Update on My Dear Bobby--83 year old recovering from Complications Due to Open Heart Surgery

I just want to express my sincerest thanks to all of you--the wonderful friends of Ask Ariel Your Pet Nutritionist and Ariel Rescue whose prayers and kindness have helped my dear Bobby to survive. I sincerely apologize I haven't been able to keep up with the blog but my time had been stretched very thin attending to his care. As you know, I am passionate about holistic care and my staff and I are deeply concerned about each one of your pets. We always try to present you with all of your options in treating your pet's condition--whether it be conventional veterinary care as well as holistic veterinary alternatives. It has been so frustrating with the care of Bob, who has suffered terribly as a result of overmedication, that the doctors were not at all receptive to any type of holistic care. I will never forgot how stunned I was that the doctor REFUSED to give him Vitamin B but authorized morphine and opiate drugs. The overmedication and oversedation of the elderly is rampant because many times the doctors, hospitals and nurses will authorize medications that a young person might be able to tolerate but an older person might not be able to process and clear through their kidneys and liver. This is exactly what happened to Bobby. Now his heart is running ok but he has a lot of problems related to his "hospitalization".

I am sure there are many of you who have elderly parents who have undergone similar experiences and if you would like to share them, please feel free to post them here. It might be therapeutic for all of us to know that we are not alone and that someone else has experienced a similar situation.

In any case, I am happy to report that by the sheer will to survive, Bobby is now in a nursing/rehab center and after 6 long weeks of Critical Care, is breathing pretty well on his own. Prior to his surgery, he was taking care of my Mom (she has Alzheimers and MS) and they were traveling and having fun. He was driving, cooking and leading a pretty normal life. Now, he is bedridden and still after 2 months, does not have the strength to move himself in the bed or to stand up. He is getting intense physical therapy and each day shows a little more progress. My dream is that he will eventually be able to walk again with a walker and spend the rest of his days at home with Mom. Right now though, he lost his ability to swallow (this is common with older folks but in his case, it occured because he was overmedicated and had to stay on a breathing machine too long which damaged the muscles) and is on a feeding tube. Yesterday, was his first day being dressed when I took him for his doctor's appointment. This was a great move in the right direction. Thanks again for all your care and concern. You will never know how much it has meant to me.

Cat with Chronic Renal Failure (cat kidney disease) is Feeling Better with Natural Kidney Support Supplements

Dear Ask Ariel staff,

This is just an update on Ranger, my 14 year old kitty with kidney disease (CRF). I ordered the following supplements from Ask Ariel (Kidney Terrain, Renelix, Rehmannia 8, Protease and Purozyme) for Ranger on Friday Jan 29th. To my great surprise, they arrived here in Upstate NY on Monday Feb 1st! Which was great as Ranger was near death on Feb 1st and 2nd. She hid to sleep constantly. Usually they hide to die! She was in REALLY REALLY REALLY bad shape. I've had one cat die of Liver disease and two others of Renal Failure. Ranger is the 3rd I've had with Chronic Renal Failure (kidney disease) so I know how they act before they die. (I'm so disappointed that I didn't know about your company back in 2003... perhaps my other three kitties could have lived a couple more years). Oh well.

Anyway, Ranger was near death on Feb 1st when the supplements arrived. I gave them to her but assumed she was probably too far gone by this time and I was kicking myself for having waited too long. However after three to four days she started eating more (although she still won't eat a lot), was more alert, less sleeping and got her "motor mouth" back! Since then she has had only TWO BAD DAYS... and although I truly wish she would eat more, she does eat though! I know she isn't cured... but these meds are giving her MORE TIME and MORE QUALITY TIME with me. And for that I am truly grateful! I just love this little girl so much. She will be 14 sometime this Spring. Anytime Feb to April as I don't know her exact birthday. But she's 14 and I can possibly see that if she stays the same as now, she may be around awhile more. THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Daniel Lafler NY email: kittypup@frontier.net

Please Say A Prayer For Bobby

Pictured above is Robert Weinstein and Selma Koletsky--two beloved "friends" of Ask Ariel Your Pet Nutritionist. Bobby is making the fight of his life right now at 82 years of age. For about 15 years, Bobby has been struggling to breathe due to some problems with his lungs but he took his supplements faithfully and has been doing so well. He and Selma were taking regular trips to Vegas and having the time of their lives. A few weeks ago, Bobby knew something was wrong. He couldn't breathe and the medications and supplements were no longer helping. He was rushed to the emergency three times over the past few weeks and then had open heart surgery this week. Everything was going fine and he was showing a little improvement each day and then last night around midnight, he had a setback. He was struggling to breathe and an infection was in his lungs. He is now heavily sedated with a breathing tube as the doctors fight to save him. It is amazing how complex that open heart surgery is and all that is involved. If he didn't have the surgery though, he wouldn't have a chance because his artery was completely blocked.

I am so sorry that I haven't been keeping up with the blog as I usually do but these last few weeks have been so terribly stressful. My pets seem to know Mom is upset and have been worrying too. I know the power of prayer can be amazing and hope if you read this, you can send some well wishes for my dear Bobby. With gratitude, Susan Blake Davis

Golden Retriever Had UTIs and Yeast and is Now Better!

"Bella is our fourth and most sensitive Golden Retriever. She developed chronic UTI's and yeast on her skin. We have always fed Bella premium dog food since she was a puppy. After many expensive tests, medications and possible surgery to correct her problems , we found Susan Davis. We have had nothing but good results. Susan directed us to better health and happiness for Bella with her knowledge and expertise. As my husband so simply put it "she's fixed"!!!!! Thank you Susan." Steve and Valarie Bick

Cat with advanced chronic renal failure CRF--Can holistic supplements help?

Q: Hello,I have a 4yr old domestic short hair calico. She has advanced stage crf.I am giving her sub-Qs with vitamins(200ml per day) Amphogel(2ml),Enacard(2.5mg)Clavamox(62.5mg),and anti-nausea meds and I switched her to a raw diet according to Anita Frazier's Natural Cat.She isn't eating and seems to be anemic.Is there any product that you offer that will make any difference at this point in the game? I have also looked into kidney transplant and discovered that it is out of our financial range. Please answer as soon as you can if you think that there is something I can still do to save her.

A: So very sorry your kitty is so sick. And....especially at such a young age. Most of the cats with advanced chronic renal failure (CRF) are elderly cats. It is very common for cats to have some degree of renal insufficiency as they age but having a young kitty be diagnosed with this condition must have been devastating for you.

Cats with kidney disease need a reduced protein, reduced phosphorous diet. Without reviewing your cat's specific laboratory tests and history, it would be very difficult for me to assess what your cat's prognosis is. However, what I would say is that I have seen some miracles using the holistic plan for CRF kitties that Dr. Gordon and I provide. Many clients come to us with cats near death and we have had some success. It requires a complete holistic plan using our fluid recommendations, supplements, diet plan, acupuncture, etc.

In terms of products, for anemia, you can try Renelix and Marrow Plus (there are additional conventional veterinary treatments available as well). The Kidney Terrain, Kidney Health and Purrfect Pet CoQ10 are the most commonly ordered products for cats. Recently, we had a young rescue kitty that had been abused (from a horrible "hoarding" environment with little access to water) who suffered with advanced CRF. Pierre's laboratory tests (BUN, phosphorous, Creatinine) were extremely high and the prognosis was poor. The owner was considering putting Pierre down and then scheduled a combination appointment with Dr. Gordon and I via telephone. Here is a recent email we received 6 months following our consultation:

"Hate to bother you on a Sunday, but I just wanted to tell you Pierre is acting as he did before he was sick!! This morning he is up and about, not hiding anywhere, following me everywhere, and up in the window watching outside and getting excited when he sees the doves come to the feeder outside the window. I have been hydrating him every day, and keeping on track with my schedule of supplements & meds. You just don’t know how happy it makes us to see him acting so normal today, he acts as if he feels really good.

Thanks you so much, everyday shows improvement."

While we wish all of our clients' cats could fare as well as Pierre, by doing all you can to help your kitty, at least you know you tried. Many pet owners feel dismayed after their pet's pass that they could have done more so it is important to try, even when the odds may not seem in your favor. We have seen pets turn for the better substantially after following our holistic protocols..

Head Tremors--Holistic Pet Care Helped!

Pictured above is my boy Bleu, a 6 year old Siberian husky who is full of energy. Today is the 3 month anniversary of Bleu's last head tremor which is truly amazing and a testimonial to the power of holistic pet care!!! A canine head tremor is very frightening to witness, especially the first time. It is very common in certain breeds such as Doberman Pinschers and Bulldogs but can occur in any breed. Essentially, the dog has involuntary bobbing of his head and it shakes uncontrollably--very upsetting for the dog and owner.

It is essential to use K9 Digestive Enzymes for your pet to make him or her feel better. K9 Digestive Enzymes are critical for the proper absorption of nutrients and for maintaining pet health.

In June, during a busy time of year, Bleu walked over to me after a long day and his head was bobbing. At first, I thought he was just anxious or nervous. But as the head tremor continued, I quickly realized he had no control--his head would not stop bobbing. He looked just like one of those bobbing dog toys. What was also odd was that he was completely conscious, looking straight at me and yet it was as though his head had a mind of its own. It went away, to my relief after a few minutes and I thought it was just all the stress--after all, we just had a slab leak following a houseful of guests for my stepdaughter's graduation.

Three weeks later, it happened again. This time, no stress in the household. Then, the intervals started getting shorter. I researched online, had lots of tests done--nothing. I found out that this involuntary head tremor might be somehow related to either abnormal calcium fluctuations or low blood sugar--both conditions that can give a dog or person "the shakes" or tremors. In my initial attempts to control the situation, we saw a slight improvement in that the tremors, which had been coming more frequently were stabilizing, but they were still coming. However, as time progressed and I stuck religiously to his supplement and diet regimen, the tremors stopped. We did not use medication (there is no medication for this) but consistently using calcium, parathyroid support, a hypoallergenic diet and K9 Digestive Enzymes.  When one night I didn't give him his K9 Digestive Enzymes,  he had a tremor the next morning. What this told me was that consistency was everything. This is the same with treating pets that have diabetes or epilepsy--timing and consistency in giving food and supplements is critical.

It also shows that even when there is no hope, there are answers in holistic veterinary care that might not occur with conventional veterinary care. My understanding is that many pet owners who have pets with this condition have spent thousands of dollars on testing and just like in our case, the tests find nothing. What I can say in Bleu's case, is that the results speak for themselves. If anyone you know ever encounters this head tremors or head bobbing or even other neurological conditions such as epilepsy, please encourage them to schedule a telephone appointment with the nutritionist, Susan Davis.  I will be happy to help.

Cat With Oxalate Stones and Chronic UTIs

Q: About this topic, I am having a similar problem with my 8 year old male cat, but he had oxalate stones earlier this year, and surgery to remove them, and is now on Hills C/D and has had chronic UTI's only since being on this food. I want to switch him off to a grain free quality food (like Wellness) but am concerned if this would cause new oxalate stones to form. The effectiveness of Hills C/D has not been proven to me yet - although he has not had additional oxalate stones. Any advice?

A: Diet is an extremely important factor when a pet is developing stones or chronic UTIs. Grains and food allergies can greatly contribute. Once a pet has required surgery for stones however, this is a very serious matter that should be handled by a veterinary professional. Most likely it is the corn and grains contained in the Hills C/D that is causing your kitty to get the UTIs and I would highly recommend ordering our PET UTI Prevention Kit for starters. In addition, we have had proven success using Renelix to help pets with crystals and stones. Many clients with crystals use our diet protocols along with Renelix and retest with the crystals no longer present. As far as diet, I would need to work with you in the context of a telephone or inperson appointment to help you develop the appropriate diet for your kitty. To help you select the best diet, a comprehensive discussion regarding his medical history, food preferences and laboratory tests would need to be done so that you could be sure the diet selected is the right one for your kitty.

Bleu--One Year Anniversary of His Adoption

Today is November 1st and is the one year anniversary of our adoption of Bleu, our white Siberian Husky. I remember vividly how hard it was to get another dog and how initially it was so tough to bond with him. But, in looking back now, I realize it was a great decision to adopt when we did. We had just lost our Tessie to hemangiosarcoma and watched her waste away in those final days. We decided to adopt Bleu just a few weeks after Tessie died when we learned he had been waiting for a family to adopt him for over 2 1/2 years.

When Ariel had died, we waited a long time to get another dog and it wasn't until Tessie was in such desperate need as a foster dog, that we decided to take in another pet months later. It is a personal choice whether to get another pet sooner or later following the death of a beloved family member. I remember that I felt so disloyal to Ariel in thinking about another pet and that somehow it would take away from her memory. That did not end up being the case at all--I loved each of them so much and they both made a profound impact on our lives.

The one thing I do know was that both times we lost a pet, it was so empty and sad in our home without one. The loneliness was so profound and I dwelled on the last few weeks prior to their death obsessing and wondering if there might have been something else I could have done. This is a natural feeling and all good pet owners feel this way. But, now, after seeing wonderful pet owners lose treasured pets every day in my profession, I have to say, that it is the circle of life and we each have a certain amount of time to live and then sadly it is over. And so....there are so many homeless, abandoned, needy pets out there, if you have love in your heart but are still mourning the loss of your pet, you may want to reconsider helping make the life of one of these pets better while you can.

When Tessie died, I was devastated because we had only three short years. She had suffered such a hard life prior to our rescuing her, there was no escaping her past. I felt as though I were ripped off, but then after getting Bleu, I did realize what a noble gift it was for Tessie to make room for Bleu who also desperately needed a loving home. Bleu was advertised on http://www.petfinder.com/ as a "special needs" dog who suffered from an unusual pancreatic disorder and the rescuer stated that the "time and expense giving him a special diet and supplements would be well worth it because his exceptional temperament would outweigh the extra effort". The rescuer could not have been more right. We fell in love with our Bleu and he has brought so much joy into our lives. He really did need a pet nutritionist to help him with his health care and he has been nothing but a gift to us. He is a happy, fun loving dog that makes us laugh each and every day. He howls with delight when we take him to Doggie Care--so much so that my husband and I leave each other messages with his howling antics. He helped us forget the pain and loss with Tessie and move on with our lives. This year, we made beautiful photo frames, one for each of my special girls memorializing all that they had meant to us. We will never forget them and no other dog will ever replace them. They will go on in our hearts forever but with the help of Bleu, we were able to move forward and feel the joy of having a beloved pet with whom to share a beautiful life.

Cat with Chronic Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Q: About this topic (pets with chronic UTIS), I am having a similar problem with my 8 year old male cat, but he had oxalate stones earlier this year, and surgery to remove them, and is now on Hills C/D and has had chronic UTI's only since being on this food. I want to switch him off to a grain free quality food (like Wellness) but am concerned if this would cause new oxalate stones to form. The effectiveness of Hills C/D has not been proven to me yet - although he has not had additional oxalate stones. Any advice?

Y: We have had exceptional success helping cats and dogs prevent UTIs and stone development but it requires a complete holistic program involving dietary changes AND supplements---they go hand in hand. There is a lot you can do to help your cat using a hypoallergenic, low carbohydrate diet. Good nutrition can greatly help but you also need to get your cat on a regular supplement regime to ensure that the UTIs do not reoccur. There is not a simple answer to address the diet and supplements since typical programs for preventing UTIs include supplements such as cranberry that might acidify the urine and calcium oxalate stones grow in an acidic environment so you need to be VERY CAREFUL. Also, some pets have a tendency to get stones and so switching to a diet that prevents oxalate stones might then result in the formation of struvite stones. The secret is finding a balance and identifying the foods your kitty is allergic to. Also, there are supplements that would help regardless. These include Renelix, Amazing Omegas and Probiotic.

As far as the diet, I would need to work with you in detail to discuss the foods you can try and use based on your kitty's preferences. There is not one diet you can readily use and ideally some homemade food should be mixed in. You are right to be cautious and concerned as just using any commercial diet, including Hills C/D will not be the perfect answer--a more comprehensive approach is needed. Thus, a consultation via inperson or telephone appointment is recommended.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Puppy

Q: My 10 month old lab mix Molly has bouts of diarrhea and vomiting  We have tried different foods and it goes away for awhile but then comes back. Originally, she had worms and my vet gave me medication for that a couple of times but she doesn't have them anymore. Molly has been on a lot of different medications but once they are finished, she has soft stool like pudding. Do you have any suggestions?

A: So sorry that Molly is having difficulty. It is good that you are addressing this issue now. Many people often think their pet just "got into something" and then don't follow through. Sometimes IBD starts, just like you said from parasites, worms or giardia. This can cause some irritation in the puppy's intestinal tract. But, when it persists and no further parasites are found, your veterinarian may diagnose the condition as inflammatory bowel disesase (IBD).

It is essential to use the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Kit For Cats and Dogs to help your pet feel better. The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Kit For Cats and Dogs helps repair your pet's intestinal lining, increases absorption and helps your pet feel better again.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a diagnoses used for a variety of intestinal disorders found in dogs and cats. The disorders are characterized by an abnormal accumulation of inflammatory cells in the lining of the intestine. One common form of IBD that your veterinarian may have diagnosed in your pet is called lymphoplasmacytic enteritis. Your veterinarian may have diagnosed this after obtaining a biopsy which shows an abnormal accumulation of inflammatory cells. Other causes of inflammation such as parasites, bacterial or viral infections, exposure to toxic substances and pancreatic causes of small bowel disorders would have been ruled out. Signs that your pet may have lymphoplasmacytic enteritis include chronic diarrhea, weight loss, vomiting, loss of appetite, nausea (licking of lips) and gurgling noises in the intestine. The vomit may contain bile and in cats it may contain hairballs. There may be mucus, blood and straining with bowel movements.

Food allergies are often the culprit. The trick is identifying the foods that your pet is allergic to. That is why it is so important to have a veterinary professional assist you. Dietary modification including the addition of enzyme rich foods and supplements can be very helpful. One critical ingredient though is identifying the protein source(s) that your pet can tolerate. Improper digestion of protein can result in an allergic reaction and further inflammation. There is no "one" protein source that is considered hypoallergenic---thus we strongly encourage anyone who has a pet with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to schedule a consultation as a dietary modification protocol with various food trials is required.

There are some supplements that will also help. Try Soothing Digestive Relief, Power Probiotic and Colostrum for Pets to start with, and then you can always add additional products such as Notatum capsules or drops and Roqueforti drops. Please be patient. Pets with IBD have difficulty changing diets.

Dog Limping--Would Natural Supplements Help?

Q: My 12 year old lab mix is limping on occassion after we take a walk. I brought her to the vet, we got XRAYS but there is just some arthritis there. I am using Synovi joint support but was just wondering what else I can do. The vet gave me Deramaxx but I am afraid to use it. The limping is just occassional and I was wondering if there was any natural supplements I could try.
Betty in Kansas

A: Hi Betty,
I am so glad you asked about natural supplements for your dog's limping. When dogs are limping, it is very important to take them first to the veterinarian to have it checked out. Sometimes it can just be arthritis or old age. But sometimes, it can be a cancerous tumor or ligament tear that just came about. I have had clients tell me that their dogs had tumors that just appeared within a few days.....so again--always go to the veterinarian first.

Once your veterinarian has reviewed your dog's condition, there is a lot you can do. First, it is important to give your dog a healthy diet with plenty of green vegetables. Arthritis is an inflammatory condition and also an "acidic" condition. Green vegetables provide nutrients, vitamins and enzymes which help to fight inflammation and overall acidity. Sure wear and tear on the joints is an issue, but you can help your dog greatly with diet and supplements.

Next, remember, not all joint support supplements are alike. A recent study showed that for human supplements, very few even had the glucoamine and herbs claimed and even then many were not bioavailable. The secret to a good supplement is that it should be third party tested for potency and purity AND that it contains the ingredients proven to help. Joint support and helping arthritic symptoms goes way beyond simply supplementing with glucosamine. A good joint support should have ingredients such as collagen, green lipped mussel, hyaluronic acid and herbs such as boswelia. We get excellent results with ArthroStride.  In addition, for limping, give K9 CurcuMagic a try. This product has really wowed us with its fast-acting results. 

Pet Owners Beware--Pennypinching For "Free Advice" Will Only Break Your Heart Later

We all are guilty of it at some point......trying to get something for nothing. We try to do everything possible to avoid paying for something, when sometimes we really should.....And, where are pets are concerned you will only end up with a broken heart later....asking yourself "What could I have done to help my pet? Why didn't I do more for my pet"....Unfortunately, the main reason we don't is money.

But, even in these hard economic times--ask yourself is it that you really can't afford it or are choosing NOT TO afford it. I ask this because in the history of our holistic care business, we have never received more emails/phone calls/blog questions for free advice and then what's worse, is that most people don't even follow up on the advice.

No matter what way you analyze it...there is no substitute for the advice of a veterinary professional. When you pay for professional advice, that is what you get--someone who carefully assesses your individual situation and makes a determination about what is best for your pet. So, while it may be emotionally helpful to send emails, participate in pet health forums---they in no way should be confused with an office visit with a veterinarian and/or pet health care provider. And using a diet that a fellow forum member used for your pet or using supplements that helped the neighbor's pet can actually do more harm than good.

Why? Because most of the time, you are GUESSING based on your pet's symptoms about what is wrong and there is a very high likelihood you are incorrect. And....what's worse, is that the symptoms could be masking or disguising a serious health condition that only lab tests can reveal.

Here are just a few examples:

1) Owner emails us about a cat having IBD for 9 months.......the cat suffers while the owner tries to figure out how she can change the diet on her own. Finally comes in for a combination appt with me and Dr. Gordon and turns out the cat has severe infections in the gums/teeth so much so that several had to be removed which was explaining why the poor kitty was losing weight and not eating. Only then, after the surgery, could I address how to help her kitty's immune system and dietary needs--not before. It wasn't about food allergies--it was about having a severe infection.

2) Owner emails that her 9 year old dog is inappetant--what foods can she try? The dog comes in for an appointment and we unfortunately have to put her to sleep because she has a huge cancerous mass on her abdomen

3) Owner emails saying dog has pancreatitis and wants to know what else to add to the chicken/rice mixture and turns out dog has food allergies and is allergic to both chicken and rice!

What can we learn from this? The old adage "you get what you pay for" has never been more true. There are many reasons why a pet may display certain symptoms and trying to self-medicate and/or treat the pet based on emails, forums and exchanging ideas with friends is helpful--but please only do this AFTER you have spoken with a veterinary professional and obtained laboratory results.

Dog Itching and Yeast

Hello I have a 7 year old miniature schnauzer named chynna she itches every waking moment she has been on allergies shots for the last 3 years and has to take cephalexin or simplicef with the shots.. I decided she has to have a better way of treating her severe allergies. i changed her diet 3 weeks ago to wellness core food and she gets either tuna or halo organic food with it she receives 1 time a day 1 cup of food and1/4 cup of wet food. she doesn't like the wellness much and 3 treats of wellness apples, yogurt and banana treats which she does like .Chynna's scratches all the time shakes her head or body, eye discharge and licking of the feet 2 days ago (which i feel will get infected because she has done this before). I started her on your skin regiment 1 week ago today 10/7/09. right now a consult is out due to money. i am a single parent trying to care for her 4 legged child as well. The allergies shots cost so much i know there has to be a better way.i gave her the last shot she had on 10/10/09 saturday due to she seemed to be in agony. I do not know what to do . i feel at a lost she also received a bath with sulfur and tar which helps for a shot time please help us ...
Thank you Candace

Hi Candace,
Sorry Chyna is suffering so much. There is a lot we can do to help you. The diet you are using is not appropriate--it was too high in carbohydrates. Sounds like your dog has yeast. Immediately stop giving her treats scuh sa bananas and apples--too sweet and be sure she is not getting grains. Please order the Dog Yeast Formula and Probiotic to go along with the Dog Skin Package (you already ordered). Please see earlier post about yeast.

Tessie's 1 year anniversary of her passing

Today, October 11, is the 1 year passing since Tessie died from hemangiosarcoma. I was so devastated a year ago especially because of all that happened during the last week of her life. Since then many clients have come to me with dogs that have hemangiosarcoma and I always feel an especially deep bond with them as this is such an aggressive, insidious form of cancer. Tessie had such a tragic life as an abused puppy mill dog and it makes me so sad to know this was what took her down.

Tessie brought so much joy into our lives and helped me so much with my practice. She had been abused for most of her life, had no front teeth (metal bits still left) from chewing on her cage. Her story and incredible transformation is seen in this brief video http://www.naturesvariety.com/rotation_video

Tessie had been thrown over a 6 foot fence into the Santa Maria Shelter. She was transported with another dog to Ariel Rescue. I fostered her initially following the death of my beloved Ariel. She had a lot of emotional and aggression issues so it wasn't easy to bond with her. But over time, she became my "copilot" and went everywhere with me. She taught me so much about life and how finding peace. Her greatest joy was sitting out back under the palm tree and cruising through the many bushes and woods by our home. Two days before she died, she was so sick with fluid in her belly (ascites fluid) and fluid had collected around her heart. Still, she marched triumphantly to the top of a wooded hill to say one last goodbye to her playground.

She was such a loyal friend and so brave. We had to have her abdomen drained several times because of the ascites. She went through so much at the end and I am happy to say that on her very last day, she ate for me, took a beautiful walk and then within hours we lost our beautiful girl. Tessie, we will love you forever and miss you everyday. Thank you for coming into our lives--we will never forget you!

Dog Inflammatory Bowel Disease--Please watch our funny video and vote for Bleu

Weight-loss Tips to Help Overweight Golden Retriever Trim Down

Dear Ariel,
I have a 3 year old Golden Retriever, Oliver. He weighs about 115 lbs. He is a very tall Golden. However, his weight troubles me. I want him to live a long and enjoyable life. for most of his young life he has eaten 1 can of Wellness Turkey and 1 can of the same in the evening. He is given a 8-12 in. 'bully stick' after dinner. He has a Greenie sometime during the day. His 'treats' are blueberries and raspberries and carrots. He does not eat a lot of these.
His exercise regimen includes an hour long brisk walk in a park. Sometimes, he gets 2 walks a day, but mostly just 1. He is the only dog I have. He'll romp with my cat during the day for a bit of time.
Because of my concern over his weight, I recently changed his diet to: 1 cup of lite dry Wellness and 1/2 can of Wellness turkey in the a.m. and 1/2 of dry and 1/2 of wet in the p.m. I haven't seen any significant change since doing this. However, I have not weighed him. He has had his thyroid checked in the past and it was normal.
Do you have any advice for me?
Frustrated,
Annette


Hi Annette,

Good for you for trying to help Oliver! This is a commendable effort and you can definitely help him. I have seen miracle stories of dogs losing significant amounts of weight from concerned pet owners and I know you can do it! The first thing you do need to recognize is that while his food quantity may not seem like much to you, he has been substantially overfed. In order for him to weigh 115 pounds, this weight has accumulated over time from continual overfeeding. Yes, it is true that we can increase his metabolism using Vitality NOW! and Pet Liver Rescue but excess weight can only be eliminated by reducing his caloric intake and increasing his exercise. It is good that you are questioning what to do for Oliver, and ideally, I can assist you best in a telephone consultation where we can go into a lot more detail.

In terms of his overall consumption of food, you need to take a serious look at what other food items Oliver may be getting-- from other family members, going through the trash, jumping on counters, getting treats from neighbors and relatives. The first thing to do is for you to take control of the situation and honestly assess all the food that might be going into Oliver. When families do this, they often find that there are a lot of "missing links" they didn't anticipate such as improper measuring of the food or little treats that add up to full meals. Also, it is important to remember that while one dog may be able to eat 4 cups of food at 100 pounds, another one may have a much slower metabolism and only be able to eat 2 without gaining weight (just like with people!!!).

You need to be very careful about the treats. For example, bully sticks should be intended as an OCCASIONAL (not an every day) treat--1 12 inch bully stick is calorically the same amount as 3/4 can of dog food! And if you are giving him a greenie too, well that is also like another 1/2 meal.....One large dog biscuit can be over 100 calories!

Here is a diet you can try:
Oliver needs a high protein diet so that he feels satisfied. Try Natures Variety raw frozen venison or rabbit medallions. Give him 6 medallions twice a day along with 1/3 cup canned pumpkin + 1 cup steamed green beans or zucchinni per meal. You should also use 1 teaspoon Amazing Omegas per meal to help balance out his diet and to help his coat. Most overweight dogs and people are actually deficient in essential fatty acids (Omega 3s) and many Golden Retrievers have bad allergies. The Amazing Omegas has some calories but these calories are very important for his health and will help him stay on the diet.

You can give him 1 4-inch bully stick every few days and replace the treats with either 1-2 baby carrots or 1/4 sliced apple. No more greenies! Try the supplements mentioned above--Pet Liver Rescue and Vitality NOW! to help speed up his metabolism. They may seem like "supplements" but really, at this point with his weight, they are critical. Why? Because excess weight doesn't just affect his body frame..it collects around the organs as well. For example, Daisy, the 118 pound Labrador that Ariel Rescue trimmed down to 73 pounds was finally able to be spayed and when the veterinarian removed her uterus, he also removed 5 POUNDS of fat around it!!!! The Pet Liver Rescue will help clear toxins from his liver while the Vitality NOW! will help burn up the fat around his heart and other organs. If he weighs 115 pounds, chances are he is at least 20 -25 pounds overweight and has already accumulated fat around his organs.....

So, give these suggestions a try and if you need further assistance, please note in-person and telephone consultations are available to help you at: http://www.AskAriel.com.

Dog Dandruff---Dog Has Flaky Skin

Oh no, this page has meow-ved!

Visit the new page here: https://www.askariel.com/natural-remedies-for-dog-and-cat-dandruff-s/1938.htm.

Holistic Care for Kitten with Eye Discharge and Chronic Infection, Immune Weakness

Q: My ten month old kitten is suffering from eye redness and green discharge from both eyes. His vet treated him with Terramicyn ointment. This started
late june 09, he gets well for one week then gets it back all over again.
Any suggestions?

Answer from Susan Blake Davis, Pet Nutritionist: The green discharge and eye redness is a sign of chronic infection. Your poor kitten has a weak immune system and you need to help him rebuild his health using improved diet and supplements. First, take a look at what you are feeding and try to use a good quality food that is free of byproducts and grains. Use a holistic brand such as Natures Variety, Primal, Wellness or Innova. Next, you need to use some supplements to help your kitten repair his immune system: Samento, Notatum, Power Probiotic, available on http://www.askariel.com/ are all good choices to start with and are easy to administer to cats.

Cats with Interstitial Cystitis--Blood in Urine

Dear Dr Gordon: I am having a real problem with my cat. She is a 4 year old, spayed female calico cat. I adopted her later in life from one of my co-workers and she has always been a little stand offish. Lately, she has started to urinate outside the litter box and there is a small amount of blood in the urine. I have tried everything to discourage this. I have changed the litter. I have purchased an additional litter box. I have even contemplated letting her go outside during the day because she used to be an outdoor cat and now is completely confined to the indoors. She has been to the doctor several times and the doctor is able to give medication to stop the bleeding and accidents, but it always seems to return. What is your take on this? TR

Dr. David Gordon, Holistic Veterinarian: Well my answer is going to come as quite a surprise to the majority of readers of this column and even to some veterinary old timers.

There are many things that potentially could cause bloody urine in your cat, and those should definitely be ruled out before proceeding. These include stones in the bladder, crystal plugs, bacterial infection, and congenital defects of the urinary system (like a persistent urachal remnant). But, given the age of the cat and the living circumstances, there is an excellent chance none of the potential causes listed above is the culprit. In fact, less that 1% of cats in this age group have bloody urine due to infection.

Well, if infection was not at fault, what was causing the bloody urine. Many hypotheses came forth by veterinary researchers in the field. Some doctors thought there was some mysterious viral disease that caused most of these cats to develop bloody urine. Others thought these cats must have some sensitivity to something in the environment, and this type of allergic reaction was causing the bloody urine. But we now know that these cats are not getting better because the antibiotics are making them better. It is true that veterinarians have been prescribing antibiotics and doing urine cultures on these cats for years and the cats invariably got better. The latest information reveals that the cats were getting better despite being put on the antibiotics.

We now know that most of these cats suffer from a malady that many women suffer from, called interstitial cystitis. By examining the interior of the bladder wall of affected cats, it was discovered that there were focal points of hemorrhage that mirrored what was being seen in these women suffering from a similar syndrome. Not only that, but the bladder wall was extremely inflamed.

The current theory is that STRESS is the underlying factor in the cat’s interstitial cystitis problem. Stress perceived by the cat causes the release of neurotransmitters that adversely affect different organs. In susceptible cats, this organ is the bladder wall. Once inflammation sets in, the bladder wall, in essence, loses its’ integrity and there is leakage of urine within the layers of the bladder wall itself. Urine is a very irritating substance, and the leakage of this urine further perpetuates the inflammation and leads to focal areas of hemorrhage.

Cats suffering from this syndrome have frequent attempts to pass urine, and this is invariably bloody. These cats are very painful and most women that have interstitial cystitis will attest to that. Cats may associate this pain with their litter boxes and could be urinating outside the box because they are associating the litter box with pain.

It makes sense then that to treat interstitial cystitis in women and cats, that the patient should respond to anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and analgesic medications. That is, in fact, the types of treatment that has been shown to be the most effective. Some cats will have repeated episodes of this over the course of their lifetimes but usually relief and amelioration of symptoms will occur with the above mentioned medications. 

How can we prevent this from occurring in susceptible cats? Provide many litter boxes and clean them daily in addition to trying to eliminate stress. That is easier said, than done because each cat is probably being stressed out by his or her own individual circumstances. Is it the neighbors loud rock and roll band? Is it the construction going on outside? Is it the neighbor’s barking dog? Are outdoor cats that your indoor cat can see teasing?

Some veterinarians also hypothesize that there is a certain group of cats that feel frustrated, unfulfilled, and downright bored with their sedentary lifestyles that we offer. Providing these cats with play time and stimulating their hunting and predatory instincts can help alleviate their frustration and boredom.

Patience and understanding is the key to living with these cats.

Author:  Dr. David Gordon, Holistic Veterinarian

Arch Beach Veterinary Clinic

Cat with chronic UTIs--does diet matter?

Q: My 7 year old cat (Tiki) get chronic UTIs. I feed her fancy feast canned food. Is there another food that would be better? I heard food can be a problem. A: This is an excellent question. There is a definite link to pets getting chronic UTIs and diet. One of the links is food allergies and inflammation. Your kitty may be eating a high quality food, even organic but could be allergic to it. In addition, there are many hidden low quality ingredients found in pet food which could be a culprit too. These include grains, byproducts, chemicals, preservatives, wheat, gluten--you name it. So....the first step is to look carefully at what is really in your pet's food and clean up your pet's diet. I prefer hypoallergenic diets that have "novel protein" such as venison or rabbit. Also, be sure there are no grains in the diet. I have seen tremendous success in resolving chronic UTIs using raw food diets along with the supplements.  The most important supplement program that will start to help immediately is the veterinary-recommended Pet UTI Prevention Package that allows you to order from a selection of research based products.

Diets too high in carbohydrates break down into sugar and can also contribute to yeast overgrowth. Wheat and grains, for example can be high allergen foods and also contribute to yeast growth. Also, kibble and/or dry food can be problematic for both cats and dogs because of its low moisture content.There is no “one” hypoallergenic diet that works for all pets but trying one with rabbit or venison is a good start. Scheduling a telephone consultation with us or another veterinary professional can also be helpful if you feel you need assistance getting your kitty on the right track once and for all.

Nutritional supplements can greatly help reduce the frequency of urinary tract infections and in some cats in combination with diet changes, can eliminate them completely. Be sure to talk in depth with your veterinarian to understand the issues associated with your cat'surinary infections. For example, are there crystals present, very high pH or is the urine pH acidic? In terms of supplements, Ask Ariel has a comprehensive pet UTI prevention program. The Pet UTI Prevention Formula is excellent for cats and dogs that get chronic UTIs and who have a tendency to have high urinary pH as the product helps to acidify the urine (contains cranberry and Vitamin C). The Probiotic and Renelix are helpful for all types of urinary support. Finally, for tough infections, Notatum and Samento have always been especially helpful for cats with chronic urinary tract infections (UTIS).

Post Questions About Holistic Pet Care Here

Updated: 3/11/2024

Got a question about your pet? Please take this opportunity to submit a question about your pet. We will do our best to try to answer it.  Send an email to us at Support@AskAriel.com and our compassionate team of pet lovers will be happy to help.  Please know we cannot provide individualized consultative advice due to veterinary regulations, but we have a great deal of information about holistic care for pets that we would be happy to share with you.  To learn more, please visit AskAriel.com

Obese Labrador Lost 44 lbs in 6 Months

Pictured above are before/after pictures of our beloved Daisy who has now happily living in her forever home. Look at how beautiful she looks--what a shiny coat. Daisy now weighs a svelte 74 pounds--down from 118 pounds when she was rescued. Thanks to our dear Karen, head volunteer for Ariel Rescue, who dedicated countless hours to walking and caring for Daisy to help her become the dog she is today. Daisy was so obese (upper photo) that she couldn't even wear a collar because it would fall off. Her coat was so dull (she has hypothyroidism) that it looked like steel wool. Just 4 months later and look at her now! Daisy is an inspiration for all of us--if she can lose all that weight and start her life over--surely we all can!

It is essential to use Amazing Omegas to help your pet feel better. Amazing Omegas provides immediate help for itching, scratching, dog dandruff, skin problems and many other pet health conditions.

Ask Ariel In The News!

This appeared in the OC Register today Sept. 14th:

Maryanne Dell: A couple of good things not to miss
September 11th, 2009, 2:12 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor
I love a good cause. If I can give some time or money knowing I’m helping improve the world, I’m all for it. And I’m especially for it if I get to learn something while I’m helping a worthy organization.
Two upcoming events do just what I’m talking about: Attendees get to learn something and help animals.
Sept. 26: Ask Ariel is sponsoring Natural Cures for Pets in Lake Forest. The session by Susan Blake Davis, a certified clinical nutritionist, and veterinarian David Gordon packs a lot into a short time.
Davis, owner of Ask Ariel, consults with clients and veterinarians about nutrition and holistic care for pets. Full disclosure: Gordon is my vet. I started seeing him in 2001, when my dog Taylor had been diagnosed with bone cancer and I wanted to do acupuncture.

Acupuncture proved to be an excellent complementary medicine to the chemotherapy Taylor underwent for his osteosarcoma; we would leave the oncologist’s office after one of his 24-hour chemo treatments and head straight to Gordon’s office, where 20 minutes of acupuncture would restore Taylor’s appetite and vitality.

I met Davis through her rescue, Ariel Rescue, and knew I had met a kindred spirit. We talk the same health language, a language I believe every pet owner needs to hear, about the benefits of a high-quality diet.
Natural Cures for Pets is a perfect introduction to holistic care. In addition to Davis’ information about the importance of nutrition, Gordon will discuss acupuncture and other alternative and complementary treatment procedures, such as chiropractic and stem-cell treatment, in which an animal’s stem cells are used to treat diseases such as arthritis.

You can contact Maryanne Dell via e-mail at ocrpets@earthlink.net
Cost is $15, a worthy investment in the health of your pets, and includes refreshments. It’s best to reserve a spot, so e-mail support@askariel.com
The event will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Gordon’s practice, VCA Arroyo Animal Hospital, 1 S. Pointe Drive, Lake Forest 92660. And, you’ll be doing good: 100 percent of the proceeds go to Ariel Rescue, which helps homeless animals throughout Southern California.More information: askariel.com.
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Dog Has Gas and Bloating

Q: My dog Lilly has gas and bloating. I can hear her tummy rumbling at night after she eats. Her stomach makes all kinds of noises and her tummy bloats up like a balloon. She is such a cute dog but can clear the room with her gas. I have tried switching her food and am using a food for sensitive stomach but it doesn't seem to help. Is there anything I can try? Liz in Wisconsin

A: Absolutely. When pets have rumbling noises in their tummy and gas and bloating, it is an indication of poor digestion. They can have digestive upset for a variety of reasons:
food allergies, being older in age and having less enzymes available to digest the food, food intolerance, poor quality of food. Since there are so many factors involved, it is optimal to speak with a veterinary professional. At AskAriel.com we do offer telephone consultations to help pet owners develop a custom diet that will work for Lilly. Each pet is different so there isn't a magic formula that works for everyone. Chicken is often a culprit for many pets however. Also, grains such as wheat, corn and barley can cause allergic reactions including inflammation in your dog's intestinal tract. For starters, you need to get Lilly on a hypoallergenic diet. Also, supplements such as Soothing Digestive Relief and Probiotic + Pet Colostrum will help greatly too.

Chronic UTIs and Dogs Licking Genital Area

Thank you so much for submitting a question to our blog. We welcome questions and are happy to help you.

Q: My female dog also licks her vaginal area a lot and barks likes she's in pain. I've taken her to the vet several times and they just tell me she has mild bladder infection. They give me an antibiotic and send me on my way. It might clear up for a little while but then it comes right back. These trips and medication get expensive. Any suggestions to clear this up? Types of dog food? I've heard of apple cider vinegar? Thanks in advance. -Joy
September 2, 2009 3:34 PM

Response: This is a common problem. When female dogs are licking at their genital area chronically, it is typically because they either have yeast overgrowth (just like human women!) or a urinary tract infection (UTI). Your veterinarian will give you antibiotics but many times, the infection just comes right back. This is because the bad bacteria grows back faster than the good bacteria. The good bacteria helps your pet's immune system to fight off infection. What can you do to improve your pet's immune system and get the infection under control?
1) Change diets--use a low carbohydrate diet such as a raw food diet
2) Use supplements to help rebalance the flora: Our Pet UTI Prevention Package includes a full spectrum of supplements to help your dog ward off UTIs for good including Pet UTI Prevention Formula (herbs to fight off UTIs), Power Probiotic, Notatum (boosts immune function and fights infection) and Amazing Omegas (reduces inflammation)
3) Reduce inflammation which is causing the infection to recur in the first place by avoiding key allergens such as wheat (found in dog biscuits) and peanut butter.

We have helped hundreds of pet owners get rid of UTIs for good! It is natural to feel discouraged but until you have tried the full low carbohydrate, hypoallergenic diet program along with the supplements, you won't see the results you are hoping for.

Daisy the Rescue Dog Loses 31 lbs! Amazing Dog Weight Loss Success!

This is an amazing dog weight loss success story. Pictured above are before and after pictures of Daisy, the Ariel Rescue wonder dog who has now gone from 118 pounds to 87 pounds! Look at the difference in coat quality and body frame. Karen, head Ariel Rescue volunteer is doing a terrific job helping her to get to her ideal weight of 80 pounds. In the top picture, Daisy is wearing her backpack which helps her lose weight on her twice-daily walks. Below is Daisy's original photo. Daisy was so obese she could hardly walk. She could hardly get up. Her coat was dull and she could hardly wear a collar because it would fall off her head--her neck was so big the collar would just fall right off. Her owners dumped her at the shelter after they fed her nonstop. Her nipples were hanging down practically to the ground because they bred her in this awful condition!

Now, Daisy has a sleek gorgeous coat using our Amazing Omegas fish oil and is able to walk for miles. Every day, Karen and Daisy walk first thing in the morning and at night. Karen has kept her on a strict diet and given her plenty of green vegetables to fill her up. Daisy is full of energy and happy to be alive. She will soon be at her ideal weight and will find a forever home who will love and cherish her.

Dogs and Cats with Anxiety and Emotional Issues

Sometimes dogs and cats can have physical health issues that are rooted in emotional issues and anxiety. For example, cats can get urinary tract infections from stress. They can act nervous around strangers, jumpy from different sounds, show fear of unusual things (e.g. slippery floors, elevators), chew obsessively on the same spot, urinate outside of the litter box or act aggressively. Sometimes there may be a physical cause for this such as a a thyroid imbalance or rash or infection. But, sometimes it is just emotional anxiety. If it is just an occassional issue such as going to the veterinarian's office, then you can try Rescue Remedy which is available at most stores. But, if you have a pet with a chronic history of showing these behaviors OR a rescue pet whose background where you have limited information, the first step is to take them to your veterinarian. Be sure you have ruled out any possible health issues. For example, one client recently told me about how her dog stood right in front of her and urinated on the floor. She interpreted this to mean some type of behavioral issue as the dog was young and going through training. But, I urged her to take her to the veterinarian and sure enough, she had a raging urinary tract infection. So....it is always best to check with your veterinarian first.


Once you have ruled out a health issue, you might want to try Psystabil. Psystabil (available on http://www.askariel.com/ helps to rebalance your pet's emotional state and can really, really help over time. It is not like giving your pet a valium where it works instantly. Over time though, you will see your pet show an inclination to doing some of the things they were previously anxious about and just seem more content. For example, we had a rescue dog Tessie who had been cruelly locked in her cage as a breeding dog for most of her life. She was terrified of most people and refused to go into fun places like pet stores. I started giving her Psystabil and after 1 bottle, she was going more places and just seemed so much happier. It is certainly worth a try!

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!!!!!