Do You Have A Finicky Pet?

 

Have you tried raw freeze-dried food or toppers? Most pets love the taste and they can be a life-saver if your pet is not feeling well or is a finicky eater. It can be really frustrating (and expensive) when we try to feed our pets and they don’t want to eat.

Raw freeze-dried treats and toppers provide a powerhouse of nutrition in a very condensed form. This makes them a great solution, especially for the pet who just “takes a few bites”. They come in a variety of flavors and textures. While poultry and beef are common flavors, there are plenty of hypoallergenic options. Pictured around the sides of the bowl are toppers: turkey, elk with venison, salmon and rabbit. In the center are raw rabbit freeze-dried nuggets.

Beware Of Toxic Hazards In Your Garage

It’s busy and you don’t have time right now, but yet it’s so important. When is the last time you looked through your garage for toxic hazards? Many items in the garage can be hazardous to pets. Please be sure to keep these common items out of reach from your cats and dogs: Fertilizer, Antifreeze, Automotive Products, Cleaners, Pesticides (especially rat poison), Glue. During the holidays, we are distracted and this is when your pets get into trouble.

Many years ago when Legend was a pup, we discovered he had knocked a small container of fertilizer off the shelf (it was in a container that was shaped like a tomato so it looked and smelled like food). Luckily we heard the racket and there he was about to lick up the fertilizer off the floor. (We also had to bring him in to ER for ingestion of a xylitol muffin and rat poison at someone’s house.) He was tall as a person, a curious pup and enjoyed rummaging through the shelves! When did these incidents occur? When we had company, during the holidays or when we had important family health matters and weren’t watching his every move.

The holidays are a busy time! Take a few minutes to just make sure that dangerous items in your garage are out of your pet’s reach. Pets are strangely attracted to the smells and will eat them. If you think your pet has ingested anything, don’t wait. Please contact your vet or pet poison control helpline right away. Every second counts.

International Day Of Veterinary Medicine

 

Today is International Day of Veterinary Medicine, a day to recognize the valuable contributions of veterinary professionals worldwide. The first veterinary school was opened in France in 1762. For hundreds of years, veterinarians have been caring for animals as well as doing significant research to further advance their health and welfare. There are different kinds of veterinarians ranging from those that treat small companion animals to livestock and exotics as well as those who work in research and specialty fields.

Pictured is Legend's holistic veterinarian Dr. David Gordon (with his yorkie Chauncey) from Arch Beach Veterinary Clinic who works tirelessly to help keep Legend and all of his patients healthy. AskAriel would like to thank all of the veterinary professionals across the world who are helping to make the lives of animals better! 

Watch For Unusual Behaviors In Your Pet

Have you noticed any unusual behavior in your pet? Pets instinctively hide their pain. We all know that when a pet is limping or throwing up, that there is something wrong. But many times, pets display more subtle, unusual behaviors making it hard for pet owners to know they are sick. One unusual behavior is called a “plantigrade stance” in cats. This is when a cat walks flat-footed on their rear paws. Normally a cat's hocks are vertical. The most common (not exclusive) causes are diabetic neuropathy or a tendon injury. Both are serious conditions that need veterinary treatment. Other unusual behaviors pets may display are pacing, panting, sitting in a prayer position (downward dog) or hiding to name a few. When we are busy, especially during the holidays, these subtle signs are so easy to miss. Try to be a pet detective, watching out for unusual pet behaviors. No matter how busy, contact your veterinarian just to be sure your pet is ok.

Legend Our Cancer Warrior

Cancer warrior Legend proudly displays his Torigen immunotherapy banner. It is almost 3 months since Legend’s cancer returned and we are so grateful for every day we have with him. 3 months in a 14 year old big dog’s life is an unbelievable gift. Immunotherapy is one of the cancer treatments we have used to help Legend stay strong. We are so thankful to Dr. Gordon at Arch Beach Veterinary Clinic for suggesting this treatment. It involves taking a portion of your dog’s tumor, sending it to Torigen Pharmaceuticals who creates a natural vaccine. The vaccine helps the dog’s body to recognize and attack the cancer cells. Legend wants to thank all of you for the love, concern and kind wishes you have sent to him

How To Natural Treat Your Pet's Pain

Did you know that pets instinctively hide their pain? This makes it hard for pet owners to know that their pet is not feeling well or uncomfortable. Sometimes a pet may appear outwardly to be excited (e.g pacing, panting) when in fact they are communicating that they are in pain. Watch for any unusual behavior like holding up a paw, reluctance to get up, hiding, uncharacteristic aggression, lethargy, licking an area, or lack of interest in playing. While humans vocalize their discomfort, in pets the signs are much more subtle. In fact, pet owners may often perceive the pet as being disobedient. One example: our Legend will often not sit on command. What we discovered is that if it was soft grass or carpet, he would immediately comply but not on a hard floor or cement as it would hurt his hips due to hip dysplasia. It’s important to watch for and recognize these subtle signs of pain and bring your pet to a veterinarian quickly for a diagnosis. Happy Paws organic hemp extract is a natural pain reliever that cats and dogs can take daily to ease their discomfort. The drops are convenient to use and can also promote relaxation to ease your pet’s discomfort.

What Helped Brindle's Collapsed Trachea?

 

With thanks to Lisa and Brindle for sharing their awesome recovery story:

"When I took my dog to the vet recently for a bad cough they diagnosed him with a collapsing trachea. They said all they could do was " keep him comfortable ". They prescribed a strong opiate which I didn't even fill the prescription for. I found you online, and after about 4 days of taking the Ultra-Flex Collagen his cough was 50% improved! I couldn't believe it! Now after a couple of weeks, his cough is GONE! Mind you, prior to taking your supplement it was so bad that I was preparing to have him put down. I can't thank you enough and, needless to say, I will never be without this! Thank you so much and God bless ".