Recently DogTipper interviewed Dr. Karen “Doc” Halligan, the Director of Veterinary Services at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Los Angeles (spcaLA). You might recognize Dr. Halligan from Animal Planet where she’s often a guest on several series; the veterinarian is also the author of Doc Halligan’s What Every Pet Owner Should Know: Prescriptions for Happy, Healthy Cats and Dogs.
    As you know, we’re always on the lookout for ways to save money on pet care while, at the same time, providing a healthy and happy life for your dog. We talked with Dr. Halligan about a new, less expensive flea preventative called PetArmor, a generic version of Frontline. PetArmor™ offers the same active ingredient
(fipronil), in the same concentration as Frontline. The fipronil patent (U.S. Patent # 5,232,940) expired, clearing the way for generic products to be available.
    In addition, PetArmor Plus contains S-methoprene, just like Frontline Plus, which prevents flea eggs from hatching and maturing, and then laying more eggs.
    In our interview with Dr. Halligan, she talks about the safety of PetArmor for puppies and senior dogs and also using the new preventative if you have already had your dog on another preventative product.

    Nearly 40 percent of U.S. households have a dog, and for some, shedding is a constant concern, especially during the steamy, summer months. But not to worry, pet parents, you can help prevent excessive shedding—and save your home from furry tumbleweeds—with regular grooming sessions. 
    Dr. Kat Miller, ASPCA Director of Applied Science and Research, notes that regular grooming sessions will help remove dirt, prevent tangles and keep your pet’s skin clean and irritant-free. Plus, grooming time is a great time to check for fleas and flea dirt, those little black specks that indicate a pet is playing
host to a flea family.   
     In support of the ASPCA, Dyson, makers of pet-friendly vacuums, have donated products and funding to help pets in need. Together with Dyson, we’re pleased to present additional grooming tips below.
* We recommend bathing your dog at least once every three months. Your pet may  require more frequent baths if she spends a lot of time outdoors.
* Using a shampoo formulated for pets is best. Human shampoos aren't toxic to  pets, but some may contain
fragrances or other substances that can irritate  pets' skin.
* If your pet is shedding excessively, please check with your veterinarian to  determine if your dog’s hair loss is part of the normal shedding process or is a  symptom of an underlying disorder.
* If your dog has a long, luxurious coat, she’ll need daily attention to  remove tangles.
    The Dyson Groom tool, a self-cleaning vacuum accessory designed to capture a dog’s hair before it spreads around the house, is made for use on medium to long-haired dogs. The Dyson Groom has stainless steel bristles and removes loose hair from your dog, and then hygienically transfers the captured hair and allergens to the vacuum.
     The Dyson Groom joins a full range of pet hair solutions by Dyson, including the Dyson Animal vacuum, designed to remove dirt and pet hair from the home and car.  For more pet hair care hints, please visit our Grooming FAQ.

This month we’ve been covering disaster preparedness for keeping your dog safe in a natural disaster. The best time to prepare for a natural disaster is, of course, before one strikes. It only takes a moment to assemble an emergency evacuation kit for your dog but it can mean so much if you have to leave your home in a hurry.
 VCA veterinarian Donna J. Spector has assembled a packing list of items you should consider for your pet’s emergency evacuation kit, many which you’ll already have on hand. Toss them in a bag that’s easy to find in an emergency and you’ll have made an important first step in keeping your dog safe in case of a hurricane,
tornado, flood, wildfire, or other natural disaster!
-  Leash
- Collapsible water/food bowl
- Canned dog/cat food
- Pet toy
- Pet blanket
- Cloth towel
- Basic roll of bandaging material
- All-purpose nail clipper
- Flashlight with batteries
- Doggy bags (can also be used for cat litter clean-up)
- Disposable latex Gloves
- Emergency ice/heat pack
- Camera to take current photos of your pet and include in the kit
- Folder with list of types of vaccination records & medical history to get from vet