PET FIRST AID TIPS

April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month and a great time to refresh and update your animal safety plans. Our pets are surrounded by household hazards, that can lead to accidental injury, choking on a toy, or ingesting something toxic.  If an accident happens, being prepared, and knowing what to do in the initial moments, can make a big difference in the outcome.  

HEAT STROKE
Heat stroke is a common problem pets face in the warmer weather. You should remember that the inside of a car can quickly reach 120 degrees, and not leave an animals in the car, even during short trips.   I'm sure you have felt the anguish of walking by a car where the windows are barely open and a dog is crying or barking in the car.

The signs of heat stroke include:

• heavy panting
• unable to calm down 
• gums may be brick red 
• fast pulse rate
• pet may have difficulty walking or standing

If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, call your veterinarian immediately.  Heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage so getting the pet to an emergency clinic is crucial.  If not near a veterinary facility, call the vet and try to cool your pet down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose or placing cold wet towels on your pet.

INJURY
During warmer weather, we all tend to leave doors and windows open, which if heights are involved, can be hazardous to a pet. The pet could fall from a window or run outside of your home and get hit by a vehicle. If you find an injured animal, it is important to use caution:

• Animals in pain can be aggressive--if possible, muzzle the pet and try to keep them calm
• Clean the area, to determine the extent of the injury   
• Apply bandage to stop bleeding 
• Transport, to the nearest veterinarian, using a board or blanket to lift the animal. (use extreme caution to protect their spine)

POISONOUS SUBSTANCES
Plants, flowers, candy containing XYLITOL, chocolate and other foods can be hazardous. Visit the ASPCA Poison Control web site to find out which plants and flowers are poisonous to animals. If you think your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance,  please contact your veterinarian immediately.

CHOKING
If your pet’s airway is completely obstructed by an object, there will be no time to go to the veterinarian for help—you need to take immediate action. Here are the recommended steps from PetMD.com

1. Use both hands to open the mouth, with one hand on the upper jaw and the other on the lower.
2. Grasping the jaws, press the lips over the dog’s teeth so that they are between the teeth and your fingers.
3. Look inside the mouth and remove the obstruction with your fingers.
4. If you can’t move the object with your fingers, use a flat spoon handle to pry it away from the teeth or roof of the mouth.

EMERGENCIES AND YOUR PET
Don’t forget to include pets in planning for emergencies in your home or neighborhood, which could be a fire, flood, hurricane or earthquake. Most Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns. Know which friends, relatives, hotels, or boarding facilities will accept pets in an emergency. In case of an emergency, it is important to have the following for your pet: 

• Assemble an easy-to-carry kit with emergency supplies for pets: Leashes, harnesses and/or carriers
• Food, drinking water, bowls, manual can opener
• Medications and copies of medical records
• Current photos of the pets (in case you get separated)

Natural Brain Supplements Help Labrador with Epilepsy

"To all of you at Ask Ariel,
Thank you for the amazing supplements you provide. We see a tremendous improvement in the lives of all our cats and dogs! They have more energy and are far healthier. Subsequently we spend a lot less time at the veterinary office.  With your supplements we are looking forward to having our babies with us for many more years! The picture attached is of my Lab mix Julie.  Just shy of her 3rd birthday, she was diagnosed with epilepsy. The day after the test came back we went online to email you guys about her condition. We bought everything that was recommended and a year later we've been seizure free and have seen a remarkable improvement in her attitude and energy  She is taking her NeuroFlam, Dog Brain Booster, Purrfect Pet CoQ10,  Curcumin,  EFA oils, and probiotics daily.  She is only 3 years old and is the sweetest girl! Thank you for giving me many more healthy years with her!"

Malena and Julie Santos

Best Pals Bella and Juno Need A Home

Juno

Bella

Best pals, Bella and Juno, found each other when they came to Siberian Husky Haven on L.A. They keep each other company, bunk together and play all day. They would love to find a forever home together. If you could open your heart to two lovable dogs, this is the pair to consider.  They have already bonded with each other, which will  help make the transition to a new home all the easier.   These two adorable dogs would be a perfect fit for a working family.  Huskies are cuddly, friendly dogs that are loving and affectionate with children.   For adoption information, please contact  HUSKY HAVEN of L.A.   

Husky Haven of LA:  661-266-9779   Email:  huskyhavenofla@hotmail.com

Shaving Double Coated Dogs: Reasons Why Not To Shave Your Dog

Sometimes pet owners may shave their dog in the summer thinking it will make them cooler.   Contrary to popular belief, dogs DO NOT have a large network of sweat glands designed to regulate the body temperature during hot weather (they only have them on the pads of their feet). Most of their cooling takes place through panting.  However, there may be serious consequences from shaving your dog.  Which dogs are most at risk for having problems with shaving? Double coated dogs.  A double coated dog is any dog with an outer coat and a soft undercoat.  The soft undercoat is what sheds.  These two coats grow independently of one another and to different lengths.  The outer coat is longer, and tends to grow slower.  The undercoat is shorter and grows faster, and also turns over, or sheds, twice a year.  Some examples of dogs with double coats are German Shepherds , Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, and Siberian Huskies.

You should consider not shaving these double coated dogs as they have sensitive skin.  Skin can become irritated from razor burn and it is much more likely to be sunburned.  The thick hair protects their skin from the sun and also bug bites. Also, the undercoat provides insulation in the winter and cools the dog in the summer.  Shaved dogs get more sun exposure and are more prone to getting skin cancer.  Also, if they have dry or skin issues already, you are just compounding the problem.

Shaving does NOT make dogs shed less. Your double coated dogs will shed their under coat twice a year, and shaving them does not prevent this from happening. It can also cause permanent damage to the dog's coat. There is no outer coat to protect the under coat and it will become brittle and break off. Also, the under coat is dull and dense and not visually appealing. Instead of having your dog shaved to get rid of unwanted hair, having the dog professionally groomed on a schedule will remove all the dead undercoat.  Use Amazing Omegas fish oil to reduce shedding. 

Times Have Changed for Veternarian Care

In previous times, a veterinarian was more or less expected to do it all. This still holds true in many areas where specialty care is not readily available. What has changed is the increased availability of specialists, more and more speciality clinics are opening and the Internet has given you a world of information and specialist at your fingertips. It is important to remember that you must do your due diligence and make sure your sources of help are of the highest quality. Don't just believe everything you read! 

There are so many great veterinarians and many may really be "good at it all", but most realize their strengths and weakness. Just as in human medicine, they understand when to allow a specialist to step in and help your pet. Respect and cooperation between referring veterinarian and specialist is key to the smooth and effective handling of your pet’s care. This is especially true since specialists are typically brought on to address only one area of concern, but will refer you back to your own veterinarian for routine care or when the situation is finally resolved.

We at AskAriel.com  specialize in Holistic Pet Care and Nutrition services. Our nutritionist, Susan Blake Davis, provides expert advice about how holistic pet care can improve the health of your pet and can be used successfully along with conventional veterinary care. Based in Orange County, California, Ask Ariel offers holistic pet care and veterinary services for dogs and cats, including natural pet supplements and pet nutritional counseling. Our holistic pet care advice is backed by scientific research and our natural pet medications and supplements are third-party tested to guarantee the purity and effectiveness of the ingredients.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)," a veterinary specialist is a veterinarian who has completed additional training in a specific area of veterinary medicine and has passed an examination that evaluates their knowledge and skills in that specialty area." The most common area of specialist veterinarian medicine include:

• Behavior: veterinarians with additional training in animal behavior 
• Dentistry: veterinarians who perform procedures on animals' teeth 
• Dermatology: veterinarians who study diseases and conditions of the skin 
• Emergency and Critical Care: the "ER docs" and intensive care specialists 
• Cardiology: the study of diseases and conditions of the heart and circulatory system 
• Neurology: the study of diseases of the brain, spinal cord and other parts of the nervous system Oncology: the study of tumors and cancer Microbiology: veterinarians who study viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc. 
• Holistic Care and Nutrition: veterinarians working to make sure that animals' diets meet their body's needs for nutrients 
• Oncology: specialist who deals with the treatment of cancer 
• Ophthalmology: veterinarians studying diseases and conditions of the eye 
• Radiology: veterinarians who focus on the study of x-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography (often called CAT scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and other imaging procedures that allow us to see "inside" an animal's body 
• Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation: veterinarians who focus on returning animals to normal function after injury, lameness, illness or surgery 
• Orthopedics: these surgeons focus on bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, etc. of the body's skeletal system 

To find a specialist in your area visit myveterinarian.com

Pumpkin is a Miracle Food For Cats and Dogs

Pumpkin a Miracle Food

If your cat or dog has any type of digestive problems or has an occasional loose stool or constipation, a small amount of pure canned pumpkin (not raw or the sugary, spicy pie filling) mixed into the food can really help. Pumpkin is high in fiber and helps regulate the natural wave action of the intestinal tract. It is also a good source of natural Vitamin A and antioxidants.  Too much pumpkin can have a laxative effect,  but a couple of teaspoons a day for little pups, or a couple of tablespoons for big boys, should keep them right on track.

Two Reasons to Add Pumpkin to Your Pet's Diet

1.  Digestive Health: It can  help dogs and cats with indigestion or upset stomachs and can aid dogs and cats with both constipation and diarrhea as it helps to promote the natural wave action of the intestines.
2. Weight Loss:  Due to the high fiber content, their tummy will feel full longer, and they might even thank you for the additional flavor.

Donations Desperately Needed For Rescue Dog

Rescue Dog Needs Your Help

This is Kiara, a senior dog that never managed to get a stable home---in/out of shelters her whole life.  Rhonda Hallden of Husky Haven of LA www.huskyhavenofla.org rescued her from euthanasia at a high kill shelter in the hopes of finding someone who might adopt this senior girl. Well....Kiara finally had her chance but the woman decided within a few hours that it wasn't a "good fit" AFTER she managed to accidentally step on Kiara's tail causing the poor dog to fall down a flight of stairs.  She  immediately returned an injured Kiara the following day.  Rhonda fortunately found a sweet elderly couple Janet and Mac,  (who have a tripod special needs dog Maddie adopted from Rhonda) who offered to nurse Kiara back to health temporarily.  Ask Ariel provided supplements and we got acuscope treatments (a wonderful physical therapy---please see picture of Kiara with Gina Goulde giving her acuscope therapy) which helped her immensely.  

Then, Janet  fell and broke her hip......but in spite of it all, the elderly couple were determined to continue to foster Kiara because she and Maddie (their tripod dog) were becoming good companions.   By the time Janet was able to get home and walk again, Kiara's health declined considerably.  Kiara was no longer able to walk and could not get up on her own (had to use a towel to help her stand).   Mac uses a walker and is unable to walk either of the dogs although both Janet and Mac sure do shower them with love and attention.

It has taken a "village" (volunteers, donations, time and energy) to get Kiara up and walking, but thanks to diet, acuscope therapy and a few supplements such as  Special SAMe,  Kiara has made a big comeback.  She is going on slow walks and gaining mobility. But donations are desperately needed to continue her special care.   

Please donate
This is a very tough situation and Husky Haven really needs donations. A donation in any amount will help!   Husky Haven of LA is a 501 (c)(3) public charity and donations can be made directly on the website www.huskyhavenofla.org or mailed to: AskAriel P.O. Box 723 Dana Point, CA 92629 (and we will forward to Husky Haven).  Husky Haven of LA's founder is Rhonda Hallden who has dedicated her life to serving animals and the community.

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