Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Testimonial For Layla- Pancreatitis

Layla
Canine Pancreatitis

"Layla is a 3 year old Yorkshire Terrier who was diagnosed with pancreatitis in October of 2008. Our vet wanted Layla to be put on canned prescription formula to manage this and I knew I couldn't do that because I didn't agree with the ingredients in these foods. I talked to a friend who had used Susan in the past for her Yorkie with great success. Our vet was quite sure that Layla's issues could not be managed with a home cooked diet but we were determined to try. From the moment I talked to Susan in our first consultation I knew that Layla was in good hands and that through her help, everything would be fine. Layla was put on a strict diet and along with Susan's LypoZyme and Probiotics. Layla's Spec numbers went from 740 (under 400 is considered normal) in October, down to 164 in February. Our family is beyond thankful to Susan and all that she has done to save our girl from a lifetime of horrible canned food. I recommend Susan to anyone I meet who is considering home cooking or who is dealing with a dog with health issues- I just can't say enough about how knowledgeable Susan is and how deeply she cares."


The Pluss Family, Feb. 2009, Canada
Visit AskAriel.com for more information on digestive disorders

Teddy's Testimonial- Canine Liver Cancer





Canine Liver Cancer

In April 2008, our 10-year-old dog, Teddy, a Chow Chow rescue, was diagnosed with a liver tumor. Our vet did not know if it was cancer at the time. As Teddy’s tumor grew, he was able to be tested, and cancer was confirmed. We were told he was too old for conventional treatment and, as his cancer progressed, to simply keep him comfortable. The vet had no hope for his recovery from canine liver cancer.

Our family decided to treat Teddy’s liver cancer condition with a holistic approach. We found Susan Davis through her website. We scheduled a phone consult, and the surprising results began. Susan customized a diet and supplement plan for Teddy, and we saw a marked difference in just two weeks. His overall health continued to improve.

We chose to have Teddy living with canine cancer instead of dying with cancer. He lost his brave battle on January 8, 2010. Teddy’s vet felt it was a miracle that he survived for so long. Our family knows that it was a miracle, thanks to Susan. We were blessed to have found her. She made it possible for us to have extended time with our wonderful Teddy.

Susan and her team are professional, well-informed, caring, and most responsive. The ability to consult with Susan by phone and e-mail is extremely convenient. We highly recommend her services, particularly when pets are young, to start them off on a healthy, all-natural diet.

–The Nardoni Family 2010

Learn More About AskAriel's Cancer Support
Wednesday, June 2, 2010

EPA Warning Regarding Topical Flea Products

EPA Warning About Topical Flea Products

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has increased restrictions and cautioned consumers to use extra care when applying topical flea treatments. We understand how important it is to use flea and tick prevention, and wish to remind you that many diseases arising from NOT using flea and tick preventatives can cause serious, even deadly consequences. We, are not advising that all clients should stop using them, rather, that caution should be taken and that each pet's specific situation should be evaluated. What we are recommending is that you review the EPA advisory.  Of special concern are cats, certain breeds of dogs and any immune-compromised or sick pets. We are offering a discount on telephone consultations so that if you would like to discuss this issue, along with the special needs of your pet, we would be happy to assist you.

Due to the need to evaluate each pet's specific situation and health concerns in depth, we regret that we cannot provide advice to you over email.

Here is the press release issued by the Environmental Protection Agency:EPA to Increase Restrictions on Flea and Tick Products Cautions Consumers to Use Products with Extra Care Release date: 03/17/2010 WASHINGTON – Due to a significant increase in adverse incidents, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is taking a series of actions to increase the safety of spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control for cats and dogs. Immediately, EPA will begin reviewing labels to determine which ones need stronger and clearer labeling statements. Next, EPA will develop more stringent testing and evaluation requirements for both existing and new products. EPA expects these steps will help prevent adverse reactions. In dogs and cats that can include skin effects, such as irritation, redness, or gastrointestinal problems that include vomiting or diarrhea, or effects to the nervous system, such as trembling, appearing depressed or seizures—from pet spot-on products. “EPA is committed to better protecting the health and safety of pets and families in all communities across our nation,” said Steve Owens, assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. “New restrictions will be placed on these products, and pet owners need to carefully read and follow all labeling before exposing your pet to a pesticide.” Following the 2008 increase in incident reports, EPA received additional information from the pet spot-on pesticide registrants and others and began an intensive evaluation of these products. Today, EPA is reporting the results of this evaluation, and taking steps to address the spike in reported incidents. Among immediate actions that EPA will pursue are: · Requiring manufacturers of spot-on pesticide products to improve labeling, making instructions clearer to prevent product misuse. · Requiring more precise label instructions to ensure proper dosage per pet weight. · Requiring clear markings to differentiate between dog and cat products, and disallowing similar brand names for dog and cat products. Similar names may have led to misuse. · Requiring additional changes for specific products, as needed, based on product-specific evaluations. · When new products are registered, granting only conditional, time-limited registrations to allow for post-marketing product surveillance. If there are incidents of concern associated with the product, EPA will take appropriate regulatory action. · Restricting the use of certain inert ingredients that EPA finds may contribute to the incidents. · Launching a consumer information campaign to explain new label directions and to help users avoid making medication errors. In addition, to improve the regulatory oversight of pet products, EPA will require more standardized post-market surveillance reporting on adverse effects, require submission of more sales information so the agency can better evaluate incident rates, and bring up-to-date the scientific data requirements on pre- and post-market testing so they are more in line with the Food and Drug Administration’s requirements. Flea and tick products can be appropriate treatments for protecting pets and public health because fleas and ticks can transmit disease to animals and humans. While most people use the products with no harm to their pets, the agency's analysis determined that smaller dogs tend to be disproportionately affected by some products and that the exposure of cats to some dog products is a concern. People should carefully follow label directions and monitor their pets for any signs of an adverse reaction after application, particularly when using these products for the first time. EPA recommends that owners consult a veterinarian about the best way to protect their pets from fleas and ticks or whether pesticides are needed, especially before using any product on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown signs of sensitivity to pesticide products. EPA is coordinating these actions with Health Canada as Canada also identified similar concerns about the use of spot-on flea and tick products last year, and with the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. The agency is inviting public comment on how best to implement these new measures. A Federal Register notice announcing the opening of a docket will be published on March 19, 2010. The docket number is EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0229. To read the EPA’s report on the evaluation of products and incidents click here)
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/petproductseval.html

EPA recommends that veterinarians use the National Pesticide Information Center’s Veterinary Pesticide Adverse Effects Portal to report incidents: http://npic.orst.edu/vetMore information on pet products and safety tips: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/pets.htm Click here to view Ask Ariel's Products and Services


Thank you for being an Ask Ariel client. We look forward to continuing to provide you with quality holistic pet care.

Sincerely,--The Team at Ask Ariel

Overweight dog- 7 Tips To Get Your Pet Bikini Ready!

Get Your Pet Bikini-Ready--7 Easy Tips! 1) Feed your pet at regular meal times. It is better to feed 2-3 smaller meals than one big meal. Do not free-feed by leaving food out all the time unless your pet has a health condition that requires it. 2) Schedule exercise every day. If you have a dog, this is a great way for you both to exercise together and make new friends. If you have a cat, this is a way for you to bond even closer--try out new toys such as a laser or feather toy. 3) Watch the treats. Treats add up! You can still give your pet treats but use healthy options such as vegetables (e.g. baby carrots), a sliced apple or some of their daily kibble. For example, you can use some of their dry food kibble for treats but be sure to reduce the amount of kibble served at dinner. For best results, set aside a daily amount of treats in a dish so that all family members can "treat" the pet throughout the day. When the bowl is empty--that is it for the day. Remember: one average dog biscuit could be over 100 calories which is about 1/2 the amount of a small can of dog food! 4) If your pet is always hungry and you are trying to cut back, try mixing in steamed vegetables or canned pumpkin. This will help them feel more satiated and add some extra vitamins, minerals and fiber. 5) Sometimes pets beg or are excessively hungry because they are not getting enough protein in their diet. If you have a young pet, consider a grain-free commercial diet, raw frozen food or cooking some fish and adding to their regular food. Please use caution however as some pet owners have a tendency to overdo the protein and this can be life-threatening especially if the pet has a health condition such as liver or kidney disease or pancreatitis. 6) Measure foods carefully! Use a measuring cup--don't "guesstimate" how much a standard cup is. Many scoopers are actually two cups not one. 7) Shower your pet with love--NOT FOOD! Many times people give their pets extra food as a way to show them they love them and often it is because they may feel badly they don't spend enough time with them. Wake up a little earlier on some days or come home once a week at lunch time from work to spend some exercise or play time with your pet. Click here for more information and products available at Ask Ariel
Sunday, May 30, 2010

Canine Papillomavirus, Weak Immune System--Diet and Supplements Can Help

Q: Hello. I have a 1 year old Lab Mix who just recently (beginning of April) was diagnosed with oral papillomavirus. She had 4 warts removed by laser and the rest were crushed. Her mouth healed and then about 2.5 weeks later, the warts showed up again. This time, there are more in quantity but aren't as big. Last week she had about 20 of them crushed to try and stimulate her immune system, but with her "nonexistent" immune system it hasn't seemed to help. I don't want to spend money on another surgery to have them removed then to come back again. Is there anything that you can suggest to help treat these warts? Portraits By Courtney

A: Courtney,
So sorry you have been through so much with your young dog. It really sounds like your dog has a weak immune system and definitely using an improved diet and supplement regimen would really help. When people or pets get chronic infections, it is a sign the body is having trouble defending itself. This is often due to the fact that the body is fighting many "fires" at once and the immune system is depleted. One of the most common reasons in dogs that the immune system gets weak is almost always the diet and the fact the dog is eating foods he or she is allergic to. For example, it is very common for dogs to get chronic ear infections and chronic urinary tract infections as a result of eating chicken which for some dogs is a very high allergen food. What you want to do is be sure your dog is on a grain-free, hypoallergenic diet with plenty of omega fatty acids such as Amazing Omegas. In addition, the following anti-viral supplements found on www.askariel.com would also help: Quentans, Olive Leaf Extract and Samento. Immune Harmony would be especially helpful as well as it modulates (not overstimluates) the immune system.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Supplements for Dog With Arthritis

Q: have a 9 year old dog who is showing signs of arthritis. i want to put her on your supplements and also look at her diet. she has been on vegetarian dog food her whole life and i'm wondering how can i switch to homemade, possibly raw, but mostly vegetarian food for her (maybe i can add some fish, but mostly use nuts?) i'm not sure where to turn for recipes.

A: While giving dogs vegetables is highly recommended, nuts or soy as the primary sources of protein for a dog is not. Dogs need some animal protein. This can be a very tough issue for people who are vegetarians as you may not want to have any type of meat protein in the house. However, if you were to consider what your dog might eat "if in the wild", nuts would not be the top food on the list. Fish is an excellent option though and you can try eggs as well. It should be a balanced diet however, not a "do it yourself" as there is a risk you could be giving your dog an imbalanced diet, even though you have the kindest of intentions.

There are some supplements that will greatly help your dog's arthritis. For starters, I would highly recommend the Dog Arthritis Package on www.askariel.com The package includes three key products for arthritis: 1) Amazing Omegas which is a highly purified fish oil product for dogs, 2) Amazing Arthrosoothe which contains key herbs for joint pain including MSM, boswelia, green lipped mussel as well as glucosamine and 3) Curcumin complex for pets--which greatly reduces inflammation and pain. In addition, you might want to consider Collagenex 2 which is a simple, easy to use formula that relieves joint pain in 7-10 days and is backed by considerable research.

Dog With Bladder Crystals: Supplements That Will Help Prevent Crystals

Response to Joyce

Question: I have a 6 yr old jack-a-poo who has had a few UTI"s over the years. I just took her to the vet bc she was barking and then licking her vagina. They did xrays and no bladder stones but her urine showed struvite and calcium oxalate crystals. They put her on a low protein diet. I was wondering what else could I use to help dissolve these so that it doesn't turn into bladder stones?

Answer: When pets have chronic UTIs, along with licking of the vagina, and bladder crystals, the first place to try to help is with the diet. Often this pet will have skin allergies as well and suffer from scratching and itching. A low carbohydrate, hypoallergenic diet is highly recommended. Chronic UTIs and allergies are often due to the pet eating high allergen foods such as grains, corn and poultry. When a pet has bladder crystals, a "prescription" diet is often given. The diet can synthetically manipulate the mineral content which in turn reduces the likelihood of stone formation, but overall is not nearly as nutritious and/or beneficial for the long-term health concerns of the pet. Moreover, many pets still continue to get the stones and crystals while on the diet and can be allergic to the corn, byproducts and other ingredients in the prescription diet.

What we recommend is a telephone consultation through http://www.askariel.com/ to help you formulate a nutritious custom diet for your pet that will not only temporarily supress the struvite and oxalate crystals but get to the root cause of the development of them. Some breeds are more inclined than others to have struvite and oxalate crystals and stones, but in general, if the pet is put on a hypoallergenic, well balanced diet, the crystals will go away. There are different diets recommended depending upon the type of crystals found. In your situation, since both struvite and oxalate crystals were found (very common), it would not be advisable to "do it yourself" but rather seek out the advice of a pet nutritionist or veterinary professional to help you find a more suitable long-term diet.

In terms of supplements, there are products that would really help your dog. Renelix is very helpful for detoxifying the kidneys and urinary tract and releasing mineral build-up. We have seen a number of dogs use this formula along with the Pet UTI and Probitoic, and subsequent laboratory tests do not show any further struvite or oxalate crystals. Since your dog has a history of some UTIs, it would work best to use the Renelix along with Pet UTI Prevention Formula and Probiotic. Ask Ariel sells a package called the Pet UTI Prevention Package which could really help. Sure hope your dog feels better!