Pet Pawsengers are Top Dawgs at Pet Airways

How 'bout this heat??? Ready to travel somewhere for relief but don't know what to do with your Lab? Well, now you can take him with you. You may have heard that there is now an airline dedicated to pet "pawsengers". Dan and Alysa Binder found it difficult to travel with their Jack Russell Terrier, Zoe. Too big to fit under the seat in front of them, Zoe would be relegated to the cargo hold in the belly of the plane. Dan and Alysa did not consider their pet "cargo" and decided to do something about their dilemma. That was how Pet Airways was born.

Flying your pet on Pet Airways works much the same way as flying works for humans. First, pets are dropped off at the Pet Lounge. Less than two hours before flight time, your pet is given a potty break. Then your pet boards the plane. The pets transported by Pet Airways always ride in the climate controlled main cabin of the plane and are never stuck in the cargo area. While you cannot travel with your pets on the Pet Airways planes, a pet attendent travels with your pet ensuring his or her safety, security and comfort. All pets travel in carriers which Pet Airways provides and upon arrival, your pet is given another potty break and then waits for you to pick him up in the Pet Lounge. If flights are delayed for any reason, a pet attendent stays with your pet until the flight is ready for take off. Pet Airways maintains that pets are never left alone.

Prices can be as low as $149 and are dependent on the size of crate your pet comfortably fits in as well as the distance your pet will travel. This price compares very favorably with other human airlines. (Check out the price comparison list on the Pet Airways website for more details:http://petairways.com/content/pet-airways-air-fares) Currently, pets can fly to and from the following inaugural cities: Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Washington DC/Baltimore area, and New York.

Pet Airways has also partnered with two hotel chains - Kimpton Hotels & LaQuinta- that offer discounts for members of the Pet Airways MyPAWs club. Other benefits of MyPAWs club include discounts at the Pet Airways online store that features products from well known pet companies such as Kong and Nylabone. Sign up for the MyPAWs Club at the Pet Airways website and check out other benefits such as discounted pet insurance and receive the Pet Airways newsletter.

So fret no more about leaving your Lab behind to swelter while you flee the heat. Log on or call Pet Airways and book your travel plans now for a nice relaxing break for the whole family!!! For more information, log on to the Pet Airways website: http://petairways.com/

Internet Pharmacies - For Better or Worse

Many of us have seen Ms Betty White, long time television actress, discuss the ease of ordering pet medications online. But what are online pet pharmacies, where do they get their medications and the authority to sell the drugs? Are they really cheaper than buying medication at your own veterinarian?

If you choose to begin using an online pharmacy, make sure you research the pharmacy to determine its legitimacy. Also, be prepared to do some paperwork to get your pet's medications. Online pharmacies cannot fill prescriptions without the consent of your pet's veterinarian. In all cases, the veterinarian will have had to seen the pet within at least the last year (and sometimes more frequently depending on the medication) to approve the prescription refill. So, the online pharmacy will have to first contact your veterinarian (or you will have to fax a prescription written by your veterinarian) to fill your prescription. The online pharmacy will then get approval for the prescription, "process" the prescription and then mail it to you. This process could take up to 5 - 7 days or longer. Also, many medications are sensitive to heat. During this time of record breaking heat, having your pet's medication sit around in a mail truck or in your mailbox waiting for you to get home is probably not the best storage option. Obviously, the turnaround time is much quicker if you use your local vet's pharmacy.

If you do receive a medication from an online pharmacy, it is important that you check the packaging of the medication carefully. Some of the medication may not be exactly what you would receive from your vet. Medication purchased online may have been purchased outside of the United States. Make sure to check the expiration date and check the label carefully to ensure that the medication you received is the actual medication and strength prescribed by your vet. Medications ordered from your veterinarian will have a sticker from the FDA that states "Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to be used by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian." Make sure that this sticker also appears on the medication received from the online pharmacy.

Many medications that are prescribed by and purchased from your pet's veterinarian are guaranteed by the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the drug. For instance, there have been a small number of cases reported in which dogs that have consistently taken heartworm preventative have come up positive for heartworms when tested. Often in these cases, the company whose heartworm preventative the dog was on at the time will pay for heartworm treatment when the client can provide proof that the dog consistently took the monthly preventative. When your medication is purchased through an online pharmacy this is not the case as many pharmaceutical companies are unable to trace from where the products that the online pharmacy carries are coming and therefore cannot guarantee the authenticity of the product.

Last, a report done by Boston's ABC affiliate WCVB Channel 5 News compared several medications ordered online versus from a veterinarian and found, "in all but one case, the medication purchased from the veterinarian was less expensive." Furthermore, your veterinarian will often pass along incentives and coupons for medications purchased frequently that may not be offered by the online pharmacy. It may be that the use of an online pharmacy can be more expensive than using your local vet pharmacy.

So, before deciding to order medication from an online pharmacy, be sure to investigate the online pharmacy that you wish to use to ensure it is an ethical business, research the medication you will be ordering and make sure it is exactly the same medication prescribed by your veterinarian and make sure that the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the medication will guarantee the medication if it does not perform the way its supposed to for your pet, and finally be sure to do a price comparison to determine if indeed the medication you order after shipping fees, etc. is cheaper than getting it from your local veterinarian pharmacy.

This information was obtained from the brochure entitled Pet Internet Pharmacies - What You Need to Know by Phil Winters Marketing Communications. To view the entire brochure please go to the following link: http://pharmacybrochure.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/pharmacy.8284708.pdf

Sago Palm - a Deadly Decoration

If you are a Lab lover than you know that one of a Labrador's favorite past times is eating. That's why we owners are forever removing things from their mouths. Whether you currently own a Lab or are considering adding one to the family, it is important to be familiar with plants, medications and human food that may put your dog in peril.

One example of a toxic plant is the Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta). The Sago Palm is a popular ornamental plant in the central Texas area found in many homeowners yards (as well as indoors in cooler climates). All parts of the Sago Palm are poisonous and can make your Labrador very sick. For younger dogs or dogs that spend a great deal of time outdoors, sometimes a favorite activity is to dig (much to the disappointment of many owners). Puppies are known to pull plants from the ground, run around the yard with them in their mouths, and after tiring, continue the fun by chewing on them. Sago Palms can also drop seeds. These seeds are the most poisonous part of the plant. Older dogs while having learned not to dig, still may find the seeds enticing.

Symptoms of Sago Palm toxicity include vomiting (with or without blood), diarrhea (with or without blood), shaking, depression, anorexia, and seizures. The most serious concern associated with Sago Palm poisoning is liver failure. According to the ASPCA, Sago Palm poisoining has increased 200% since 2003, and in 50-75% of cases, Sago Palm poisoning is lethal. Treatment includes administration of activated charcoal to block the absorption of the toxins, IV fluid therapy and medications aimed at protecting the GI tract, controlling seizures and supporting the liver. Blood transfusions may be needed if loss of blood is severe.

To avoid the possibility of this happening to your Lab, consider removing the plants from the areas that your dog frequents or leave your dog indoors when you are unable to watch him outside. Crate training is a great option for your pet when you cannot be with him. Look for an upcoming article for this blog on the benefits of crate training. For more information on Sago Palm toxicity or plant toxicity in general, visit the ASPCAs website: http://www.aspca.org/

HOTLR Recommends Article To Keep Your Hot Dog Cool

After 50 plus days of triple digit temperatures, are you running out creative ways to stay cool? Well, so are we. That's why we'd like to take the time to give four paws up to Bilinda Marshall, board member of Responsible Pet Owners Alliance located in San Antonio, Texas for reminding us that we need to take special care of our pets as well, during this time of record breaking heat.

Check out the link to this informative article entitled "Baby, Its HOT Outside" from Ms. Marshall: http://d.yimg.com/kq/groups/3080957/641723660/name/BABY%20ITs%20hot%20outside.doc to get some good tips on how to care for your Lab throughout all of the remaining "dog days of summer".