Resveratrol For Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs

Revised:  3/10/2024

Dogs can suffer from back pain just like we do.  Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) in dogs is when the cushioning “shock absorber” discs between the vertebrae in a dog's spinal column rupture or degenerate. IVDD has a higher incidence in  breeds like Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels and French Bulldogs.  IVDD can cause back pain, loss of limb function and in severe cases, paralysis.  IVDD can occur suddenly due to injury or trauma or it can progress more gradully, particularly in older dogs.

Along with conventional treatments such as medications, restricted activity and physical therapy, natural supplements can help dogs with IVDD.  In particular,  scientific studies have shown the benefits of resveratrol for cartilage and discs.   Resveratrol was shown to have protective benefits in the degeneration of cartilage in the knees (1).  Then scientists tested resveratrol on IVDD to see what benefits it could provide.  Their research study found that resveratrol helped slow the progression of IVD degeneration (2) and had potential for the repair and regeneration of  discs as well. 

Where can you find resveratrol for dogs and what should you look for when choosing a brand?  Ask Ariel’s Resveratrol For Dogs is made with Trans-Resveratrol from Japanese Knotweed, an antioxidant that combined with quercetin has a synergistic anti-inflammatory effect. Inflammation affects joint and spinal conditions, including IVDD. By reducing inflammation, this supplement can help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with IVDD.

What should you look for when choosing a brand of resveratrol for dogs? Look first for the source of resveratrol to ensure it is from Japanese knotweed rather than red wine.  Be sure the brand shows third-party testing.  GMP (good manufacturing practices) certification ensures that the resveratrol supplement meets quality standards and is free of contaminants. Check the additional ingredients and be sure the product is free of unnecessary fillers.  Finally check the dosage as some products may offer very little dosage for the price.   

(1) Elmali N, Baysal O, Harma A, et al. Effects of resveratrol in inflammatory arthritis. Inflammation. 2007;30:1–6. [PubMed]

(2) The Action of Resveratrol, a Phytoestrogen Found in Grapes, on the Intervertebral Disc. Spine. November 15, 2008 - Volume 33 - Issue 24 - p 2586-2595. Li, Xin, MD, PhD; Phillips, Frank M., MD; An, Howard S., MD; et al.

Author:  Susan Blake Davis, Pet Health Nutritionist

Originally Published 8/16/2020

Revised and Updated: 3/10/2024

Cat Stomatitis Holistic Treatments Success Story

Many of you might recall the adorably photogenic kitty Pumpkin who suffers from stomatitis, an autoimmune condition. Pumpkin has been using Ask Ariel products for 2 years. His mom, Cassandra, takes amazing care of him and recently sent us this update. Cat stomatitis holistic treatments really works!

"Thank you so much for everything. The love of my life, Pumpkin, would NOT be here today if it wasn't for you (and he is literally everything to me). He is now 9 1/2 years old, and still going strong. He STILL has not had to go to the vet once (aside from routine dental etc) and has had NO flare ups." Pumpkin uses the Immune Support Kit, Immune Harmony and  Power Probiotic.

Immune Support Kit

Contains three tasteless, natural remedies. NotaSAN, QuentaSAN and Silver Immune. These three remedies deliver fast relief for your pet's autoimmune symptoms and chronic viral infections and are easy to administer.  They help modulate and support your pet's natural immune response rather than overstimulating it the way many supplements can. These three liquid drops can be mixed into a little bit of soupy food making it easier to administer.

Help Your Pet Lose Weight With The Right Foods

. We live in a world where more and more pets are suffering from obesity. Overweight pets can have serious health consequences. It can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and joint problems to name a few. There are many weight management pet foods on the market to help your pet lose weight, but they contain fillers that provide no nutritional benefit to your pet and could potentially cause health issues. Some of the most common fillers in reduced calorie brands are rice hulls, soybean hulls, beet pulp and peanut hulls. If your pet has a sensitive digestive tract these ingredients can be very problematic. Moreover they are often low in protein and high in carbohydrates making pets hungrier. Finally they frequently contain grains which are pro-inflammatory and can make your pet itchy. Before feeding reduced calorie cat or dog food, review the ingredients. 

Here is just one example of some of the first few ingredients in a brand-name reduced calorie dog food:

Ground Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal (Source of Chondroitin Sulfate and Glucosamine), Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Chicken, Dried Beet Pulp.....

Instead, you can help your pet lose weight by feeding your pet a high quality, high-protein food mixed with nutrient rich sources of natural fiber such as green vegetables and pumpkin. Feeding several times a day will also help to regulate your pet's blood sugar.  Many pets love these low-calorie options. Before choosing a "diet" food, ask these questions: Is the ingredient safe for my pet and is it nutritious for my pet?

For more tips on how to help your pet lose weight, please click here. 

What's Really In Your Pet's Food?

Cute, clever marketing campaigns can make low quality pet food seem very appealing but don’t be fooled! Many contain carbohydrate fillers, chemicals, by-products and a long list of unsavory ingredients. Chemicals (nitrites, sodium tripolyphosphate, erythorbic acid) are preservatives added to extend shelf life not to give your pet the best nutrition! What’s a pet owner to do? Read the labels and look for fresh ingredients. If you can't pronounce it and wouldn't eat it, chances are that it may not be good for your cat or dog. To learn more about the best foods to choose and ingredients to avoid, please visit our Pet Nutrition Center, a library of pet health articles and diet tips for cats and dogs on AskAriel.com by clicking here

Holistic Cat Hyperthyroid And Kidney Disease Treatment Helps Senior Kitty

Case Study:   Cat With Kidney Disease, Hyperthyroidism And High Blood Pressure

We wanted to share with you a case study to show the benefits of using holistic care for these interrelated health issues.  Miss Sadie is a 14 year old senior kitty that suffers from hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure and kidney disease. Often these three cat health issues occur concurrently in senior cats.

Feline Hyperthyrodism is when the thyroid becomes overactive and produces too much thryoid hormone. It is the most common hormonal disorder found in cats-most often in older females.  The cat will often be losing weight, but have an increased appetite. The cat may also be anxious and have a racing heart rate.  Blood pressure can rise and cause blood to pass too quickly through the kidneys which can result in kidney disease.

Kidney Disease is quite common with senior pets, and is especially common with pets suffering with feline Hyperthyrodism. Key functions of the kidneys are to filter out toxins in the blood and help regulate blood pressure. It also produces the hormone that stimulates red-blood-cells. When kidney function is decreased and toxins build up, pets can have serious health conquences. 

Miss Sadie used: Power Probiotic, Not Drops, Quent Drops  and Kidney Health to help address her Hyperthyrodism and Kidney Disease. Her diet was also changed to a reduced protein kidney-friendly diet, but was complicated due to food allergies. Ask Ariel provided diet suggestions using a novel protein,  avoiding allergens such as grains, poultry and fish (which is also high in phosphorous and can negatively impact kidney function).  Miss Sadie's Mom Allyn reported that using the holistic supplements and diet change has resulted in “…Her quality of life improved so much and that’s what it’s all about."   For more information on treating Kidney Disease click here.

Fluid Therapy Can Be A Life Saver for Cats And Dogs With Kidney Disease

Kidney disease affects many senior pets, especially cats. The kidneys remove waste from the bloodstream and regulate fluids in your pet’s body. If  your pet has kidney disease and the kidneys are not able to function as well as they should, toxins build up in the bloodstream making your pet feel nauseated and sick--a condition known as uremia. 

Using fluid therapy is a way to help restore good hydration and supplement a pet's kidney function, removing waste products from the bloodstream. Each pet will have a different fluid therapy protocol based on their health needs.  Fluids can be given at your veterinarian’s office or many pet owners can learn (from their vet) to give them in their own home saving a trip to the vet. 

The two most common types of fluid therapies are: 

Intravenous fluids (IV fluids) which are given at the veterinary office and are injected directly into a vein (usually on the front paw) using a catheter 

Subcutaneous (SubQ) fluid administration is when the fluid is injected under the skin and is absorbed into the bloodstream and the body slowly over time (can be done at home or in your veterinarian's office). 

Kidney disease can include a number of challenging symptoms including: Increased thrist and urine production, decreased appetite, vomiting and diarrhea to name a few, but there are many other signs and many can occur simutaneously.  Diet changes and natural supplements can help.  For more detailed information on the signs and how to treat Kidney Disease holistically please  click here . 

Beware It's Rattlesnake Season

They’re baaaaacck. Spring and summer, when temperatures are between 80-90 degrees are the most active times for rattlesnakes. It also coincides with more people being active in the great outdoors after the cold winter months. Generally, rattlesnakes will strike for two primary reasons: 1) to subdue their prey for food and 2.) to protect themselves. Dogs are 20x more likely to get bitten by snakes than people. Keep your dogs on a leash and stay on the marked trail so that if you come upon a rattlesnake you can quickly back away. Please keep your dogs safe this summer!

Signs that a rattlesnake is sensing an imminent threat:

1.) Will rattle their tails
2.) Will coil tightly to prepare for striking
3.) Will lunge forward at a high rate of speed to strike (distance can be up to half their body length)

If you or your pet is bitten by a rattlesnake it is imperative that you seek medical attention immediately.