Monday, October 10, 2011

Labratory Tests (Blood and Urine) Are Essential to Pet Health

Have you brought your pet into the veterinarian for an annual check-up? Plan ahead before the holiday rush and bring your pet in for annual blood and laboratory tests as well as a complete health and dental exam. A visit to the vet is not just for vaccinations. Also, be sure to request a fecal exam too. Many pets can have worms, parasites and giardia without symptoms. These are highly contagious to other pets.

Before the holidays come upon us, be sure to have your pet completely checked out. Disease sets in long before you see the symptoms. For example, kidney disease doesn't even show up as abnormal on your pet's blood test (values are Creatitine, BUN and phosphorous) until your pet has lost 75% kidney function. Discovering problems at their initial stages is the key to keeping your pets happy and healthy. Be proactive about your pet's good health. Early detection of common health problems such as elevated liver enzymes, kidney disease, and diabetes will help ensure you will have lots of extra time to spend with your beloved pet.
Thursday, October 6, 2011

Warning Signs: When To Take Your Cat or Dog To the Veterinarian

Dr. David Gordon, Holistic Veterinarian
VCA Arroyo Animal Hospital
Lake Forest, CA





Many times a phone call to the veterinarian is all that is needed. However, these warning signs warrant an immediate visit. If your cat or dog shows any of the following, please take your pet to the veterinarian right away.

· Any eye trauma

· Blood in urine or stool

· Vomiting or diarrhea--more than 1 instance

· Pet is lethargic, listless

· Insect bites (a small bite can cause a severe reaction)

· Limping

· Swollen stomach

· Punctures and abrasions (fur can hide a much deeper wound)

· Snake bites

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Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Puppy with Demodex Mange Gets New "Leash" on Life






















Annie was in big trouble. She was at the Orange County Animal Care Center, which is a high-kill shelter in Orange, California. Annie was being kept in isolation because she had tested positive for Demodectic Mange. All dogs have demodectic mange, but their healthy immune systems keep it under control.

Annie's immune system was compromised because of the stress of having to survive on the streets. She was four months old when she was brought to the shelter. The shelter had her listed as a male, and they had named her "Comet". She was not up for adoption to the general public. She had fur loss on her face and on her front legs.

Ariel Rescue saw that she needed our help! An Ariel Rescue volunteer was allowed to visit with "him". The kennel attendant had been told not to touch the dog and only to let the Ariel Rescue volunteer go into the kennel to visit with "him". The volunteer saw that "Comet" was just a sweet puppy, so the volunteer went to adopt "him". The volunteer was told that "Comet" could not stay at the shelter to be neutered; "he" had to be removed from the shelter immediately.

The volunteer took "Comet" to the vet to be examined. Imagine the volunteer's surprise when they found out that "Comet" was a female! New name -- "Annie". The vet said that they should wait a few weeks before Annie could be spayed, to give Annie's immune system a chance to improve.

Meanwhile Annie was being fostered by an Ariel Rescue volunteer. Annie was given very healthy food to eat. Susan Davis, the nutritionist of AskAriel.com, recommended that Annie be given the supplements Amazing Omegas, Power Probiotic and NotaSAN capsules, to help boost her immune system and get her skin and coat back into good condition.

What a difference a month makes! Annie's skin and coat have improved dramatically. Annie was able to be spayed and she bounced back nicely from the surgery. Annie, now named Lexi, got to go to her "forever home"! Instead of her life being in danger at the high-kill shelter, she is now safe, completely healthly and most of all, well-loved, living with her new "brother", and her new mom. Lexi is now the happy little puppy that she deserves to be!


Thursday, September 22, 2011

Question about Dog With Chronic Kidney Failure

Q: My 10 year old dog has, in the last couple of months been diagnosed with chronic kidney failure. Her last two blood tests showed very high platelet counts and the vets do not seem to know why this is. Can you throw any light on this please?

A: Thank you for taking the time to submit a question on our blog. So sorry to hear your dog was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure. Dr. Gordon reviewed your question but needed to see your dog's complete blood results and medical history before he could make an opinion about this. There could be other issues going on beyond kidney disease and he would need to evaluate your pet in a much more comprehensive way. Dr. David Gordon is a holistic veterinarian who is available by telephone consultation through www.AskAriel.com

One blood disorder that is quite common to see in dogs with chronic kidney failure (CRF) is anemia. This can occur very slowly over time as the kidneys start to decline. For anemia in cats and dogs, we recommend our pet anemia package This package has been very helpful for pets with a variety of blood disorders, helps overall health and would be worth considering.
Sunday, September 11, 2011

Are You Unknowingly Giving Your Pet Antibiotics?

Are you using a Tear-Stain Product that contains antibiotics? You may not even realize that you are! Do not resort to tear-stain eliminators such as Angel's Eyes. What most pet owners don't realize when using products like this is that you are giving your pet a DAILY DOSE OF ANTIBIOTICS unknowingly. Angel's eyes and other similar products contain cattle antibiotics. Long-term use of antibiotics can have many serious consequences, not to mention, perpetuating the tear stain problem by causing yeast overgrowth and further reducing your dog's immune system.

It is essential to use Power Probiotic for your dog to help your pet feel better. Power Probiotic contains Lactoferrin. Lactoferrin has been shown to be a natural antibacterial agent and is found in tears.

Many light colored dogs develop tear stains under the eye. Breeds such as maltese , poodles and chihuahas may have their beautiful faces discolored with unsightly dark stains below the eyes. Even large pets such as yellow labradors may have dark brown stains under the eyes. Tear stains are not just cosmetic and may be a health concern that you need to address. You can eliminate tear stains naturally by doing the following.......

First, be sure to check with your veterinarian! Some dogs have a genetic predisposition and could be born with an abnormality in tear ducts or have developed blocked tear ducts. Be sure there isn't some type of structural defect, infection or inflammation. If your veterinarian rules out these conditions, then the next step is to address the problem from a natural standpoint: change the diet and add a few supplements to enhance your pet's skin and coat.

Many times pets have excessive tear staining due to allergies (food & environmental), digestive problems, yeast and/or poor diet. They generally have other conditions that accompany the tear stains such as bad breath, gas, tummy gurgling, loose stools or vomiting. These are all signs of poor digestion and a problem with the pet's food. Be sure you are using a grain-free diet---no grains such as oats, corn, wheat, gluten as these can be potential allergens for your pet. Some protein sources such as poultry can be a problem too. Watch those treats---many contain "hidden" allergens such as peanut butter or sugary carbohydrates such as molasses which promote yeast and bacteria overgrowth.

Power Probiotic is the first line of defense for tear stains and good digestive health. Power Probiotic is a 3rd party tested, multi-strain powerful immune booster that is very easy to administer to cats and dogs. Simply open the capsule of this tasteless formula and sprinkle on your pet's food. Even some of the pickiest cats have tolerated this on their food. Power Probiotic contains Lactoferrin. Lactoferrin has been shown to be a natural antibacterial agent and is found in tears. In addition, if your dog has any digestive issues, use a digestive enzyme such as Soothing Digestive Relief or Lypozyme. This will help the bad breath and digestive problems.

Treatment For The Eyes Using an all-natural product to gently cleanse the area underneath the idea will help cosmetically. Argentyn drops are a highly purified colloidal silver that can be put directly in the eye (for a few weeks) and/or given daily as a natural source of antibacterial support.

Allergies? Finally, if your dog has any signs of paw licking, genital licking, ear infections, allergies, it is important to use some basic allergy support supplements. AllerEase, Pet Allergy and Skin Package or K9 Yeast Defense (works best to use a combination) will help.


Click here to view Ask Ariel's Allergies, Skin and Coat Products


Saturday, September 10, 2011

Supplements For Cat With Kidney Cysts

Q: In May of this year we lost our almost 10year old Persian, Pebbles to kidney failure from polycystic kidney disease which neither of the breeders informed us about this disease. I had our other 2 Persians tested yesterday by ultrasound of their kidneys. Our other female Hershey came back clean but our male Mr. Snickers (chocolate point) has cysts on his left kidney only. Can I still use the Kidney Terrain for him even though he is not in kidney failure to help slow down the process? Sincerely, Iris

A: Dear Iris: This is a great question. Yes, it would be a really good idea to get your kitty started on some kidney support now before he is in kidney failure. The supplements help the kidneys to function better and are not medications. Thus, they are beneficial and provide nutrition and support which may help slow down the process. Here are some suggestions:

Kidney Terrain--provides vitamins and support for the kidneys

Renelix--http://askariel.com/product_details.asp?ItemID=48 Would highly recommend this product because it helps to clear toxins from the kidneys. Many clients use in conjunction with the Kidney Terrain

Power Probiotic---http://askariel.com/product_details.asp?ItemID=81 Easy to administer, just sprinkle on food. The Power Probiotic is very important for ALL pets, but especially pets with weak kidney function or liver function. It helps to repopulate good flora and keep toxins moving---this is fabulous product and well tolerated by cats.

So, yes, it is a good idea to try to help your cat now. It is not a good idea to wait until disease sets in as the body is in a much weaker state. Holistic care takes time and the more time you can help your pet, the better.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Adorable Puppy with Demodex Mange Can Be Helped with Supplements


Adorable Annie was saved on her last day at the high-kill shelter. Annie is a playful, friendly, four month old Labrador Retriever mix diagnosed with demodectic mange. Because of the mange, no one wanted to adopt Annie out of the shelter. Annie was on her last day when Ariel Rescue saved her.
Poor Annie has patches of fur missing around her eyes and muzzle. Demodex mange affects young puppies that have compromised immune systems. We are using Amazing Omegas, Immunitone Plus, Power Probiotic and Notatum to help Annie, along with a nutritious diet. These supplements have been very helpful in treating other dogs that had demodex mange. Soon we will have Annie healthy and we can have her spayed. Then she will be ready to be adopted and she can find her forever home. Please visit our facebook page: www.facebook.com/askariel. We will keep you posted on her progress.

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