The Benefits Of Dandelion Greens For Pets

Did you know that those pesky dandelion flowers that turn into white puffballs have leaves that are a superfood for pets? Dandelion leaves support liver health and good digestion. Organic dandelion leaves are sold in grocery and health food stores. Dandelion leaves contain vitamins A, B, C, D and K as well as protein, phosphorus, zinc, iron, calcium, manganese, potassium, and antioxidants. They also contain inulin, a prebiotic that helps to feed the good bacteria in your pet’s gut.

Dandelion leaves support bile flow and are a liver detoxifier, making them especially beneficial for pets with elevated liver enzymes. They are also a natural diuretic, helping to move toxins and waste products through the liver and kidneys. When introducing dandelion leaves to your pet, use a very small amount. For cats and small dogs, use ¼ leaf chopped up and mixed into food. Large dogs can have 1 -2 leaves chopped up. If you feed too much, your pet could get an upset stomach.  Use only organic leaves purchased at a store as natural leaves could contain harsh chemicals and pesticides. For more information on Liver Disease click here. 

Supplements For Pillow Paw That Really Work!

Eddie

"This is Eddie showing off his lovely paw. He has been taking Power Probiotics and Immune Harmony since he had a terrible reaction to vaccinations which apparently made his immune system go haywire. He initially had a high prolonged fever and was on pain medication, fever reducer, and antibiotics. I started giving him Symbio Quent and Symbio Not and within a week the fever was gone. Then he developed pillow paw and winky eye and could barely walk so we started the Power Probiotics and Immune Harmony and again within the week his eyes were clear and paws back to normal. He’s a very special boy. He was found as a kitten injured and on the center stripe of a lonely two-lane blacktop. He’s been with me now for close to 10 years and thankfully back to his healthy and charming self. Thanks so much!"

Melinda -TX

Don't Wait To Start Until Your Pet Is Sick To Start A Holistic Regimen

Wondering whether holistic treatments work for pets? Don't wait until your cat or dog shows signs of "old age" or illness to begin a holistic regimen. Start them early with better nutrition (vegetables and omegas in their diet), increased exercise and natural supplements with antioxidants. By being proactive, you can help prevent future problems and improve their overall quality of life. For example, waiting until pets are limping to start them on joint support will not yield nearly the same results as if you started them when they were active and mobile. Start early for better results and a happier, healthier pet! For more pet nutrition tips, please visit AskAriel.com

In Memory Of Our Special Friend Sprocket

It is with a heavy heart we share that beautiful Sprocket, the darling Pomeranian of Mimi and Randy from New Mexico, has crossed the rainbow bridge.  Mimi and Randy have taken amazing care of Sprocket who lived to be 17 years old.  17 is very old for any dog but for a dog with the health issues she faced--it is simply miraculous. Sprocket was diagnosed with hepatic microvascular dysplasia at age 4 and over the course of her life, had some additional health challenges.  The fact Sprocket lived such a wonderful, high quality life shows the type of care adorable Sprocket was given.

Here is what Mimi and Randy shared about Sprocket's last days: 

"We got Sprocket out for a car ride and mall walk on the 28^th, things she loved, and she was alert and engaged. Did not walk much, and was carried mostly, but she was hanging in there with more energy we’d seen the last few weeks. On the 29^th, she was pretty tired and seemed a bit out of it. We let her be for most of the day. That evening when we came back from dinner, she had crossed over the rainbow bridge..".

Sprocket 

Mimi and Randy are incredibly dedicated pet owners who fed Sprocket a special diet and also used Ask Ariel's supplements to keep Sprocket healthy and strong. Sprocket took the following supplements: Power Probiotic, Kidney Health (as well as another liver support supplement from the vet), Purrfect Pet CoQ10 50 mg and Amazing Omegas. As she got older and started limping, they started her on Curcumin for Pets, Arthrosoothe and Ultra-Flex for her collapsing trachea. She also used Resveratrol for Dogs.

We at Ask Ariel understand how hard it is to lose a beloved pet and send our sincerest condolensces to Randy and Mimi during this very difficult time.  Beautiful Sprocket will live forever in our hearts.  

2022 New Year's Resolutions For Your Pets

It’s Not Too Late… For 2022 New Year's Resolutions for Your Pet

Ask Ariel is passionate about pet nutrition and holistic care.  It is our goal to provide you with valuable pet nutrition information and effective natural supplements to keep your pets happy and healthy. 

Here are a few simple resolutions for your pet's good health.

1) Diet - Are you feeding your pets the right food? Review your pet’s current diet. Foods could be contributing to your pet's health issues (i.e. digestive issues, skin problems or autoimmune disease).  

2) Exercise- Is your pet getting enough exercise? Try to add an extra walk for your dog or addiitonal playtime for your kitty. It's good for you and your pet!

3) Vet visit - Has your pet had a recent vet checkup and dental exam? A visit to the vet can be stressful and expensive.  But, making that visit happen can end up saving you money because vet bills tend to be less the sooner a condition is diagnosed and certainly it's much better for your pet.  

Spend more time with your pet. Time flies and they never live as long as we want them to. Take just a few extra moments every day to hug them, kiss them and thank them for all the wonderful joy they bring into your life and your home.  

Set a goal to make 2022 the best year yet for your pet! At Ask Ariel, we want to do all we can to support you in achieving these healthy New Year's Resolutions.  

 

Why Do Vets Use Ultrasounds For Pets?

 

What Is An Ultrasound? Why Do Vets Use Them?

Pets can’t tell us what they are feeling or where it hurts. It can be challenging to diagnose certain health conditions in cats and dogs. Lab work can only provide so much information and imaging may be necessary for an accurate diagnosis. X-rays are a mainstay of veterinary practices, as they are fairly inexpensive and quick. An ultrasound examination is the second most common form of imaging in a veterinary setting. This non-invasive technique can provide a 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional moving picture of your pet’s internal organs.

Why would a vet need an ultrasound? Pets with chronic digestive problems, abnormal bloodwork, or masses found during physical exams are great candidates for ultrasounds. An ultrasound can help a vet to get a much clearer picture of your pet's internal organs than with an x-ray. It is also very useful in determining changes to the organs and in detecting cysts and tumors. Ultrasound waves are completely safe. A narrow beam of high-frequency sound waves is passed from the probe through the body and creates echoes that convert to an image on the screen. The main downside is that most pets will need to be shaved in the area where the ultrasound probe is used. That is usually the pet's belly.

Many veterinary hospitals have portable ultrasound machines. The procedure is more costly than x-rays, but can provide invaluable information about what is going on inside your cat or dog. Here are just a few of the reasons why your vet may suggest an ultrasound:

• Lack of appetite

• Unexplained weight loss

• Chronic digestive problems (vomiting, diarrhea, constipation)

• Fluid in the chest and/or abdomen

• Abnormal results of blood work or x-rays

• A mass detected during a physical exam

An ultrasound is generally recommended when x-rays alone do not provide enough information. The procedure can help to provide a quicker and definitive diagnosis, which means that your cat or dog can get the right treatment sooner.

For more pet health tips, please visit AskAriel.com

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.