How to Keep Your Cat Parasite-Free

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

When was the last time you brought your cat to the vet?  Regular vet visits are one of the best ways to keep your pet healthy and parasite-free.  Here are a few helpful tips and recommendations.

Parasite Control Tips:

• Visit the Vet - Having your cat examined annually will help make sure your pet is healthy and parasite-free.
• Test for Heartworm - Heartworm disease often goes undiagnosed.  It's important to have your pet tested for heartworm disease periodically or when your pet experiences any of the associated symptoms, including weight loss, asthma-like attacks and coughing.
• Administer Anthelmintic Treatment - Kittens should be treated starting at two weeks of age.  The treatment should be repeated every two weeks until they are eight weeks old.
• Conduct Fecal Exams - Fecal examinations should be conducted two to four times during a kittens first year of life.  Adult cats should receive exams once a year, depending on their health and lifestyle.

Internal and external parasites are a common problem among pets.  Check out this article for more tips on how to keep your cat parasite-free.  You can also contact Bregman Vet Group with any questions you have about parasite control or to schedule an appointment to diagnose, treat, and prevent parasites.

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Visit a Dog Park with Your Pet This Fall

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Fall is the perfect season to enjoy spending time outdoors with your pet.  It's a great way to get exercise, and keep your dog happy and healthy.  Here are a few of the many dog parks in Brooklyn to visit with your pet this fall.

Dog Runs
Dog runs are fenced-in areas where dogs can exercise unleashed.  There are several dog runs int he Brooklyn area.  Here are a few you might want to check out with your pet.

Adam Yauch Park
Columbia Place & State Street 

Cooper Park
Olive Street and Maspeth Avenue 

Herbert Von King Park
Columbia Heights & Middagh Street 

Manhattan Beach
East of Ocean Avenue, North Shore Rockaway Inlet

Off-Leash Areas
Certain parks allow your pet to be off-leash while the park is open.  Each park has designated rules that include making sure that your pet is well behaved, licensed, and vaccinated against rabies.  Here are a few of the off-leash areas in Brooklyn.

Asser Levy Park
Surf Avenue, Sea Breeze Avenue, West 5th Street, Ocean Parkway 

Brooklyn War Memorial
Cadman Plaza Park 

Coffey Park
King Street, Richards Street, and Verona Street at Dwight and Pioneer Streets 

Lincoln Terrace Park
Eastern Parkway between Buffalo and Rochester Avenues

Remember - New York State law requires that dogs be vaccinated against rabies.  If you are bringing your pet to a local park, remember to carry proof of your current dog license and rabies vaccination.  Read more about the New York City park requirements and the places you can bring your pet on their website here.

Contact our office if your pet is due for a rabies vaccine or your pet experiences any health issues when exercising at the park this fall.

Happy First Day of Fall!

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Happy Fall!  Are you ready for the crisp, cool weather?  We are!  Autumn is the perfect season to spend time outside with your pets.  While there are many benefits to enjoying the fall season, there are a few precautions pet owners should take.

Avoid These Fall Pet Poisons:

• Mushrooms - There are more mushrooms in autumn than any other time of the year.  If you take your pet for a walk, make sure that your pet stays away from certain mushrooms.  Certain types can poison your pet.
• Chocolate - Halloween is right around the corner.  Make sure that you keep chocolate and other candies away from your pets.
• Xylitol - This sweetener is found in a lot of sugar-free candies and gum.  However, it can be dangerous for dogs to ingest.
• Cold Medicine - Unfortunately, fall is also the season for colds and allergies.  If you are taking medicine with the painkiller acetaminophen (tylenol) or the decongestant pseudoephedrine, keep it out of reach of your pet.

Check out this article from the Huffington Post for more tips on what to keep away from your pet this fall.  You can also contact Bregman Vet Group for more tips on how to safely enjoy the fall season.

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Does Your Pet Suffer From Seasonal Allergies?

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Just like you and me, pets can suffer from seasonal allergies.  Now that allergy season is rearing its head once again, it's time to pay attention to how your pet is reacting.  

While we experience itchy eyes and sinus pressure, pets manifest allergies in the form of skin problems.  They can have a reaction to something they inhale or something that they eat.  Common pet allergies include: mold, grass and tree pollen, dust, cigarette smoke and cleaning products, among others.

How Can I Tell If My Dog Has Allergies?

• Increased Scratching 
• Red Or Itchy Skin
• Licking Or Chewing Their Paws
• Rubbing Face On Couch Or Carpet
• Runny eyes
• Sneezing
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

If your pet is showing symptoms of allergies, it is important to get them to the vet.  At Bregman Veterinary Group, we perform thorough testing through Nelco Vet to properly diagnose your pet. 

For more information about pet allergies, or to schedule an appointment, view our website or give us a call at 718.782.8387.

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September is National Preparedness Month

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Are you prepared in the event of an emergency?  Every household should have an emergency plan in place that includes all of your family members, including your pets!  The American Red Cross offers a few ways to include your pets in your emergency preparation plans.

Emergency Pet Preparation Tips:

• Identify Pet-Friendly Disaster Shelters - Many disaster shelters do not allow pets.  Contact hotels and motels outside of your local area and check their policies on accepting pets.  In some cases, a "no pet" policy may be waived in an emergency.
• Talk to Your Family - Family members and friends who live out of town may be able to shelter your animals after an emergency. 
• Create a Pet Emergency Preparedness Kit - Keep medications, medical records, food, drinkable water, and other important pet essentials in an easily accessible duffle bag.
• Have Comfortable Transportation - Make sure that you have a sturdy leash, harness, or carrier to transport your pet safely.

After a disaster, it's important to keep an eye on your pets.  They may feel stressed and disoriented.  Read this article for more tips on how to include your pets in your emergency plans.  You can also contact Bregman Vet Group for any of your pet's veterinary needs.

Celebrate Happy Cat Month!

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

September is Happy Cat Month!  Don’t forget to give your cat some extra attention this month!  What is your favorite way to show your cat how much you love him or her?

Ways to Celebrate:

• Offer Extra Attention – Your cat may always be the center of attention, but show your pet some extra love this month to celebrate!
• Give a New Toy – Whether your toy is homemade or store bought, a new toy can provide hours of entertainment for your kitty.
• Schedule a Vet Visit – A healthy cat is a happy cat!  Schedule a semi-annual vet visit to make sure your cat is in good shape.
• Learn Something New – Teach your cat a new trick!  Offer an extra treat (occasionally) as a reward for your pet’s hard work.

Contact Bregman Vet Group with any questions you have about how you can keep your pet happy and healthy for a long time to come.  Our feline-friendly practices can provide your pet with stress-free checkups, veterinary care, and even boarding.

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Planning a Cat-Friendly Road Trip

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Whether you are planning a road trip or a vet visit, there are ways to make car travel stress-free for you and your cat.  Create a safe and comfortable car ride by keeping these travel tips in mind.

Cat Car Travel Tips:

• Use a Pet Carrier – Always use a pet carrier that is big enough for your cat to stand up, turn around, and lie down in comfortably.  You can also help your cat feel comfortable in the carrier by placing toys or catnip inside.
• Create a Sense of Familiarity – Cats can be very protective of their territory.  Making the car part of your cat’s territory is a great way to help him or her feel comfortable on trips. 
• Use Positive Reinforcement – Use food, playtime, or catnip as a means of positive reinforcement whenever your cat spends time in the car.  When they associate the car with good, happy things, they are more likely to be a better travel companion.
• Stop for Bathroom Breaks – If you are traveling a long distance, stop for bathroom breaks.  Harness trained cats can walk at rest areas along the way.

Read this article for more tips on how to help keep road trips comfortable for you and your cat.  You can also contact Bregman Vet Group with any questions you have about traveling with your pet.  We even offer feline-only boarding!

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Labor Day Pet Safety Tips

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Happy Labor Day!  Will you be spending time with your family and pets today?  Keep these pet safety tips in mind as you celebrate!

Safety Tips:

• Keep Gates Closed – Guests might not be as careful about closing doors and gates.  It can be easy to overlook that your pet has gotten out.  Keep an eye on your pet and make sure that they are wearing a collar with ID or even a microchip. 
• Avoid Food Dangers – Let your guests know to not give your pet any food without permission.  Keep an eye on the trash, too.  Leftover fat from meat, strings from roasts, left over bones and corn on the cob can be harmful for your pet.  Even a mild upset stomach can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
• Keep Purses Out of Reach – A guest’s purse may contain prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, candies, or even gum sweetened with xylitol.  This can be toxic to your pet.
• Keep Pets Cool – Labor Day can still be a hot holiday.  Don’t leave pets in the car and watch for signs of overheating.

For more tips on how you can keep your pets safe this Labor Day, read this article from the Huffington Post.  If you do experience any pet health problems, you can always contact Bregman Vet Group for all of your pet’s needs.

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