Giardia--Diarrhea, Caring for A Dog with Giardia and Preventing Reinfection

Sydney, the rescue dog, is making tremendous progress. She was rescued from South Central Shelter and weighed under 40 lbs. Her normal weight should be 55 lbs. She was completely infested with parasites (including Giardia) and worms which were eating all of her food. She was eating huge amounts of food but no weight gain and constant diarrhea. It is now over 3 weeks since she has been rescued and while we have made terrific progress, we still have a long way to go. Sydney had a bad case of kennel cough, skin infections, vaginal infections, parasites, worms and was emaciated. She has gained weight and today we received notification that she is now free of all parasites and worms!!!! This is cause for celebration but was no easy task. And, there is a high likelihood of reoccurence so it is important that I explain all that needs to be done to prevent reoccurence.

Giardia is not just found in rescue dogs.....Many of our clients who have purchased their dogs from the very best breeders have dogs that have been effected. I have treated MANY Yorkies and Maltese for example, that have had repeat infestations. Follow up care using diet and special supplements such as Power Probiotic and Colostrum for Pets will greatly help.

Giardia is very common and can easily be transmitted to humans, particularly children. It is not unusual to hear of entire schools being effected. Giardia is a protozoal infection of the intestines that is transmitted by water or fecal ingestion. Giardia causes intermittent diarrhea and/or vomiting  However, SOME PETS MAY HAVE NO SYMPTOMS!!!!! It is very important to get your dog a fecal smear annually to doublecheck. I know the doggie day care where I take Bleu has always required it. Why? Because it spreads like wildfire and is very, very difficult to control.

I am happy to report that because of tremendous effort, Sydney is now free of Giardia, although one follow up precautionary treatment for both the worms and the parasites is still due. One rule of thumb when it comes to parasites: Cleanliness is next to Godliness! Do not just rely on the medication from your veterinarian. You must actively treat the dog's environment to ensure that you not only rid your pet of parasites but that they do not reoccur.

1) Wash your pet and your pet's bedding several times during the first 2 weeks of the treatment period. Your veterinarian will most likely prescribe Flagyl + Panacur. Even though the Panacur is only for a few days, the Flagyl most likely will be for 7-10 days.

2) Use a baby wipe or wet paper towel and gloves to wipe your dog's rear end after your dog defecates.

3) Keep your dog separated in an isolated area. I know this is a very big challenge for people with multiple pets. You may want to ask your veterinarian about proactively treating other pets although the medications can be harsh and cause other problems. However, this parasite is so contagious, you have to think about what is good for you and your family and your other pets in the long run. Be sure your infected pet only urinates and defecates in an isolated area away from where other pets may go. My recommendation would be to have them go in a garage or side area so that you can easily pick up the stool.

4) ALWAYS wear gloves when picking up stool infested with giardia or parasites/worms and then throw the baggie into another baggie with a tie on top. Immediately pick up the stool if possible. Giardia can set into the ground, worms can can into the soil.....I just cannot say enough about how clean you need to be!

5) After you clean up the area, please use Bleach or a cleaning product containing bleach. I went through 24 rolls of paper towels in a 10 day period and several bottles of cleanser. I washed my shoes after walking on the infected area as cleaning up diarrhea is not easy and it is easy to step on it (ick!).

6) Keep children, workmen, pets and housekeepers away from the trash. I put a big note on my trash barrel making sure the gardener knew to use an alternate bin.

Additionally, it is important to know that pets affected with giardia will need a great deal of after-care. Many pets can develop inflammatory bowel disease because the inflammation in the bowel has not been addressed. Read more about IBD in dogs and how to treat it.

Cat Hairballs: Treatment Options for Hairballs in Cats

Dear Dr. Gordon: My 12 year old cat has had a problem with vomiting most of her life, but now it is happening much more frequently. Sometimes it is hair, sometimes it is food and hair and sometimes it is just fluid that she throws up. She seems to be losing weight and doesn't have the same appetite she did even a few months ago. I am thinking that she might have a hairball problem. What do you think? EM

Dear EM: There is no question that cat’s ingest a lot of hair during grooming and that this hair can be the source of a lot of problems. Fortunately for most cats, the ingestion of hair during grooming seldom presents much of a problem IF the cat is healthy otherwise.

If you have ever examined you cat’s tongue closely, you will notice tiny bristles on the dorsal (top) surface of the tongue that do an excellent job of removing debris and hair from the cat’s body. During the course of grooming, it is inevitable that large amounts of hair will be ingested. The interesting thing to me is that every cat in the world grooms and grooms excessively, but not every cat in the world is prone to problems with hairball. Why is that? Most veterinarians involved in feline medicine and research now believe that cats developing hairball problems are either otherwise sick and debilitated OR they may have an underlying intestinal motility disorder that allows the hair to accumulate in one area and not pass safely through the intestinal tract.

By cats being sick and debilitated, I am referring to aging cats that are not drinking enough water to stay hydrated or have underlying disease states that cause excessive water loss, like renal insufficiency. When these cats go from mildly dehydrated (barely detectable) to moderately dehydrated (with obvious tenting of the skin when you lift up the skin), the net result is that any water present in the ingesta becomes absorbed through the intestinal lining leaving behind a dry mass of stool, food, and hair. Since these cats are sick or debilitated otherwise, they probably do not have enough strength to push out this hard mass. The end result can be a difficult or painful defecation or worse, a complete obstruction of the intestine or colon. Sometimes this is so dramatic that surgery must be performed to remove the obstruction. Occasionally younger cats will ingest string or other foreign material that will serve to trap hair in the stomach and intestine. This can also cause an obstruction by this foreign material.

There are some simple things you can do to prevent your kitty from developing hairballs. Older cats (cats 10 years of age or older) should be checked by the veterinarian twice yearly to assess their health status and state of hydration. The veterinarian will be able to detect subtle changes in hydration and also be able to catch potential problems early enough to avoid costly procedures and/or surgery. If cats are in early renal insufficiency and are having trouble maintaining their hydration, subcutaneous fluids can be administered by the doctor or the owner to aid hydration. In addition, adding Omega 3 fatty acids to their diet will reduce shedding, improve coat quality and reduce hairballs overall.

Frequent brushing will remove excess hair and discourage your cat from ingesting excessive loose hair. There are also commercial hairball formulas available (laxatone, petromalt) that can be given to your cat to aid in lubricating the hair so that it can be easily passed through the digestive tract. These are flavored petroleum jelly products that are flavored so that they will be acceptable by the cats. They are usually very palatable and easy to give. Typical directions on these products say to administer them twice weekly, but if your cat is having trouble passing hair, I usually have the owner give it twice DAILY. I have never had a problem giving the product too often, but I have had problems not having given it enough.

Motility modifiers (medications that allow the intestinal tract to aid in peristalsis or the rhythmic contractions necessary to move the ingesta) may be prescribed by the veterinarian to aid in this problem. Reglan or metoclopramide is a common drug used for this problem. Again, giving your cat Omega 3 fatty acids will not only help with hair quality but may help increase motility and bowel movements. Pumpkin may be helpful as well.

There are hairball treats and a hairball diet that can be given to discourage the accumulation of hair in the digestive tract. These products contain enzymes that act to break down the hair and prevent the hair from creating a problem.  Most of the time, hairballs are harmless and can be controlled by simple means. Occasionally, hairballs can be a big problem and require costly hospitalization and surgery.

Learn more about natural treatment options for hairballs 

Author:  Dr. David Gordon, Holistic Veterinarian

Originally Published 6/25/2009

Updated 3/9/2024

Dogs and Cats with Diabetes--Holistic Care for Pets

Pictured above is Maverick, 12 year old Miniature Pinscher mix and an Ask Ariel success story. Maverick has diabetes and nearly died from complications related to the disease and obesity. Maverick's scheduled a holistic nutrition consultation with Susan Davis, Certified Clinical Nutritionist and Dr. David Gordon, holistic veterinarian. We put Maverick on a high protein, all natural diet (some commercial food, some homemade) along with Lypozyme,  Power Probiotic and Kidney Health as well as some additional supplements for other health concerns. The new program helped Maverick so much that he was able to lose a substantial amount of weight, gained new energy and has been able to live a happy, active life using just a minimum amount of insulin.

Here is how the products help:

Lypozyme--Optimizes fat digestion and metabolism.

Power Probiotic--Many patients (human and pets) with diabetes have too much sugar in their bodies. This makes them more susceptible to infections, particularly urinary tract infections. The Probiotic is an excellent multi-strain formula that helps support a healthy immune function, providing much needed "good bacteria" to help fight infection. This product is extremely easy to give to cats by mixing in foods and is virtually tasteless.

Kidney Health--This powerful enzyme formula helps diabetic patients by enabling them to better absorb, digest and utilize the protein in their diet. We all know that protein helps to regulate our blood sugar and how important it is for regulating insulin/hunger. Ever noticed that when you eat a meal high in carbohydrates that you crave food shortly thereafter vs when you eat a meal with protein, you are much more balanced? Well, for pets with diabetes, this is especially important and the Kidney Health really helps.

We have many great reports from owners who have cats with diabetes as well as dogs with diabetes telling us how much better their pets are feeling using this protocol. We would also recommend using the Amazing Omegas as well.

Update on Daisy The Obese Labrador Retriever

Above are the latest pictures of Daisy, the obese Labrador Retriever that Ariel Rescue saved from the shelter. It is now just 3 weeks later and Daisy has lost----drum roll please---16 pounds!!!!! Yes--it is possible and it is safe. Daisy's progress is being closely managed by our veterinarian, who is carefully monitoring her bloodwork and healing process.

 When Karen, our dedicated head volunteer at Ariel Rescue first saved Daisy, she weighed 119 pounds at the Orange County Shelter. Daisy could barely move. Her neck was so fat that a collar was useless because her head was smaller than her neck. Karen got her the veterinary care she desperately needed too, as Daisy's thyroid was not functioning properly, her coat was like steel wool and she was full of yeast.

 Daisy has been using our Ask Ariel's Amazing Omegas, K9 Yeast Defense and Power Probiotic and she is now yeast free. She is following our Ask Ariel diet program and getting plenty of exercise. What is so significant about the pictures above is that Daisy is MOVING!!! Although poor Daisy was only 4 years old, she was so neglected and looked like a pot belly big. Her owners bred her nonetheless and her nipples were hanging down practically to the ground. Daisy is now a dog on the mend and it is all thanks to Karen, the wonderful caring volunteer at Ariel Rescue who is fostering Daisy. Daisy is now 103 pounds. It won't be long until Daisy breaks through the 100 pound mark and we will all cheer!!!!!

Pet Obesity--It's Time to Take Action Now!

Pictured above is our most recent rescue dog Daisy who has been the victim of animal abuse. Why animal abuse you might say? Well......Daisy when first rescued weighed in nearly 40 pounds heavier than she should weigh AND she was so overweight, she could barely move her neck. She couldn't wear a collar because it would fall off due to the fact that her head was smaller than her neck. It took Daisy nearly 45 minutes to WALK ONE BLOCK! Yet, Daisy is a purebred 4 year old labrador retriever who should be running free and chasing around in the yard. Instead, what did her owners do? FED HER....all day long and on top of that, they bred her as well. Daisy was gasping for air just to take a few steps. Her coat was like steel wool and she looked like a pot bellied pig with her nipples hanging down so low, they nearly touched the ground. This is a disgusting example of how people can take a beautiful dog and terribly neglect it--literally ruining the poor dog's life. Her owners now had a problem--they sold all of Daisy's puppies, but what to do with her? So they decided to take her to the pound to euthanize her---all because of their own abuse! Fortunately, the shelter by law had to wait 2 days in which time Karen, our dedicated volunteer at Ariel Rescue saved her. She took Daisy to the veterinarian and we had her bloodwork done. Daisy's thyroid and other blood values were not functioning properly. Within 10 days, Karen has already trimmed 9 pounds from Daisy (pictured above after losing the weight) and her coat is now improving as well. She still has 30 pounds to go and we will be tracking her progress. We will all cheer for Daisy as she makes this incredible recovery, thanks to the incredible dedication of Karen and Ariel Rescue volunteers.

Many people don't realize the effect that obesity can have on their pets. It is not just a physical appearance issue. It is a very serious health concern. Obesity is linked to heart disease, cancer, liver disease, diabetes, joint problems--the list goes on and on. Giving your pet that extra biscuit which you might think is just a little treat, can pack on pounds year after year. Over 60% of pets in the United States are obese. Shower your pets with love and attention--go on a walk--play with them, please, please remember, just like you, your pets are what they eat!

Abandoned Husky Gets a New Leash on Life!

Pictured above is beautiful Sasha who was rescued by Ariel Rescue in the nick of time. Sasha is a 6 year old Siberian Husky who was found as a stray in a lower income neighborhood. She was brought to the Orange County Shelter. This sweet, lovely girl was so gentle and kind and ever so cuddly! But, the shelter found a mass on her back. Unfortunately, shelter dogs are put to sleep very quickly when something like this is discovered. Karen, our head volunteer at Ariel Rescue rushed to save her. We took her to the veterinarian and had the mass aspirated. It turned out to be an infected hair follicle---not cancer!!! We had Sasha's teeth cleaned, removed the mass and gave her a beauty bath. Poor Sasha was so filthy it took several baths to get the dirt out. Her fur had looked brown on the legs when it actually is white! Sasha was adopted by a lovely couple who had another Siberian husky and are very familiar with the breed.

If you are interested in adopting a Siberian Husky, please contact Rhonda at Husky Haven of La at www.huskyhavenofla.org

Dogs With Arthritis Slowing Down

Many dogs start slowing down with age, limping or showing signs of difficulty getting up and down. The effects can come on gradually and it is sometimes difficult to recognize until the problem becomes very obvious. It is important that you take your pet to the veterinarian for an examination. Quite commonly, your dog may be diagnosed with arthritis if the problem has come on gradually with age. In an effort to promote quality of life and keep the dog comfortable, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) will often be prescribed. Examples are Rimadyl, Metacam and Deramaxx to name a few. While these medications are helpful for chronic pain management, they do have side effects especially affecting the liver. This is why your veterinarian will often recommend that if your pet is using NSAIDs that your dog get a blood test every so often to check your dog's liver values. While NSAIDs can be very helpful and even critical for some pets that are in chronic pain, for most pets, there are holistic alternatives that should be tried first and/or in conjunction with their use.

It is essential to use Arthrosoothe For Pets to help your pet feel better. Arthrosoothe For Pets is the most comprehensive arthritis product available.

Many of our clients are confused about these medications and somehow think that because their dog is no longer limping or in pain, that the joint or limb problem has been cured. This is not at all the case--in fact, it is quite the contrary. The medication is actually reducing inflammation which is giving temporary pain relief.

To really help support your dog's long-term pain, mobility and joints, you need to use vitamins and nutritional supplements that are proven to help. Many minerals such as calcium, nutraceuticals such as glucosamine and herbs such as turmeric and boswelia have been shown to help. It is important to find combination formulas that contain a comprehensive mixture of vitamins, herbs and nutraceuticals such as Arthrosoothe For Pets, Special SAMe and Chinese herbal formulas such as Mobility 2 will also help. Omega 3 fish oils such as Amazing Omegas help reduce inflammation and provide valuable nutrients to the joints as well. Many times using these nutritional formulas can be enough that the dog may only require NSAIDs after heavy exercise.
It is important that you use these formulas, if possible, as your dog starts to age, rather than waiting until the arthritis has set in. But, it is never too late to start with them and they can certainly be beneficial to use in addition to using NSAIDs. Many clients report that they were able to greatly reduce the frequency of using NSAIDs on their dog because of the benefits achieved from using these nutritional supplements.

Finally, acupuncture and chiropractic for dogs are also very important considerations. Ariel (pictured above at age 14) was able to run and jump at 14 years of age because of her weekly chiropractic and acupuncture treatments with Dr. David Gordon, holistic veterinarian. Dr. Gordon performs both acupuncture and chiropractic at VCA Arroyo Animal Hospital in Lake Forest, California as well as stem cell surgery. We offer combination appointments which also include a nutrition consultation and supplements for optimal support. For more information about our services, please visit www.AskAriel.com If you live outside of the Southern California area, you can find a veterinarian who performs acupuncture in your area by going to http://www.aava.org

Mother's Day Tribute--Mother of the Year

Please watch this incredible story from CBS News entitled "Mother of the Year". This is a short video which is a real tear jerker! See animals, especially shelter animals at their best. Watch Lilly the dog nursing baby kittens. What a wondeful, heartwarming story. Enjoy!

Click here: YouTube - Mother of the Year

Happy Tails From German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County

What a wonderful happy ending for beautiful 8 1/2 year old Sasha (pictured above) all because of German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County and the caring heart of a wonderful Orange County resident Marcia Leong. Poor Sasha's owner passed away and Sasha remained loyally beside her deceased owner in the house for 4-5 days until a neighor discovered them. The owner, an elderly woman had a son who could not keep Sasha and she was brought to an animal shelter. The poor dog was so stressed from the situation and the loss of her owner, that she broke out in painful sores all over her back. She was very emaciated as well and had most likely not been cared for especially well due to her owner's ill health. Sasha's time was limited at the shelter but German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County saved her.

Sasha was taken to the veterinarian and treated for her sores but she was very sad and her health was declining. Marcia Leong, a wonderful woman and pet owner, gave dear Sasha a new leash on life. Marcia had recently lost her beloved German Shepherd Gretchen but has a lovely beagle Chuckie and several kitties. It was a miracle, but Sasha managed to get along with EVERYBODY! She is a sweet and loving dog that thanks to the kindess of all involved is getting the life she deserves. She is now thriving in her new home, gaining weight and getting the best veterinary care imaginable through Ask Ariel and VCA Arroyo Animal Hospital.

We can't say enough about the wonderful volunteers at German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County and especially Maria Dales, founder and director, who has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of all rescue animals throughout Southern California. We applaud Maria for all of her incredible efforts! To learn more about Maria and German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County, please visit their website http://www.gsroc.org/ They have beautiful dogs for adoption and even if you can't adopt, they would greatly appreciate any donations. All donations are tax-deductible.

Feline Stomatitis, Stomatitis in Cats

Dear Dr Gordon: I have a 3 year old Maine Coon cat that has a constant odor coming from the mouth. When I took him to the vet, she was able to look into the back of the mouth and show me my cat’s throat. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The back of my cat’s throat was raw and the gum tissue around the teeth was very red. The doctor convinced me to put my cat under anesthesia and biopsy the back part of the throat. All the teeth were cleaned and the biopsy revealed a disease (which I can’t remember) that the doctor says has no cure. I am worried that my cat will suffer his entire life with this sore mouth. Is there anything else that I can do? PB

Dear P.B.

Although it is possible that your cat may have some type of cancer in the back of the mouth (a disease that has no cure), I am hoping it is something else. You probably would have remembered if the doctor had said that your cat has a form of throat cancer. I suspect that the biopsy may have revealed a syndrome we see in a certain percentage of pure breed and mixed breed cats, called lymphocytic and/or plasmacytic stomatitis. Please call the doctor to get the name of the disease, for that can affect treatment and outcome.

It is essential to use immune support such as  Power Probiotic for your kitty to feel better. Probiotics can help restore the natural flora in the mouth and throughout the digestive tract.

Let’s dissect the words describing this syndrome. Stomatitis is an inflammation or infection in the mouth. Ok, so far so good. Lymphocytic and/or plasmacytic is a descriptive term illustrating the type of inflammatory cells that are migrating to this inflamed area.

What causes this infection/inflammation to occur in certain cats and not others? We are not sure.
Some viral infections are suspected of increasing the cat’s susceptibility to this disease. Your cat should be checked for the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV or Feline Aids virus) and the Feline Leukemia Virus. I suspect your doctor has already done this. If not, get it done. The virus does not cause the disease but makes cats more vulnerable to the disease. Others speculate that certain cats (ones that are genetically predisposed), are having an exuberant response to antigens or foreign invaders in the mouth. The suspected culprits are the bacteria inhabiting the tooth roots of some of these cats.

The syndrome is first recognized in fairly young cats that have halitosis (very bad breath, trouble swallowing, lack of appetite, and sometimes gagging). Examination of the teeth and back part of the throat reveals areas of extreme inflammation. It looks (and I am sure feels) like the worst sore throat you have ever had your entire life.

How is this dealt with? If the cat is FIV or FeLV positive, steps should be taken to insure your cat stays indoors and does not expose other cats to the disease. Oral antibiotics and frequent dental cleanings will help keep the mouth in good shape. Although controversial, acupuncture, interferon and lactoferrin can be used to improve the condition of the cat’s lesions. Supplements that we have seen help include Not Drops and Power Probiotic  If the cat is negative for these viruses, most veterinarians will use some type of strong immunosuppressive drug (like corticosteroids or others) to calm down the inflammation and analgesics to relieve the pain.

Although it may sound very extreme, sometimes full mouth extraction of the teeth is the only thing that will bring about relief and return the cat to a decent quality of life. I have seen several cases over the years that have completely resolve only by removing all of the teeth. Most veterinarians will only do this as a last resort, when all other therapies have failed after repeated attempts. I personally have been reluctant to recommend this procedure because it is difficult for the pet in the short term, expensive for the owner, and time consuming for the doctor. The long term success rate, however, leads me to believe that this may be the only thing that will save the cat from life-long pain and suffering.

Hepatic Lipidosis "fatty liver" in cats

Dr. Dr Gordon: My cat is very sick. I took him to the vet because he had become very lethargic. After the vet ran some tests, he determined that my cat has “fatty liver” disease. My cat is very overweight to begin with, but I did not know that he could get this disease just by being “fat”. The vet said that treatment can be very difficult. Can you help me understand this disease? RK

Lypozyme

Lypozyme is recommended by veterinarians to help cats with hepatic lipidosis. Lypozyme optimizes fat digestion and metabolism. 

Dear RK: I am very sorry to hear that your cat is not feeling well. From time to time, veterinarians encounter cats that develop fatty liver disease or hepatic lipidosis. This is a disease that is specific to the cat, since its’ dietary requirements and metabolism are much different than the dog’s metabolism. Let me explain.

If a cat, especially an overweight cat, stops eating, it can suffer serious liver problems. Cats are extremely dependent upon having protein in their diets. Unlike many species, cats cannot adequately synthesize their own protein from other building blocks. If a cat is not taking in enough protein, it will start breaking down proteins from its body, including important muscle and liver proteins. At the same time, the body is starving for energy, so it mobilizes fat stores for calories, and carries this fat to the liver for processing. Normally, the liver would metabolize these fats to use them for energy, store them, or secrete them through bile. If the liver is missing some of the proteins needed for fat metabolism, all a liver cell can do is store the fat. The fat builds up inside the cells, a condition called hepatic lipidosis, or "fatty liver,"and the cells swell, pinching off bile ducts. Bile, with all its waste products, cannot empty from the liver into the intestine as it normally does, and the cat becomes jaundiced.These changes in the liver occur within 36 hours of not eating. Since the liver cannot metabolize the fat for energy, the cat suffers further starvation, setting up a vicious cycle of fat mobilization and liver damage. Although this buildup of fat inside liver cells is often associated with diseases that cause decreased appetite, or metabolic disorders such as diabetes, we also see cases that are idiopathic, or have no identifiable underlying cause.

The diagnosis is made by doing blood tests that may first indicate an increase in the liver enzyme values. Usually an ultrasound exam of the abdomen should be the next step, which usually shows the liver that is extremely “shiny” on the ultrasound image. A fine needle aspirate can then be sent to the lab so that the pathologist can definitively diagnose the problem.

Treatment of the condition can be difficult. If there are any underlying diseases that are causing the cat to have stopped eating (infection, inflammation, etc.), these must be addressed to allow the cat to feel better. But the cornerstone of therapy is to get the cat to eat once again. Many times, this is more difficult than it sounds, for the cats in this situation usually do not feel well enough to have any appetite  and they need a lot of calories to offset the metabolic effects of the disease. To counteract this, the veterinarian will usually suggest syringe feeding a very high protein and high carbohydrate diet up to 4 times a day. Sometimes appetite stimulants are used to encourage eating. If the patient is resistant to syringe feedings, a special feeding tube may need to be surgically placed in order to provide the cat with adequate nutrients to reverse the process. Once the cat starts eating on its own, the feeding tube can be removed.

Fortunately, most cases of fatty liver are reversible with intense veterinary care. Although most cats present being very ill and lethargic, the majority are able to recover as long as they begin eating on their own. This may take several days of hospitalization at the veterinary clinic however. This underlies the importance of keeping cats at a healthy weight and realizing that any change in the cat’s normal routine or food, can cause the cat to stop eating, possibly resulting in “fatty liver”.

In addition to getting the cat on a healthy diet, supportive care using liver supplements can help. Products such as Pet Liver Rescue, Special SAMe and digestive enzymes containing lipase such as Lypozyme may be helpful in addition to the care provided by your veterinarian.

Dodger--An Adorable Cute Cairn Terrier Mix Needs a Home

Adorable, sweet Dodger needs your help. Dodger is a 1 year old Schipperke/Cairn Terrier mix. He is a very loving, sweet happy dog who only weighs 12 pounds. His fur is short, chocolate brown and easy to groom. He loves to ride in the car, as shown above and is good with other dogs. Please call Ariel Rescue at 949-499-9380 if you live in Southern California and would like to adopt him. More information can be found on www.petfinder.com under Ariel Rescue.

Adoptions have been slow due to the economy so please spread the word!

Arthritis in Dogs--NSAIDS and Joint Support Supplements

If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, is slowing down with age, limping or showing signs of difficulty getting up and down, it is important that you take your pet to the veterinarian for an examination. Quite commonly, your dog may be diagnosed with arthritis. In an effort to promote quality of life and keep the dog comfortable, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) will often be prescribed. Examples are Rimadyl, Metacam and Deramaxx to name a few. While these medications are helpful for chronic pain management, they do have side effects especially affecting the liver. This is why your veterinarian will often recommend that if your pet is using NSAIDs that your dog get a blood test every so often to check your dog's liver values. While NSAIDs can be very helpful and even critical for some pets that are in chronic pain, for most pets, there are holistic alternatives that should be tried first and/or in conjunction with their use. Many of our clients are confused about these medications and somehow think that because their dog is no longer limping or in pain, that the joint or limb problem has been cured. This is not at all the case--in fact, it is quite the contrary. The medication is actually reducing inflammation which is giving temporary pain relief.

To really help support your dog's long-term pain, mobility and joints, you need to use vitamins and nutritional supplements that are proven to help. Many minerals such as calcium, nutraceuticals such as glucosamine and herbs such as turmeric and boswelia have been shown to help. It is important to find combination formulas that contain a comprehensive mixture of vitamins, herbs and nutraceuticals.  We have had excellent success using Special SAMe along with the ArthroStride.   It is absolutely essential to use the Special SAMe if your dog has been using NSAIDs as long term use can compromise liver health.  Special SAMe is scientifically proven to help with arthritis and is a vital antioxidant to support the liver.  The ArthroStride includes key nutrients such as Curcumin and Omega 3s along with herbs such as bowelia and glucosamine to improve mobility and joint health. The Omega 3 fish oils found in Amazing Omegas help reduce inflammation and are derived from sardines and anchovies and are at a much more therapeutic level than salmon or other fish oils for pets. Many times using these nutritional formulas can be enough that the dog may only require NSAIDs after heavy exercise.

It is important that you use these formulas, if possible, as your dog starts to age, rather than waiting until the arthritis has set in. But, it is never too late to start with them and they can certainly be beneficial to use in addition to using NSAIDs. Many clients report that they were able to greatly reduce the frequency of using NSAIDs on their dog because of the benefits achieved from using these nutritional supplements.

Finally, acupuncture and chiropractic for dogs are also very important considerations. Ariel was able to run and jump at 14 years of age because of her weekly chiropractic and acupuncture treatments. To find a veterinarian who performs acupuncture in your area, go to www.ahvma.org

Canine Kidney Disease and Inappetance

Inappetance, particularly in the morning for an older dog may be an early sign that something is wrong. While there can be many causes of a dog not eating, this symptom, along with excess water drinking and frequent urination, is often a sign of canine kidney disease. First and foremost, take your pet to the veterinarian for a blood test--don't try to diagnose your dog yourself! Once you find out about your dog's condition and if canine kidney disease is diagnosed, it is important to make some dietary changes quickly. One pattern that we see frequently is where dogs may not feel like eating all day and then at night, eat too much. This perpetuates the cycle where excess phosphorous builds up in the blood during the night and then the pet will not want to eat in the morning. Purozyme, a proteolytic enzyme formula, given to your dog at bedtime can greatly help. In addition, it is important that the dog be put on a a low phosphorous, reduced protein diet. The dog needs some variety along with a reduced protein/phosphorous diet so that over time, the dog will be more inclined to eat in the morning too. You may need to find certain "comfort foods" such as dog biscuits that the dog really likes and offer them in the morning to get the dog started eating in the morning. Dogs can build up a lot of stomach acid too which can make them feel nauseated. This will affect their appetite too. Unfortunately, when pets have canine kidney disease, they can become very picky eaters. What they might have loved yesterday, they refuse to eat today and most of the time, they only want to eat what is not good for them---protein. Frantic pet owners have a tendency to give their dogs what they want and start giving them more and more protein---just exacerbating the symptoms as the phosphorous builds up in their blood stream. Ask Ariel can help you formulate a homemade diet and give you a number of tips to help with this inappetance issue. Canine kidney disease is tough and if detected early, can be managed but you need an expert veterinary nutritionist or holistic veterinarian to help you ensure you are feeding the appropriate diet.

Kitten With Irritable Bowel Disease, Diarrhea and Colitis Finally Gets Better!

"Dear Susan,

Corny, but in all my 61 years, I don’t believe that I’ve ever written a testimonial, so here’s my first go at one. We consulted a month or so ago via phone about my then 5.5 month old kitten, Misha. Misha, a rescue from our local Humane Society, was in serious condition with hemorrhaging from her colon. Her veterinarian and I had exhausted all possibilities.You quickly identified the cause: food allergies and made some dietary recommendations which I followed. Misha’s veterinarian then started her on Sucralfate and Pepcid AC. In addition, I am adding 1/3 capsule of your Probiotic and 1/3 capsule of digestive enzymes to her pumpkin TID. Within 24 hours, Misha’s bleeding stopped. She loves the pumpkin, but adjusting to canned food and to rabbit took some doing and required an appetite stimulant. Although she still craves other foods, she is now gaining weight. I’ve learned that the pumpkin is essential, not only for its soothing properties, but for the fiber it provides in the absence of grains. She poops only every 48 hours. Misha was, when we consulted, a frightened and very sick kitten. So much had been done to her in order to save her life that she was literally undone.

So was I.

In addition to excellent, compassionate and concerned counsel, you also were aware of my stress and addressed this, as well as Misha’s problems. More, you wrote a personal letter of directions and support along with the products I ordered from you. I was impressed by what you did, Susan. And I thank you. Thank you. And again.

My university career was spent counseling/advising students of all ages, as well as teaching anthropology, so I was aware of your therapeutic expertise as we talked. But you did so much more: the over-time you spent while we talked; your willingness to be a resource; your sending samples of other products; and your personal touches, like the hand-written letter. I am, in addition to my professional “history”, a permitted wildlife rehabilitator with almost 40 years of experience under my belt. Appropriate nutrition is an on-going concern for those who work with wild species; yet I had not ever before encountered so compelling a need in one of the many cats I have rescued and loved over the years.

The service you provide is essential. It’s a gift. I would recommend you to anyone, and have.

Thanks, Susan. With a hug, Marg Smith"

March 2009