Sunday, April 10, 2016

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Dog Receives Highest Honors


Lucca, a retired U.S. Marine Corps dog, was honored with the The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) “Dickin Medal” during a ceremony in London. It is considered the highest honor that can be given to an animal for military service in the world. Lucca completed more than 400 explosive-sniffing missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and had no human casualties during any of her missions. However, she suffered the loss of one of her legs from a homemade bomb in Afghanistan in 2012. After her recovery,  she has retired and now Lucca resides with her handler at Camp Pendleton in California.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/u-s-marines-dog-lucca-receives-pdsa-dickin-medal-after-n550786
Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Natural Canine Cushings Disease Treatment Helps Standard Poodle

Max

Max is a 12 year old Standard Poodle with Canine Cushing's Disease (hyperadrenocortism).  In this condition, the adrenal glands overproduce a hormone called cortisol resulting in symptoms such as panting, excess water consumption, increased appetite, bloated belly, hair and skin problems and a weakened immune system.  The Ask Ariel Canine Cushings Support supplement helps to reduce overall cortisol levels, thereby improving the dog's symptoms of Cushings Disease.

We are greatly appreciative that Max's family shared his success so that other pet owners know there is hope for this challenging health condition.

 "Max has been using the Canine Cushings Support formula for 4 months with good results.  Max's appetite has gone from voracious, always hungry to pretty normal.  His thirst was almost unquenchable, drank so much water!  We are so happy we found a remedy to help him with his Cushing's Disease."

 D. Franke, Wisconsin

 

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

House of Representatives Introduces PAWS Bill to Help Veterans


Cole and Kaya
On Wednesday, March 16th , Representative Ron DeSantis (R- Fl) introduced Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act (PAWS).  This pilot program would give trained service dogs to veterans that have severe levels of PTSD and are under the care of a VA primary care doctor or mental health professional. It would authorize the VA to spend up to $27,000 per dog to obtain them from an accredited organization and covered under the VA health insurance plan (pet care insurance).
Rep. DeSantis stated “Thousands of our post-9/11 veterans carry the invisible burden of post-traumatic stress, and there is an overwhelming need to expand the available treatment options,” and “The VA should use every tool at their disposal to support and treat our veterans, including the specialized care offered by service dogs.”  A strong supporter of the bill is Corporal Cole Lyle, a six year Marine Corps veteran who currently has Kaya, a service dog, to help him battle PTSD. He stated that Kaya “helps him overcome the struggles of PTSD on a daily basis”. 
Studies have shown that service dogs can lessen anxiety/stress and reduce the need of medications in those suffering from PTSD. The PAWS Act would allocate $10 million to fund the pilot program. 
Monday, March 21, 2016

Happy Tail: Dog Lost at Sea Reunited with Owner

Luna-waiting to be reunited with her owner

On February 10, 2016, Nick Haworth was out fishing with his trusty companion, a one year old German Shepherd named Luna, when she fell off the boat into the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California.  He contacted the authorities and told them she was a strong swimmer and would be heading toward land. The closest land was a Navy facility on San Clemente Island (2 miles away). The Navy aided in the search to no avail and Luna was presumed lost at sea. Haworth posted on his Facebook page "RIP Luna, you will be greatly missed.”  

That all changed on Tuesday, March 15th, five weeks after being lost, when Luna showed up with tail wagging to greet the navy crew as they showed up for work.  She did not miss a step and jumped right in the car when they whistled for her. After being examined, it was determined that Luna was uninjured, but a bit malnourished (a diet of small rodents seemed to help her survive). Haworth was out of town when he first received the news, but they were reunited on Thursday when he returned. What a happy ending to the story!
Thursday, February 25, 2016

Warning: Tea Tree Oil May Be Toxic To Pets



Many people use Tea Tree Oil as a natural treatment for skin problems such as cuts, burns, rashes, yeast and bacterial infections.  The oil can be found in a variety of human products such as soaps, toothpaste and skin creams.   Tea Tree oil has a smell like camphor and is touted for its bactericidal and fungicidal properties.

In small concentrations (.1% to 1%), tea tree oil is tolerated and safe for cats and dogs.   Thus,  it is found in many pet shampoos and sprays.  But, what most pet owners don't realize is that in anything but the tiniest, most dilute dose, tea tree oil is actually toxic for pets and can result in death.  If taken orally, Tea Tree Oil is toxic but even application of 100 percent essential tea tree oil in high enough amounts, has the potential to cause liver failure and death.

Unfortunately, the oil's popularity has resulted in larger numbers of households with bottles of 100 percent tree tea oil, and accidental ingestion or improper dilutions of this highly concentrated oil can be harmful to pets.  Most pet owners that use the oil assume  it is a safer alternative than using medications.

Tea tree oil contains chemicals called terpenes that work effectively against bacteria and fungi.   However, terpenes are rapidly absorbed whether taken orally or applied on the skin. This means that if a pet owner topically applied  concentrated oil to a pet's skin, it could result in the same toxicity as accidental oral ingestion. Given the tendency of pets to groom, especially cats,  the toxicity risk of topical applications is very dangerous. Symptoms follow within a few hours after exposure.  If you have accidentally applied this to your pet, please contact your veterinarian immediately and try to wash the oil off the skin right away. 

Symptoms of toxicity vary depending on the dose of  Tea Tree Oil that the pet was exposed to.  Drooling or vomiting can occur with mild doses of the oil.  More serious symptoms include tremors, seizures,  difficulty walking, symptoms of liver failure.  If your pet displays these signs, please don't hesitate to take your pet immediately to an emergency veterinary clinic.  While tea tree oil pet products tout their benefits, the products may not contain enough to make them worthwhile or worth the risk of overexposure.  It's unfortunate that this wonderful natural supplement for humans is quite problematic for pets.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

How Safe Is Your Pet in Your Car?




How safe is your pet while traveling in your car? The Center for Pet Safety, a nonprofit watchdog group found many (25 out of 29) pet restraining systems to fail in a recent crash test. The failure is not only unsafe and dangerous for your pet, but can also increase the risk to you and your family in the event the pet becomes a projectile and hinders the driver to react to the situation. The products do not fall under the Consumer Products Safety Commission and lack regulations or products standards, so do your research and find the best restraint system for your pet and vehicle type.   Definitely do not drive with your pet on your lap for your safety and your pet's.
Sunday, January 24, 2016

Prepare Your Pet for the Winter Storms


With the major winter storms, it is important to make sure your pet is protected.  It is not just the fear of hypothermia to worry about, but also chapped paws and itchy skin caused by cold, snow and rain. Remember if it is too cold for you it is too cold for your pet.  

Here are some things to think about:
  •  Keep your home humidified.
  • Never shave down your dog in winter and consider a coat or sweater for short haired dogs.
  • Be sure to wash and dry paws after walks to remove ice, salt and snow melt chemicals. Wearing booties and/or applying petroleum jelly to paws can help too.
  • Do not bathe your pet too often in winter; as it may remove essential oils and cause dry skin.
  • Pet’s burn extra calories when exposed to the cold, so feed them accordingly.
  • Provide a warm spot to rest, away from cold drafts and consider adding a cozy blanket.
  • During the cold winter months, do not leave your pet unattended outdoors (or in a parked car), pets can become disoriented and get lost.
 Adding Ask Ariel’s Amazing Omegas for Pets to your pet’s diet can help battle cold-induced dry, flakey, itchy skin.