Thursday, June 26, 2014

A Family Never Gives Up Searching For Their Lost Golden Retriever

Murphy reunited with her family

Love this story reported by Reuters this week.

Reuters June 24, 2014 at 10:47 AM ET
A golden retriever that got separated from her owners during a camping trip in California's Tahoe National Forest was reunited with her family and doing well after apparently surviving on her own for nearly two years in the wilderness, the family said.

Erin and Nathan Braun were on a camping trip in October 2012 when the dog, named Murphy, went missing, according to the Los Angeles Times. The couple posted fliers and created a Facebook page about the disappearance to no avail.

Twenty months later, a camper at the French Meadows Reservoir, not more than five miles (eight km) from where the Brauns lost Murphy, spotted the pet and alerted the family, according to a Facebook post written by the couple earlier this month.

After several unsuccessful days of trying to track the dog down, the Brauns decided to leave her bed and several items of their own clothing with the camper, hoping Murphy would pick up their scent and return to the area.

It worked, and a week later the Brauns were notified that the camper had coaxed Murphy onto a leash after finding her sleeping on the clothing left for her. Murphy was reunited with her family in mid-June.

“As you can imagine, we are completely shocked and amazed with the miracle of her surviving this long,” the Brauns wrote in a June 16 Facebook post. “She is on the road to recovery, very thin and frail but happy to be home with her family. Words cannot describe how grateful we are.”

It appears Murphy could have spent nearly two years in the forest, though parts of the neighboring area are more developed than others, according to Tahoe National Forest spokesman Michael Woodbridge. “It can get pretty good snowfall, that’s for sure,” he said. “It’s not too far from wilderness. French Meadows Reservoir is a dammed-up river, so it’s developed around there. Depending on where you are on the reservoir, there are developed recreation sites and a road there.”

Tim McGagin, kennel manager for golden retriever rescue and sanctuary organization Homeward Bound, sent out volunteers to retrieve Murphy after she was first sighted.
“She was slightly emaciated, but she wasn’t dying,” he said. “Somebody probably left food out, or left their garage door open. Generally in that area, she wouldn’t have made it through the winter months.” 

Copyright 2014 Thomson Reuters.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014

June is Adopt- A-Shelter-Cat Month




The month of June has been selected as the national adopt-a-cat month. It has long been believed that spring is known for being "kitten" season and unfortunately many will find themselves joining their adult counterparts in over crowded animal shelters throughout the country. If you are considering adding a feline friend to your household, the American Humane Association has these 10 tips:

  1. If you’re thinking about adopting a cat, consider taking home two. Cats require exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction. Two cats can provide this for each other. Plus they’ll provide more benefits to you. Cats’ purring has been shown to soothe humans as well as themselves – and they have an uncanny ability to just make you smile. A great place to start your search is online. Sites such as petfinder.com   enable you to search numerous shelters in your area simultaneously to help narrow your search and more quickly find the match that’s right for you and your new feline friend.

  2. Find a cat whose personality meshes with yours. Just as we each have our own personality, so do cats. In general, cats with long hair and round heads and bodies are more easygoing than lean cats with narrow heads and short hair, who are typically more active. Adoption counselors can offer advice to help you match the cat’s personality with your own.

  3. Pick out a veterinarian ahead of time and schedule a visit within the first few days following the adoption. You’ll want to take any medical records you received from the adoption center on your first visit. Kittens in particular should accompany you to make the appointment – even before the exam itself – so staff can pet the cat and tell you that you’ve chosen the most beautiful one ever.

  4. Make sure everyone in the house is prepared to have a cat before it comes home.Visiting the shelter or animal control facility should be a family affair. When adopting a new cat with existing pets at home, discuss with the adoption facility how to make a proper introduction.

  5. Budget for the short- and long-term costs of a cat. Understand any pet is a responsibility and there’s a cost associated with that. A cat adopted from a shelter is a bargain; many facilities will have already provided spaying or neutering, initial vaccines, and a microchip for permanent identification.

  6. Stock up on supplies before the cat arrives. Be prepared so your new cat can start feeling at home right away. Your cat will need a litter box, cat litter, food and water bowls, food, scratching posts, safe and stimulating toys, a cushy bed, a brush for grooming, a toothbrush and nail clippers.

  7. Cat-proof your home. A new cat will quickly teach you not to leave things lying out. Food left on the kitchen counter will serve to teach your new friend to jump on counters for a possible lunch. Get rid of loose items your cat might chew on, watch to ensure the kitten isn’t chewing on electric cords, and pick up random items like paper clips (which kittens may swallow).

  8. Go slowly when introducing your cat to new friends and family. It can take several weeks for a cat to relax in a new environment. It’s a great idea to keep the new addition secluded to a single room (with a litter box, food and water, toys, and the cat carrier left out and open with bedding inside) until the cat is used to the new surroundings; this is particularly important if you have other pets. If you’ve adopted a kitten, socialization is very important. But remember – take it slow.

  9. Be sure to include your new pet in your family’s emergency plan. You probably have a plan in place for getting your family to safety in case of an emergency. Adjust this plan to include your pets. Add phone numbers for your veterinarian and closest 24-hour animal hospital to your “in-case-of-emergency” call list.

  10. If you’re considering giving a cat as a gift, make sure the recipient is an active participant in the adoption process. Though well-meaning, the surprise kitty gift doesn’t allow for a “get-to know-one-another” period. Remember, adopting a cat isn’t like purchasing a household appliance or a piece of jewelry – this is a real living, breathing, and emotional being.
It is also important to start out on the right foot, with a good diet.  The best diet for cats is a raw frozen diet if your kitty will eat it.  Otherwise, use high quality grain-free canned food and try not to rely too much on poultry which can be a big allergen.  Giving newly adopted cats Colostrum for Pets and  Power Probiotic , is especially helpful as it will help to prevent worms and parasites, as well as strengthening their immune system.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Lipomas - Fatty Tumor Lumps on Dogs



Have you ever felt a lumpy bump under your pets skin?  Your first reaction might be panic, does my dog have a tumorous cancer? The most common cause are Lipomas, which are a benign tumor, often referred to as a fatty tumor. They are more common in overweight female dogs and certain breeds are more likely to develop them including: Doberman Pinschers, Schnauzers (miniatures), and Labrador Retrievers. The fatty tumors usually show up  on the torso, neck, upper legs and armpits. It's a way for the body to get rid of toxins when the body cannot eliminate them through other ways such as the kidneys, livers and intestines.  

Treatment
The first step is to visit your veterinarian to make sure it is a Lipoma and not something more serious.  Often a fine needle aspiration or biopsy will be done to confirm that it is a Lipoma.  Your veterinarian will work with you to monitor the size and determine if surgical removal is needed.

Holistic care can help lipomas.  Omega 3s such as  Amazing Omegas, and liver support supplements can help your pet eliminate toxins and help prevent another fatty tumor.  Many times the fatty tumor is developing due to a lack of essential fatty acids (good Omega 3) in the diet.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Meet Pet Nutritionist Susan Davis Sunday 6/22 in Laguna Beach



 

Come meet Pet Nutritionist Susan Davis this Sunday 6/22 from 12 -4 at the Dog Ranch Pool Party & Open House in Laguna Beach, CA.   Susan will be available to answer your questions about how diet and supplements can keep your pets happy and healthy!  Dog Ranch is located at 20401 Sun Valley Drive Laguna Beach, CA. (949)494-0484

You are invited to come and celebrate
the opening of our NEW custom designed
double sided dog pool!

Please join us for an afternoon of food, drinks and fun
Tour the Dog House and newly remodeled sleeping areas
Meet other Dog Ranch dog owners.

It will be a Dog-Gone good time!!

For the safety of all our guests, dogs are not permitted to attend this event.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

Visit our new website:   www.thedogranch.com

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Supplements Help Beautiful Cat With Lymphoma

Many thanks to E. Cooper for sharing her story about beautiful Princess.

"Princess is my best friend, the light and love of my life. She has always been a good sized cat, weighing between 11 and 12 lbs.  In June of 2013, I noticed that she seemed very light in my arms and that I could feel her ribs and spine.  She was diagnosed with hypercalcium and only weighed 8.46 lbs.  Her vet explained to me that the elevated calcium level is an indicator for feline lymphoma and discussed with me options for further bloodwork and chemotherapy.  At the time, I couldn't afford any kind of treatment for her.  I cried for an entire day.

The following day, I got myself together and looked at the reality: Princess wasn't sick.    We contacted Ask Ariel and ordered her the Power Probiotic, Samento and Lymph Terrain.  She started taking the supplements once daily, and man, does she hate it!  I have to add everything to water and syringe it down her throat each day while she fights me...but I have seen such an improvement.  Within a month, she was feeling more solid, her coat was shinier and her eyes were brighter.  She was playing more and just in general acting better. 

"After about three months of the supplements, I took her back to the vet and had her full blood panel repeated.  Her calcium had dropped back into the normal range!  Her A/G Ratio had lowered but was still borderline high, and her cholesterol was down.  Her monocytes were back into the normal range also.  But her platelet count ALT levels, creatinine levels,bilirubin were all low.  So we added Notatum and Immune Harmony into her "cocktail" and again, I've seen improvements.  She was back to the vet in mid-March, and all of her levels were looking good again, and best yet, she had started gaining weight again! 

My Princess is 12 years old and she is just as lovable as ever. Thank you so much Susan for all of your help and advice. I credit you whenever possible to keeping my baby healthy :)."

E. Cooper and Princess
Trenton MI. 2014


Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Hills Pet Recalls Bags of Science Diet Dry Dog Food

IMPORTANT PET FOOD RECALL

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls 62 Bags of “Science
Diet® Adult Small & Toy Breed™” Dry Dog Food in California,
Hawaii and Nevada Because of Potential Health Risk


Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. of Topeka, KS is voluntarily recalling 62 bags of Science Diet® Adult Small & Toy Breed™ dry dog food as they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The suspect product, part of a single production run, was distributed to 17 veterinary clinic and pet store customers in California, Hawaii and Nevada between April 24 and May 13, 2014.

Hills Pet Nutrition
Science Diet Small And Toy Breed Dry Dog Food

Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Wheat, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Sorghum, Soybean Meal, Cracked Pearled Barley, Pork Fat, Chicken Liver Flavor, Soybean Oil, Flaxseed, Lactic Acid, Pork Liver Flavor, Dried Carrots, Dried Spinach, Dried Grape Pomace, Dried Tomato Pomace, Dried Citrus Pulp, Iodized Salt, Oat Fiber, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Potassium Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Phosphoric Acid, Beta-Carotene, Natural Flavors.

This diet contains grains, salt, soybean oil and other ingredients which can be problematic for   For optimal nutrition, AskAriel Your Pet Nutritionist recommends feeding your pet a grain-free, hypoallergenic diet.  Use canned or raw frozen diets for best results.  Pets with allergies or digestive problems can experience relief of symptoms using raw frozen hypoallergenic protein sources such as rabbit.  To learn more about the pros/cons of using a raw frozen diet for your cat or dog, please read this comprehensive pet nutrition article.