Monday, August 31, 2015

Adenocarcinoma Most Common Form of Lung Cancer in Dogs and Cats


Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer in dogs and cats (accounting for 75% of cases). It can be a fast growing malignant type of cancer, which can quickly spread to other parts of the body (including lymph nodes and the brain). It is usually found in older dogs and cats (average age about 10) and some breeds may be more predisposed than others (boxers have a higher risk rate).  The cause is unknown at this time, but one thought is long term exposure to toxins (second hand smoke, toxic cleaning agents, etc.) could raise the risk.

Following are some of the symptoms of pets suffering with adenocarcinoma of the lung:
·         Pain
·         Dyspnea (difficult breathing)
·         Tachypnea (rapid breathing)
·         Low energy level and lethargy
·         Poor appetite
·         Gradual weight loss
·         Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
·         Lameness, in cases with metastasis to bones
·         Muscle wasting
·         Fever in some patients
·         Ascites (an accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity of the abdomen)
  
Diagnosis
A chest x-ray, in combination with a complete physical examination, will be one of the most important test your veterinarian will perform, to determine the diagnosis.  A CT scan and MRI may also be ordered to see if the tumor has metastasized to other areas.

Treatment
Most often you will be referred to a veterinary oncologist to help you determine the best course of action. The three conventional treatments, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, which may be used individually or in combination, depending on your pet’s overall health, location, size, and how quickly it is growing.

Living and Management
The prognosis can be very poor (If metastasized usually less than one year), but treatment and complimentary supportive measures can improve your pet’s quality of life significantly. Resveratrol for Dogs, Peppy Pet, Purrfect Pet CoQ10 and Amazing Omegas fight cancer and also provide critical nutrition for the heart and lungs. Onco-X is a powerful cancer multivitamin that can be used with or with chemotherapy to give dogs with cancer a combination of nutrients to help your pet's immune system fight the cancer.
Saturday, August 22, 2015

Snap the Perfect Picture of Your Pet




With the summer months coming to a close,  be sure to enjoy the last few weeks of nice weather and longer days. It is the perfect time to take advantage of the opportunity to make a lasting memory with your pet; a “perfect” picture. Here are a few tips to help you capture the moment.

  • First and foremost, you know your pet best, (and what makes them special) focus on capturing that uniqueness.  Is it a special trick, place, or look in his eye? If it’s their laid back, lazy personality, catch them just chilling out.
  • Find an environment that they are comfortable in with natural daylight (a flash may spook some pets). Playing with them beforehand can also help them relax (bonus: a panting dog also looks like they are smiling)
  • Try approaching them for the most candid shots, do not call them or make them come to you. However, if you want to capture the element of “surprise” rattle a toy behind the camera or make a strange sound and it will look like they are looking directly into the camera.
  • Take as many shots as quickly as possible! Try different angles, for example; going down to their level to get their “perspective”.
  • Most importantly, HAVE PATIENCE! If you wait long enough, your pet will relax, and you will have the opportunity to click that great picture.
Enjoy the weather and your pet!  
Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Best Probiotic For Pets

Dexter
A healthy balance of gut bacteria is vital to the welfare of your pet.  For cats and dogs, the digestive tract is the most important (and largest) immune organ in their body.  A proper ratio of good-to-bad bacteria is essential to insure their immune system is working properly.  If the good bacteria balance is upset, it can result in a multitude of digestive disorders, which if left untreated, could lead to a more serious illness.

The fine balance of good-to bad bacteria can be effected by both physical and emotional stressors. Physical stressors can include; poor diet, illness and/or medications such as steroids and antibiotics, or chronic digestive issues (such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease). Emotional stressors can be anything that upsets the normal routine or your cat (travel or change in living situations).

 Power Probiotics for Pets is a multi-strain formula, 3rd party tested for purity and is guaranteed to survive your pet's stomach acid.  The friendly bacteria organisms in this product will help correct any bacterial imbalance and help healthy cells to thrive in the gastrointestinal tract. It can help with improving digestion and detoxification. It can also help your pet fight infections, with overall immune system support.

Here's what Dexter's Mom had to say about the Power Probiotic:

“I want to thank you for the Power Probiotic. This product is amazing! Dexter (my black 6-month old Toy Poodle) slept awesome last night! Better than he has in weeks! I forgot to give him his usual Probiotic pill at 10pm last night. Well, he got up and walked around a little at 2:45am and seemed a little uncomfortable, so I got up and gave him a 1/2 capsule of Power Probiotic and we went back to bed and I didn't hear a peep out of him until 7:00am. No stomach gurgling, no burping, no nasal congestion, no incessant scratching, no more pacing the floor...Yay! This was the 4th night of Power Probiotic, so I really think they are helping. Thank you so much for creating this product and for really caring about our babies!!”
Cheryl Smith, Orange County, CA  


Monday, August 10, 2015

Natural Supplements and Diet Change Helps Stomatitis

Max and Sasha
Here is a wonderful success story from our client Angie. The products she uses to help her kitties, Max and Sasha,  with stomatitis are Power Probiotic for Pets, Colostrom for Pets, Immune Harmony, and Quentans.

"Back in 2010, I adopted 2 kitties from an elderly gentleman who had been on the news. The news story said that Animal Control was going to come in and take all the old man's kitties and euthanize them if no one stepped forth to adopt them (supposedly because he had too many living in the city limits - a neighbor who didn't like him or the cats had complained and turned him in).
They were all so friendly! They acted like I visited the house all the time! So it was quite difficult for me to make my selections. I finally settled on this huge one - a domestic shorthair - that looked like a miniature black panther. I named him Max. He was lean and silky, so regal, and looked like he could be a formidable foe to anything threatening him. Next I selected his sister, a shy dainty puff ball of black fur... pure princess to every degree. So she became known as Sasha.
We all lived in bliss until I had to take a work detail overseas for a month. I was forced to leave my babies behind in the care of a veterinary hospital for boarding until I returned. The cats were "different" it seemed when we returned home. Max wasn't as zealous and playful and Sasha was just totally terrified of everything! I took them to their regular vet and that's when I found out that Max was suffering from a severe case of stomatitis and Sasha's case was mild. For almost a year, Max suffered through rounds of antibiotic and steroid shots trying to calm his symptoms just so he'd be able to eat. He got so skinny and was so miserable, I didn't know what else to do.

I began to scour the internet on alternative therapies and tried everything from switching food to switching litter. Finally a couple of years ago, I ran across the AskAriel site. And amazingly, there was a section all about stomatitis. I read everything I could find about it and even read about the other different conditions house pets can contract. The answers were reasonable so I placed my first order for some of the Power Probiotic. I also received a food recommendation from Ask Ariel that I was able to find in my local pet store. Over the next few months I continued to "fine-tune" Max's specific needs. Ask Ariel gave me recommendations about foods to avoid that would make the stomatitis worse.  In June of 2014, I took Max and Sasha to the vet one last time to have their teeth thoroughly cleaned, and Max received his steroid and antibiotic shots. After that, we started daily treatments with the supplements and recommended diet.  In June 2015, we visited the vet for the first time since the cleaning (for a different condition) and  she was thoroughly impressed and said she didn't see anything unusual... no redness, no sores, no buildup on the teeth or anything! She couldn't believe I was only feeding them wet food (not the dry her office had originally recommended) and nothing else.  
Anyway, I now have two of the happiest kitties on the planet! They are both in the elderly stage now with a few grey whiskers and a few strands of grey hair here and there coming out of their beautiful black coats, but Max loves playing the "baby" (even though he's the eldest)...Sasha has finally gotten over her fears as well. She loves to be picked up, but differently than Max. When she approaches you, she'll just sit there and wait, looking at you. When you reach down to pick her up she'll throw her little arms up in the air like a toddler begging. Then you'll have to pick her up and put her on your hip where she then likes to ride with her arms around your neck as she nuzzles your face.
Yes, I know it's a long success story but *my* kitties are extraordinary.
Thanks for coming up with such amazing products!"
-Angie (with Max & Sasha)
Zachary, LA
Saturday, August 1, 2015

Symptoms and Treatments for Canine Lyme Disease


Lyme disease, in pets, can be very serious and debilitating. In the later stages, it can also lead to kidney disease and heat problems.   Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is caused by being bit by an infected tick. It is important that you know the signs and be vigilant in checking all your pets for ticks that may be infected with the disease (especially in area where there are known cases). A pet is usually infected when the tick has been on the pet for more than 18 hours. Symptoms may not appear for months or even a year later. If infected, it can be very painful and cause lameness and arthritis. Important to note, can be transmitted to humans via tick bites too.
Symptoms:

  • Arthritis (inflammation of joints) 
  • Stiff Back 
  • Lethargy 
  • Limping 
  • Lack of appetite Fever 
**Symptoms may be intermittent 
Many dogs affected with Lyme disease are taken to a veterinarian because they are showing signs of pain and have stopped eating. Affected dogs have been described as if they were "walking on eggshells."  The pet may have a fever and begun to limp. The systems can disappear and reappear.

Treatment: Usually treatment will involve a course of antibiotics for 1-4 weeks, which should help with symptoms, but it is impossible to eliminate the bacteria entirely and ongoing nutritional support is recommended. Using holistic supplements to help fight the infection, support the immune system and aid the kidneys, can be extremely beneficial in the battle of lyme disease .

Recommended Supplements for Lyme Disease:

  • Notatum and Quentans- natural infection fighters, boost immune system, target viral and bacterial components, can be used along with antibiotics
  • Amazing Omegas- powerful anti-inflammatory and reduces joint pain
  • Purrfect Pet CoQ10- core component of lyme disease treatment, promotes energy, antioxidant
  • Renelix- flushes out toxins accumulated in kidneys, support kidney health
  • Canine Comfort--greatly helps with overall pain and inflammation