The ShoGun Reporter Vol 2 Issue 3

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Above is Flower Girls the latest creation of our own KristineEllman. The dogs are Kristine’s Libby and Noel. Spencer musthave been chasing ducks off the pond when Kristine was workingon this project Kristine is known for her pastel paintings and herartwork can be seen on her website at http://afpdesigns.com/ .Please take the time to visit it at your leisure. I’m sure Kristinewould love to do a project for you.

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Birthday Greetings

Curry, ShoGun’s Kid Curry

Curry got a 4 point majoron May 27, 2012 at the KeyCity KC show. We think hisowner, Mary Miserak, is stillwalking on air.

We’re looking forward toCurry's continuing success.

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On April 21, 2012 Emmet gothis first Group l placement atthe Fond Du Lac KC Show.

On June 3, 2012 Emmet gothis first UKC Jr Hunt Test legat the Hunting RetrieverC l u b

Emmet’s been at it againEmmet, GCH ShoGun's Im It N Thats That JH RN, is on aroll. Congratulations and thanks to owner Gabe Marquartwho has worked so hard with Emmet obtaining these goals.

Emmet and Gabe earned the 2012 CSCA Sporting Cupaward which is presented at the CSCA National Specialty.

This award is won by accumulating points in Conformationand Hunt Tests.

Emmet and Gabe’s latest accomplishment was passing thelast JH test leg required to earn Emmet his JH title. He didthis on June 16, at the American Water Spaniel test held atthe Wolf River Game Farm in Shiocton, WI. Ourcongratulations to this awesome twosome for a job well done.We can hardly wait to see what they will do next.

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Gunner, ShoGun's Endeavour, updateWe got a nice note from Vonda and Jack Poole the otherday brining us up to date on Gunner. Here are a couple ofcomments from Vonda:

Here is a photo of Gunner and Jack from a recent show.

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Julius, CH Shogun’s Iron Cross, updateIt was a pleasure having Julius and his owner, Diana VanSandt, stay with us for a few days. This was the first timeseeing Julius since he left us for Colorado in October, 2009.We were pleasantly surprised by his appearance anddemeanor. He has grown into a very handsome dog to saythe least.

Julius needed a major to attain his CH title so Diana enteredJulius in the Key City KC Club show in Mankato, MN on theirway to Wisconsin where Diana attended the Mastiff Nationalin Oconomowoc, WI. Good planning on her part as on May26 Julius was WD,BW and BOB for a 5 point major and isnow CH Shogun’s Iron Cross, Our congratulations to the VanSandts and thanks for taking such loving care of Julius.

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Charlotte, ShoGun's Count Your Blessings

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Recent Placements

Flynn, ShoGun’s Gunflint Trail

Flynn now calls Rochester, MN as his home. He has left us to live with MollyFeely MD. Molly loved and cherished Barry, ShoGun's Big City Rhythm,who went to the bridge in 2010.

Iris, ShoGun’s White Poplar

Iris left us to live with Dahlia, ShoGun’s Blue Dahlia, in Framingham, MA.Thank you Peg and Paul Donahue for wecoming Iris into your home. Mayyou enjoy each other for many years.

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Vivian, ShoGun’s Pretty Woman

Lorri Oliver must be a glutton for punishment as she not only owns Pip,ShoGun’s Atlantis, but now she has taken Vivian into her household. Goodluck Lorri.

Meet our new Canadian Champion

Jasmine, ShoGun's Absolutely Jasmine

Here is Jasmineshown with herowner/handlerAnne Smith.

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Articles of Interest5 Innovative Ideas for Owners Who Want to Set Up Pet Trusts

By Jennifer Paull | March 6, 2012

The notion of including pets in trusts and wills was once considered a bit kooky.But over the past several years, legally recognized pet trusts have becomeincreasingly popular — and owners are going to great lengths to ensure their pets’safety, comfort and even dietary needs.

“Ten years ago, people thought it was almost funny to talk about estate planningfor pets,” says Texas Tech University law professor Gerry W. Beyer, author of FatCats & Lucky Dogs. “The interest is now very serious . . . it’s gone from fringe tomainstream.”

A New World

Since 2000, when the Uniform Trust Code extended to statutory pet trusts, thenumber of animal trusts has ballooned — and most states now authorize them.Unlike a will, which can only be enacted after an owner’s death and must first gothrough probate, a trust appoints caregivers who can be called upon wheneverthey’re needed.

Designating caretakers — so that pets have guardians, and don’t risk going to ashelter or pound — is one of the obvious benefits. But, as you'll see from these fivenovel approaches, the sky’s really the limit when planning a pet trust.

Approach the Trust Like a Love Letter

Pet owners sometimes get squeamish when it comes to acknowledging the fact thatthey might not be able to care for their animals someday. Instead, think of the trustas a document of affection and protection, suggests attorney Rachel Hirschfeld, apet trust expert and author of Petriarch: The Complete Guide to Financial andLegal Planning for a Pet’s Continued Care.

“You’re really writing a love letter to your animal,” she emphasizes. “If you go to alawyer, put your heart in [those documents].” So consider your pet’s daily routines,favorite treats and personal history. Many ideas for the specifics of a pet trust willspring from close knowledge of your pet. These details, in turn, can help establishan adequate level of care.

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Hirschfeld explains that, by describing the specifics of your current pets, you canalso cover the needs of other pets that you might have in the future. “The wordingshould say, ‘This is the standard of care that I want for my animal.’ The emotionyou bring to it, the way you treat your animals now, can be the same for later pets.”

Pull Out That Black Book

You never know what the future will bring, so come up with not one, not two, butthree or more potential caretakers for your pet.

“Think multiples, not single alternatives,” says Beyer. While many people name afamily member or close friend, you should reach deeper into your contacts list forseveral backups. Hirschfeld recommends selecting some animal lovers, even ifthey’re not the closest people to you personally. If they end up becomingcaretakers, odds are good that they’ll do a great job.

This is especially important for pets with long lifespans, such as parrots andtortoises. “The animal is going to outlive everyone you know and trust,” stressesBeyer. “You have to set up a mechanism, like a committee of vets and trustees, as away of ensuring that the animal is being cared for consistently.”

Spell Out Even the Most Mundane Details

The next time that you’re going through the motions — feeding your cats, takingthe dogs for a walk — make a precise list of what you’re doing. What time do yourdogs usually go to the park? Does your cat get a specific brand of treats? Do youscratch their ears when they lie down for a nap? Whatever may be second nature toyou could be helpful information for a future caregiver.

For animals, maintaining certain habits and schedules will help them to betterweather a transition to a new caretaker. “There’s no such thing as too muchinformation,” says Hirschfeld.

Other good fodder for a trust: brands of food, favorite toys, grooming andhealthcare schedules and providers, types of collars and other preferred apparel —and even the exact kind of carrier that you use to take a pet to the vet.

You should also think about special situations. “How are [your pets] in the snow?”asks Hirschfeld. “Is your animal afraid of something, like lightning? What calmsthem?” All of these personal details will enable your chosen caretaker and yourpets to bond more quickly.

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Leave a Distinct Scent Memento

Some animals, like dogs, are particularly attached to their owner’s unique smell, soconsider having a piece of your clothing kept for a little while for your pet.Hirschfeld recalls one client’s pet trust provision: washing an item in a certainbrand of lavender soap, and then spritzing it with Chanel No. 5 perfume, to re-create her scent for the pet.

Don't Sell the House

Some owners have taken an even bigger step when setting up a pet trust: They asktheir chosen caretakers to move into their homes. This most often occurs when a pethas a special physical need, or if it's an older pet who wouldn't transition well to anew environment.

Attorney Danny Meek, who specializes in estate planning for pet owners, has seen agrowing number of these requests. “My jaw kind of drops, but I understand theintent and the desire of the owner,” he admits. “That takes a lot of advancepreparation, a lot of conversations [with] the caretaker . . . But the trust ends whenthe animal dies, and then the caregiver gets the house.”

Beyer has seen such cases, too, including homes that have large, free flight spacesfor birds. “Sometimes the animal’s emotional, as well as physical, well-beingdepends on it,” he says.

In short, as long as your wishes are legal, you can specify anything. Just look atDusty Springfield’s dog: After the singer died, the dog's caretaker playedSpringfield's songs come bedtime.

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Better than Tomato Juice as a Skunk Rinse…Today I want to give you my skunk rinse recipe, and here’s hoping you never haveto use it!

If, heaven forbid, your dog or cat is ever sprayed by a skunk, you should have thisrecipe on hand. The sooner you apply the solution to your pet’s fur, the sooner he’llget relief and smell better.

Tomato juice isn’t nearly as effective as this recipe, and it’s easy to follow.

In

a pail mix:

1 quart hydrogen peroxide (the 3 percent hydrogen peroxide variety)

¼ cup baking soda

2 teaspoons Dawn dishwashing liquid

If you have a large breed dog, you may need to double, triple or even quadruple themixture.

Wear dishwashing or other household gloves if you like during the whole de-skunking process.

Don’t wet down your pet. Apply the mixture to your pet’s dry coat from the collarback toward the tail. Don’t pour it near the eyes because the hydrogen peroxidesolution can burn them.

Lather the mixture into your pet’s coat and skin. Rub the solution around for aboutfive minutes or until the skunk smell starts to dissipate.

If the front of your pet is as stinky as the back, use a sponge to apply the solution toyour pet’s chin, cheeks, forehead and ears, being very careful not to go near theeyes. When you rinse the head area, tilt your pet’s chin upward so the solution doesnot run down into the eyes, instead allow the water to run back off his neck.

Do a complete rinse once the smell starts to decrease, then repeat the entire processagain.

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You may need to repeat the lather and rinse process up to three times, but it’s a veryeffective method for removing the skunk smell from your pet.

Make sure to completely rinse the solution off your pet. Your final rinse should bevery thorough.

You can’t prepare this solution ahead of time and store it – it won’t be effectivewhen you need it. It must be made fresh, right before you apply it to your pet. So itpays to make sure you have all the ingredients ahead of time!

Good luck … and I hope you never have to use my skunk rinse recipe!

Dr. Karen Becker

A Number of Environmental Factors Can Affect the Incidence ofHip Dysplasia in Dogs

ScienceDaily (Mar. 26, 2012) — Hip dysplasia (HD) in dogs is affected to a largerdegree than previously believed by the environment in which puppies grow up. It isparticularly during the period from birth to three months that various environmentalfactors appear to influence the development of this disease. During the puppy stage,preventive measures can therefore be recommended with a view to giving dogsdisposed to the condition a better quality of life.

Randi I. Krontveit's doctoral research has studied the incidence of HD in fourbreeds of dog in Norway and examined factors in the environment where the dogsgrew up that can have an affect on the number of cases. HD is a genetic diseasewhich also occurs in several other species. Dogs are not born with HD, butgenetically disposed puppies can develop varying degrees of HD. The degree ofHD has an affect on when the dogs show symptoms and on how long they live.

Five hundred privately owned dogs participated in the study and the four breedsinvestigated were the Newfoundland, the Labrador Retriever, the Leonberger andthe Irish Wolfhound. The environment in which the dogs were born and grew upwas registered by means of questionnaires filled out by the breeder and the newowner, and by examinations carried out by veterinary surgeons.

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Findings from previous experiments and studies from other countries have indicatedthat rapid growth and a high body weight are factors that increase the likelihood ofdeveloping HD. Randi I. Krontveit's research has shown that rapid growth and highbody weight in the first year of the puppies' life did not result in an increased risk ofHD. On the contrary, she found that the breed that had the slowest growth rate -- theNewfoundland -- had the highest incidence of HD (36%). The Irish Wolfhound hadthe lowest incidence of HD (10%), yet had the fastest rate of growth.

Puppies usually live with their mother at the breeder's for the first eight weeks oftheir life. Several factors related to the living conditions at the breeder's were shownto have an influence on the incidence of HD. Puppies born in the spring or summerand at breeders who lived on a farm or small holding, had a lower risk of developingHD. After about eight weeks, the puppies began life with their new owner. Theopportunity to exercise daily in parks up until the age of three months reduced therisk of HD, whereas the daily use of steps during the same period increased the risk.Overall, it would appear that daily exercise out in gently undulating terrain up untilthe age of three months gives a good prognosis when it comes to preventing HD.

The dogs in this study were followed up until they reached 10 years of age bymeans of annual questionnaires filled out by the owner. Dogs seriously affected byHD were put down earlier than dogs with a milder form of the disease. This wasparticularly the case for Newfoundlands and Leonbergers. HD did not have such alarge affect on the longevity of Labrador Retrievers or Irish Wolfhounds. Seriousand moderate degrees of HD increased the risk of symptoms such as limping andhip pain and these symptoms occurred earliest in Newfoundlands. The LabradorRetriever was the breed in which symptoms appeared latest in life. Varied exercisehad a positive effect and dogs that exercised on a daily basis on a lead and runningfree in different types of terrain were free of symptoms longer than dogs that wereless active.

Based on the findings of this doctoral research, preventive measures related to earlycanine life can be recommended. If HD in its most serious forms can be prevented,the life quality of dogs will be improved.

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What to Do When Your Dog Gets DiarrheaStory at-a-glance

Every dog owner at some point deals with a bout of doggy diarrhea. It’s not amatter of IF it will happen, just when! Knowing what to do ahead of time can giveyou peace of mind the next time your pet has a problem.

Causes of diarrhea are wide ranging and can include dietary indiscretion (yourdog eats something he shouldn’t), a sudden change in diet, poor quality diet (we seelots of kibble-related diarrhea), parasites, infection … even stress.

Symptoms of diarrhea can be obvious, like an urgent need to get outsidefollowed by a loose, watery stool -- or they can be confusing, like straining as if theproblem is actually constipation.

If other symptoms accompany watery stool – symptoms like lethargy, loss ofappetite, fever or a change in behavior – it’s time to make an appointment withyour vet.

Home care for otherwise healthy dogs with a bout of diarrhea should include abland diet of cooked ground turkey and 100 percent canned pumpkin. Slippery elmbark is also an excellent, all-natural anti-diarrheal.

http://tinyurl.com/7ebys85

50% of Dogs With This Disease Die - Be Preparedhttp://tinyurl.com/cu69qh6

1 in 3 Dogs Will Get Cancer - Is Your Dog at Risk?http://tinyurl.com/cjl54k9

Beautiful Fur Means a Healthy Doghttp://tinyurl.com/89mw2d4

How Much Water Does Your Dog REALLY Need?http://tinyurl.com/89msey8

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How Domino Overcame His Separation Anxietyhttp://tinyurl.com/7bzczl3

Do Dogs Get Stressed?http://tinyurl.com/8746ezy

Can dogs see color?http://tinyurl.com/2chp7jm

How-to-prevent-travel-anxiety-and-carsickness-in-dogshttp://tinyurl.com/868hht5

Why Does My Dog... Pee When Someone Is at the Door?http://tinyurl.com/82qmmxa

Why "Overgrowing" Your Large Breed Puppy is Dangerous Many pet owners still believe a roly poly puppy is a healthy puppy. We need to setthat old thinking aside if we’re going to help large and giant breed dogs live longer,healthier lives.

Optimal growth for a large or giant breed puppy is very different from maximumgrowth. Optimal (the best kind of) growth for these pups means controlled growth –it does not mean growing very big, very fast.

Serious, debilitating, sometimes crippling health problems develop in largepuppies whose bodies grow too fast – problems of the bones, joints, tendons,muscles and nerves.

Diets for large and giant breed pups should not encourage rapid growth. Excessmineral content and excess calories, not protein, are the culprits in rapid growthpuppy foods.

Feed your large or giant breed puppy a portion-controlled, balanced, species-appropriate diet – either homemade or an excellent commercially available formula.If you feed kibble, feed either a food specifically for large-breed puppies, or one thatis “Approved for all life stages.”

http://tinyurl.com/c6ww57s

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THE CLINICAL TRUTHS ABOUT PURE BREEDS, MIXEDBREEDS, AND DESIGNER BREEDShttp://tinyurl.com/c4sbh7r

Two Things About Your Pet's Nose You Should KnowStory at-a-glance

Contrary to the popular myth about cold, wet noses, a warm, dry nose isn’t a signyour pet is ill unless other symptoms are present, for example, loss of appetite,vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy.

The time to take notice is if your dog’s or cat’s nose changes texture or color. Ifthe skin seems flaky or crusty or is cracking, or if the nose seems to be losingpigmentation, you’ll want to have your vet take a look at it.

Your pet’s nose can change color either temporarily or permanently, for benignreasons or more serious ones. There are a wide variety of causes for nosepigmentation changes.

Signs of a potential problem with the nose are an unusual nasal discharge,swelling, an unpleasant smell, or if your pet seems to be having trouble breathing.

There are several diseases that can affect the nose, so you should learn what yourpet’s nose looks like when it’s healthy. That way, you’ll be able to tell right away ifa problem might be developing.

http://tinyurl.com/84hzqzv

What to Do If Your Dog Is Chokinghttp://tinyurl.com/7drebzk

Would You Recognize Signs of Heart Disease in Your Dog?http://tinyurl.com/8644twr

Taking Your Dog to The Vet - When it is It Unnecessary?http://tinyurl.com/brwpjyr

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Taking Your Dog to The Vet - When it is It Unnecessary?Veterinary clinics receive calls from people every day asking whether or not theirdog their dog needs to come into the emergency room. Not only does it determinewhether it’s time to hit the road, but it can also mean the difference between a regularoffice visit and much pricier ER fees. Ultimately it is the owner who must make thedecision, but in times of panic some owners just don’t know what to do.

Most emergency situations are obvious: trauma from being hit by a car, severebleeding, seizures, and passing out are, among others, classic signs that something isvery wrong.. But there are numerous situations that don’t require emergency carewhich you can either treat at home or wait until normal visit hours to examine withyour vet. (Keep in mind, wowever, that it’s time to go to the ER if the situationchanges or if the pet develops more signs or worsens)

Here are some of those non-emergency situations that can wait until morning:

• Lumps and bumps - If you are petting your dog and feel a lump that you haven'tnoticed before, you don't need to immediately go to the veterinarian. If it isn'tbothering the pet, you can wait and see if it gets larger. Contact your vet the followingday so it can be noted in your dog's record. If the lump grows or changes, diagnosismay require bloodwork, biopsy and/or x-rays. If the lump turns out to be benign(harmless), removal costs can range around $300 to $500. If it is not benign, diagnosisand treatment can exceed $1,000.

• Bad breath and loose or missing teeth - As long as your dog is still eating anddrinking, you can wait to contact your veterinarian to make an appointment for anoral examination and tooth cleaning. If you don't have pet insurance, be prepared forhefty costs. Dental cleaning, anesthesia, x-rays and medication can be around $500.This is one price that it’s a good idea to pay, though; neglected teeth can lead to seriousdiseases, some of which can be fatal.

• Small tongue or mouth lacerations - Most people notice this when their dog’s salivais tinged with pink or the water in their dog's water bowl has a slight pink color. Dogscan easily give themselves minor scrapes and cuts in soft mouth and gum tissue andthe majority of wounds in the mouth heal quickly. If there is no active bleeding andyour dog can eat and drink, you can wait to see the vet. In the meantime, put someice cubes in their water. Cold can help constrict blood vessels and therefore reducebleeding.

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• Dirty, smelly ears - Typically you can wait to resolve this condition. Even if yourdog is shaking his head a little, dirty ears are almost never a serious issue. Clean theoutside part of the ear with a cotton ball or Q-tip but be sure not to insert a cottonswab into the ear. The rigid stick can damage or puncture a fragile eardrum and ifthere is an infection, swabs can hurt. Avoid using any medication until you speak toyour veterinarian, especially medication formulated for humans. Treatment for earproblems typically costs $200 to $250 for ear swabs, cultures, cleaning and medication.

• Toenail torn or bleeding - If your dog will let you, try to examine the nail closely.Sometimes the nail tip has fallen off or just needs to be slightly pulled. If the nail wasbroken or shredded, there can be a significant amount of bleeding. Use a styptic penor powder to stop the bleeding as soon as possible. Place a bandage around the foot,covering the nail, and contact your veterinarian the following day.

Remember to trust your instincts—many a dog has been saved when their owner hada hunch. Most of the time, though, you can tell when a trip to the doctor isn’t necessary.Dr. Jon

Pet Parents Or Owners: What’s In A Name?http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/are-you-a-pet-parent/

The 10 Most Expensive Pet ConditionsCondition Average Cost per Claim

1. Torn Knee Ligament/Cartilage $1,578

2. Intestinal - Foreign Object $1,967

3. Stomach - Foreign Object $1,502

4. Intervertebral Disc Disease $3,282

5. Stomach Torsion/Bloat $2,509

6. Broken Leg (Plate) $1,586

7. Laryngeal Paralysis $2,042

8. Tumor of the Throat $1,677

9. Ear Canal Surgery - Ablation $1,285

10. Ruptured Bile Duct $2,245

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I Rescued A Human Today

Author:Janine Allen CPDT

I rescued a human today.

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensivelyinto the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. Iwagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I hadin the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walkedtoday. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her tothink poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about mypast. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a differencein someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy soundsat me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars tocomfort her.

Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all wouldbe well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantlyjumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promiseto always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to seethat radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she camedown my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked thecorridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

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Be Careful Where You Board Your Dog!Summer often means traveling. While many people would love to taketheir dogs with them on vacation, it doesn't always work out that way. Insome cases you can luck out and have a trusted friend or relative watchyour pooch, but most of us need to board our pet for the duration of ourtrip.

Large dogs can be difficult to accommodate, but one of the benefits ofhaving a small breed is the fact that their size isn't an issue to manyboarding kennels. The tricky part isn't finding one, but rather finding agood one. Whatever kennel you choose will be your dog's home for thenext few days - you need to be absolutely sure that they will take goodcare of your companion while you're gone.

Before you entrust your dog to a boarding kennel, make an appointmentto visit it. Check that the facility is clean and offers comfortableaccommodations for your dog. Don't be shy when it comes to asking thestaff about their procedures and routines—are they bonded with insurancepolicies in place? How frequently are the dogs fed, exercised, andsocialized? Are dogs grouped by personality or are they all in one roomtogether? How many dogs does each kennel employee have to supervise?While you're there, take a look at how secure the facility is and look forany ways that your small dog might be able to sneak out.

A few weeks before you're planning to go on vacation, check with yourselected kennel to make sure that your dog has everything they need to beallowed to board there. Almost all kennels require that dogs (except forpuppies and show dogs) be spayed and neutered, as well as remain up-to-date on their vaccinations. This is to protect other dogs as well as yourown. Never board your dog in a facility that doesn't require anyvaccinations. Your dog could come home with a life-threatening illness ifa sick dog enters the kennel at the same time.

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Some boarding facilities don't allow people to visit the actual boardingarea where dogs are kenneled. This is normal, and in itself should notraise any red flags. However, there should always be a way to view theboarding area, whether through a window or via another method such aswebcam. Don't leave your dog with the kennel unless you can see the areayour dog will actually be staying in.

Many kennels offer more than just boarding. Some kennels have a vet onstaff for any health concerns (emergency veterinary care should also beavailable). Still other kennels are more like pet spas than simply a placefor playing and sleeping. These facilities offer dog grooming, bathing, andeven training. Find out what services your kennel of choice offers beforeyour dog arrives; this could be a nice opportunity to pamper your poochand give them a vacation of their own.

If you absolutely must leave your dog with a kennel, do your research andmake sure it's a good experience for the both of you. Dr. Jon

Happy 12th Birthday Harry

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New Lifesaving Tool for Pet OwnersPicture this. You walk into your bathroom and see a bottle of Tylenol or

Motrinuncapped, laying on its side … and telltale signs your cat has at the very leastbeen licking the spilled pills. Or … you return home from shopping and drop your coatand other personal items on a chair by the door. When you return to put away yourthings, you discover your dog has sampled several pieces of sugar-free gum he pilferedfrom your purse.

Sadly, way too many dogs and cats are accidentally poisoned every year by toxicsubstances in or around their own homes. Ingesting human medications accounts forthe largest number of pet poisonings by far. And it’s difficult for pet owners to be awareof every single thing that might pose a health hazard. Fortunately, now it’s possible forpet parents who suspect a furry family member has ingested something dangerous toquickly grab their iPhone and check the Pet Poison Help app for more information.

The app, created by Pet Poison Helpline, was released on March 29, 2012 and hasalready been downloaded by thousands of pet owners. The Helpline is a 24/7 animalcontrol center in Minneapolis, MN. The center receives over 100,000 calls a year aboutpet poisonings. Their app helps pet owners and other caretakers quickly identifypotential poisons, recognize symptoms of a potential poisoning, and it also providesone-touch direct dialing to the poison helpline.

The Pet Poison Help app also provides:

A searchable database -- including photos -- of over 250 toxic plants, foods, drugsand household items. You can search by toxin using either the common or scientificname, by category of toxins, or by type of pet (dog or cat).

Descriptions of how specific poisons affect pets, alternate common names forpoisons, and symptoms to watch for.

Instructions on what to do if a pet has been exposed to a poison, for example,inducing vomiting, or taking your pet to an emergency veterinary clinic right away.

The Pet Poison Help app is always available with or without Internet access or cellphone service and is only $0.99 to download from iTunes.

If Your Smartphone Isn’t an iPhone …

Pet Poison Helpline has also mobile-enabled their website, so when the site isaccessed with a smartphone, the information is optimized for mobile environments.Optimization includes concise information, easy-to-navigate screens, a simple layoutand large fonts. Like the iPhone app, the mobile-enabled site also provides a direct dialfeature to the Pet Poison Helpline. Instructions for adding Pet Poison Helpline’s mobileapp to your smartphone home screen can be found here, http://tinyurl.com/d7zxy3g