprised. Clapton refuses any adulterated food but was fine with SEB sprinkled.

[swampmaxmum]

many thanks Mark, once again for your help. I saw the harpsie one (which is like Tanya's CRF one) which I found a little ambiguous. The other one though seems clearer. 1/4 teaspoon per 10lb of cat. Max is about 4.6kgs so I think I will start him on 1/4 teaspoon put into a gelcap. It smells funny so I daren't put it directly in his food.  I got the Good 'n Natural 370mg capsules at H&B. They contain SEB and anti caking agents (magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide) and of course the gelatine in the capsule. That's all. Is that ok as far as you know?  My vet isn't up on it, except for mouth ulcers as a paste so he doesn't know.

sounds like I should be taking it myself too for all it can do! 

[Mark]

Might be worth PMing Helen (Tiggysmum) as she used to give it to Tiggy. It isn't a drug so within reason, the dose doesn't have to be exact. From memory, I think Helen told me a capsule over a day. You did get the plain own brand ones? =- they do a branded one that has something like clove oil added which I don't think would be a good thing for cats.

There is an article here that says it is a safe herb to give cats - http://www.littlebigcat.com/?action=library&act=show&item=slipperyelm
My only personal qualm is that because it takes up water to form a mucilage, I would make sure it is given wet.

Thee is dosing advice here and some other good stuff http://www.harpsie.com/constipation.htm#slippery_elm_bark

[swampmaxmum]

I bought some SEB from Holland and Barrett. They are 370mg capsules. The CRF website is a bit ambiguous (or Im v tired). Am I supposed to give a whole one or is that too much, does anyone know? Sorry, started another thread to see if anyone knows.