Keep Your Pet Moving This Winter

 

No matter what time of year, your pet needs exercise and their joints can take a pounding as they run, jump and play. For some pets, at different times in their lives, these activities can cause joint pain. This can be especially true during the cold winter months, although it is important to keep them moving to keep their joints lubricated. The pain may stem from injury, normal wear and tear, genetic conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia, cancer, or arthritis. 

 

Often the signs your pet is in pain may be very subtle and easily missed. It is important to try to observe your pet’s behavior regularly, as early intervention can be the key to keeping them moving and pain-free.

 

Signs to Watch for:

 

Limping- it perhaps is the most common and often the first sign your pet is in pain. You may see your pet hesitate to sit down and/or get up favoring one or more limbs.

Reluctance to Move- Pets will often hesitate to engage in activities if they feel pain, even if the activity is one in which they once enjoyed.  They may not want to climb up to their favorite spot or climb up the stairs.

Increased Fatigue- Pain can zap your pet’s energy and they may become tired more easily.

Licking, Chewing, and/or Biting a Specific Area-  Pets may often lick and chew  creating skin irritation in an area that hurts them.  This is their way to attempt to “heal” the area and get some relief from pain.

Increased Irritability- A pet may not be able to tolerate being touched in a certain area. This sensitivity (due to the pain) can cause them (even if usually very easy-going) to become more aggressive to people and other pets.  

Please be sure to bring your pet to the veterinarian if your pet is displaying any of these signs to determine the cause.

 

What to do:

Depending upon the test results, your veterinarian will advise you on the best course of action. Sometimes surgical repair is the best option. For older pets, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications are usually prescribed. These medications should be used sparingly, however, as over time, they can impact liver and kidney function.

Supplements Help Silver Persian Cat With Kidney Disease

"Meet Sophie a 4 lb ball of awesomeness. Sophie is a 7 yr old Silver Persian cat with kidney disease. She seemed to be doing fine, living her best life with a don’t care attitude until one night she had a series of seizures, needless to say we were quite scared watching this happen. We got her in the vet first thing in the morning and she was diagnosed with late stage 3 early stage 4 kidney disease, we were devastated. We took her in for a second opinion, same diagnosis. Now it was time to understand what this meant to our family and how to help Soph with her quality of life. That is when I found Ask Ariel, while not a silver bullet it was a homeopathic approach to help our girl out. It was exactly what we needed, we started using the Renelix, Kidney Health, Omega 3 and Power Probiotic products along with a transition to a 100% wet food diet and within 2 weeks we had our “OLD” Sophie back, that is when we realized that we did not truly understand how long she had been fighting this problem. At her 6 week follow-up she seemed to have settled into a late stage 2 to early stage 3 level of kidney disease, while Kidney Disease is not curable, I really believe that these products are help our girl get back to living her best life. 3 months later she is maintaining weight, has a very healthy appetite, tons energy, sparkling blue eyes and most of all back to being her awesome self."

Craig-AZ

Pets Have Anxiety Especially Around The Holidays! Here's How You Can Help Them

 

Did you know? Dogs and cats can experience holiday anxiety just like people do? Cats and dogs are creatures of habit. Some pets may just naturally be more skittish, while others may have difficulty with changes to their routine that often occurs during the holiday season. Simple changes in your work schedule or bringing a guest to the house can affect some sensitive pets. Some breeds may be more genetically inclined to need a companion and have difficulty being alone. Rescued animals may have endured hardships before they came into our lives and may have developed fearful behaviors as a result. Regardless of the reason, anxiety and stress can affect your pet’s health, so it’s important to do all you can to help them feel safe and comfortable.  Ask Ariel offers several calming supplements for dogs and cats with anxiety.   (PSY-Stabil) along with Happy Paws Drops and a consistent routine (e.g. regular feeding and exercise times) can greatly improve your pet’s quality of life and keep them calm during the holidays. 

What Is The Difference Between IV vs. SubQ Fluid Therapy For Pets?

Many pet owners what the difference is between IV fluid therapy vs subcutaneous fluid therapy (subq therapy).  Fluid therapy helps because when pets have kidney disease, their kidneys are not able to flush out toxins as efficiently as they did before.  Veterinarians often recommend fluid therapy to keep the pet hydrated and help the kidneys flush out toxins.  This can be done through IV fluids or subcutaneous fluids (under the skin).

At your veterinarian's office, IV Fluids are administered by injecting the fluid directly into your pet's vein.  IV fluid therapy can bring fast relief and help pets feel better quickly.  IV fluid therapy can be  stressful for pets and expensive.  Thus, an alternative is to do subcutaneous fluid therapy at home.  

While that might sound scary, many pet owners (even those afraid of needles) can be easily trained by their veterinarian's office.  It might be a little awkard at first, but most pets, even skittish cats, will relax if you are relaxed as well.   Pets generally feel much better after fluid therapy and will often eat and play once they have been hydrated.   To learn more about the pros and cons of IV fluid therapy vs Subcutaneous fluid therapy for your dog or cat's kidney disease, please click here. 

Ask Ariel Annual Halloween Toy Contest Going On NOW-- Still Time To Enter And Vote!

                     

                    

We have had some fabulous entries in this year's Halloween Toy contest. We would love to feature your pet too! There is still time to enter. 

Visit our Facebook page to enter. 

Ask Ariel’s Annual Halloween Toy Contest is going on NOW - No Purchase Necessary!

Please join the fun and enter your pet in our Halloween Toy Contest! It's easy!
Prizes: 1 Grand Prize Winners (valued at over $150) plus 4 Halloween Toy Winners
Here is how to enter to win:

1) Post A Photo of Your Pet (s) on Ask Ariel's Facebook page

2) Include a comment about how any of our products, newsletter, or nutrition information has helped your special pet(s)

3) Be sure to vote for your favorites and ask your family and friends to visit our Facebook page and vote too. 

3) Email us at support@askariel.com so we can contact you if you win!

Enter between now and Friday, October 29th, 9 am Pacific Time when the contest ends. Winners will be announced Friday, October 29th at 12:00 pm PT.

Contest Qualifications: Winners must be 21 years of age and a US resident. In order to qualify, the photo must include a comment about how Ask Ariel's products, newsletter, or nutrition information have helped your pet and only one entry per household. 

This contest is not endorsed, sponsored, or administered by Facebook.
 

Orange Vegetables For Pets

 

The autumn harvest brings an abundance of orange vegetables and fruits. Did you know that orange foods are beneficial for cats and dogs? Orange foods such as pumpkin, sweet potatoes, yams, butternut squash and carrots are a natural source of potassium, fiber, Vitamin C and beta carotene. The fiber in pumpkin can help regulate loose stool or constipation. Carrots contain lutein, a flavonoid that supports eye health. When adding any new veggies to your pet’s diet, it’s best to start slowly with just a small piece initially.

Can dogs eat squash? Can dogs eat sweet potatoes? Yes, they can and they provide valuable prebiotic fibers to their diet. There are health benefits that these orange-hued foods can offer to our beloved pets. Pumpkin, a seasonal favorite, not only adds a festive touch to their meals but also provides a rich source of fiber that aids in maintaining digestive health. The soluble fiber in pumpkin helps absorb excess water in the digestive tract, regulating bowel movements and addressing issues such as diarrhea or constipation in cats and dogs. Additionally, the beta carotene found in orange vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots is converted into essential Vitamin A, supporting overall immune function and promoting healthy skin and coat. Integrating these nutritious, orange foods into your pet's diet not only adds variety but also contributes to their well-being.

Picture Of Collapsed Trachea In Dogs

What does collapsed trachea look like? Many small pets have collapsed trachea and their owners want to get a better understanding about what this condition looks like. An image of collapsed trachea can help.  Tracheal collapse is a progressive condition that affects small breed dogs, like the Yorkie, Toy Poodle, Maltese, Pomeranian, Chihuahua, Pug and Shih Tzu. It can cause coughing, gagging and respiratory problems. In the picture of tracheal collapse, you can see the trachea (tube for air) runs beside the esophagus (food tube). The trachea has rings of cartilage that help keep it open. As the rings weaken and start to collapse, the air tube becomes flatter. This makes it harder for dogs to breathe normally. Excitement, stress and digestive upset can make the symptoms worse. Natural supplements from Ask Ariel can help to strengthen the tracheal rings and diet changes can help reduce inflammation.