Cat with Renal Failure Recovers Using Supplements

Nutmeg

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate Ask Ariel products and Susan Davis. Nutmeg is the THIRD kitty we have had with acute renal failure. She, like the others, was given a grim prognosis. I immediately started the regimen of RENELIX, as well as dietary advice given to me by Susan Davis back in 2007. This was in addition to aggressive IV and then subcutaneous rehydration. Within 3 days, Nutmeg's labs went from over triple the normal range to just slightly elevated. 

The owner of the veterinary clinic told me "If anyone can get her through this, it is you." However, I am a firm believer that  RENELIX is the key factor in my "Nutty's surviving"!

Ask Ariel products have never done us wrong. Years ago, our Border Collie Reagan had allergies that caused him to have a large bald spot on his back. We had tried multiple products, including steroids, with no success. After one course of PROALLER, and dietary advice from Susan Davis, his reactions completely resolved! His fur grew back beautifully, and I must admit, he now even eats peanut butter with no more reactions! Others who I advised to try PROALLER say they have had the same amazing results!

Thank you, again, Susan! I will always consult you first with any pet issues we have!"

Suzanne Reilly

Palm City, FL 

Sophie The Labrador Makes People Smile with Her New Blog

We have great news to share... our very special friend Sophie the Labrador has her own blog on Smile TV. You have to check it out. SOPHIE’S SECRET DOG BLOG

Sophie (and Sandy) came to us after suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections.  After  making the recommended diet changes and adding Amazing Omegas, Allereaze, and K9 Yeast Defense, which was suggested by Susan Davis, Askariel.com nutritionist, Sophie is now "happier and healthier". Here is her testimonial

Sophie

“I am writing this testimonial so that others like me who are very hesitant to follow instructions from someone (I didn't even know) on the Internet can help their dog. Sophie had recurrent urinary tract infections that became resistant to antibiotics. As a result of the large amount of antibiotics, she started to have digestive and itching issues. After two different vets, with multiple visits, costing lots of money and no improvement, I was extremely frustrated.

After much Internet research, I came upon Susan Davis, the nutritionist at Ask Ariel, someone who took the time to explain the importance of proper nutrition for dogs and the extreme role that it plays in their health. I must admit that I was hesitant as first as I looked at the cost of some of the natural supplements and food changes. However, when comparing it to the continuing veterinary bills and medication, it ends up to be less expensive. But more importantly, I was able to stop the cycle of ill health (UTI'S, digestive etc) and Sophie was so much happier and healthier! Susan not only gives you solid advice on how to help your pet feel better but truly cares about you (the owner) and the dog as you can feel it in her compassionate way of discussing the nutritional plan that she sees fit for your particular situation. I could go on and on but suffice it to say that I would highly recommend her and the Ask Ariel supplements.”

Sandy & Sophie
Los Angeles, CA

"National Pet Fire Safety Day" July 15, 2014

The National Fire Protection Association estimates that each year over 500,000 pets are impacted by house fires.  In the effort to increase awareness,  July 15th has been designated National Pet Fire Safety Day. The goal is to educate pet owners to the dangers of an unexpected emergencies, such as a fire,  and to help plan for the safety of their pets.  

Here are tips from the American Kennel Club to keep your pet safe from house fires:

• Extinguish Open Flames - Pets are generally curious and will investigate cooking appliances, candles, or even a fire in your fireplace. Ensure your pet is not left unattended around an open flame and make sure to thoroughly extinguish any open flame before leaving your home.
• Pet Proof the Home - Take a walk around your home and look for areas where pets might start fires inadvertently, such as the stove knobs, loose wires and other potential hazards. 
• Secure Young Pets - Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home.
• Keep Pets Near Entrances - When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them. 
• Practicing Escape Routes with Pets - Keep collars and leashes at the ready in case you have to evacuate quickly with your pet or firefighters need to rescue your pet.
• Affix a Pet Alert Window Cling - Write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets. 
• Keep Your Information Updated - Firefighters are familiar with pet alert window clings so keep the number of pets listed on them updated. Knowing the accurate number of pets in the house aids rescuers in finding all of your pets.
• Use Monitored Smoke Detection Services - As an added layer of protection beyond battery-operated smoke alarms, smoke detectors connected to a monitoring center help save pets who can't escape when left home alone.

Motion Sickness in Pets

The official travel season has begun and with it comes road trips. Many pet owners will want to include their pets, but for a great deal of pets, even the shortest trips can be stressful and cause motion sickness. Dog motion sickness is real and is more common in puppies, but not all dogs outgrow travel sickness. The symptoms are similar to those found in people and you may need to plan ahead to make it a fun trip for all. 

Signs that your Dog is suffering from motion sickness:

• Inactivity
• Listlessness
• Uneasiness
• Yawning
• Whining
• Excessive drooling
• Vomiting

Things that might help Motion Sickness:

• Have your pet face forward while you’re traveling, rather than looking out the side windows.
• Lower your car windows a couple of inches  will help balance the air pressure inside the car and relieve ear pressure.  
• Limit your dog’s food consumption prior to travel. Using holistic supplements like Soothing Digestive Relief and Power Probiotic can also help calm down an upset stomach.
• Taking short car trips initially to places your dog enjoys to acclimate them, such as the park.
• Gradually build your dog’s tolerance to car trips.
• Use Psystabil for anxiety to help your relax about getting in the car
• Pets with severe motion sickness  may benefit from the use of medication prescribed by your vet.

If stress is a contributing factor to your pet's travel issues, other pet owners have found that using a product called Psystabil (which is a gentle remedy for anxiety) has helped calm their pet while traveling.

Feeding Tips For Your Finicky Kitty

Rocky (17+); Fred (14) and Smokey (10 )

Deborah Albritton

Meet Deborah Albritton, M.P.A.
Ask Ariel friend and client

Ask Ariel friend and client, Deborah Albritton is an experienced cat owner with three senior kitties.  Rocky, Fred and Smokey are pampered to the fullest!   Over the years, Deborah has educated herself and learned from experience about all different ways to transition her finicky kitties to healthier food.  Since she has had so much success, we would love to share her tips with you!

First and foremost choose a high quality food.  I have seen first-hand the difference that a true quality diet can make.  Choose brands that do not contain grains or chemicals and limit poultry and seafood since these foods can be inflammatory for a lot of cats with health conditions such as feline herpes and stomatitis.  Some of my kitties' favorites are Addiction, Instinct and Ziwi Peak.  I only use canned food or freeze dried raw as toppers.  I don't use dry kibble due to the added carbohydrates,  poor digestibility and overprocessing of the food.

Toppers
I have used toppings probably as the best way to “bribe” my kitties to eat new foods!   I have 2 cats that do really well and I still have one (10 year  old) that will not eat rabbit or venison.  So, it can be very difficult.  I think the key is to use the healthy toppings—in moderation. Some favorites are freeze dried foods such as : Natures Variety Instinct Raw Daily Boost (fine powder), Dr. Harvey's tripe, Feline Instincts beef or Stella and Chewy's.

I grind up the topper in a blender and have little containers labeled with their favorite toppings in a little basket. (Word of warning…too much topping can be constipating—so, be careful – to go gingerly with these as toppers!)  Many can be mixed with warm water as a little treat for topping.. which may work like a  “gravy topping”.

Hide the Supplements in Something Yummy!
I hide their  supplements in all meat baby food (e.g. ham or beef) with no issue. ( just make sure no onions—which is often in veggie broth or chicken broth in commercial products) I also use different textures of food.  For example, Pride By Instinct offers rabbit flavors in different textures so you can see if your kitty prefers minced vs pate, for example.  Rocky, Smokey and Fred at different times, have benefited from these Ask Ariel supplements:   Colostrum for Pets, Power Probiotic, Notatum, Quentans, Roqueforti, Kidney Health, Renelix, Lypozyme and more.

Transition Your Pet's Diet Changes Slowly  

Here is a suggested transition schedule:  

•  First 4 days   ¼ new  ¾ old
•  Next three days  ½ new  ½ old
•  Final three days  ¾ new food and ¼ old   

If your cat is “super fussy”,  go even slower.   Sometimes just a 1/4 teaspoon a day of the new food until eventually they get used to the new smell and texture.

Fiber
We do add a little pumpkin—for our elderly cats--- helps since their mobility and motility slows with age. Also, 1/8 teaspoon ground flaxseed 2x a day mixed in food.

July 4th Pet Safety Precautions

The Fourth of July is a time of celebrations with family and friends, often ending with a beautiful and thrilling extravaganza of fireworks. However, for many pets it is a nightmare.  Pets' senses are different from people and the loud and unpredictable sounds and lights can cause your pet great anxiety. 

To keep your pet calm during the July 4th celebration consider the following tips:

• Keep your pet inside the house as far away from the source as possible
• Background sounds can help sooth the animal...play tv, music etc.
• If you know your pet is sensitive, prescription medications or holistic supplements such as Psystabil, which is a gentle calming formula, helps dogs and cats reduce anxiety.
• Make sure your pet has identification; including an ID tag and microchip (with up to date information).  American Humane Association reports that July 5 is one of the busiest day of the year for animal shelters due to animals panicking and getting lost. 

Fireworks are not the only danger for your pets during  Independence day. Here are a few other pet safety precautions: 

• Make sure your pet is in a cool place with plenty of water. In many places the 4th of July can be an extremely hot time of year.
• If you are planning a large celebration, consider keeping your pet in another location within your home.  Strangers and crowds can be stressful to your dog or cat, which can lead to aggressive behavior.
• Keep your pet from consuming people food and drinks.  They can cause gastrointestinal problems for your pet.

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.