See Something? Say Something -- An Animal's Life Is Depending Upon You!

Kokito

By now, you may be familiar with the tragic story that occurred on a United Airlines flight where the owners of Kokito the puppy were forced to put the puppy in an overhead bin by a flight attendant.  The mother had a baby to attend to and in spite of their protests, were told that is where the puppy had to go.  Kokito's suffocation is only one story.  There are many, many stories of animal suffering.  It's easy to speculate about what "we might have done" had we been on that flight.  Even though there was rough turbulence, would we as  a fellow passenger have demanded the flight attendant check on the pet? 

Many of us are afraid of the repurcussions of causing a scene on an airplane just as we are afraid of causing a problem with a grumpy neighbor who leaves their dog outside in the bitter cold.  Animals depend on us to be their voice.  When you think you see something, even if it just your gut, SAY SOMETHING!    It is upon all of us to listen and speak up even when it is not "socially correct,"   Rest in piece Kokito.  We are so sorry for your loss and your family's grief.   Maybe your tragic death will help more animals because there are so many that are tied up, chained up and left outside with little provisions and help is just a phone call away......

Poor Compliance With Medication Is One Reason Pets Don't Get Better

Do you see the pill? Well.....neither did I!  One reason pets may not show improvement from a health condition is that the pet owner may forget to give a pill or the pet doesn’t take the pill.  In our case, Legend must take his Keppra antiseizure medicine exactly 8 hours apart 3x a day. We literally revolve our lifestyle and appointments as best we can around those pill times after the horrific cluster seizure episodes he went through. Well his last dose is 11 pm and I always check to make sure he ate the pill. The dim light and being half asleep made for a perfect storm! It shows that even when we schedule everything perfectly (phone alarms, wall notes, pill containers) things don’t always come out the way we planned...... We got lucky and since we have been sure to adminster the pill almost always, this was a rare exception.  But, when you have a busy schedule....it's not always easy.

Poor compliance with medication is one reason a pet may not show signs of improvement.  This could be anything from treating heart conditions to skin problems to seizures.  Here are a few tips to help ensure your pet gets the needed medication and/or supplements.

• Keep a schedule posted in at least one or two central locations such as the refrigerator or a place you are likely to see it
• Set up alarms on your phone BEFORE the scheduled pill time and AFTER just in case you got distracted
• Use a pill container with the allocated number of daily pills

Home Remedies For Dogs And Cats With Arthritis

Could your cat or dog be in pain from arthritis? Pets hide their pain for as long as possible. By the time a pet vocalizes discomfort (from for example a sudden movement), the pet has already been experiencing a considerable amount of pain.  Pets in pain may pant, pace, not want to eat, become suddenly shy or aggressive and just not act like themselves.    Don't wait for your pet to vocalize their pain from arthritis.  If you notice any of these subtle signs below, be sure to check with your veterinarian right away.  The following signs can be symptoms of arthritis:

• Difficulty or hesitation to sit down or get up
• Difficulty jumping up or reluctance to climb stairs
• Lameness in one or more limbs
• Stiffness in the morning that improves as the day progresses
• Subtle signs that the pet may not want to put weight on the limb
• Sensitivity when touched in certain areas

 AskAriel.com offers home remedies that contain well researched ingredients scientifically proven to help arthritis.  The products to use depend upon the size and progression of your pet's condition.

Amazing Omegas - A research-backed, powerful source of omega-3 nutrients (essential fatty acids) that can help reduce joint inflammation, which can be causing pain for your pet. Absolutely the best fish oil available.  

Special SAMe - Guaranteed Purity and Potency, Special SAMe contains cofactors such as Vitamin B6, B12 and Folate to improve absorption and efficacy.  Powerful antioxidant scientifically proven to help arthritis.  Can be used along with prescription NSAIDs (which can affect your pet's liver) to improve results and detox the liver.

Ultraflex--excellent for cats and small dogs.  A food based supplement (made from ground eggshells) is easy to administer once daily.  Contain collagen which helps repair and strengthen cartilage and connective tissue.  Especially helpful for pets with torn ligaments and collapsed trachea.

Remembering Ariel The Amazing Dog And Inspiration For AskAriel.com

Ariel’s amazing life is the inspiration behind Ask Ariel. Why? Because Ariel led a life of good health that all of us---both human and animal would be grateful to attain. In fact, until a week before her death at 14 years of age (old for a 54 pound dog), Ariel was still running through the meadows, playing with her ball and enjoying a zest for life that few have ever seen. Ariel NEVER appeared to be an “old dog”.

 

Ariel was the first pet I had in my adult life.  Today is the 13th anniversary of her death.  Ariel was the mascot for our 501(c)(3) public charity Ariel Rescue.   Every weekend she accompanied our volunteer group greeting customers even when she was 14 years old!  Ariel taught me so much about holistic pet health and nutrition too.  While I miss her and think of her every single day, I am  so grateful for all the wonderful years we spent together and the incredible gifts her beautiful soul left to all of us.

To learn more about the Ask Ariel Your Pet Nutritionist story and how we got started, please click here

Your Pet's Dental Health Can Become A Medical Emergency

February was pet dental health month. How many of us took our pets to the vet for a dental checkup? Probably not enough of us.. Periodontal Disease in Pets is an often overlooked medical emergency especially in senior pets.
Did you know that untreated periodontal disease can have deadly consequences? Over 90% of pets at least 2 years of age have some form of periodontal disease. A proper diet, regular cleanings and natural supplements are essential for pet dental health. Many places offer anesthesia-free dental cleanings with a veterinarian’s supervision. Saving your pet's teeth and keeping your pet's mouth healthy is a priority. Please put your pet’s dental health on your schedule. Be sure to check with your veterinarian’s office to see when they might have a special for dental care and plan ahead. 

To learn more about how how your pet's dental health can become a medical emergency, click here to read the entire article.

Natural Alternatives To Pet Steroid Medications

What Are Steroids? Why Are Steroids Prescribed for Pets?

Steroids are medications that are prescribed for reducing inflammation or as an immunosuppresant drug. Some health conditions that may be helped by using steroids are Autoimmune diseases, pain, IBD symptoms and skin allergies. Common names of synthetic forms of corticosteroids that are prescribed for pets include:  Prednisone, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, Triamcinolone, and Methylprednisolone. Although there are times that steroids can be helpful, they have many side effects (both long and short-term) and should be used sparingly. 

Short-term Side Effects

• Increased thirst and urination
• Increased hunger
• Panting (especially dogs)
• Increased susceptibility to infections (especially bacterial skin infections)

  Long-Term Side Effects

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) – may not have typical symptoms (because of the anti-inflammatory effect of the steroids) Periodic urine analyses is important.
• Changes to skin and coat 
• Poor wound healing ability and increase susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infections
• Weight gain (because of increased hunger and fluid retention)
• Muscle weakness
• Predisposition to diabetes
• Possible development of Cushing's Disease

Natural Alternatives to Steroids for Pets
What’s a pet owner to do?  The key to reducing steroid usage is reducing the need for them.

1.) Avoid foods that promote inflammation and weaken immunity. Avoiding chemicals, starchy carbohydrates (found in dry food) and food allergens such as beef, poultry and fish (in cats) can help reduce inflammation and lessen the need for steroids.

2.) Use holistic supplements to support your pet's immunity and reduce inflammation:

Supplements That Reduce Inflammation:

Amazing Omegas- A research-backed, powerful source of omega-3 nutrients (essential fatty acids) that can help reduce joint inflammation, which can be causing pain for your pet. Absolutely the best fish oil available.  

Immune Harmony -Contains a unique patented sterol formula for immune support, a powerful antioxidant formula which protects the body from free radical damage and an essential fatty acid complex to help with bioavailability of the nutrients. Rebalances the immune system and can be used with prednisone and/or antibiotics.  First line of defense for pets with autoimmune conditions.

Power Probiotic - The best probiotic for pets!  Backed by scientific research, this powerful multi-strain formula promotes the growth of friendly bacteria which helps replenish a healthy intestinal ecosystem. Pets that have taken steroids or antibiotics have a weakened immunity due to the medications depleting the "friendly bacteria" needed for a strong immune system.

NotaSAN Drops and Capsules – Natural homeopathic formula that controls inflammation and infection.  Gentle, easy to administer and safe for long-term use. 

Curcumin Complex For Pets-contains three bioactive curcumonoids found in turmeric. It is scientifically proven to be a powerful antioxidant and a natural anti-inflammatory for pets. Helps to relieve pain and improves flexibility and mobility

3.) Reduce stress for your pet by maintaining a feeding schedule (Avoid huge blood sugar swings by feeding twice a day and giving your pet a mid-day snack) Spend quality time with your pet and give them regular exercise.

  

Reasons Why Dogs Vomit Bile Vs. Food

We've all been there—watching our dogs heave and retch, but did you know that not all episodes of "throwing up" are the same for dogs?  In fact, dogs can vomit food, bile or simply regurgitate. While these might seem similar, they each have distinct reasons why they occur.

Vomiting is a complex reflex that involves the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. It typically occurs due to illness, ingestion of toxins, motion sickness, or dietary indiscretion.  When dogs vomit, it often brings up partially digested food along with gastric juices.  Often times, you might notice your dog first licking his lips or circling around seemingly uncomfortable. Vomiting is often preceded by signs of nausea, such as drooling, restlessness, or retching, and may be accompanied by other symptoms like lethargy or abdominal discomfort.  After throwing up, dogs may attempt to eat their vomit and seem to feel better after the food has been expelled. 

Regurgitation, on the other hand, is a passive process that involves the effortless expulsion of undigested food or liquid from the esophagus or pharynx, without the forceful abdominal contractions associated with vomiting. Regurgitation occurs when food or liquid refluxes back into the mouth or throat, often due to issues with swallowing, esophageal dysfunction, or acid reflux.  A dog may be just walking by and a small amount of liquidy undigested food just spills out.  Unlike vomiting, regurgitation typically occurs soon after eating or drinking and may not be preceded by signs of nausea.  It is often a symptom though of dog acid reflux.   

Vomiting bile, also known as bilious vomiting, involves the expulsion of yellow or greenish fluid known as bile from the stomach. Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, which aids in the digestion and absorption of fats. Dogs often vomit bile in the morning when the stomach is empty. Unlike vomiting food where the dog may be nauseated and restless, vomiting bile is often due to build up of acid in the stomach.  The dog may be first attempting to eat grass to ease their stomach discomfort.   Food can coat the stomach and provide a buffer to absorb the excess acid.

Dogs can experience three forms of expulsion from the digestive tract: vomiting, regurgitation, and vomiting bile.  Understanding the distinctions can help identify the diagnoses and manage the symptoms.  Regardless if your pup experiences recurrent or persistent vomiting, regurgitation, or vomiting bile, it is essential to consult your veterinarian for proper evaluation and management.