Pets - The Long Survivors of The Recession

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Luckily for your pets, they have not fallen victim to the current economic crisis. In fact, a new report published by the Bureau of Labor revealed that from 2007-2011, pet spending has remained consistent. Pet owners continue to spend an extensive amount of money on caring for their animal companions. According to WTOP.com, in 2011 alone, pet owners spent a total of $61.4 billion on pet care – and that’s not including fish!

Here are a few statistics, published by the Bureau of Labor on pet spending in 2011: 

• 75% of U.S households have pets, meaning the average household spent over $500 in pet care. That’s more than they spent on men’s clothing ($404).
• Homeowners went out to eat less at restaurants, but continued to spend the same amount on food for their pets.
• The average household spent $183 on pet food, which is more than they spent on bread ($107).
• Married couples without kids at home were the heaviest spenders on their pets.

 The Bregman Veterinary Group encourages all pet owners to spend an adequate amount of money on pet food and care!

Do you find these statistics to run true in your household? Let us know what you think about these facts on our Facebook Page! 

How To Travel Safely With Your Pets This Summer

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Summer is finally here, and the hot sunny weather encourages many people to take vacations.  If you can’t find a sitter or if you just can’t part with your pet, there are a few tips to help you travel safely with your cat or dog!

Before deciding to take your pet on your journey, ask yourself if your pet is up for the trip?  “Most cats are happier at home with a sitter,” says Louise Murray, director of medicine at Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, in NYC.

Traveling long distances may be very uncomfortable and scary for your pet.  Whether you're traveling by plane, train or automobile, chances are this will be a new and scary experience for your pet.  Decide if the means of transportation you’re taking to reach your destination will be OK for your pet as well. 

If you’re traveling on an airline that doesn't allow pets to fly in the cabin, do you want your pet tucked away with the cargo? Often times, larger pets aren't allowed in the cabin and therefore are stowed with the cargo. Cargo can be unsafe, frightening and uncomfortable for your furry friends. If you do have a larger pet, taking the train may be a better option. “Trains tend to be a safe and comfortable travel option for short to medium distances,” says Murray. Just be sure the train company you’re using allows pets on board. 

For additional travel tips for pets, CLICK HERE. 

The Bregman Veterinary Group encourages pet owners to take these tips into consideration when traveling this summer. For more information and pet tips, visit us our Facebook page. 

Informative Video on Flowers that are Poisonous to Pets - A Must See for Pet Owners!

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Attention all pet owners. This is a must see video from the ASPCA informing pet owners which types of flowers are poisonous to pets.

Let us know what you think on our Facebook page. 

Take Your Dog to Work Day is This Friday!

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

This Friday, June 21, is the official Take Your Dog to Work Day! As exciting as this is for you to show off your four-legged friend, there are still some steps you should take in prepping for their office debut.

Pet allergies, coworkers who are afraid of dogs, and potty accidents are a few things to consider. As long as these challenges are addressed properly, this year's Take Your Dog to Work Day should run smoothly - for you, your office, and your pup!

See below for 5 challenges you should be aware of this Friday:

1. Coworkers who are allergic to dogs: Talk to your coworkers prior to Friday. Make sure your pooch is freshly bathed and keep him out of your coworker's area should they be allergic. Then just make sure you or the janitorial staff thoroughly cleans all areas your dog visited
   
2. Coworkers who are afriad of dogs: Traumatic dog experiences happen, and sometimes those people never get over their fear. If you have a coworker afraid of dogs, never leave your dog unattended and be sure to keep him away from the coworker the entire day (no matter how friendly your dog is!)
   
3. Your dog doesn't like your office: Having a needy and fearful dog at work isn't good for your dog, or for your productivity. See if you can take your dog for a test run before the official day. If not, bring a favorite toy or doggie bed, a little bit of home to make him feel comfotable
   
4. Potty accidents: Accidents happen, no matter how well trained your pooch may be. Be proactive and take your dog outside more often than you normally would. An accident could be quite alarming to coworkers who don't own pets
   
5. Distractions: A cute dog is always a distraction, no matter the situation. Think ahead! Maybe a 3-month-old puppy isn't ready to bring to the office, but an older well trained dog is.
   

Are you planning to take your dog to work with you this Friday? Let us know on our Facebook page! Feel free to share your own tips on how to prep your pooch!

Top Summer Tips for Pet Safety

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Summer is prime time for those family vacations, backyard BBQs, and being outdoors. All of which can be enjoyed with your pets, so long as you take the right precautions.

Here are some summer tips on how to make sure your pets are ready for what this season has in store:

Hot Weather:

• Never leave a pet in a car on a hot day - cracking a window isn't going to cut it. We all know how much hotter the inside of a car can get when sitting for just 10 minutes. Pets can only withstand a higher body temperature for a very short time before suffering irreparable brain damage or even death.
• Be safe outdoors- pets can easily get overheated. Make sure your pet stays cool outside by always providing shade and cool water.
• Adjust your pet's exercise routine - exercise in early morning or evening hours for cooler temperatures. Keep in mind asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws.
• Watch for heat stroke - Call your vet immediately. Signs of heatstroke include bright red tongue and gums, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive panting, and a body temperature of 105-110 degrees. If this happens, get your pet out of the heat, lay him on cool shaded grass and pour cool water over him. You can also give small amounts of water or ice cubes

Water Safety:

• Don't leave pets unsupervised around pools - not all dogs are good swimmers. Even if they know how to swim, they may not know how to get out
• Practice safety on boats - make sure your pet wears a flotation device and is rinsed off after swimming in the ocean

Backyard Safety:

• Don't allow your pet to partake in parties - human foods and drinks aren't always fit for pets to consume. Certain foods and drinks can be detrimental to a pets health

Traveling with your pet:

• Pack smart - make sure all necessary supplies and food are packed for your trip. Check out hotels ahead of time to be certain they allow pets
• Make sure your pet is health - set up an appointment with your vet before you begin your journey
• Don't schedule air flights during peak hours - peak periods usually mean delays and stopovers with your pet in a crate for a longer period of time. Try early morning or evening flights to avoid this, bonus is it won’t be as hot either.

Phone App Helps Keep Track of Pet's Activity

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Looking to track your pet’s activity? There’s an app for that!  

Whistle, an iPhone app and monitor worn on a dog’s collar that was launched last week, measures an animal’s activity throughout the day.  This is a brand new way for animal lovers to make sure their pets get the correct amount of exercise and nourishment each day.  This app can track how much your pet plays, runs, sleeps and eats.  It can track changes over time and compare exercise levels with other dogs of the same breed.  Whistle was created with input from veterinarians, to help owners detect early signs of medical problems by showing changes in a dog’s activity level and behavior.  It can become a network of comparisons with other dogs.  Veterinarians usually do not receive enough information from the owners to efficiently make a diagnosis; this app can give them all the information they need.  The app gathers data from a small circular device that can be easily attached to the dog’s collar.  The rechargeable, WiFi and Bluetooth compatible device detects motion using an accelerometer, helping to determine if the dog is playing, walking or resting.  It also detects changes in behavior, for example if the dog starts waking up in the middle of the night.  The lightweight monitor costs $99.95 and the iPhone app is free.  Whistle Labs said that it is currently gathering data about dog activity by breed and weight for research use. 

This app can create a very useful network that will connect owners all over the country and provide more information about specific breeds and sizes that was not available before!

Let us know if you use the Whistle app on our Facebook page! 

Meet Ray Charles, The Coolest Pup In The Game!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

This is an inspiring story of a young golden retriever puppy that a breeder was going to euthanize, until a family decided to adopt him! This family quickly discovered that this puppy was just as cool as the man he was named after!

Ray Charles, the six month old golden retriever puppy has become a bit of an internet celebrity these days.  Every celebrity needs a bio and so does puppy Ray.  He was born on December 8^th, the only male in his three puppy litter.  The breeder became concerned; as he grew he did not run and play with his sisters, so he was taken to the vet where they learned that he was blind.  The breeder didn't expect to find a home for the little disabled puppy and considered putting him down.  When a lover of golden retrievers named Andrew Fales heard about the pup he named him Ray Charles and took him home to live with his other three golden retrievers.  Fales, curious about what caused the pup’s blindness, took him to an animal hospital and found that Ray’s eyes functioned perfectly but there was a disconnection between the dog’s eyes and brain, which prevented sight.  Ray has learned to deal with his disability and no longer lets it slow him down.  Fales says that he runs jumps and plays with his canine siblings and is always there to greet him at the door when he comes home.  Ray has developed quite a personality, letting Fales dress him up in hats, sunglasses and even pajamas, which along with his story has helped him to become an internet sensation with more than 64,000 Facebook likes. 

The young puppy may never achieved the fame of the original Ray Charles, but according to his Facebook page, “I believe I was born the way I was so that I could help inspire others who are born with physical/mental disabilities to always live their lives to the fullest and do as much as they can with what they are given.”  Ray is a happy and inspirational little puppy, that hasn't let his hardships stand in the way of his success. 

Let us know what you think of Ray’s inspiring story on our Facebook page! 

Harmful Food to Keep Away from Pets This Summer

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

The upcoming summer months are usually accompanied by nice weather, outdoor parties and a care free attitude.  During the summer most people have barbecues or outdoor parties, where it can be easy to lose track of your pet which might allow them more freedom to get into some food that may be delicious for us but can be very harmful to them.  It is important to take the proper precautions to prevent your pet from eating a dangerous snack. 

It has become almost common knowledge that chocolate can be harmful to pets, but coffee and caffeine can be harmful for the same reasons.  All of these products contain substances called methylxanthines, which come from cacao seeds.  If your pet ingests methylxanthines it can induce vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death.  So it may be smart to keep the desserts in the fridge until everyone is ready to eat and keeping a close eye on your pet during after dinner treats.  Alcohol can be just as common as dessert at a party and there is usually a spill.  It can be very dangerous for your pet to drink alcohol so be sure to clean spills immediately.  Just because a food is healthy for a human doesn't mean it is for your furry friend, foods like avocado, macadamia nuts, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic and chives.  It is clear that the Persin contained in the leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados is what causes problems for pets, while we can’t pinpoint exactly what part of macadamia nuts, grapes and raisins causes the side effects that include depression, vomiting, kidney failure and more.  Pets can have small bits of bread as treats but too much can cause yeast dough to rise and cause gas to accumulate in their digestive system.  Bones can also be harmful to your pets digestive tract, should they splinter or cause choking.  Raw meat and eggs can carry bacteria that can be very harmful to pets.  Xylitol, which may sound unfamiliar, is actually used as a sweetener in many products like gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste, and can cause and insulin release in most species that can lead to liver failure.  Try to keep your pets out of salty foods as well to avoid excessive thirst and urination and even sodium ion poisoning.  Finally Milk can upset the digestive system of most pets because they lack significant amounts of lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk.  Summer time can be a time for care free living, but always remember that your pet needs constant care.  If you can keep them out of all these foods and maintain your normal routines, it should be easy to avoid any complications with the health of your pet. 

Bregman Vet Group encourages you to enjoy your summer and keep your pet safe in the sun! For more information, visit us on the web at bregmanvetgroup.com.