Why Is It Important to Microchip Your Pet?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Microchips are one of the best ways to ensure your pet returns safely home in the unfortunate event they become lost.  This small piece of technology provides your pet with a secure and reliable means of identification.  Here are a few FAQ for pet parents.

Microchip FAQ:

Will My Pet Feel the Microchip? 
No, microchips won't hurt your pet anymore than a routine vaccination.  The microchip implant doesn't even require anesthetic.  It's a quick and simple procedure.

Do Microchips Tell Your Pets Location?
Microchips do not work like a GPS.  Instead, they just provide permanent ID for your pet.  When a scanner is passed over your pet, the microchip gets enough power from the scanner to transfer the ID number.

Why Does Your Pet Need a Microchip?
Even if your pet wear a collar with tags, it's still important to have a microchip.  Collar tags can fall off or become worn and difficult to read.  Microchips provide permanent identification.

Check out this article for more information on microchips and why they are so important for your dog or cat.  You can also contact one of our offices in Brooklyn or on Long Island for information on microchips and how they can benefit your pet.

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Why Should You Microchip Your Cat?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Photo Source: Wikipedia

In the unfortunate event that your pet goes missing, a microchip is a great way to identify your feline friend.  Microchips are identification tags used to help animal shelters and animal control officers reunite you with your cat.  Here are a few common questions that pet owners have about microchips.

Frequently asked questions:

How is it placed? – The placement procedure is simple and only takes a few minutes to complete.  The non-toxic computer chip (about the size of a grain of rice) is placed under the skin in an area that will not cause your cat discomfort.

When is your cat ready? – Health and stability are key factors in determining when your kitten is ready for a microchip.  Some kittens may be ready for placement as young as five weeks old.  Although the process is non-invasive, kittens younger than five weeks old are still very fragile.

How do they help with identification? – Microchips contain information regarding your phone number, home address and name.  Although the microchip cannot locate the current position of your pet, they can help identify the owner once they are found.

How are they better than identification tags? – Identification tags can become lost.  Microchips are a secure way to make it easy to identify your pet.  Animal Shelters and Animal Control Centers use microchips to quickly reunite owners with their pets.

No one wants to think about their pet going missing.  However, it is important to be prepared when accidents happen.  At Bregman Vet Group, we recommend that all pet owners take the time to provide their pets with a microchip.  We offer free microchip services for cats and dogs with any regularly priced spay or neuter.  Contact one of our Brooklyn or Long Island offices for details.

Spring Pet Precautions

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Photo Source: Flickr / Tambako the Jaguar

Happy spring!  Now that the days are longer and the weather is getting warmer, it’s time to start thinking

about preparing your pet for the spring.  We want to remind pet owners to get their pets ready for the change in season before heading outside.

Spring pet precautions:

• Heartworm Prevention – Warmer weather means mosquito season.  Heartworms that are spread through mosquito bites are very dangerous to pets.  Once the temperature hits 55F, we recommend that pet owners take preventative steps.
• Flea and Tick Prevention – Before taking your pet on a nature walk, make sure that they are on preventative medication.  Fleas and ticks are difficult to get rid of and can carry a number of diseases, including Lyme Disease.
• Seasonal Allergies – Pets can suffer from allergies too!  Instead of getting a stuffy nose, your pet might scratch more often or experience ear troubles.  If your pet is exhibiting any symptoms, be sure to bring them into our office for a checkup.
• Exercise Warm Up – You probably didn’t spend a lot of time with your pet outside in the cold winter months.  Just like us, pets tend to gain weight in the winter.  Exercise is good, but be aware of increasing exercise too quickly to avoid injury. 
• Microchips – If your pet is going to be spending more time outdoors, consider getting a microchip.  This is a great way to identify your pet in the event they get lost.  We offer free microchips with any regularly priced spay or neuter!

Learn more about how you can care for your pet this spring.   Contact one of our offices to bring your pet in for a checkup and to take preventative steps for their health. 

Tips to Prevent Pet Theft

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Pet theft is unfortunately common.  Pure breeds, designer dogs, and smaller breeds like Pomeranians, Yorkies, and Boston Terriers are all popular targets.  No matter the value or breed of pet that you own, you always want to make sure that your best friend is safe.

Here are a few simple tips that can help prevent pet theft:

• Avoid Doggie Doors – Although you may feel like your backyard is a safe place for your pet, you should always be conscious of when they are outdoors.  Those looking to steal neighborhood pets might sneak in unnoticed if your yard is visible from the street.
• Keep Gates Secure – Install a spring latch on the backyard gate that forces the door closed.  This will help keep your pet from getting loose.
• Never Leave Your Pet Unattended – Treat your pet like a child.  Don’t leave your pet in the car while you shop or leave them tied to a pole.  It’s not safe and it leaves an opening for theft.
• Check References – Hiring a pet sitter, dog walker, groomer or trainer can be helpful for you and your pet.  However, check your references first.  Make sure that you can trust the professional you choose to hire.
• Permanent Identification – If your pet goes missing, you want to have all the necessary documents to prove ownership.  Microchips are a great way to ensure you can find and identify your pet.  Just make sure you keep all the paperwork!
• Spay or Neuter – We recommend that you do this anyway (there are several health benefits), but spaying or neutering your pet will also make them less desirable to thieves. This is especially true for pure breeds.

Learn more about what you can do to prevent a dognapping or catnapping by clicking here.  We also offer free microchips for your cat or dog with any regularly priced spay or neuter.  Contact our office for more information on how you can keep your pet safe.  We look forward to helping ensure you and your pet have a long and healthy relationship.

Today is National Check the Chip Day!

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Today is Check the Chip Day, a nationwide event concerning lost or stolen pets. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has teamed up with the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) to make sure that your pets are microchipped and that the registration information is up to date. 

Your pet is a special part of your family. So, the best way to ensure your pet can be found safe if he/she is lost or stolen is a properly registered microchip. 

AVMA wants to remind pet owners this August to renew any information that may have changed on your pet's microchip.

If your pet doesn't have microchip, it's not too late! Make an appointment at any one of the Bregman Veterinary Group locations to ensure your pet will always return home safely to you. 

For more information on National Check the Chip Day, please CLICK HERE.

Microchips: Only as Good as the Information You Give

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

One of the newest trends in pet ownership is the microchip.  This is a chip no bigger than a grain of rice that is implanted in your pet and programmed with the information you choose.  These chips are the best way to locate a missing pet.  Often times, people forget to register the chip or update the contact information.  Chipping your pet is very easy and reasonably priced. 

Many breeders, adoption organizations and shelters are beginning to do it automatically and adding it on to the adoption fee.  Typically it costs between $40 - $50 and registration fee varies with the chip some don’t charge at all.  Around one in four dogs have these chips while cats are half as likely.  Many people believe themselves to be responsible pet owners and don’t see the need, but the truth is accidents happen and pets do get loose and lost.  When the pets do escape they are often found by people who cannot contact the rightful owners.  If they have the microchip the local vet or animal control officer will use a handheld scanner to get the information. 

One of the most common misunderstandings about the chip is that it works like GPS, which is not true.   The pet still needs to be found by someone and brought to the proper place.  After our pets our found this is the best way to get them back to their rightful owner.  All pet owners should consider chipping their pets and taking precautions to keep them safe, because the truth is accidents happen.  In the event that your pet gets lost, give them the best chance to get back home, get your pet a microchip today!