'Need to Know' Facts Before Purchasing a Cat

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Often times when people consider adopting a pet, if they have a demanding schedule or other obligations, they tend to lean towards cats thinking they are less maintenance than a dog. 

While this may be generally true, have you ever stopped to think about how much work a cat really is?  If you've answered no, take a look at some of the below 'need to know' facts before making any commitments:

• Cats are a lifelong obligation - they can live up to 20 or more years of age. You must be ready to supply food, water, and love to your feline companion for that length of time.
• Prior to bringing your new pet home, be sure to have all the basic supplies such as food, water bowl, litter box, toys, etc. Cats are naturally curious animals so don’t forget to cat-proof your house before they start exploring! Small objects or strings will become your kitty's new obsessions.
• Introduce your cat to their litter box right away. Make sure they know where the box is located and refrain from moving the box after they establish the location. It’s important to clean the box at least twice a day to avoid a full, dirty litter box.
• Decide on indoors or outdoors. Most cats don’t actually need to go outside; inside cats tend to live longer since they easily avoid diseases from other outdoor critters.
• While cats are pretty self sufficient, they do still enjoy your company. Spend time at home and get to know your cat - you’ll start to learn when your kitty needs more attention than other times. Also, if you have any small children, introduce your cat to them and teach them how to properly hold and approach the cat.
• Make sure you have the proper finances to care for your cat. Usually, the annual cost can range from $800 - $1,000. This includes medical costs, toys, food, and litter. If your cat gets sick or needs other medical attention, the medical cost will change depending on what the problem is.

We hope the above has helped in your future pet adopting decisions. Cats are great companions but like all pets require love and care. Should you plan on adding a cat to your household contact us to schedule your kitty's first check up!

For more tips regarding getting a cat, click here »

If you're interested in learning more about the Bregman Veterinary Group, please visit us on the web at www.bregmanvetgroup.com. 

New Additions To Our YouTube Channel

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Have you checked out our YouTube Channel lately? We've added a couple of new videos that you don't want to miss out on!

Let us know what you think on our Facebook page! For more information on the Bregman Veterinary Group, visit us online at www.bregmanvetgroup.com.

Prepare A First Aid Kit For Your Pets

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Having an emergency first aid kit ready to go at home for your pets can be extremely beneficial to your furry friends health. An emergency kit may come in handy if your pet is injured and you can't get them to the veterinarian immediately.

You can assemble a first aid kid for your pets by gathering a couple of items from around the house. What items are in your pets first aid kit? Let us know on our Facebook page.

Here are a few items to include in the first aid kit:

• Cotton Balls and Swabs
• Scissors and Bandage Scissors 
• Tweezers
• Eye droppers or syringe 
• Sterile Gauze Pads
• First Aid Tape
• Antibacterial Ointment
• Antiseptic Wipes or Wash
• Muzzle
• Leash
• Sterile Eye Wash
• Nail Trimmer
• Thermometer 
• Phone Number for your Veterinarian 

If you have any questions about how to prepare a first aid kit for your pet, give us a call today at any one of The Bregman Vet Group locations.

Are You Looking For a Veterinarian For Your Pets?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Are you looking for a veterinarian for your pet? The Bregman Veterinary Group has over 50 years of combined veterinary experience. Through our experience and dedication, we’re able to provide your pets with the most modern and up to date veterinary care available.

Hear what some of our clients are saying about their experience with us. For more information on the Bregman Veterinary Group, visit us online today at www.bregmanvetgroup.com

“I am very happy with the level of service myself and my animals receive at 5^th Avenue Cat Clinic.”

-Leonie C.

“I always feel totally confident about the care my cat receives at The Cat Hospital from Dr. Eric Bregman. Cleo has had many of her “nine lives” saved by Dr. Bregman.”

-Andrea G.

“I've been a client for many years and have seen numerous doctors over the years. Very satisfied overall and I recommend your clinic to everyone who asks.”

-Joseph Y, of Paws and Claws Vet Hospital

“When I first took Shoes Alexander to the 5^th Avenue Cat Clinic he was very sick and had been seen by several other Veterinary Hospitals. You were my last hope and 2 years later, Shoes is still with me. There are no words to express the depth of my gratitude. Thank you!!!”

-Angela T. 

American Red Cross Pet First Aid App

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

The American Red Cross has come out with a convenient and helpful app for smartphones and tablets. The pet First Aid App is dedicated entirely to your furry friends!

The app provides safety tips, quizzes and instructional videos for cats and dogs. You can even register your veterinarian and pet on the app!

More features include:

• Pet hotel locator
• Tips for traveling with your pet
• Pet profiles
• Poison control tips
• Preventative care
• Medication help
• Allergy care

(Photos Courtesy of Google Images) 

To learn more about the Red Cross Pet First Aid App, please CLICK HERE.

If you have any other pet health concerns, please contact Bregman Veterinary Group at any one of our locations. For more information, please visit www.bregmanvetgroup.com.

Does Your Pet Need a Trip to the Vet?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Does your pet need a trip to the vet? Now that 2014 is in full swing, it's important to start this year out healthy! However, realizing if your cat needs a check up isn't always that easy. To facilitate this process, here are some tips.

Excessive Meows: Don't forget to attend to your cats! If you hear more vocalizations than normal, perhaps your cat is looking for some attention. Sometimes, a couple of strokes or surprising them with a toy can fix a problem. However, your cat could be using their vocals as a sign of pain. Make sure you see the vet if there any kind of unusual signals coming from your cat.

Cold Symptoms: Cats generally show signs of colds similar to humans. If you notice crust around the eyes, a runny nose or frequent sneezes, seek medical attention from your vet. Visit your vet for yearly immunizations and make sure your cat's health is up to date.

Frequent Sleeping or Unusual Diet: A quick way to notice if your cat is ill to track how much they're sleeping and eating throughout the day. If you catch them snoozing more than playing, or their eating seems off, it's likely they are getting sick. Generally cats don't go more than a day of not eating. If your cat is possessing any of these signs, make an appointment with your vet.

Refusing the Litter Box: Either few or excessive trips to the litter box could be a reason to take your bet to the vet. If you've noticed this, first try to remove waste immediately after each time your cat uses the litter box. If this doesn't seem to change anything, try washing your little box frequently.

Fur Loss: If you see patches of hair missing or signs of an allergic reaction, your cat may have an infection. Cats, just like dogs, are able to catch fleas. A quick way to catch the problem early on is to nice how much your cat scratches him or herself.

If you have any questions about your pets health, please give us a call at any one of our locations. For more information on the Bregman Veterinary Group, please visit us online at www.bregmanvetgroup.com.

Cold Weather Tips

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

The winter cold has taken a turn for the worse, making it almost unbearable to be outdoors.  Your pets need protection during such harsh winter conditions.

Help keep them safe with these tips:

1. Bring your pet inside.  Low temperatures, combined with a wind chill make the outdoors an unsafe place for your pet to be.  

2: Coats and boots are for everyone.  Dressing your pet in boots is especially important when there is rock salt on the ground, which is toxic to animals.  Coats are also great for dogs who are low to the ground and prone to getting their fur wet.

3: Dry off your wet pets.  Being wet makes your pet colder.  Dry off their fur immediately upon entering the house.

4: Provide plenty of food and water.  The body burns more energy in the winter months as it tries to regulate its temperature.  Your pet will need additional calories and water to stay energized and hydrated.  

5: Too much heat is no good.  Just as it can be too cold outside, it can also be too hot inside.  Space heaters can burn your pet so it is important to keep all heat sources out of their reach.

6: Groom your pet regularly.  Well groomed coats keep your pet insulated, making it imperative to maintain grooming routines.  

7: Talk to your vet.  Older pets can develop arthritis which worsens in cold weather.  Keep them pain free with anti-inflammatory medication prescribed by your veterinarian.  

For more tips on how to keep your pet safe during the harsh winter months, click here. http://wgntv.com/2014/01/07/how-to-protect-your-pet-during-frigid-conditions/

To learn more about Bregman Veterinary Group, visit our website.  Don't forget to Like us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Twitter for more pet safety tips!