Is Your Pet Overweight?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Pet obesity, is it a disease or a decision? Donna Solomon, a veterinarian in the Animal Medical Center of Chicago, says, “Obesity in our pets is a disease but it IS OUR decision.” 

Although your pet may and could be suffering from medical situations, such as Hypothyroid, Hperadrenocorticism, and/or orthopedic pain, most pet obesity is due to  excessive food consumption. It is up to the owner, not the pet, to decide when it is time to eat or exercise.

 If you need help figuring out a proper diet and exercise routine for your pet, simply talk to your veterinarian. 

It is up to you to help your pet fight against obesity! For more information from Veterinarian Donna Solomon on pet obesity click HERE.

Has Your Pet Been Affected by a Pet Food Recall?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

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The amount of pets over recent years that have been affected by pet food recalls is astounding. Recently, chicken jerky treats have been affecting many pets. With the number steadily increasing, they have yet to be recalled.

Many pet owners read the label of chicken jerky treats and believe they’re giving their pets something good. However, these simple treats have been the reason for many pets becoming violently ill and even dying.

Earlier this year, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voiced some concern about feeding pets chicken jerky treats. However, they are still yet to figure out what in them is causing pets to become so sick after consuming them. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association voiced some concern about the treats as well.

Has your pet become ill after consuming chicken jerky treats? Let us know your story on our Facebook page, linked HERE! 

Is Your Pet Overweight?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

As many of us know, the importance of managing and watching our own weight is vital to our overall health. Well, it’s just as important to watch our pet’s weight- but many pet owners are overfeeding their pets and contributing to obesity. 

In the past 5 years, the number of overweight cats has increased 90%, and the number of overweight dogs has increased by 37%. Not impressed?Last year, veterinarians at Banfield Pet Hospitals reportedly saw over 2 million dogs and nearly 430,000 cats. “It’s an epidemic,” says Dr. Jeffery Klausner, medical director for Bandfield. 

Although it’s the animals that are overweight, it’s the owners who are directly responsible. It is important for animal owners to schedule routine visits with their vet to check on their pet’s health conditions. 

By visiting the Bregman Vet Group regularly, you could prevent your pet from harmful diseases, such as arthritis, diabetes, and kidney disease. 

Click HERE to find out other facts and figures about pet obesity. To schedule an appointment at the Bregman Vet Group, visit BregmanVetGroup.com. 

A Searing Narrative of Rabies, and the Desperation to Forget It

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

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When thinking about vaccinating your pets, do you ever think about protecting not just them, but yourself as well? James Gorman, read a book, “Rabid: A cultural History of the World’s Most Diabolical Virus,” considering himself a public health hero, for simply vaccinating his dog.  

Gorman read that, “rabies, on its inexorable death crawl through the nervous system to the brain, can cause sustained erections, and on rare occasions frequent, and uncontrollable ejaculations in human males.” Although, in developing countries rabies is not a common disease to get, in the rest of the world, mainly Africa and Asia, 55,000 people die each year of rabies. 

People assume rabid dogs are stray, but in Africa, most of these rabid dogs are owned.  

This ARTICLE goes to show just how important it is to vaccinate your pets, not only for their own health, but for your own! 

Is There A Proper Way to Greet a Pet?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

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One of pet owner’s worst nightmares is having ther pet harm others, especially for dog owners.

According to The Centers for Disease Control , 800,000 Americans recieve medical attention for dog bites each year, among them half are children. However the CDC says "Dog bites are a largely preventable health problem, and adults and children can learn to reduce their chances of being bitten."

The CDC goes on to explain that there is not a specific breeds that are most likely to bite. There are various reasons a dog can be subject to biting. A few reasons could include, if he's scared, if he's sick or hurt, if he feels trapped, or if he's bitten before and he knows if will make you back off. Unfortunately, it is common for bites occur when people are approaching a dog they don't know and the introduction goes badly.

A posting on Smarter You, Happier Dog by Lili Chin, works closely with a veterinary behaviorist, Dr. Sophia Yin creating the poster "How NOT to Greet a Dog." Who shares greetings that are common sense and that many of the ways we've learned to appropriately approach people we don't know can also be applied to dogs. The tips are good for adults to learn and to teach their children as well.

Dr. Yin's advice: 

1. Avoid reaching into their safety zone. With people, this could be a table in a restaurant; with dogs, it could be a car. Keep a safe distance so they will see you are not a threat.

2.  Avoid rushing up. Approach slowly and at a relaxed pace. If a stranger came running up to you, wouldn't you think they want to do you harm?

3. Avoid interactions without asking. As a pet owner, I don't want a stranger coming up and petting my dog without asking first. If my dog feels threatened and bites, guess who's going to be punished for it. Special caution should be exercised around dogs that are tied up. Dogs have a "flight or fight" instinct, and if they can't flee a perceived threat, they may want to lash out by biting.

4. Avoid staring. Your mother taught you it's not polite to stare, right? It's best to approach a dog sideways, using your peripheral vision.

5.  Avoid "looming." Leaning over a dog might be perceived as threatening, especially for rescue dogs who may have been abused. Even if you squat down to be on the dog's level, avoid looming over the dog as you stand up

6. Don't invade their personal space. People don't like it, and neither do dogs. The best thing to do is to let the dog approach you at his own pace.

7. Avoid close interaction if the dog is afraid of you. If you approach a dog who appears nervous or tense, avoid petting him. This would seem to be common sense, but some people think they can soothe the dog by petting it when really they are just asking for trouble.

8.  Don't squeal or shout in his face.

9. Don't grab him and hug him, or grab his head and kiss it. This is considered an invasion of space, "Doing this to a dog who doesn't know you is like a perfect stranger giving you a great big hug and kiss in an elevator. Wouldn't that creep you out? And wouldn't you have the right to defend yourself?"

With a little knowledge and some common sense, that strange dog you meet can become your friend.

Do you have any tips for better interaction between your pet and those they meet? Share with us on our Facebook Page!

Is a Raw Food Diet Better For Your Pet?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

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Ever heard of the raw food diet, for your pet? Some veterinarians and pet owners seem to believe that the raw meat diet is best for their pets. Sharon Misik, a owner of two Siberian huskies, argues that the raw food diet has changed, and in a way, saved, her dogs lives. 

Misik’s dogs seemed to be suffering from a mysterious illness, causing them trouble with eating and suffering from severe diarrhea. After multiple veterinarian visits and several specialized diets, the raw meat diet was the only thing that worked. “They were like new dogs, happy and healthy,” says Ms Misik.

While this diet worked for Sharon Misik’s Siberian huskies, it doesn’t mean this diet will work on every pet. Many veterinarians happen to discourage this diet. These veterinarians believe that exposing pets to raw food might expose them to harmful bacteria’s, such as salmonella. On the contrary, there are vets who encourage the raw food diet. These vets believe these raw pet foods allow cats and dogs to eat a more natural diet.

This debates between which diet, raw food or processed food, is better for your pet is an ongoing one. Depending on the food and the dog, there’s no saying which diet your animal will live longer on, until further research is done.

Click HERE to read this full article to hear both sides of the debate over the raw food diet for pets. 

Should you Leave the AC on for your Cat or Dog?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

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Mother Jones DC covered the long debated topic of whether leaving the AC on for your pet is the right thing to do.  Both sides of this argument state very valid points.  These pets usually try to make themselves as flat as possible on the floor to try and beat the heat, they also can’t take off their year round fur coats.  These seem like two good enough reasons to try and make the pet you love as comfortable as they can be.  But on the other hand, round the clock AC can be quite expensive and also contributes significantly to climate change, as the New York Times recently reported.  By the year 2050, air conditioning units could account for more than 27 percent of global warming.  

So, is it necessary to keep your AC running all day for your pet?  Dr. Helen Myers, veterinarian at the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center concluded that humidity is just as important as temperature, and when they both rise it is crucial to keep pets cool, comfortable and safe.  Animals cool themselves by panting, a process that exchanges warm air from their lungs for the cooler outside air, which does not work when it is excessively humid.  Thermostats should ideally be set at 78-80 degrees, an appropriate level for most pets.  Basements are typically cooler than the rest of the house, so if your basement is a suitable environment for your pet, have them spend more time down there during a heat wave.  Access to fresh water is also important to prevent dehydration.  

Cats are usually more likely to manage their activity so as not to combine heat and muscle activity.  Elderly, overweight pets and those with heart or lung diseases should be carefully watched, as they are highly susceptible to heat stroke. Pets with short muzzles like pugs, bulldogs and Persian cats are at a higher risk of becoming overheated because they cannot effectively pant. These pets are the best candidates for round the clock AC.

Kimberly May, a veterinarian and spokeswoman for the American Veterinary Medicine Association, added that not every pet is the same it is important to observe the habit of your pet and adjust to their particular needs.  For example, if your pet always hangs out by the AC vent it might be smart to keep it on, but if you see the dog sitting in the sunlight, you might have a little more leeway.  As for the argument that the ancestors of these pets survived fine without AC, should not be heeded.  We have domesticated these animals changing their lifestyles and diets among many other things.

Here are a few final tips.You can put ice in your pet’s water bowl, if they are comfortable with it.  Or a more pricey option is a cooling pad sold at most pet stores and on the internet.  You should walk your dog early in the morning or evening and keep the walks short.  Avoid taking your dog on a run, because they will keep going even if they are overheating.

Broadway Barks is a Success! 14 years in a row!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

This past Saturday, Manhattan’s Schubert Alley became an impromptu pet store! Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters hosted the 14^th annual Broadway Barks, which is a star-studded dog and cat adopt-a-thon which benefits New York City animal shelters and pet-adoption agencies!

Some of Broadways best came out to support the event including Megan Hilty, Nina Arianda, Tracie Bennett, Stephanie J. Block,  Adam Chanler-Berat, Jeremy Jordan, Angela Lansbury, Linda Lavin and Andrew Rannells!

Follow the provided LINK to see pictures from the event!

What You Need To Know About Canine Lymphoma

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

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Dogs’ immune systems are often put at risks when they begin chemotherapy for canine lymphoma cancer. Recent studies at Texas A&M University and University ofTexas MD Anderson Cancer Center have since found that the t- cells taken from a dog before chemotherapy is begun can be cultured to produce more of the important t-cells and be implanted back into the blood stream once the chemotherapy is completed, which can help fight the B-cell lymphoma.

One of the Veterinary Oncologists at Texas A&M, Dr. Heather Wilson, explains how her results were better than expected and looking forward to moving along with the study. The next phase would include, genetically altering the t-cells to make them more specific, allowing for long term remission. It is thought that it has very minimal side-affects and seems to be a perfect option for humans who can’t tolerate chemotherapy’s harsh side effects, especially for young children.

One of the main problems with canine lymphoma cancer is that dogs given standard chemotherapy often only experience one year of durable remission, along with the side-affects.

Did you find this information helpful? Check out more helpful ways to protect and care for you furry friends on our Facebook page!

How Can The Bregman Veterinary Group Help You?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

The Bregman Veterinary Group presents a client education seminar on their site.  This will include information and videos on procedures you may have to perform on your pet. Also, there will be an excellent interview available with noted Psychologist Dr. Tom Ferraro about how to deal with the grief of a pet that has passed.

Fat Camp....For Pets?!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

For Americans, obesity has become a big problem over the last few years. People aren’t the only ones suffering with this issue anymore- animals are too! 

In Chicago, Integrative Pet Care has started to crack down on overweight dogs with a pet fat camp!

With help from underwater treadmills and resistant pools, Integrative Pet Care has helped dogs shed their extra pounds.

Although a fitness and therapy center for dogs and cats might seem a little extreme, the results speak for themselves. Rather than paying for hip surgery in the future, why not spend the money and get your pets healthy now!

Is your pet overweight? Are you worried about the health risks associated with pet obesity? Schedule an appointment at one of the Bregman Vet Group locations to talk about your pets options now! 

Click HERE to read the full article!

Canine First Aid Important Training For Police Officers

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

When police officers are on the job, they face danger and do the best they can do to save human lives. But whoever thought that they would need training to save the lives of canines?

The volunteer training gave K-9 handlers from the Oakland Police Department, the Redwood City Police Department, the Dos Palos Police Department and other Northern California public safety agencies the chance to learn emergency medical techniques that could save the lives of the dogs that serve with them (http://goo.gl/zNy2W).

Believe it or not, K-9’s have been shot at and exposed to different types of narcotics while they are on the job. It would be unlikely that paramedics would be able to assist with canine trauma since their training and number one priority is to help humans. The training help officers learn what to do minutes after the canine is hurt, which is a critical time that could decide whether they survive or not.

The police officers also trained on how to apply splints and bandages to live dogs and also practiced CPR on dummy dogs with the assistance of volunteer veterinarians. The officers were also given animal first aid kits so they would be prepared when out in the field with their canine partners.

Reports were that less than70 handlers attended the training, but there is a waiting list for the next upcoming session in the Sacramento area.

Things To Think About When Traveling With Your Pet

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Before you take a long trip and decide to bring your pet along with you, you should sit down and think about what you need to do to make sure that this trip is pleasant and safe for them and yourself.

First things first, make sure your pet is comfortable with traveling. Some pets cannot handle travel because of an illness, their age or temperament. If you pet is not good with travel, you should consider a reliable pet-sitter or talk to your veterinarian about boarding facilities in your area (http://goo.gl/PZciX).

You should also consider having your pet implanted with a microchip, which will improve your chances of getting your pet back if it becomes lost. The microchip must be registered with your current contact information, including a cell phone number. A tag is included when you have a microchip that has the microchip number and the cell number of the owner, so when the pet is found, people can use the tag to determine ownership of the pet.

Also, make sure your pet is allowed to stay wherever your destination may be. Some places will allow pets, while others have strict policies against pets. You may also want to bring a portable kennel if you are planning on leaving your pet unattended.

Finally, if you are taking your pet out of the country, you need a health certification. It must be signed by a veterinarian after they have been examined and found to be free of disease. Their vaccinations must be up-to-date in order for the certification to be fully complete.

If you have any other questions or concerns about traveling with your pet, feel free to reach out to us at one of the Bregman Vet Hospitals and we will assist you the best we can.

Understanding Hormonal Incontinence In Dogs

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Do you have a female dog that is over 10 years old and continuously goes to the bathroom inside your house? There could be a few possibilities to why this happens (one being a urinary tract infection), but it could be a case of hormonal incontinence.

In spayed female dogs, especially as they age, the lack of estrogen can cause the urinary sphincter to become weak (http://goo.gl/km3Bt). Hence, your pet will leak out urine in certain areas, whether it by in their beds or on your carpet.

The good thing is that it is an easy problem to solve. Although medication works for most dogs, sometimes you need to take the next step if it isn’t working. There are a few types of surgical therapies that can be used.

Colposuspension is the most commonly performed procedure. In this specific surgery, the vagina is tacked to the bottom of the belly wall entrapping and compressing the urethra. 

Cystourethropexy is a modification of colposuspension, but it can be performed on both males and females. The ductus deferens are tacked down to compress the urethra, and fibers from the urethral muscles can also be tacked down (http://goo.gl/RJMh9).

Lastly, urethral lengthening works when dogs have a short urethra. This causes a full bladder to be displaced into the pelvis and makes the urethra too short for either of the above surgical procedures.

If your dog is having similar issues and you want to have this looked at, please contact us at the Bregman Vet Hospitals as soon as possible so we can prevent any further problems.