Are Annual Pet Wellness Visits Necessary?

We all know it’s important to visit the doctor frequently to help maintain good health. The same goes for your pet. Annual to semi-annual wellness visits to your veterinarian will help to keep your pet healthy and happy. Bregman Veterinary Group knows how important it is for your pet to receive their annual and semi-annual check-ups.

How Often are Pets Seeing Their Vets? 

The AVMA or American Veterinary Medical Association conducted a 2017-2018 survey finding that  nearly 30% of pet owners do not  bring their pets to the veterinarian regularly. This applied specifically for dogs, who usually receive more veterinary care than cats. The survey found that nearly 20% of dogs didn’t see the veterinarian at least once during a twelve-month period.

How Does the Relationship with a Veterinarian Impact a Pet’s Health? 

When it comes to the veterinary-client-patient relationship (or VCPR), the amount of relationship between the vet and their clients can have a direct  impact on the amount of times the client visits. Along with the survey, research done by the AVMA found that pet owners who have what they consider to be a “regular” vet, visit the vet frequently no matter the price. These pet owners  choose their vet based on the vet’s knowledge, quality of care, and demonstrated compassion. On the other hand, pet owners who do not have a “regular” vet choose the vet on other factors such as  location and price.

Why are Annual Wellness Visits Critical? 

It is really important for pet owners to visit their veterinarian annually or semi-annually even if their pet is not experiencing illness. Similar to humans, checkups are more important as pets age.  Conditions that become more common with aging need to be monitored. Although your pet may appear healthy, he or she may be sick without you even knowing it.  And since pets can’t talk, they cannot express how they are feeling.  Pets are also very good at compensating for or hiding symptoms or signs of illness. Annual or semi-annual physical exams and blood tests will allow allow your veterinarian to look for deviations and detect developing disease early. 

---

At Bregman Veterinary Group, they focus on getting to know their pets and pet owners. Building a long-lasting rapport with their pet owners has been a critical part of their veterinary practice.  And regular pet wellness visits helps them keep their clients’ pets happy and healthy.  For more information on Bregman Veterinary Group, visit our website. 

Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe During Hurricane Season

With an active hurricane season upon us, it’s important to organize emergency supplies and documentation for your pet in advance of an emergency situation. Below are some important tips for keeping your pet safe and secure.

Microchipping 

Ensure your pet is microchipped in case they get separated from you. A microchip will make it easier for them to be returned to you when found. Along with the microchip, be sure your pet’s identification tag is updated. This allows the person who finds your pet to contact you directly and with ease.

Emergency Kit 

In case of an emergency, you should have an emergency kit for your pet just as you would for yourself. There are 6 items that are important to keep inside your pet’s emergency kit:

1. Your Pet’s Favorite Foods: During a hurricane it may be difficult or impossible to run to the supermarket or your favorite pet store to restock food. Your pet is already stressed enough from the storm itself. You want to make sure you have their favorite foods to keep their diet as consistent as possible.  
2. Enough Water: During natural disasters, clean water may be at a premium, not only for you, but also for your pet. Be sure to stock up on enough water for everyone in the home.
3. Collar with an ID Tag and Leash: Having a collar with an ID tag on your pet is important to have on your pet every day. However, it is critical during a natural disaster. As the weather gets rough, your pet may have an opportunity or be forced to flee from fear. Be sure the information on his ID tag is up to date. 
4. Medications:  Just as you would for yourself, it’s important to bring medications wherever you’re headed during a natural disaster. If your pet is on medication for an existing problem, it’s important to keep at least a couple of days or weeks’ worth of that medication in your pet’s emergency kit.
5. Important Documents: Be sure to keep your pets’ medical records or a copy of their medical records and other important paperwork in a waterproof container in the kit. This is important so any veterinarian will have access to your pet’s health history.
6. Additional Items: The stress of moving from everything that’s familiar is difficult on your pet. To keep your pet comfortable, make sure to keep a couple of your pet’s favorite things in the emergency kit. This will give them some familiarity. For example, include your pet’s favorite blanket, toys, and treats. 

You want to be sure that all of these important items are at your disposal during an emergency. Keep everything in an emergency kit that is easy to take with you during an evacuation.

---

Hurricane season is upon us. Don’t wait until an emergency is happening to try and scramble together everything your pet may need. It is easy to forget important items such as health history and medications. Instead, get together an emergency kit for your pet and yourself! If you have questions about what your pet needs in their emergency kit or need copies of your pet’s medical history, contact the Bregman Veterinary Group.

Can Dogs Get the Flu?

As flu season approaches you might be taking all necessary precautions to keep you and your family safe. However, don’t forget your canine companion! Just as humans get the flu, so do our furry friends. Dogs can contract canine influenza which is more commonly called dog flu.

Dog flu is a disease composed of two viral strains, H3N8 and H3N2. Both strains are extremely contagious and spread easily dog to dog. If this is all new to you, don’t worry. Bregman Veterinary Group has all the information you need, so you can recognize the symptoms and keep your dog happy and healthy all year round.

How Does Dog Flu Spread? 

The canine flu spreads just as easily as the human flu does. It’s airborne. Respiratory secretions escape into the environment in the form of coughing, barking, and/or sneezing. Then they are inhaled by a new dog host. Further, just like the human flu, canine flu can spread through infected objects like chew toys, water, kennel surfaces, and even humans who have had direct contact with an infected dog.

Crowded areas like kennels and dog parks are breeding grounds for this virus. With the animals in such close proximity to each other it’s extremely easy for them to contract the disease. This is especially dangerous due to the fact that dogs are most contagious in the incubation period, before they start showing any symptoms.

Symptoms of the Canine Flu 

There are several symptoms to be aware of when it comes to the Canine Flu including:

-      Coughing
-      Sneezing
-      Nasal Discharge
-      Purulent nasal discharge
-      Runny eyes
-      Fever
-      Lethargy
-      Difficulty breaking

However, unlike the human flu, dogs don’t have flu season. Rather, this virus is contractible year-round. Keep an eye out for these symptoms throughout the year. There are less than 10% of dog flu cases resulting in mortality. However, cases do stretch from mild to severe and could result in pneumonia, difficulty breathing, and a high fever.

Treatment and How to Prevent Dog Flu 

Canine influenza requires the attention of a veterinarian. There is no cure.  However, your veterinarian can advise you on the best way to keep your dog comfortable as the virus runs its course. Some dogs may require a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication to reduce their fever and possibly antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections. Depending on the strain of the virus, your vet may inform you of quarantine procedures to prevent the spread of the flu.

When trying to prevent dog flu, be sure to keep your dog out of kennels and public places that may have had recently reported cases. Also, if you come into contact with a dog who has the virus be sure to wash your hands, arms and clothing before touching your own pet.

Further, your vet may suggest vaccines that fight against certain strains of the virus. Bregman Veterinary Group offers the Bivalent influenza vaccine that protects against both strains of the flu virus that dogs can get.

---
The canine flu is extremely contagious and it is a virus that should be taken seriously. If your pet is showing any signs or symptoms of the dog flu, contact Bregman Veterinary Group immediately.

Preparing to Board Your Cat

The summer months are a huge time for family vacations. However, when you take your trip who’s taking care of your cat? Usually, people decide to board their cats in local kennels. When boarding your cat, it’s important to take some necessary steps to ensure your cat is comfortable and safe.

Checking the Kennel 

If you’re bringing your cat to a new kennel in the area, you want to ensure you get to know the kennel. Call the kennel and interview them. Ask the kennel how long they have been in business and ask for references. You can also make surprise visits.

You should also consider the kennel’s requirements. Does your cat need any special vaccinations? If so, you might also need to prove it with a vaccination record. Getting this ready ahead of time can save you a lot of time and aggravation.

Check out the kennel staff. Make sure the staff knows how to care for cats and see if it’s the same person visiting your cat every day. Most importantly, is the staff happy? Staff members with good energy will rub off on your cat and ensure he or she enjoys their time there.

Making Your Cat Comfortable

Once you’ve checked out the kennel, it’s time to make sure your cat doesn’t miss you too much. There are a couple of steps you can take to ensure your cat enjoys his time at the kennel.

Food: Firstly, it’s very important not to make any severe diet changes before your trip. Make sure you bring your cat’s food to the kennel. Changing their diet can cause gastrointestinal upset. Keeping their diet consistent at the kennel will make it easier for your cat to settle in.
Bring toys: Pack your cat’s favorite toys, blankets or article of clothing to keep them company. These objects are familiar to your cat and smell like home. These will help make your cat more comfortable.
Vaccination records: Bring copies of your cat’s vaccination records, medications with instructions and record of spay or neutering. Kennels usually have age requirements about when your cat should be spayed or neutered and what vaccinations they must have.

Lastly, consider any other needs your cat may have. Make sure you provide the kennel with everything needed to support your cat’s daily routine.

Preparing for Drop Off 

When your preparing to drop off your cat, there are some last-minute ends to tie up. First, make sure the kennel has all your contact information. You should plan for the unexpected so include your cell phone and emergency contacts.

In case of a health emergency, give the kennel instructions on how to proceed. Leave them the name and number of your usual veterinarian. Leave instructions on what you do and don’t do during emergencies. Also, be sure to leave your credit card info and make sure the kennel has the authorization to make charges on it. You wouldn’t want your cat waiting on the care it needs because of a credit card authorization.

Finally, leave any other instructions the kennel will need for your cat. For example, if your cat takes a pill with his food, make sure you add the name of the medication and the instructions. You can also leave a name and number in case the kennel has any questions.

---
Don’t let your pet keep your family from adventuring this summer. Taking these necessary steps when deciding to board your cat will allow you to go on your vacation with ease. With these steps in mind, you can ensure your cat has a safe and comfortable home away from home.

Dog Allergy Season

The sniffles and sneezes of allergy season are always a pain. Believe it or not, your dog also experiences allergy season. However, skin allergies are more common in dogs rather than cats. Fleas, food, and environmental allergens are the three main causes of skin allergies in dogs.

Dogs usually experience allergies between the ages of 1 and 3. Certain breeds are more prone to allergies. Some examples include Retrievers, Terriers, Boxers, Dalmatians, Bulldogs, Shepherds, Beagles and Irish Setters. If you think your dog might have allergies, Bregman Veterinary Group can help detect and treat your pet.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis 

Did you know flea bites on your dog can cause an allergic reaction? When a flea bites your pet, a small amount of the flea’s saliva is released into the dog’s skin. This reaction is called flea allergy dermatitis.  This condition is a hypersensitivity to the proteins or antigens in flea saliva.

Non- allergic dogs experience little to no irritation to flea bites. However, if your pet is allergic then flea bites can cause intense itching and irritation. These symptoms can last for days causing extreme discomfort for your pet. This allergy is easily detected. You’ll notice your dog is chewing, licking or scratching at the site of the bite. It’s important to treat this as soon as possible to avoid scabbing, hair loss and scabs.

Food Allergies 

Food allergies in pets are caused by their immune system’s hypersensitivity to a protein in their food.  These allergies can manifest from dermatological problems or gastrointestinal problems. However, this allergy is one of the least common and only accounts for 10% of pet allergies. Most food allergens include Beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, and soy.

Hypersensitivity can develop in your pet at any age. Symptoms of hypersensitivity include rash, hives, and itching. These symptoms are most noticeable in the face, limbs and on the side of the body. You may also notice your pet having respiratory symptoms and gastrointestinal distress like diarrhea and vomiting.

Environmental Allergies

Certain allergens can affect your dog whether they are seasonal or not. Like with humans, one of the most common environmental allergens with dogs is pollen.  However, other allergens that are common among dogs are mold spores, dust mites, and animal dander. Since dogs spend a lot of time outdoors, it’s nearly impossible for them to avoid contact with these allergens.

A huge symptom of environmental allergies is body-wide itching. Other symptoms include excessive scratching, licking and biting. Like flea allergies, it’s important to get environmental allergies treated to prevent hair loss and infections. Your pet can also experience inflamed ears and ear infections.

Treatment 

There are many different ways to treat all of your dog’s allergies. Bregman Veterinary Group can treat any and all of your dog’s allergies. Most allergies like flea and environmental allergies can be treated with a yearly topical or oral medication. These will kill any adult fleas and break the flea cycle, preventing future reactions. They will also help calm the itching your pet is experiencing. Food allergies can be treated with Corticosteroids or antihistamines. Corticosteroids will help reduce swelling after your pet’s reaction while antihistamines reduce any known itching.

---
Allergy season is a nuisance to everyone, including pets. Your dog’s allergies can cause them great discomfort. Bregman Veterinary Group knows exactly how to treat and prevent common allergies from occurring. If you’re unsure if your pet is showing symptoms or how to prevent allergies from striking, The Bregman Veterinary Group can help.

How to Stop a Cat from Scratching

We all love our pets, especially our cuddly kittens. However, sometimes our cats really know how to push our buttons. For example, you may arrive home from work one day to find your new couch adorned with stripes of scratches made by your feline. Before you lose all hope on maintaining damage-free furniture, there is a solution. 

Why Scratching is Important

Scratching is a vital part of a cat’s existence. It keeps their claws sharp and has many other benefits for a cat. Firstly, scratching is an exercise technique that strengthens a cat’s upper body. Secondly, it’s a way for your cat to mark its territory by leaving its signature scent, especially in a multi-cat home. 

Blank Canvas

Scratching is an important way of life for cats. Since we can’t stop it, we have to figure out how to live with it while keeping our furniture safe. One of the most popular ways to do this is investing in a scratching post. This acts as a blank canvas for your cat’s “artwork”. In multi-cat homes, this can even act as a hangout for your cats. But before you go pick out a post, it’s important to know which one is best for your cat. 

Cats that scratch couches or leg posts would be more interested in a vertical scratching post. On the contrary, cats who scratch rugs and carpets would prefer a horizontal scratching post. Moreover, it’s economically smart to invest in a post that is rough enough for long time wear and tear. Lucky for us this is the favorite amongst our feline friends. Sisal, a course natural fiber post, is the most popular and highly recommended. So, consider playing around with scratch posts made out of hemp, cedar, cardboard, or rope to find your cats favorite.

Of course, just because you purchased the right scratching post doesn’t mean your cat will use it. Since your cat has been scratching your antique armoire, it may not be interested in the new scratching post right away. There are many ways to help the scratching post grab your cat’s attention. One of the most popular is sprinkling some catnip on the post. This not only makes the post memorable, but helps her realize it’s great for scratching. You could also place your cats’ favorite toy at the top of the post. Then, when she climbs to retrieve it, she’ll realize she loves how the post feels on her claws.

Different Deterrents

If your cat isn’t acknowledging the scratch post don’t fret!  Your furniture still has a chance. There are many other deterrents that can keep your furniture looking good as new. A popular one is the use of double-sided sticky tape. Since cat’s paws are sensitive, the idea of scratching something sticky isn’t appealing. This will prevent your cat from revisiting that couch corner or table leg. 

Scratching sprays are can be extremely effective. Spraying your furniture with the scratch spray will trick your cat into thinking she already marked her territory. Pretty cool right? You can buy the scratch spray or make your own. You can add ingredients like vinegar, essential citrus oils or even garlic and peppermint.  

---

Don’t let your new furniture reflect your decision about buying a cat. There are so many ways to keep your furniture safe from your feline friend. If you don’t know which way is right for you, The Bregman Veterinary Group can help you figure it out. Together, Bregman Veterinary Group will help you and your cat find the purrfect fit.