Bregman Veterinary Group Location Updates Post Hurricane Sandy!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Midbrook Animal Hospital Paws and Claws and the Fifth Avenue Cat Clinic are open with telephone lines working and full power! You can now call us for appointments and services; we are on a regular schedule in these locations.  

The Cat Hospital in Long Island has no power or telephone service. Today, Dr. Allen Bregman and Dr. Eric Bregman are traveling upstate New York to procure a generator. In that regard, the Cat Hospital will be open tomorrow, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. for appointments. We will be open on Friday for food pickups and drop-offs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday appointments will be normal hours.

Any clients with any questions or concerns should call 516-746-2287 and leave a message. Your call will be forwarded to our answering services and answered in short order. You can also call 888-928-4284 and leave a message and all calls will be answered ASAP.

We thank you for your patience and understanding at this time. We will keep you updated with any new information in regard to our locations. 

IMPORTANT FRANKENSTORM INFORMATION FOR YOU AND YOUR PET!

Due to the recent hurricane warnings for the tri-state area, we want to ensure you and your pets are safe and prepared for any situation. At the request of the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM), animal welfare agencies in the OEM's Animal Planning Task Force urge pet owners to develop an emergency evacuation plan to keep their families and pets safe before Hurricane Sandy makes landfall in New York City and its surrounding areas.  The ASPCA, Animal Care & Control of NYC, the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, The Humane Society of the US and NYC Veterinary Emergency Response Team are reminding pet owners that all evacuation shelters are pet friendly. Several evactuation shelters opened their doors this afternoon, and pet owners should check the OEM's Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder to locate the nearest evacuation zone, and the system will direct pet owners to the proper facility. You can also obtain this information by calling 311.  Have an emergency pet bag packed just in case. Include basic essentials including a leash, canned food for 3 days, a spare bag of treats, a toy, a face cloth and/or towel your pet can lay on, and a few bottles of water. In addition, have a secure carrier, muzzle, bowls, waste disposal bags and/or litter pan and a first aid kit. Also include proof of rabies vaccination, a pet license and more than one picture of you with your pet. Having these items easily accessible and organized will make a bad situation better. The best thing you can do for both you and your pet is plan ahead. Don't wait until the last minute to see if Hurricane Sandy will affect your neighborhood. Act now, find your nearest evacuation shelter, and tune in to your local news to monitor the storm's condition. Don't forget, all of the City's evacuation shelters for humans are pet friendly, so please take your pets with you if you need to evacuate.  AT NO POINT SHOULD AN ANIMAL BE LEFT BEHIND AT HOME! The Animal Planning Task Force offers the following tips on disaster preparedness: Always bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm or disaster. Make sure all pets wear collars and ID tags with up-to-date identification. Additionally, make sure all micro-chip information is update.  Keep a pet emergency kit and supplies handy with items such as medical records, water, pet food and medications, and pet first aid supplies. Arrange a safe haven for your pets in the event of an evacuation. Do not leave your pets behind.  Choose a designated caregiver who can take care of your pet in the event you are unable.  Low-lying areas of the city that are most at risk for flooding and other damage and are designated as "Zone A" low-lying areas in the Coastal Storm Plan include: Coney Island and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn Far Rockaway and Broad Channel in Queens South Beach Midland Beach Battery Park City in Manhattan For details and updates, pleae visit the OEM's website atwww.NYC.gov/oem, or call 311 to find an evacuation center.  New York City's Office of Emergency Management created the Animal Planning Task Force to develop plans for disasters - both natural and otherwise. The task force include representatives from the ASPCA, the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, AC&C, HSUS, NYC VERT, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, American Red Cross in Greater New York, Bideawee, Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Veterinary Medical Assistance Team One. These agencies have also committed resources that include animal sheltering veterinary support, search and rescue, supplies, staff and volunteers to provide aid in the days ahead.  Be safe!   For more information on Hurricane Sandy and the city response, please visit the following website: www.NYC.gov/OEM .

Pet Halloween Costume Ideas!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Take a look at these pictures of pets in their Halloween costumes! What are you dressing up your pets as this Halloween? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked HERE!

Order Your Pets Prescriptions on our Website!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Have you been on the Bregman Veterinary Groups website recently? Did you know you can order your pets prescriptions online? How easy and convenient!

You can now shop online on the Bregman vet Groups website! We offer the convenience of ordering our prescriptions from home including (flea/tick and heartworm preventative and prescription diets) delivered directly to your door!

Visit our website and click the appropriate LINK for the hospital you’re currently using!

Do you order your prescriptions online? Let us know on our Facebook page, LINKED HERE! 

Do You Feed Your Pet Table Food?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

If you’re a pet owner, do you ever find yourself feeding those scraps from dinner? If you do, you need to think twice before giving them people foods! There are many people foods that can be dangerous to your pet’s health!

Here are a couple of foods that you should avoid giving your pets, courtesy of the ASPCA.

• Chocolate
• Coffee
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Avocado
• Macadamia Nuts
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Yeast Dough
• Raw/Under cooked Meats
• Eggs
• Bones
• Xylitol (Found in gum, candy, baked goods, toothpaste)
• Onions
• Garlic
• Chives
• Milk
• Salt

To read the full article, CLICK HERE. 

If you have any further questions about your pets diet, contact your veterinarian or visit our Facebook page, LINKED HERE! 

Do You Have Questions About Your New Kitten?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Do you have a new kitten? Does your playful new kitten make it hard for you to get adequate rest at night? Or does your kitten mistake the living room carpet for its litter box?

If so, you’re not the only one who is having these problems due to the adorable kitten running around your home! Here are a couple of Q & A’s from other pet owners who are having the same troubles as you are! Q & A’s courtesy of newsday.com!

Q: My girlfriend and I got a kitten over the summer. He is now 5 months old. We cannot sleep at all anymore. He tears all over our apartment all night long and bounces on our bed over and over again. We put him on the floor and scold him but he is right back again 5 minutes later. There is not a cat toy on the planet that this animal does not have, so there is plenty to amuse him in the rest of the apartment. We are going to neuter him next month. Will that stop his behavior? Is there something else we can try? --Paul Richardson, Manorville

A: Neutering only removes an animal's desire to mate and any behaviors related to that. It certainly will not stop your cat from being happy that it is alive and wanting to share with you his joy in it.

Our cats usually sleep all day when we are not home, so their day is just beginning as ours is ending.

Your kitten has the whole night now to run and play and cannot understand why you do not want to join in. He figures that during the day you have been curled up somewhere sleeping as he has been. You just have to close the bedroom door at night and do not open it no matter what he does. Of course he will cry and throw himself at the door all night long for the first few nights, but after a week of this he will figure out that this behavior does not lead to anything. Only then will he look for some other amusement to keep him busy all night, and you can sleep in peace.

Q: I have a 5-year-old female spayed cat, and a friend has a 1 1/2-year-old sheltie. The dog is well-behaved and housebroken, but whenever the dog is brought to my house, he wants to urinate on everything. He is immediately corrected and brought outside, but as soon as he is brought back in he wants to repeat the process. I've tried "Off"-type sprays, but they do nothing. I think it is the cat's scent that triggers the dog's reaction. What can we do? --John Post,Aquebogue

A: You do not mention if the dog is neutered. This behavior is rare in neutered dogs. It is usually an intact male that feels the need to do this.

This is really not an issue of training. The dog is following a deep instinct. He is not even thinking about doing this -- it just happens. He has the opportunity to do it, and so he does. With careful management, you can deny him the opportunity. Keep the dog on a lead when he is in your house. Monitor him constantly so that when indoors he just gets used to the new smells without marking. You cannot let him out of your sight. If you cannot watch him, put him in a crate. As the weeks of this go on, he will become desensitized to all the smells of the different environment, and since he has not been able to act out the instinct of marking when he smells these things, he will no longer think it an option. The behavior will become extinct. Then you can gradually allow him his freedom again.

Do you have any other questions about your pets answered? Let us know on our Facebook page, LINKED HERE! 

Tips To Remember When Dressing Your Pet Up This Halloween!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Are you planning on dressing up your pet for Halloween this year? If so, it’s important to remember to pick a costume that is appropriate, safe and comfortable for your pet!

Experts at the ASPCA suggest that you only put a Halloween costume on your pet if he/she will enjoy it. If you do decide to dress your pet up for Halloween, there are a few important things you should remember!

The Halloween costume you choose for your pet should not constrict his/her movement, hearing or impede their ability to breathe, bark or meow. Try your pets costume on before Halloween, and if your pet seems to be in discomfort or stressed, it is best to ditch the costume all together.

Examine the Halloween costume you purchased for your pet and make sure there aren't any small, dangling or easily chewed off pieces that could cause harm to your pet. These small items may cause your pet to choke.

Under your pets Halloween costume, make sure their personal identification is secured and visible in case they are to get lost during Halloween festivities! 

Will you dress your pets up this Halloween? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked HERE! 

FAQ Answered About Grooming Your Pets!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Do you have any unanswered questions about grooming your pets? Here are a couple FAQ about grooming your pets answered, courtesy of the ASPCA.

How Often Should I Bathe My Dog?

The ASPCA recommends bathing your dog at least once every three months. Your pet may require more frequent baths if she spends a lot of time outdoors.

Is Human Shampoo Safe to Use on My Pet?

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.

Be sure to select a product that's specifically formulated for your species of animal, as some ingredients may be harmful when applied to different types of pets. It's always smart to talk with your pet's veterinarian to make sure you're selecting a shampoo that will meet your pet's needs.

Do I Need to Bathe My Cat? My Bird?

With her built-in grooming tools (tongue and teeth, of course), your kitty is well-equipped to tackle her own hair care needs. But if she's extra dirty or gets into something sticky or smelly, you may need to give her a bath.

As for your feathered friend, you can help keep his plumage looking perfect with a bath as often as he likes it. Put a shallow dish of water at the bottom of his cage and let him hop around in it. You'll probably want to schedule bath time just before you clean his cage!

When Do I Need to Call My Vet?

If your pet has fleas or mange, or his fur is so matted that it affects his health and mobility, it's time to see a vet. Furthermore, if your pet becomes aggressive when you or an experienced groomer tries to bathe him, please contact your vet.

My Pet Has Long Hair That's Frequently Matted. How Do I Get Rid of the Matting?

Gently tease out mats with a slicker brush, and then brush your pet with a bristle brush. If matting is particularly dense, you may try clipping the hair, taking care not to come near the skin. It's a good idea to set up a daily grooming routine for long-haired pets, since they really need daily brushing to remove tangles and prevent mats.

How Do I Cut Down on My Pet's Shedding?

Shedding is a normal process for pets, but the amount and frequency of hair lost often depends on health and breed type. While you can't stop the shedding process altogether, you can greatly reduce the amount of fur on your furniture by brushing your pet regularly.

Excessive shedding can also be circumvented with proper nutrition. Quality pet-food manufacturers work hard to include the right amount of nutrients so that supplements are not needed, but pets with allergies or sensitivities might need to experiment with different brands to discover which food works best for them.

For more useful tips about your pet’s health, visit www.aspca.org! 

Ten Step’s to Your Dog’s Dental Health!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Humans are not the only ones who need to have Dental Hygiene, it is important to take care of a dog’s teeth as well. By brushing your dog’s teeth, providing a healthy diet and plenty of chew toys it can help their oral hygiene.

Here are 10 steps to help your dog’s dental health! Also, don't forget The Bregman Vet Group offers different dental services for your pets! Call any of our locations today for more information! 

1. The Breath Test- A dog’s breath is not predominantly a fresh smell, but if the breathe is more offensive and you see the dog not eating, or excessive drinking or urinating, take the dog to the vet.
2. Lip Service- About once a week face your dog to you and lift the top lip and exam the gums. The gums should be pink, not white or red and should not have any swelling.  There should be no signs of brownish tartar and have clean teeth.
3. Signs of Oral Disease- If your dog have a problem with their mouth or gastrointestinal system, get them checked out by a veterinarian.  Bad Breath, Excessive drooling, inflamed gums, tumors in the gums, cysts under the tongue and loose teeth. All of these signs could be signs of an oral disease your dog could encounter.
4. The Lowdown on Tooth Decay- Regular teeth cleanings help prevent any bacteria and plaque that can cause builds up on a dog’s teeth. 
5. Canine Tooth- Brushing Kit- Ask your vet for toothpaste made just for dogs, human tooth paste should not be used on dogs, and it can cause upset stomach. Get a tooth brush just for dogs or wrap a clean piece of gauze around your finger. 
6. Brightening the Pearly Whites- In order for the tooth brushing process to be easier on you and the dog, first try to massage their lips with her finger in a circular motion to get them adjusted to the feeling. Once the dog feels comfortable start easing toothpaste on their lip to get used to the taste. The next thing to do after you have introduced the brush and toothpaste is to put it all together and gently start brushing the teeth.
7. Brushing Technique- To keep the dog still and not go crazy during this exercise, place the brush at a 45 degree angle and clean in a small circular motion. Work on one area at a time and don’t fight any areas they won’t let you do. Once the dog is adjusted to this process start to clean them 2-3 times a week.
8. Know Your Mouth Disorders- Know the types of mouth problems that are out there so if your dog may come across one you know to go a vet.  Look out for problems like, periodontal disease gingivitis, halitosis swollen gums, proliferating gum disease, mouth tumors, salivary cysts and canine distemper teeth. If you see any symptoms of these bring your canine to the vet.
9. Chew on This- Talk to your vet about what kind of chew toys are best for your dog, they can satisfy the dog’s natural instinct to chomp on something while making the teeth strong.
10. Diet for Healthy Teeth- Keep your dog on a particularly formulated dry food that can help slow down any tartar or plaque.

If you learn these tips and start to use them on your canine, you will help their oral hygiene and better their mouth! 

For more information on your dog’s health, CLICK HERE

Pets and our Environment!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Human’s and their pets may share more qualities than one may initially think. Both can be; loving, happy, excited, and even sad. Unfortunately, one shared quality that many pet owners may not be aware of is that, pets also share our diseases. Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and asthma are all diseases that dogs and cats suffer from, along with humans.

Pets are in our environment with us. What people do not realize is that since we share an environment, we are also exposed to the same pollutants. For example, if we mop a floor with chemicals and use carpet cleaner on our living room carpet, our pet, who might be lying on the floor, is going to breathe in and be exposed to all the chemicals. These are the same chemicals that would make us sick if we breathed in, and may even kill us if we ingested them.

Since cats wind up ingesting a lot of dust on their fur due to their grooming habits, they are potentially at risk for overactive thyroids. This is because the ingested dust could contain chemicals from around the house. This may be a potential bigger issue. Toddlers usually spend a lot of time crawling around floors and rugs. They are being exposed to the same type of potentially dangerous dust particles!

You may be thinking, well, my dog spends a lot of time outside, so this does not really apply to me. But, you may not actually be clear from danger. Lawn and garden pesticides have been shown in studies to increase cases of canine lymphoma and bladder cancer. In a 2004 study by Purdue University veterinarians, Scottish terriers exposed to certain herbicides (including common weed killer), were more than four times likely to develop bladder cancer compared to yards that had untreated lawns.

While our pets unfortunately live relatively short lives, researchers can actually use this to their advantage. Researchers can gather a lifetime of information in a dog’s accelerated life as compared to people. This is important information because the functions of certain human genes are actually very similar to dogs. So, some of the information learned from environmental diseases in dogs and how we treat them, can actually help find treatments and cures in humans as well.

So next time you smoke a cigarette or spray some pesticide around your pet, know that you may potentially be harming them as well as yourself. A clean environment can benefit all species! 

Tips to Help Save on Pet Care Costs!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Did you know that Americans spent $50 billion on their pets last year? If you’re a pet owner, you've probably noticed that pets can get pricey! Here are 10 tips to help you save on pet care costs!

Find the right pet/breed for your budget- There are many factors when considering what kind of pet to bring into your home. You may want to ask yourself questions such as: Do I have the time to provide long walks and activities to fulfill the needs of a larger dog? Would a smaller dog or indoor cat be a better fit for my household?

Adopt a pet- If you’re on a tight budget and looking to do a good deed- adopting a pet is a great option for you.

Find coupons for food and toys- If you do your research, there are plenty of deal sites out there on the web that cater to pet freebies and promotions! Another great way to save money is to buy your pet food in bulk.

Invest in preventative care- Be sure to keep up with routine vet checkups for your pets. This can help dodge bigger medical issues and bills in the future.

Treat illness promptly- Don’t put off vet care until an illness worsens – this will most likely result in your vet bill costing an arm and a leg for care!

Consider pet insurance- Many people have different opinions on pet insurance and question whether it’s worth it or not. However, in some cases, the right pet insurance could help alleviate big financial blows of medical emergencies.

Learn DIY (do it yourself) grooming- Grooming your pet each month can become extremely expensive. You can learn to groom your pet on your own or you can choose a pet breed that is low-maintenance.

Invest in training- Pet training isn't cheap, however, having a well-behaved pet can reduce the likelihood of accidents happening later on. For example, if you train your dog to get along well with other dogs, it is less likely your pet will have a bad run in with your neighbor’s dog!

Find a reasonably priced sitter- There are many ways to find reasonably priced pet care if you’re going out of town. Start by asking your veterinarian for recommendations! Make sure that your pet sitter is bonded, insured and certified by a professional organization!

Skip the fancy extras- Skip the pricey toys, gourmet foods and treats and the trendy pet clothes – they really add up!

Do you have any other additional tips to help save on pet care costs? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked HERE! 

New Animal Care Facility for JFK!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

We have some good news for pet lovers who would like to travel out of New York with pets, but are apprehensive about their pet’s safety and well-being!

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey approved plans to build a new $32 million animal care facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport. This facility will provide veterinary, kenneling, grooming, and other services for domestic and wild animals. So now when you are travelling and need your pet to be taken care of before a long flight or during one, can avail of the services offered at this new facility.

Not just for dogs and cats, the new animal care facility will have an aviary, quarantine for horses, a veterinary hospital plus a rehab animal center. But here is the kicker – not only does this project work for animals, it will also create 190 jobs.

This is a winner all round!

JetBlue Deal for Pets!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

JetBlue is currently offering a deal that allows pets to travel on an unlimited number of flights for up to 3 months for $299.  It is called “All Your Pet Can Jet” deal! It was unveiled the same time as the “Go Pack,” a similar deal that allows humans to fly on up to 10 flights in three months! 

The "All Your Pet Can Jet" deal runs through December 31,2012 ,and allows the pet to travel in the cabin only accompanied by a human with a separate ticket.  There are restrictions to this deal, JetBlue will only transport cats and dogs less than 20 pounds.  Your pets can fly anywhere that JetBlue does except for the Caribbean, Jamaica, St. Lucia and Barbados.  

This deal can really help during holiday season or for business people who don’t want to leave their pets at home or even if you just like to travel.  Now you never have to leave your pet with a friend take them with you wherever you go and don’t break the bank doing it.  

What do you think of this deal? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked HERE!