How would you like to save your dog’s life for less than a
dollar? As we all know it seems like in today’s economy everything costs more,
and if you’re household is like mine, pet expenses are a big chunk of your
budget. However, I have found an App for my iPad that seriously costs less than
a buck and yes; it could easily save one of my dog’s (or cat’s) lives…
The Pet Poison Helpline has been around for years, but until
recently your only option was to call and pay for advice if Fido got into
something you thought was poisonous. They did develop a website with tons of
great info but what if you are not at home or have your laptop (or internet
access!) when disaster strikes? Well, they have now developed an App for our “i”
gadgets and smart phones that is as simple to use as typing in the name of the
item your pet (yes it applies itself to not only dogs but also cats, horses and
other animals) has ingested, and then tells you the degree of danger, which
animals are affected, what if anything you should do, symptoms, description of
the item and even offers a link to make a phone call to the hotline for live
help. It is one of the coolest Aps out there! Let me give you a couple of
examples…
1.
Arrowhead Vine (Arrowhead Ivy House Plant)
Generally mild to moderate poison, toxic to dogs and cats, symptoms drooling,
vomiting, pawing at mouth, increased respiratory rate/effort, difficulty
breathing. It then gives the link to the hotline and instructs to call the vet.
2.
Gorilla Glue: Generally mild to moderate
sometimes requiring surgery, toxic to cats and dogs, drooling, vomiting, loss
of appetite, distended stomach, retching, a long description of chemical
properties and possible outcomes of ingestion and suggestion of call vet or
hotline.
3.
Scorpions: Generally mild to moderate, toxic to
cats and dogs, drooling, localized pain, itchiness, redness to the bite area,
abnormal heart rate, abnormal blood pressure, dilated pupils, tremors, walking
drunk and abnormal eye movement. Talks about types and venom differences and
pros and cons of anti-venom, and where the really dangerous types live.
Suggestion of calling hotline or vet!
There is an index as well as a search option and it includes
plants, pharmaceuticals, poisonous animals and reptiles, household cleaners and
toxins, and more. To be honest, the list is really mind blowing. The
information is very easy to understand and well written. I have actually
started to include the use of the App in my classes as a way to show the
dangers that lurk inside our houses for not only humans but also pets. For an
investment of only .99 cents, I would say it is a no brainer! But, considering
I just stumbled on the app while perusing the App store, I wanted to let you
all know it is out there. Now it is your job to go get it to become better
educated and then share the App with someone else J Be safe, be smart and have
some fun with your Furry four legged friend!!!
