Preparation H Medicated Wipes Cools, Soothes and Comforts Your Pets

Many senior dogs experience skin irritation around their private parts which opens the door to skin and/or urinary tract infections. Using a non-irritating wipe at home can help promote genital and anal cleanliness in your pets.

These convenient and easy-to-use Preparation H Medicated Wipes with Aloe provide the gentle cleansing needed to reduce irritation. They will cool, soothe and comfort your pet. These wipes can also be used to clean their paws, faces, and ears. Keep a package in your home, vehicle or wherever you go with your pet. Flushable and septic safe.

Source

Amazon.com Hot New Pet Book Release -- The Dog Cancer Survival Guide

Dog cancer strikes one out of three dogs, and of those, one-half will die of cancer. If this happens to you and your dog, you may not know what to do or where to turn. Empower yourself! This new book, The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog's Life Quality and Longevity is a survival guide to help you help your precious friend after a cancer diagnosis. It's an evidence-based, scientific reference filled with strategies to help you optimize your dog's longevity and quality of life.

This book is a collaborative effort by two veterinarians. Dr. Demian Dressler, DVM is internationally recognized as "the dog cancer vet" and writer of the popular Dog Cancer Blog. His co-author Dr. Susan Ettinger, DVM is a veterinary oncologist and a diplomate of the American College of Internal Medicine who practices in New York.

Organic Diatomaceous Earth -- Natural Topical Pest Control Powder for Pets

Diatomaceous earth is formed from soft, siliceous sedimentary rock crushed into a fine light-colored powder. It is derived from freshwater sources and does not pose a significant health risk to pets or humans. Due to its absorbency, it is used as a primary ingredient in a type of cat litter.

Because food-grade diatomaceous earth is harmless to all animals, fish, and birds, it makes an excellent natural insecticide. Use it as a topical dusting powder for your pets with fleas, ticks, lice and other external pests. The D.E. (Diatomaceous Earth) scratches the insect's waxy outer shell causing death by dehydration.

This is a refreshing change from toxic pesticides. Get your own Diatomaceous Earth.

Hip Assist Harness for Senior and Injured Dogs

None of us are getting any younger, including our best buddies. No matter how enthusiastic our doggies might be, hip dysplasia, surgery, and muscle pain can sometimes make the act of actually getting up a challenge for them.

Not to despair. You can easily help your dog up into a standing position, steady him/her on the stairs, or ease entry and exit from a vehicle. This easy-to-use Hip Assist Harness cradles your dog completely and comfortably by lifting from the chest, not the legs. A nice soothing muscle massage (and a few cookies) may help as well.

Hip Assist Harness at Orvis and Amazon

CERTIFECT -- A New Flea and Tick Medicine for Your Dog, But Not Your Cat

Odds are you or someone you know has had a tick-related disease. Most likely you treat your pets for tick and flea infestation. News is out that the patent that Merial holds on fipronil, one of the active ingredients in FRONTLINE Plus, is expiring with cheaper generic versions available or soon to be (see our pertinent post here).

Merial, the company responsible for the popular FRONTLINE flea and tick control products, has now kicked things up a notch with their latest topical treatment CERTIFECT. CERTIFECT kills ticks in 18 hours, rather than the current 24-48 hour time frame, and is also the only topical product that dislodges ticks. As with FRONTLINE Plus, CERTIFECT destroys the flea life cycle.

CERTIFECT should not be used on cats. For the PR announcement, click here. For a vet's take on the new product, click here.

All Stop Dead Bed Bugs Contact Killing Spray -- Non-Toxic Eco-Friendly Bed Bug Spray

Bedbugs are on the rampage, and they are most common during the months of July, August and September, heavy travel months in the US. If you are on the road this summer or find them in your home, they could torment your pets as well.

Since our dogs spend most of their time lounging around on our beds, furniture and even our laundry, they are also vulnerable to bed bugs. Owners may not notice the bites under a dog's furry coat, and our pets suffer in silence.

This fresh, peppermint-scented All Stop Dead Bed Bugs Contact Killing Spray effectively will kill bed bugs and their eggs on contact--simply spray directly on the infested areas. Dead Bed Bugs Contact Killing Spray is eco-friendly and does not include harsh pesticides or carcinogens.

Natural Dog Snout Soother Nose Balm

Does your best buddy have dry snout? Your dog's nose is super sensitive and can become pretty painful when those tissues get too dry, chapped or cracked. Sometimes you will even see a crusty area develop.

Natural Dog Snout Soother Nose Balm is the equivalent of Chapstick for humans. This nose balm for dogs is an effective blend of 100% all-natural nourishing, healing and moisturizing ingredients. Terrific for soothing summer sunburn!

How to Choose Between Brand Name Pet Products and Generics -- Frontline Flea Treatment Court Battle

Recently we saw a generic flea product at a department store that claimed to have the same active ingredients as FRONTLINE Plus. It is called PetArmor Plus and is only $28 for 3 months. Naturally first we wonder: Is it as effective? Then we think, Is the price difference worth testing a new, strange product on our best buddies?

Actually it's too late for now, since a U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia has ruled that sales of PetArmor Plus by Cipla Ltd. and Velcera Inc. infringes on Merial's patents covering its flea-and-tick product FRONTLINE Plus. The court barred the two companies from further sales of PetArmor Plus in the United States and ordered the seizure of existing inventory starting in the next 60 days.

In the meantime, we had found this answer online from veterinarian Dr Michael Watts in Star Exponent | How to choose between generic and a brand name product:

A: The short answer is I don't know. The active ingredient in Frontline is fipronil. There are now generic pet parasite products with the same active ingredient. However, that does not mean it is will work as well or be as safe as Frontline. At this point, these products have not been out long enough for me to make a personal determination.

My general rule of thumb is to wait for a year after a new product has been released before I will make a recommendation for my clients. I want someone else's pets to be the guinea pigs. Several times in my career this cautionary approach has kept me from recommending something that was later pulled from the market for safety reasons. If these generics prove to be just as safe and effective as Frontline over a year or more, then I will feel more comfortable with them.

The active ingredient is only one factor in the effectiveness of a topical flea and tick preventive. There are ant and roach baits at your local hardware store that use fipronil as their active ingredients. I would never suggest it would be alright to cut one open and put it onto your dog.

Continue reading: "How to Choose Between Brand Name Pet Products and Generics -- Frontline Flea Treatment Court Battle"

Molly & Jessie at Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This |

Relax and Entertain Your Cat -- Grow Plants Your Kitty Will Love

Keep your kitty relaxed and entertained with his or her very own house plants. You can grow them yourself. Dr. Kidd's Guide to Herbal Cat Care provides at-a-glance information on more than 40 versatile herbs that will help you keep your favorite feline healthy and happy. Here are a few to get you started:

Cat Grass -- Good for cat digestion.

Lemongrass -- Appealing smell.

Catnip -- Legendary, but does not affect approx 30% of cats, and generally the very young and old.

Catmint -- Strong scent, much loved by cats.

Peppermint -- Similar effect as catnip, repels mice.

Valerian -- Similar to catnip

[via Re-Nest]

Neuticles -- Prosthetic Testicles for the Neutered Male Dog

Likely you plan to neuter your male dog to help control population growth and reduce his aggression. But if you don't want him to look "altered" and have him to keep the same appearance, your problems are now solved.

Fit him with a pair of Neuticles to maintain his masculinity. Neuticles are prosthetic testicles that are implanted during the neutering procedure. In Original, Natural and Ultra Plus. Only the vet will know for sure!

Pain Management for Pets -- Tramodol for Dogs and Cats

Here at Super Cool Pets headquarters, one of the staff Golden Retrievers has been showing tell-tale signs of pain and suffering--not getting up off the floor to greet other staff members as they come through the door and walking slowly and stiffly. Not even bothering to charge out the back door upon notification of "squirrel" was the last straw.

The go-to med for pain relief for dogs is generally Rimadyl which many pet owners are familiar with. Trouble is, Rimadyl is not compatible with prednisone therapy, which this particular Golden Retriever is already on for treatment of masticatory muscle myositis (MMM), an inflammatory disease in dogs affecting the muscles of mastication. What to do?

Pets on prednisone therapy who also need pain relief--post-surgery or for chronic conditions such as arthritis, cancer or hip dysplasia--can take Tramadol, available through prescription from a vet, who can sell the pills or write a script to order through a reputable online site. Tramadol is most commonly used in dogs for moderate to moderately severe pain, and may be used in cats.

Deadly Bloat -- "Mother of All Emergencies" for Dogs

Bloat is a very real health concern for more than two dozen breeds of dogs (to see if your dog is vulnerable check this USA Today chart). The brother and father of a Super Cool Pets staff member have both lost dogs to bloat--a Gordon Setter at age 10 and a Poodle who had repeated bouts ages 5 to 6.

Based on our experiences, this article in USA Today is spot on regarding this dreaded affliction. "At 6 p.m., the dog is perfectly happy and healthy. At 8, he's dead, killed by his own body."

Causes. Generally the victims are deep-chested large dogs over 90 lbs who guzzle their food.(Is there a dog alive who doesn't *guzzle* food?) Gas or food then stretches the stomach to well beyond its normal size. The stomach is "pinched off" on both sides placing the poor animal in enormous pain. In 75% of cases, the stomach rotates, twisting off its own blood supply and blocking the route through which the rapidly accumulating gas could leave.

Signs. "The earliest signs of bloat are repeated unsuccessful efforts to vomit, restlessness and pacing, and increasing anxiety as the dog is unable to get relief from the excruciating pain. The abdomen is often swollen and drum-like; the dog usually drools in panic because it can't belch or vomit the mounting pressure away."

Prevention. The article suggests that using elevated dog bowls may contribute to the risk of bloat and to avoid feeding dry food that contains citric acid as a preservative, although the jury is still out on those. Some recommend an Omega Paw Portion Pacer Ball or the Brake-Fast Bowl.

PETCO Dog Flotation Vest -- Keep Your Swimmer Safe and Sound

Any time your pooch is out on deep water away from shore, whether ocean, river or lake, a flotation vest is a must. Dogs are good swimmers, but exhaust quickly, especially in rough waters.

Visibility is a serious issue as well--dogs are notoriously hard to spot in choppy, murky water. This affordable PETCO Dog Flotation Vest comes in neon pink or yellow with reflective strips to make sure you or anyone else, including speeding boaters, can see your dog in the water.

This vest secures easily with wide velcro closures and the snap of locking plastic buckles. The safety grab handle on the back enables you to get a good hold on your dog on land or in the water and help pull your dog out of the water as needed.

Streamlined Cat Allergy Vaccine on the Horizon -- Short and Sweet

It's not news that many cat lovers are allergic to the object of their affection and are also allergic to pollen and dust. LA Times explains why:

Most people who sneeze around cats are allergic to one particular protein, Fel d 1. Ragweed pollen also has one main allergy-causing protein, called Amb a 1, which breaks down sugars. Dust mites, by contrast, have a dozen or more proteins that can cause trouble.

Scientists think cats might use Fel d 1 as a pheromone to attract mates. It's sticky stuff that attaches to the cat's dander, which then floats in the air and gets, well, everywhere.

The problem doesn't affect just those who live with a feline. People who regularly visit other people's homes, such as police officers, can't avoid it. The dander sticks to cat owners and infiltrates offices and other public places.

In addition, cat allergy seems to be a sort of "gateway" allergy. Kids bothered by cats often go on to develop asthma or even more allergies.

Current allergy therapy requires injections as frequently as three times a week for up to seven months, with continued monthly shots for five years or more. These allergy shots are expensive, not always safe and tediously slow.

Mark Larché, an immunologist at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, is developing a vaccine to target cat allergy, which afflicts around 10% of the U.S. population and one for ragweed as well. Instead of months and years of regular shots, he plans a four-month schedule of one shot a month with a booster perhaps if needed. In the meantime, allergy medicine will have to suffice.