Sending some loving Sunshine your Way'

Intact Tick Removal with Cotton Swab

Best Apps For Dog Owners...Thanks Mashable!

Check out some of these must have apps for your poochie! I will be getting a new puppy sometime soon so I know that the iCam will be very handy when I run out to the gym & grocery!!

http://mashable.com/2013/03/14/apps-for-dogs/#_

10 Must-Have Apps for Dog Owners

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  1. Tagg

  Tagg is essentially a GPS attachment for your dog's collar, and because of its many features, it can give you peace of mind. The app will track your dog's activity and send you a message if he goes beyond the boundaries you set. Not only that, Tagg allows you to make sure your dog is getting enough exercise by measuring movement.
  Available on iOS and Android.
  Screenshot courtesy of Tagg

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  2. DoggyDatez

  DoggyDatez is a mobile social platform for dog owners and their dogs to make friends. The main idea is that you can "mark your territory" and see who else visits your spot. You're also able to search for other DoggyDatez users by gender, age, dog gender, dog age and/or dog breed.
  Available on iOS and Android.
  Screenshot courtesy of DoggyDatez

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  3. Pet Phone

  The Pet Phone app lets you track your dog's health with ease. You can keep track of vet appointments, medications, allergies and food preferences for each of your pets, and the app can be synced with your calendar to get reminders.
  Available on iOS.
  Screenshot courtesy of Pet Phone

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  4. iCam

  If you want to see what your dog is up to in real-time, iCam is the app to get. You can watch your canine friend remotely, just to make sure everything's all right. This is especially useful if you're leaving your dog home for the first time, you recently moved or you're traveling.
  Available on iOS and Android.
  Screenshot courtesy of iCam

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  5. Petoxins

  It's tough, if not impossible, to know everything that is harmful to your dog. The Petoxins app from the ASPCA helps you out by having a impressive list of poisonous plants, and most of them you probably didn't know. For example, did you know that tulip bulbs are hazardous? Now you can keep similar vegetation out of your dog's reach.
  Available on iOS.
  Screenshot courtesy of Petoxins

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  6. MapMyDogWalk

  With MapMyDogwalk, you and your dog can get fit at the same time. You can log your walks, track your calories and map your favorite routes using GPS. The app also has sharing and geotagging features for photos and data.
  Available on iOS and Android.
  Screenshot courtesy of MapMyDogWalk

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  7. Pet First Aid

  Raising pets is fun, but it's also a big responsibility, which means there can be some scares. If anything should happen to your dog, Pet First Aid helps you take the right steps to make sure he'll be OK. Detailed videos and illustrations include restraint, muzzling, CPR, bandaging and more.
  Available on iOS and Android.
  Screenshot courtesy of Pet First Aid

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  8. Pet Minder Pro

  Pet Minder Pro helps you keep track of your dog's actions, and it's presented in an easy way so you can use it while interacting with your dog. By tapping custom buttons, you'll never forget when you last gave your dog medicine, fed him, took him for a walk or took him to a play date. You can also track training phases for puppies, set up reminders and share information via notifications.
  Available on Android. For an iOS alternative, check out MyPetMinder.
  Screenshot courtesy of Pet Minder Pro

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  9. Petsie Dog Breeds

  Answering the question "What kind of dog is he?" isn't always easy, especially if your dog is a rescue or mix. As a tool, Petsie Dog Breeds can help you figure it out, but it's also full of adorable photos and information. You can even use it as a fun social network by creating a profile for your dog.
  Available on Android. For an iOS alternative, check out Guide to Dog Breeds.
  Screenshot courtesy of Petsie Dog Breeds

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  10. Weather Puppy

  It's useful to check the weather before you take your dog out for a walk, but Weather Puppy takes it to a new (and very cute) level. The app shows more than 100 dogs depending on the time and weather, and you can even add a pic of your own dog. Weather Puppy partners with non-profits and shelters across the U.S.
  Available on iOS and coming soon on Android. In the meantime, a good Android alternative is Weather Dog.
  Screenshot courtesy of Weather Puppy

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  BONUS: Foursquare

  This might seem like an obvious one, but it really comes in handy for dog owners. You can organize all of the dog parks in your city, find nearby pet stores and vets when you need them and see if any friends with dogs are in your area.
  Available on iOS, Android and BlackBerry App World.
  Screenshot courtesy of Foursquare

Dogs get the short end of the stick

Great advice Dogster...Very important lesson here...teach your children... Dogs are not people even though we might treat them so!  

http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/dog-behavior-myths-tragedy

Sally...Solo

Dog Flu...

Haa Chu!

Just a friendly reminder that this is canine influenza (dog flu) season!

We have heard from numerous veterinary offices that the flu has been prevalent in the downtown Chelsea area. Canine influenza is highly contagious and can be passed along very easily among dogs, even when meeting on the street! 

Be sure to keep a watchful eye for any signs of your dog(s) being sick. Please see the attached link from the ASPCA for a good description of canine influenza and its symptoms

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-canine-flu-question-and-answer.aspx

Dog Paw Licking...

Well it's now October.... I can't believe how time fly's! Allot has gone on since May! Apparently it was the year for record breaking summer rain and Natural disasters. Hard to believe NY had an Earth Quake, Hurricane, Tornado and major devastating flooding all in the same month...CRAZY, huh! 

I think all this moister is causing more fungus, mold spur issues and reeking havoc for us allergy sufferer's... I myself am a spring and fall 24 hr Zyrtec "prescriber",  I seriously couldn't live without it! 

I wish it were as easy for Gracie (my 4 yrs old Boston terrier),  she also suffers from allergies and unfortunetly it's not as easy to figure out what triggers hers or even how to treat them.  I know when she starts licking her paws it's time to get out the Benadryl (a.k.a. Diphenhydramine). Yes...believe it or not, The majority of veterinarians allow the use of Diphenhydramine in dogs as well as cats; this medicine is used quite frequently in canines.

Most common Reasons for using Benadryl for Dogs:

• Insect/flea bites.
• Skin irritation and/or itching.
• Anxiety and Insomnia in dogs.
• Vaccination reactions (example: Lyme disease shot).
• Eye/ear infections.
• Car sickness/vomiting.
• Wasp/bee/hornet stings (includes the inside of the mouth).
• Bites from some snakes.
• Asthma, as well as inhalant allergies (such as pollen or dust).
• Hay fever, runny/stuffy nose, and coughing/sneezing.
• Muscle tremors.
• Irritation at the dog's tail base.
• Bodily knots or lumps with fluid.

Benadryl absorbs and acts fast. Often, the effect can be seen within thirty minutes. However, in certain instances, it may take up to a week to see a notable result. Like any medication you need to take precasion and make sure you use the proper dosage and watch your pet to make sure they are not suffering from side effects and always consult with your vet.

The Safety of using Benadryl for Pets

Generally, Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is exceptionally safe for dogs; however, there are a certain number of serious precautions:

• Diphenhydramine should not be administered to dogs with certain conditions: cardiovascular disease, glaucoma, prostatic disease, and hyperthyroidism.
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may not be appropriate for a puppy. If you do have a puppy, please be sure to consult with your veterinarian first.
• Only the pure med is safe for dogs, where the active ingredient is only Diphenhydramine. The Decongestant or Colds/Sinus versions aren't acceptable.
• Liquid Benadryl is high in alcohol content and is not safe for most animals.
• Children's Benadryl may be alcohol and sugar free; however, it contains sodium, and this could be detrimental to dogs with certain health concerns.
• It shouldn't be used simultaneously with decongestants and painkillers. It can also interact with other medicines, and possibly be fatal. Should your pet be taking any other types of medication - it's important that you first ask your veterinarian about using Benadryl. Generally, Diphenhydramine is considered safe for your pet when taking flea and heartworm tablets, as well as steroids.
• It's extremely important that the prescribed dosage is not exceeded.

I recommend using small amounts of the medication first, observe your pet closely for any reaction to it and... highly recommend talking to your veterinarian before giving any amount of Benadryl to a dog.

Benadryl Dosage for Pets There're 2 ways for determining the proper dosage when administering Benadryl to a pet, and I will state them below:
1. Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is administered at a dosage of 1 milligram per 1 pound of the animal's weight 3 times per day (i.e. every 8 hrs). An example: a 30 lb dog should be given 30 mg of this medication three times per day.
2. Dogs are categorized by three weight class categories; the med is taken 3 times daily, every 8 hours:

• 30 pounds and under pets: 10mg
• 30-50 pound pets: 25 mg
• 50 pounds and over pets: 50mg

As you can see, the dosage depends on the animal's weight, and are just the general recommendations. To determine the proper amount of Benadryl for your dog/cat, talk to a professional veterinarian. Too little of a dosage may not help at all, while exceeding the proper dosage may be dangerous. Also, a veterinarian will help you to determine a frequency for administering the medication, such as every four, eight, or twelve hours. In addition, a vet will ask questions for determining if it is an allergic reaction that your pet is having or something else. Should your current financial situation not permit a paid visit to your vet, you should still be able to get free advice by phone.

Side Effects in Pets
Common side-effects include: drowsiness and mild disorientation. Others include: dry mouth, diarrhea, vomiting, urinary retention, agitation, problems breathing, and lack of appetite. Some of the side-effects may be prevented. To prevent your pet from vomiting, give the medication with food. And to prevent appetite disturbances, feed your pet before administering the medication. In case of any side-effects, contact a veterinarian.

How to Administer Benadryl
I suggest placing the tablet or capsule into a teaspoon of peanut putter, it works every time for Gracie, however you can also try bits of meat; use liquid gel capsules that have been dipped into a tasty treat; rectal suppository; an injection. Most commonly, Diphenhydramine is taken orally, in tablets or capsules. Please contact your veterinarian to find out further information on the uses concerning Benadryl for dogs, and whether you can use it for your pooch.

For more info on the use of benadryl for your Dog go to:

Sometimes Paw licking can also be due to other more serious conditions like internal bacterial infections, severe anxiety, stress or even depression. I have found another source and solution to Gracie's paw licking at this site  Here you'll find a more though-out resoureful pool of info  to help you with your understanding of why your dog may be licking it's paws. These people have created a product called DermaPaw as a last resort, pure necessity for helping their own dog,  they make no claims, but ratter offer another alternative.  I feel it can only help, you be your own judge, after all... you know your Dog best!


If you have any further input you would like to share feel free to leave a comment!