New Cancer Detection Innovations

Are you worried about your dog getting cancer? Of course you are. Do you have an older dog or a breed that has a higher incidence of cancer?

Routine lab tests often don’t detect cancer. In fact, pets can have perfect lab testing and still be dying of cancer because a tumor is growing inside of them. PetDx has developed OncoK9 which is a state-of-the-art early detection blood test that can detect 30 different types of cancer, including the 8 most common types of canine cancer such as lymphoma and mast cell tumors.

How does this test differ from a simple blood test? It uses technology that detects DNA from circulating cancer cells. When pets have a tumor, they emit circulating tumor cells that are currently not detected on a regular blood test.

While we were skeptical at first, we decided to do this test for Legend. He had liver cancer last year and we didn’t want to have to shave his tummy and do another ultrasound which can involve anesthesia. Apparently the OncoK9 test can be especially accurate if the pet has a history of cancer because the cells it detects only occur if there is a tumor present. We were ecstatic when Legend’s test came back negative.

At Ask Ariel we know how important it is to proactively manage your pet’s health care. As many of us have experienced, cancer usually isn’t detected until the pet’s cancer is at an advanced stage. Please talk to your vet about this test. As scary as it is to wait for the results, early detection can save lives.

How To Keep Your Dog Hydrated Over The Summer

Some parts of the country are experiencing record heat. Did you know that dogs can get dehydrated and heat stroke which can jeapordize their health? During the summer months, it's very important to keep your dog hydrated.  Dogs use panting along with their paw pads and noses to regulate their temperature. The summer heat can make a dog extra thirsty. Too much sun without enough water can cause dehydration and can become dangerous for your pup very quickly. 

Make sure that you leave multiple water bowls outside for your dog. There are so many sad stories of dogs literally dying  on an extremely hot day because their water bowl was accidently knocked over.  Select a water bowl that cannot be easily overturned.  Keep water bowls in the shade to encourage your dog to cool off. 

Other ways to keep your dog cool and hydrated include:

• Add ice cubes to water bowls

• Freeze a Kong toy overnight

• Add water to food especially dry kibble 

• Set up a fan for your dog

• Allow access inside the house or garage 

Danger- Be Careful With Choke Collars

Choke chains are used as a training tool to teach dogs not to pull on the leash. But they can be very dangerous especially if they are left on a dog unattended. Sadly dogs can die from choke collars as they can get caught on fencing, inside a car or anything that is sticking out. A dog's natural instinct is to jerk away when they are caught and it’s just too easy for the chain to get tangled up. Some dogs can even pass out from the constriction on their air flow. Big strong dogs can be a huge challenge to train but please consider a no-pull training harness instead. If you do use a choke collar, never leave it on a dog unattended.

Supplements Help Adorable Dog With Acid Stomach

Odis was adopted at 2 years old. His mom, Tiffany, noticed he was having digestive problems. Here's what she had to say: "This is Odis. We adopted him when he was two and shortly after discovered he had some digestive issues.  At one point the vet had put him on famotidine and didn't really have a plan on when to take him off. He was still struggling with acid reflux flare-ups. I had read a review someone had left on a website about Ask Ariel as their dog was having the same symptoms. I contacted customer service and they were so helpful with suggestions on what to do. The nutritionist recommended a diet change and supplements (Power Probiotic, Gastro ULC, K9 Digestive Enzymes) and it has changed our world. He loves eating his food now and doesn't mind having the supplements mixed in his food. He's so much calmer and hasn't had to take any famotidine in a month since we started! So grateful for the care that was shown to both my dog and myself!" Tiffany- PA.

Keeping Your Pet Happy On Your Road Trip

Embarking on a road trip with your pup opens up a world of bonding experiences and shared adventures. Consider planning pet-friendly stops along the way, ensuring your dog gets ample breaks and exercise. Research dog-friendly parks, rest areas, or outdoor spaces where your pet can stretch their legs, play, and take in the new surroundings. Remember to pack essentials like water, food, and any necessary medications for your pet's well-being. Additionally, incorporating short play sessions during breaks can help alleviate any restlessness and keep your dog engaged and happy throughout the journey. 

Many pets love going on new adventures but some can get stressed. Bringing familiar items along like beds, toys and crates are always helpful. If your pet gets anxious when going in the car, start with short trips. Build up to longer rides to give your pet time to adjust. Also, be sure to take along Happy Paws Drops, professional veterinary strength hemp extract. Happy Paws Drops are a great travel partner to keep your pet happy and calm.  Happy Paws contain 550 mg of organic CBD Oil with hemp extract that is carefully cultivated in Colorado.  Keeping CBD Oil for dogs when traveling can help them adjust and feel happy.  Road trips with your dog can create lasting memories, strengthening the unique bond you share as you explore new places together.

What helped Topaz's Stomatitis

Topaz started to have problems eating so his mom, Linda, took him to the vet. He was diagnosed with stomatitis. Here's what Topaz told us, "My name is Topaz. At the end of last year I got feeling so bad I couldn't eat - my mouth felt like it was on fire! My family was so worried about me and they took me to the vet. I was diagnosed with stomatitis. It was recommended I had all my teeth removed!!! That would have been devastating! The quote was over $2500. My "mom" is an Integrative Health Therapist - she knew nature had a much better way and searched all over the Internet. Wow, I'm so glad she found askariel.com!!!!! They helped save my gums - just by putting a few Silver sprays, Quent & NOT drops, with a little organic olive oil on my grain-free food that I relish. My food still tastes good, and my appetite is super :) My last Vet check went great - no more stomatitis, though they still need to treat my gums. And I need to be more active in my senior years. The Vet was shown a picture of what saved my gums. We totally want to keep this working, so we're sticking with the kind, encouraging experts at askariel.com." Linda, Ca. 

Summer Travel Alert

Stress-Busting Tips For Cats

The official summer travel season begins soon and not everyone will be excited about your upcoming vacation. Many pets do not like changes to their daily routine. This can be especially true of cats. Some cats are more amenable to traveling than others. Taking a kitty out of their designated territory can produce a great deal of stress. Building up travel trips gradually can help.  Be sure to bring along a few of your cat's favorite items.  Cats produce pheromones which are transferred to their things by rubbing their face. Smelling these familiar pheromones will help to destress and calm your cat making it a more enjoyable trip for all. Your cat can also benefit from the calming effect of Happy Paws and PSY-stabil.