Snap the Perfect Picture of Your Pet

With the summer months coming to a close,  be sure to enjoy the last few weeks of nice weather and longer days. It is the perfect time to take advantage of the opportunity to make a lasting memory with your pet; a “perfect” picture. Here are a few tips to help you capture the moment.

• First and foremost, you know your pet best, (and what makes them special) focus on capturing that uniqueness.  Is it a special trick, place, or look in his eye? If it’s their laid back, lazy personality, catch them just chilling out.
• Find an environment that they are comfortable in with natural daylight (a flash may spook some pets). Playing with them beforehand can also help them relax (bonus: a panting dog also looks like they are smiling)
• Try approaching them for the most candid shots, do not call them or make them come to you. However, if you want to capture the element of “surprise” rattle a toy behind the camera or make a strange sound and it will look like they are looking directly into the camera.
• Take as many shots as quickly as possible! Try different angles, for example; going down to their level to get their “perspective”.
• Most importantly, HAVE PATIENCE! If you wait long enough, your pet will relax, and you will have the opportunity to click that great picture.

Enjoy the weather and your pet!  

Best Probiotic For Pets

Dexter

A healthy balance of gut bacteria is vital to the welfare of your pet.  For cats and dogs, the digestive tract is the most important (and largest) immune organ in their body.  A proper ratio of good-to-bad bacteria is essential to insure their immune system is working properly.  If the good bacteria balance is upset, it can result in a multitude of digestive disorders, which if left untreated, could lead to a more serious illness.

The fine balance of good-to bad bacteria can be effected by both physical and emotional stressors. Physical stressors can include; poor diet, illness and/or medications such as steroids and antibiotics, or chronic digestive issues (such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease). Emotional stressors can be anything that upsets the normal routine or your cat (travel or change in living situations).

 Power Probiotics for Pets is a multi-strain formula, 3rd party tested for purity and is guaranteed to survive your pet's stomach acid.  The friendly bacteria organisms in this product will help correct any bacterial imbalance and help healthy cells to thrive in the gastrointestinal tract. It can help with improving digestion and detoxification. It can also help your pet fight infections, with overall immune system support.

Here's what Dexter's Mom had to say about the Power Probiotic:

“I want to thank you for the Power Probiotic. This product is amazing! Dexter (my black 6-month old Toy Poodle) slept awesome last night! Better than he has in weeks! I forgot to give him his usual Probiotic pill at 10pm last night. Well, he got up and walked around a little at 2:45am and seemed a little uncomfortable, so I got up and gave him a 1/2 capsule of Power Probiotic and we went back to bed and I didn't hear a peep out of him until 7:00am. No stomach gurgling, no burping, no nasal congestion, no incessant scratching, no more pacing the floor...Yay! This was the 4th night of Power Probiotic, so I really think they are helping. Thank you so much for creating this product and for really caring about our babies!!”

Cheryl Smith, Orange County, CA  

Natural Supplements and Diet Change Helps Stomatitis

Max and Sasha

Here is a wonderful success story from our client Angie. The products she uses to help her kitties, Max and Sasha,  with stomatitis are Power Probiotic for Pets, Colostrom for Pets, Immune Harmony, and Quentans.

"Back in 2010, I adopted 2 kitties from an elderly gentleman who had been on the news. The news story said that Animal Control was going to come in and take all the old man's kitties and euthanize them if no one stepped forth to adopt them (supposedly because he had too many living in the city limits - a neighbor who didn't like him or the cats had complained and turned him in).

They were all so friendly! They acted like I visited the house all the time! So it was quite difficult for me to make my selections. I finally settled on this huge one - a domestic shorthair - that looked like a miniature black panther. I named him Max. He was lean and silky, so regal, and looked like he could be a formidable foe to anything threatening him. Next I selected his sister, a shy dainty puff ball of black fur... pure princess to every degree. So she became known as Sasha.

We all lived in bliss until I had to take a work detail overseas for a month. I was forced to leave my babies behind in the care of a veterinary hospital for boarding until I returned. The cats were "different" it seemed when we returned home. Max wasn't as zealous and playful and Sasha was just totally terrified of everything! I took them to their regular vet and that's when I found out that Max was suffering from a severe case of stomatitis and Sasha's case was mild. For almost a year, Max suffered through rounds of antibiotic and steroid shots trying to calm his symptoms just so he'd be able to eat. He got so skinny and was so miserable, I didn't know what else to do.

I began to scour the internet on alternative therapies and tried everything from switching food to switching litter. Finally a couple of years ago, I ran across the AskAriel site. And amazingly, there was a section all about stomatitis. I read everything I could find about it and even read about the other different conditions house pets can contract. The answers were reasonable so I placed my first order for some of the Power Probiotic. I also received a food recommendation from Ask Ariel that I was able to find in my local pet store. Over the next few months I continued to "fine-tune" Max's specific needs. Ask Ariel gave me recommendations about foods to avoid that would make the stomatitis worse.  In June of 2014, I took Max and Sasha to the vet one last time to have their teeth thoroughly cleaned, and Max received his steroid and antibiotic shots. After that, we started daily treatments with the supplements and recommended diet.  In June 2015, we visited the vet for the first time since the cleaning (for a different condition) and  she was thoroughly impressed and said she didn't see anything unusual... no redness, no sores, no buildup on the teeth or anything! She couldn't believe I was only feeding them wet food (not the dry her office had originally recommended) and nothing else.  

Anyway, I now have two of the happiest kitties on the planet! They are both in the elderly stage now with a few grey whiskers and a few strands of grey hair here and there coming out of their beautiful black coats, but Max loves playing the "baby" (even though he's the eldest)...Sasha has finally gotten over her fears as well. She loves to be picked up, but differently than Max. When she approaches you, she'll just sit there and wait, looking at you. When you reach down to pick her up she'll throw her little arms up in the air like a toddler begging. Then you'll have to pick her up and put her on your hip where she then likes to ride with her arms around your neck as she nuzzles your face.

Yes, I know it's a long success story but *my* kitties are extraordinary.

Thanks for coming up with such amazing products!"

-Angie (with Max & Sasha)

Zachary, LA

Stella & Chewy's Recall of Poultry Freeze-Dried Patties

This week, it was reported  that a great pet food company Stella & Chewys has issued a voluntary recall of some of their foods as a safety precaution.  Unfortunately, these things can happen to even the best companies. The list contains mostly poultry versions, which due to the high occurrence of allergies in dogs, we do not generally recommend. We still think using Stella and Chewy’s rabbit and/or venison verisons are a great healthy option for pets. For the safety of you and your pet, always use safe handling procedures. Wash your hands well before and after handling the food, and disinfect the preparation area and dishes/ utensils. 

Here is their press release with the lots being recalled:

Stella & Chewy’s is voluntarily recalling some of its products due to concerns of a possible presence of Listeria Monocytogenes. The recall was prompted by a positive test confirming Listeria monocytogenes in Chewy’s Chicken Freeze-Dried Dinner Patties for Dogs, 15 ounce, Lot #111–15, during routine surveillance testing by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. There have been no reported pet or human illnesses associated with this recall.

Listeria is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Retailers and consumers can find the full product recall list at http://www.stellaandchewys.com/stella-chewys-recall-notice/. Consumers should look at the lot numbers and UPC codes printed on the bag to determine if it’s subject to the recall. People who have purchased these products are instructed to dispose of the food or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

What To Do If You See a Pet Locked in a Car

Summer is in full swing, and with it comes certain dangers for your pets. We recently came across this article titled “Here’s What To Do When You See an Animal Trapped in a Hot Car" on One Green Plant website.  Leaving a pet in a locked car can have potentially deadly consequences.  As the article states, the temperature can reach 160 degrees (inside a locked car) on a hot day and a pet can suffer from heatstroke in a matter of minutes. Symptoms of heatstroke includes; restlessness, excessive thirst, thick saliva, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, rapid heartbeat, fever, and vomiting.  If the dog shows any of these signs it is important to get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. The article lists the steps that can be taken, if you come upon a pet locked in car.

1. Write down the car’s make, model, and license plate number

2. Find an authority figure nearby

3. If no officer is nearby, call the police

4. If the police are slow to respond, contact animal control

5. Watch for signs of distress in the animal

     6. If Authorities still haven’t responded, try opening the door*
        *know the laws in your community, pertaining to pets being left in cars.

The entire article can be found here

Dogs Run For Their Lives on July 4th

July 4th aftermath. Pictured is a neighbor's deaf white husky playing with our dog Legend. The dog is neglected and stays at our home for extra TLC whenever we are given permission by the owner. He looks so happy here but not on July 4th. There were 2 beautiful July 4th shows near our home and he was inconsolable, panting, pacing and terrified. As soon as the fireworks started, even though he was inside the house, he ran to the front door and tore the screen, frantically trying to run. The dogs don't know where to run, they are just afraid they "run for their lives". What is amazing is that he is deaf but the vibrations of the booms must affect him. Legend did not have an issue at all. Some dogs are more afraid than others.  Many dogs will run and run not knowing where they are going just to try to escape the scary noise.  Many pets are now at the shelters awaiting pickup so please, if your animal is missing, head to the shelter right away.

Symptoms of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease and Holistic Treatments

One of the most common reasons people take their cats to the veterinarian is because of urinary tract problems. When the bladder is not able to empty correctly, due to infection, bladder stones, blockage of the urethra (urethral plug) or inflammation, your cat can exhibit some or all of these signs. 

Symptoms of FLUTD: 

 Urinating outside the box

  Frequent trips to the litter box

  Straining or vocalizing in the box because they have irritated or inflamed bladders

  Exhibiting symptoms of pain: hunched up, crying, drinking more water, inappropriate urination

  Visible blood in the litter box 

Some risk factors can include, diet (eating dry food),being overweight, stress, genetics, breed, sex (urethral plug can be deadly to male cats) and age. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) can develop at any age, but usually occurs at about four years of age. It is important to see your veterinarian if you suspect a problem, because there could be an underlining cause. Endocrine diseases, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes can all cause urinary problems. To determine a diagnosis your veterinarian will, usually, conduct a physical exam, a urinalysis, urine culture, blood work, and possibly x-rays and ultrasounds. Some risk factors include, eating dry food, stress, genetics and even the sex (urethral plug can be deadly to male cats).

After the tests are conducted and conditioned is diagnosed, a comprehensive plan can be made to improve your cat’s health.  

Holistic Treatments for Cats with FLUTD

1.)  Diet change- Avoid fish, dry food, and poultry.  Fish and poultry are big allergens for cats similar to gluten and dairy for people.  Dry food is hard to digest and cats thrive on a high moisture diet.  If you order supplements at www.AskAriel.com be sure to include what you are feeding your cat and a diet suggestion will be included on the packing slip with your order. 

2.)  Medication-per vet instructions

3.)  Holistic supplements:

NotaSAN and QuentaSAN- powerful immune support formulas, a must have for pets with chronic urinary infections
Akutur- helps reduce inflammation that occurs in the bladder walls after chronic infections, by reducing inflammation, the area is better able to heal once and for all
Pet UTI Prevention – esssential herbs proven to help reduce inflammation, promote healing, displace and kill pathogens from the urinary tact
Power Probiotic for Pets- essential for your pet’s good health because they support digestion, help fight infection and enhance overall immunity

4.)  Lifestyle changes -reduction of stress

5.)  Surgery or Urinary Catheter-to remove the stones or blockage