Woody - Kitty With IBD is Feeling Better!

Woody

"We are so thankful for the Ask Ariel products! Our Woody started the Power Probiotic and Soothing Digestive Relief enzyme on Dec. 1 and we are seeing such improvement. He was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease, but these products have really helped…….his appetite has returned, his coat has become shiny and fluffy again, he’s actually grooming again so we think he’s feeling better, he’s not hiding - sleeping like a baby on our bed again, and the diarrhea is gone and nicely formed “poops” have returned……..yeah!! Thank you !!!"
Sue Ellen- Arizona (2014)

Canine Brain Tumors: Signs To Watch For

A canine brain tumor is a mass inside your dogs cranial cavity, it may be cancerous or non cancerous. There are different levels of malignancy and depending on the level, the treatment options will vary.The mass may be the main tumor or possibly a secondary tumor, that has spread from another part of the body. Brain tumors are more common in older dogs (and cats too), but can also develop in younger pets. It is important to know the signs, depending on the location the symptoms may vary. 

Forebrain Symptoms-responsible for "thinking," behavior, and final integration of sensory information

• Behavioral abnormalities such as loss of learned behavior and depression
• Increased or decreased appetite and thirst
• Constant pacing or circling
• Decreased awareness and vision on one side of the body,
• Seizures

The Brainstem-regulation of motor function (the ability to walk), the level of wakefulness, and the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.   nerves that control movement of and sensation to the face, the eyes, the throat, larynx and tongue, and the muscles of mastication 

• Head tilt
• Leaning and falling to the side of the head tilt
• Drunken gait with loss of balance (ataxia)
• Circling to the side of the head tilt
• Involuntary flicking of the eyes (nystagmus)
• Loss of appetite and vomiting
• Abnormal eye position (strabismus)

The Cerebellum - The cerebellum controls coordination of movements and interacts closely with the vestibular system to control balance and posture. Signs of a tumor in the cerebellum include:

• Uncoordinated gait characterized by dramatic goosestepping (hypermetria)
• Head tremors that are worst when the animal is intent on something (i.e., food) but disappear when the animal is relaxed (intention tremors)
• Swaying of the trunk
• Wide based stance
• The animal's strength remains normal

How is a brain tumor diagnosed? 
If your pet is over five years of age and new neurological symptoms pop up, testing for a brain tumor should be performed. Testing will include a complete physical and neurological examination, routine blood work (to rule out other causes), CT or MRI (MRI will show more detail and is the first choice), possible surgery or biopsy to determine type of tumor.

Treatment and Prognosis
The options for treating brain tumors usually include surgical removal, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and palliative treatment of the symptoms or a combination. Alternative Holistic Care can also be an important part of your pet's care plan.  Holistic supplements that can help are:

• Happy Paws-  It is an easy to use natural supplement that is helpful for dogs and cats with anxiety, cancer, pain, mobility issues, seizures and stress. Just a few drops of this anti-inflammatory hemp extract CBD oil reduces muscular nerve pain and inflammation.
• Dog Brain Booster- Provides vital support to the brain with ingredients such as acetyl l-carnitine and phosphatidyl serine, scientifically proven to support brain health.  This leading brain support supplement can help reduce and prevent dog seizures, help dogs with dementia, brain tumors and other brain disorders.
• Amazing Omegas-Omega -3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain

We must stress that most brain tumors can be treated but not cured.  The goal should be to maintain and extend, for as long as possible,  a good quality of life for your pet.  From our experience, pets that use the supplements along with their treatment regimens have a much better outcome.

Top Gift List for Your Pet This Holiday Season

JACK GUEZ/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

MUSIC:  Music that is tailored especially for the senses of pets. It can be used to calm pets during home alone time, thunderstorms, travel and training sessions

FASHION: How cool is your pet? Fashion remains a big category for pets.  Whether your dog  needs  a cashmere sweater or a  motorcycle helmet, it can be found. Fashion can be fun and a practical gift during the cold winter months.

DOG MONITORING SYSTEM: The mobile health monitoring trend for people is moving on to our pets. These systems attach to your pets collar and tracks your pet’s health and activity. They can then be viewed on your computer or smartphone to help you track their trends and help alert you to changes.

HOLIDAY TREATS: We all enjoy treats during the holiday season and we want to indulge our pets too. There are many good options for tasty, healthy treats.  Please check the ingredients in treats and focus primarily on feeding freeze dried protein snacks such as freeze dried wild salmon.  Many "healthy" looking treats contain problematic ingredients such as molasses and grains---both of which can give a pet a yeast infection.  The last thing you want to do this season is run to the vet. Here is an article on what to watch for 5 Treats That Can Make Your Pet Sick!

MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION:  There are companies that specialize in monthly gift services for your pet. They come in a variety of themes (food, toys, fashion and more), which vary in price and content.  The boxes are shipped to your home monthly.. What a great way to spoil your pet all year.

BOOKS:  Of course your pet cannot read them, but there is a wide range of new books out this season that can help you understand your pet's personality and needs, which can improve their quality of life. The options are unbelievable--from training resources  to cookbooks and everything in between. 

LUXURY DOG BEDS and PILLOWS: Dogs sleep on average 13 hours a day (although much of it is in the form of naps) why not indulge your pet with a special comfy place just for them.  

Most of all, give your pets lots of love and good health.  Supplements such as Amazing Omegas and Power Probiotic found on www.AskAriel.com will ensure your pet will live life to the fullest!

Is Tartar Making Your Pet Sick?

What is Tartar Accumulation?
Tartar, or calculus, is the advanced form of dental plaque. It is the result of a long and continuous accumulation of plaque that has been allowed to remain on and in between teeth. There are many  factors that lead to the accumulation of tartar including: age, health status, breed, oral hygiene, diet and mouth environment.

It is important to treat and control tartar accumulation for two very important reasons:
• to maintain the health of teeth and gums
• to guard against infection spreading to other parts of the body

If the plaque is not removed, it may start to combine with the saliva and begin to mineralize, into tartar, in just 3-5 days. If left untreated the tartar can cause the gums to become inflamed and red, pockets may form between the gums and the teeth and it can allow bacteria to grow, which could lead to tooth loss, bone loss and wide spread infection. 

However, good oral hygiene may not be enough to help your pet. Because saliva plays a role in tartar development, and the more acid in the saliva, the more rapid the build-up of plaque, stomach acids need to be managed. This is where diet and holistic supplementation can help. Feeding your pet a diet specifically designed to reduce the amount of plaque and tartar build up can help.  Raw frozen diets provide optimal nutrition for pets and can help with tartar accumulation.  The raw meat and bones will help to control the tartar by acting as a  gentle dental abrasive and the raw meat contains natural enzymes, that helps digestion and reduces acid.  The addition of holistic supplements such as; Power Probiotics, K9 Digestive, Lypozyme (for cats) and Gastro ULC, will further aid digestion will add another level of protection. 

Here are symptoms to watch for:

• Persistent bad breath
• Gums that bleed easily
• Sensitivity around the mouth
• Pawing at the mouth
• Gums that are inflamed (red),or receding
• Loose or missing teeth
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach or intestinal upsets
• Drooling
• Difficulty chewing or eating
• Irritability or depression

With Thanks To All Who Serve Our Country on Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day and a time to remember all of the men, women and canines who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. 

Have You Walked Your Dog Today?

A new study from the University of Liverpool has recommended that the well-being of both  pets and their owners can benefit from education and pet-friendly facilities. During the study, it was found that an estimated 40 percent of dog owners do not walk their pets, which could be a contributing factor to dog obesity. Canine obesity can have the same serious health consequences as people (diabetes, heart disease and joint issues). It is also believed, obese owners may be more likely to have obese dogs, perhaps because they are less likely to exercise their dog, or less able to recognise obesity. The study found the two main reasons people were not walking their dogs were: not being informed on how much was needed and having limited access to dog friendly areas. Walking is a great form of exercise and can be beneficial for you and your pet.

Here are the findings from the study 

• People who did not have access to high quality areas that support dog walking (dog parks that allow dogs off leash and provide waste disposal facilities, for example), were much less likely to walk with their dog. People were just more motivated to walk when the area was more conducive. 
• Many pet owners did not have the knowledge of how much exercise their pet really needed (150 minutes of physical activity a week is recommended) , or the the health benefits that could be obtained from walking your furry friend.  A coordinated effort to educate pet owners could have a great impact, the study showed that those that were aware, were much more likely to walk their dogs.
• The stronger the dog-owner bond,  the more likely they were to take them on regular walks.
• Anxiety over their pet's behavior also had an impact on how often people would take their pets out. Training your pet to be a good citizen is always important, but it could also lessen this fear and make it a fun time for all.

Ear Infections in Cats

Although, ear infections are much more common in dogs than in cats, cats can get them too.  (If you have a dog that is getting chronic ear infections, yeast and allergies are typically the cause.)  Some of the signs that could indicate your cat has an ear infection include:

• Scratching or pawing at their ear 
• Shaking or tilting of the head in the direction of the painful ear
• Black or yellowish discharge
• Redness or swelling of the ear flap or ear canal
• Waxy buildup on or near the ear canal
• Discharge from the ear that resembles coffee grounds (a symptom of ear mites)
• Strong odor
• Hearing loss
• Loss of balance or disorientation 

Natural Treatments For Cats with Ear Infections

The first step is to determine the underlying cause of the ear infection.   If your vet determines that your cat has ear mites or a yeast or bacterial infection, these can be treated with anti-parasitic, anti-fungals or antibiotics, as appropriate. These all come in ointment or ear drop form. However, since ear infections can frequently return, it's important to use a natural, holistic approach to support your cat's immune system.  Using a few natural remedies along with diet changes can help prevent ear infections from returning and build a strong immune system.

         Home Remedies For Cats With Ear Infections

• Power Probiotic- essential for your pet's good health. Supports digestion, helps fight infection and enhances overall immunity.  Very important if your cat has taken any antibiotics.

                                                     

                                                                   Immune Support Kit

Immune Support Kit - Contains three tasteless liquid formulas:  Silver Immune Support, NotaSAN and QuentaSAN drops.  These three remedies can provide fast relief for your cat's stomatitis and are easy to administer.  Save on the package price when you buy all three natural remedies together.  

• Silver Immune Support For Pets--  Silver Immune Support is an all-natural, easy to use remedy to help your pet recover from a bacterial infection or viral flare-up.
• NotaSAN Drops Natural homeopathic formula that fights infections. First line of defense for infections in cats. Can be used safely long-term to prevent recurrences. 
• QuentaSAN Drops- Excellent for fighting infections, viruses, and immune support.  Use along with the NotaSAN on alternating nights for best results.

Diet Changes Can Help
A change in diet can also make a big difference as allergies and yeast can weaken a cat's immune system. Avoid dry food as the high carbohydrate content can contribute to yeast overgrowth.  Please include your cat's diet on the order form at checkout.  The AskAriel nutritionist will include a diet suggestion on the packing slip that comes with the product directions.

What causes ear infections in cats?

Parasites: The ear mite, Otodectes cynotis, is a common cause of ear problems, especially in kittens. 
Allergies: Allergies, either to food or environmental, may have ear problems.  It actually can be one of the first signs of a pet's allergies.  Allergies can also lead to secondary infections with bacteria or yeast. Treating the allergies is key to ending a cycle of allergy induced ear infections.
Bacteria and Yeast:  Under normal conditions, your cat has a good defense system to keep the ear healthy. However, if the ear environment changes due to allergies, hormone abnormalities, or moisture, the bacteria and yeast  can grow quickly, bacteria and yeast love to grow in warm, dark places.  
Ear Conditions: Wax buildup in the ear canal and thick hair in the ear canal
Foreign Bodies:  Especially if you have a cat who goes outside, be sure to routinely check their ears for foreign objects.
Trauma: Injury or self-inflicted trauma to the ear (from scratching ) can lead to infections.
Hormonal Abnormalities and Other Health Conditions: Deficiencies or excesses of various hormones can result in skin and ear problems, as will immune system disorders.

There are many reasons cats can get ear infections. A holistic approach using a few immune support supplements along with a diet change can help your cat feel much better.