Early Signs Of Kidney Disease In Dogs And Cats

Has your dog started eating less in the morning? Is your cat drinking more water or urinating more frequently? These may be subtle changes, but they can be early warning signs of kidney disease in pets. Often, signs of kidney disease are not detected until 2/3 of kidney function is dysfunctional. Annual vet exams are critical for catching kidney disease early. While there is no cure, it can be well-managed with natural supplements and diet changes that can help your pet feel better. Our beautiful 13 year old Ariel was fine one day and then really sick with kidney disease the next day. Looking back the signs were ever so subtle (eating a little less for breakfast) and then one day she showed all the signs. Kidney disease is more common in senior cats than in dogs but cats often respond much better, especially if kidney disease is caught early on.

Pet Valentine Contest Winners

 Grand Prize Winner

Rocky and RoRo

    

             Lily                         Max and Blue                    Stella                            Charlie Brown

Thank you so much to all the participants in the Ask Ariel Valentine's Day Toy Contest!   Please congratulate Roro and Rocky with their Mom Annie as the Grand Prize Winner.  We would also like to congratulate these other winners who will win a special Valentine toy for their pet:  Lily (Jeanette), Max and Blue (Christine), Stella (Tammy), Charlie Brown (Lisa).   We loved seeing all of your photos and learning about your wonderful pets. A big THANK YOU to all for voting, sharing and participating!

Our next toy contest will be in May for Mother’s Day so if you didn’t win or participate this time, there will be more chances coming up. 

Our Grand Prize Winner's Story

There were so many adorable pets with such inspiring stories.  We will be sharing them all in the weeks to come.  Here is our Grand Prize winner. 

RoRo's Story

"Here is RoRo our 10 year old rescue PugZu. She has elevated liver enzymes.  RoRo takes Lypozyme, Liver and Gallbladder Support and Power Probiotic. They have helped her tremendously."    Annie, CA

Lobo

Lobo is a special Valentine rescue dog that needs to find his furever home.  Lobo is a young, beautiful, fluffy husky who is cuddly and loving.  Lobo is an adorable husky available for adoption in Los Angeles.  We want to encourage anyone looking for a new pet to contact Husky Haven of LA about Lobo.  Please fill out an application on the Husky Haven website.   Husky Haven of LA is a 501 (C3) public charity dedicated to saving Siberian Huskies, Malamutes and Klee Kai on their last days. Please take a look at those who have found forever homes on the Saved Lives page.

Puppy and Kitten Bowls Promote Pet Rescue And Adoption

 

Are you ready for football? On Super Bowl Sunday there will be 70 puppies and over 100 kittens playing  in Puppy Bowl XVII and Kitten Bowl VIII. Animal Planet and the Hallmark Channel use this exciting day in sports to showcase animals in need of adoption. There are thousands of pets in shelters and rescue organizations across the country that are waiting for homes.  If you are thinking about adopting a pet, please visit Petfinder.com

Puppy Bowl XVII features 70 puppies from 22 shelters. The big game starts Sunday, February 7th @ 11 a.m. Pacific time on Animal Planet. The puppies have been placed on Team Ruff and Team Fluff and will showcase their skills with toys and teammates. The event is hosted this year by Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg and will feature special appearances by their dogs. Throughout the game, Animal Planet will highlight dogs and puppies currently available for adoption through non-profit rescue organizations.

The Kitten Bowl will be aired on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday, February 7^th @ 11 a.m. Pacific time. It airs hours before Super Bowl LV, so you don’t have to choose between the big games.  The kitten athletes are provided by the North Shore Animal League, a no-kill rescue and adoption organization. Their partner shelters across the country are holding Kitten Bowl Party adoption events to help. For a list of participating shelters, visit Hallmarkchannel.com or AnimalLeague.org. 

You can find your purrfect pet by going to Petfinder.com

Natural Remedies For Cat Vomiting Help Senior Rescue Kitty

Roscoe is a 12 year old rescue kitty who was frequently vomiting after eating.  His mom, Jeanette, started him on Gastro ULC and Power Probiotic, natural remedies for cat vomiting.  We thank Jeanette for sharing Roscoe's story:

"The vet couldn’t pinpoint his issue. The vet put him on a regime of antibiotics thinking he may be suffering from a condition similar to Lyme disease.  The antibiotics seemed to help, then not at all. He was also wormed as a precaution.  He continued to lose more weight and energy, although he wanted to eat. He just couldn’t keep it down. I started giving Roscoe the Gastro-ULC.  I crush the pills and sprinkle onto his food. It took a couple of weeks before I started to see improvement.  He seems to have finally stabilized and is gaining weight and energy. I am excited about his progress. "      Jeanette, MI 

Immune Harmony Plant Sterol Supplement Can Help Dogs With Pemphigus

Pemphigus is a group of autoimmune diseases affecting the skin and mucous membranes. Pemphigus often begins as red patches that turn into fluid-filled blisters. The skin becomes scabbed and painful. The blisters are most common near the nose, eyes and ears, but can occur on the foot pads, gums and groin. Certain breeds of dogs are more prone to develop pemphigus foliaceus.  Chow Chows, Akitas, Cocker Spaniels and Dachshunds can develop this autoimmune skin problem more than other dog breeds. 

Immune Harmony (contains plant sterols) is the #1 choice for pets with autoimmune disease. Used with diet changes and prescriptions, it can modulate your pet’s immune system and reduce pemphigus flare-ups. Immune Harmony is helpful for cats and dogs with all autoimmune diseases and chronic infections.

Can Supplements For Feline Asthma Really Help?

Julianne found Mini when she was getting home from the hospital. We are so happy Minanne is feeling better and appreciate Julianne sharing Minianne's success story using Ask Ariel supplements.

 "Mini and I found each other in 2015 after I had finally gotten home from the hospital after being in a bad car accident. I had to have my leg amputated, and when I found her, she was very sick with an upper respiratory infection and feline herpes. So we got better together! Mini still has some residual health issues like feline asthma and severe allergies, but she takes AllerEaze and Power Probiotic which have helped her tremendously! Since she’s started taking these allergy supplements for cats, Minianne doesn’t have nearly as many asthma attacks or sneezing fits. Her ears used to itch her constantly, which the vet said was related to her allergies. Now, after taking AllerEaze for several months, that problem is also under control. I’m furrever grateful to Ask Ariel for making supplements that actually work, and that I can feel good about giving to my little one!"

How Aging Can Affect Your Dog's Brain And Behavior

Just like the rest of the body, aging affects your dog’s brain.  As your dog ages, there is a higher risk of developing neurological or cognitive disorders.   This is because the brain is highly susceptible to free radical damage (oxidative stress) due to its high oxygen use, high fat content and metabolic activity.  Free radicals are reactive oxygen-containing byproducts of metabolism and can cause damage to cell membranes.   Damage to the brain’s cells can affect your dog’s behavior, energy level and motor coordination.   

Common age-related,  neurological conditions seen in older dogs:

Canine cognitive dysfunction (doggie dementia) or Sundowner’s syndrome is similar to Alzheimer’s in people. Small changes in behavior and daily routine, such as sleeping more and seeming disconnected, can progress to confusion, disorientation, anxiety, irritability and disruption of the sleep/wake cycle.

Vestibular disease or “old dog disease” is often confused with the symptoms of a brain tumor or stroke. Dogs with these conditions may exhibit a loss of balance, uncontrolled eye movement, and difficulty in standing and maintaining balance.

Dogs may exhibit motor coordination issues as they age. Senior dogs that begin to stumble when they walk or those that knuckle and scuff their paws may be showing signs of a neurological condition.

Ask Ariel’s Dog Brain Booster is an all natural supplement that promotes dog brain health and provides important cognitive support for dogs with dementia, brain tumors and neurological motor coordination disorders. It contains powerful, science-based brain nutrients, such as phosphatidylserine and Acetyl-L-carnitine, that have been extensively researched and proven to enhance memory, improve mental acuity and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Dog Brain Booster is the most comprehensive canine brain boosting supplement available to support your dog’s brain health.