Why Do Our Pets Hide When They're Sick?

Sometimes it can be frustratingly difficult to tell when our pets are injured or sick, and it’s mostly due to their own habits. As much as we might wish for our pets to be able to tell us when something is wrong, many pets will instinctively hide if they are not feeling well. If you notice your pet hiding, it’s definitely a good idea to bring them into your vet so they can get checked out to see if anything is wrong! But why do animals do this?

Your Pets Might Hide To Protect Themselves

The instinct to hide is based on behaviors that were beneficial when the animals were living in the wild. Wild cats and wolves hide when they are sick or injured in an attempt to protect themselves. If other animals can see that they are unwell, they’re at a greater risk of being attacked when they can’t defend themselves. It can be beneficial for them to hide until they are feeling better. Fortunately, our pets no longer have to fend for themselves when they’re sick, especially once you know that hiding is a warning sign!

What To Do Once You Know They’re Sick?

The most important first step is to take your pet to the vet so they can be checked out and your vet can go over treatment options. Your pet might be feeling sick thanks to an illness that can easily be treated with antibiotics so you can get them feeling better fast! If the problem is more involved, the sooner that you can get them seen, the sooner they will feel better. 

Once your pet is back home and you are helping them recover, they may still be tempted to hide. According to the American Humane Society, you can make them more comfortable by confining them to a quiet, comfortable space where they can feel out of the way and hidden but you can still check on them. Keeping them somewhere out of the way can also make it easier for you to find them to give them any prescribed medication. If your pet has been put on a special diet, keeping them separated from the other animals in your home can help you make sure that they are only eating their prescribed food — and that other pets are not eating it!

Remember To Always Get Your Pet Checked Out

The biggest thing to remember when your pet is exhibiting any unusual behavior like hiding is to bring them to the vet so they can be checked out as soon as possible so they can be feeling better and comfortable as fast as possible. Keep in mind that hiding can be a sign that something very serious is wrong and this isn’t a time to put off a vet visit! If you have concerns or questions about your pet’s behavior, contact the Bregman Vet Group to make an appointment for your pet in addition to talk about the questions you might have.

4 Tips to Help Keep Your Pet Safe in the Car

Whether it’s for a joy ride, a road trip, or moving to a new home, lots of pet owners love taking their pets for a ride in the car. While this can be fun for everyone involved and is often necessary, there are inherent risks involved when it comes to taking your pet for a car ride. Fortunately, there are preventative measures you can take to make sure that your pet stays safe and happy in the car.

1) Keep Them Cool

One of the most common causes of pets being harmed in a vehicle is when they are left inside a hot car. It can be tempting to leave your pet inside your car while you run an errand that you think will be quick, such as a trip to the grocery store, but even just ten minutes inside a hot car can cause the temperature to increase to dangerous levels. 

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, in ten minutes in 80 degree weather, the temperature inside the car will increase to nearly 100 degrees. After an hour, the air temperature inside a vehicle may be forty degrees hotter than the air outside. These temperatures are hot enough to cause illness or even death to your pet. Unfortunately, safety measures like cracking a window do little to maintain a safe temperature inside a parked vehicle. 

If you are planning to frequently travel with your pets, you may wish to look into vehicles such as safety features which will allow you to lock the vehicle with the car running and the air conditioning, with your keys safely in your pocket. If this isn’t an option and you can’t have someone sit in the car with your furry family member with the air conditioning running, it’s best to leave your pet safely at home.

2) Use Safety Restraints

You are probably well aware of the safety benefits of using restraints like seat belts and booster seats in cars when it comes to children. Just like humans, pets are much safer when they are restrained in a moving vehicle. There are different methods that you may want to use depending on the size of your pet. Small animals, like a cat will often be more secure if they are traveling in a carrier. Dogs (or more curious cats!) often do well with a harness. There are different styles and you can discuss which option is best for your particular pet with your veterinarian. One popular style is a harness that can be clipped into the car’s existing seat belt. This can greatly reduce the risk of serious injury if you are involved in a car accident. 

3) Keep Them in the Back Seat

Just like children, pets are often much safer in the back seat of your vehicle. This is because the airbags that are installed in the front seats of vehicles are designed for average adults — not children or pets. An airbag can cause serious injury if your pet is sitting in the front passenger seat or in your lap. Sitting in the front seat also makes your pet more likely to go through the front windshield in case of a collision. Keeping your pet in the back seat will also help you make sure that small pets stay out from underfoot. The last thing you need is to be distracted by your cat getting under your feet while you’re trying to drive!

4) Keep the Windows Up

While your pet might enjoy the breeze if you let them ride with their head sticking out of the open window, this unfortunately isn’t very safe for them. Your pet might be able to jump out of the window into traffic if the window is open very far. No matter how much you trust them or how well behaved your furry friend normally is, all it takes is one temptation to make them jump. If your pet has their head out the window when you are involved in a collision, they are likely to be seriously injured. They also may be injured by debris in the air whipping into their face, such as particles hitting their eyes when you’re moving quickly down the road. Turn the air conditioning up to make sure your pet has a breeze in the car.

Do you have questions about the best ways to keep your pet safe in the car? One of the best things you can do is bring those questions to your veterinarian so they can go over options and troubleshooting with you. Contact Bregman Veterinary Group today to get in touch so we can help you keep your furry copilot safe and happy!

Halloween Safety

Trick or Treat! Halloween is a fun time for families, especially when you involve the family pet in the costume designs! However, just as fun as it can be for everyone, it can also prove to be a very dangerous time for your pet when it comes to candy. 

Help ensure a safe Halloween for you and your pet by following these guidelines. 

1. Don't feed pets Halloween candy, especially if it contains chocolate or xylitol (a common sugar substitute found in sugar-free candies and gum).
2. Make sure your pet is properly identified (collar, ID tag, and microchip) just in case they make a dash out the door as you're distracted by trick-or-treaters.
3. If your pet is wary of strangers or tends to nip/bite, put them in separate room during trick-or-treating hours or provide him/her with a safe hiding place.
4. Ensure Jack-o-lanterns and lit candles stay out of reach of your pets. 
5. If you decide you want to put a costume on your pet, make sure of a few things including 
• Proper fit and comfort.
• It doesn’t have pieces that can easily be chewed off.
• doesn't interfere with your pet's breathing, hearing, sight, opening its mouth, or movement. 
• Get your pet accustomed to the costume before Halloween.
• NEVER leave your pet unsupervised while wearing a costume.
6. Glow sticks/ jewelry should be kept away from pets. The liquid in these products may be non-toxic, however the taste is very bad and can make pets salivate excessively and act strangely.

Have a Spooktacular and safe Halloween this year! 

National Animal Disaster Preparedness

Preparing for a natural disaster is never an easy task, especially when you have a family that includes pets. As storm season approaches we would like to take this time to help you with disaster preparedness. Preparing earlier, rather than later can ensure you have all the necessary items needed for proper care during a time of disaster.

Food

One of the biggest issues when dealing with a disaster situation is running out of pet food. It is extremely important to ensure you have enough pet food stocked up and ready prior to a natural disaster. Ensure you have enough water and dry food put away to last up to 10 days for your pet.

Supplies

Another area pet owners need to do a check up on is additional supplies. If at some point you are required to evacuate you will want to ensure these items are readily available. Items to include in your emergency supplies include

• Extra copies of veterinary records
• Extra collars 
• Extra leashes
• Extra sanitation bags
• Bedding
• Toys
• Disinfectants

Evacuations

If you do end up having to evacuate your home, be sure to have handy evacuation route maps and a list of places that are pet-friendly shelters. You should also know of pet-friendly hotels or family members that could possibly take your pet for short time if needed.

Post Disaster

Both human and pets can be greatly affected post-storm. Watch pets closely, monitoring for any changes in their attitude and behavior. When walking your pet be sure to leash them and keep them close by as drastic changes to their environment may confuse them.
 
Being disaster-ready takes planning and preparedness, but with the right steps, you can ensure both you and your pet are properly prepared. If you still have questions, talk with us to make certain you have taken the all the necessary steps to ensure the best and safest outcome for you and your pet.

Cinco De Mayo Safety Tips

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  Are you planning any festivities to celebrate this annual holiday?  Remember to keep your pet’s safety in mind!  While pet owners love to include their pets, we remind you to always keep alcohol out of reach.  Alcohol consumption in pets is dangerous even in small amounts.  

Here are a few warning signs to look for if you suspect your pet has slurped up some of your beverage.

Alcohol Warning Signs:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty Breathing
• Lack of Coordination

It is difficult for pets to distinguish between different types of liquids.  Some pets can even be attracted to the smell of alcohol.  Remember to keep all open containers away from your cats and dogs. If you choose to include your cat or dog in Cinco de Mayo festivities, make sure that your celebration is pet-friendly! Contact Bregman Vet Group for medical care if your pet is exhibiting any of the signs associated with alcohol consumption.

Valentines Day Safety For Pets

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

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Valentine's Day is just days away! You know what that means, love is in the air! Each year, poison control and veterinarians around the country see an increase in cases linked to pets getting sick by unsafe foods, candy and flowers around Valentine's Day.

Here is a guide, courtesy of the ASPCA, to help keep your furry friends safe during this lovey-dovey holiday!

Pet-friendly Flowers- Flowers are one of the most popular gifts given on Valentines Day. Most pet owners don't realize that if one of these floral arrangements end up on the floor and pets consume it, your pet can be in big trouble. Flowers can cause pets to have various stomach issues, especially vomiting. So, keep your flowers out of your furry friends reach!

Alcohol Accidents- We're sure you and your valentine will have a cocktail to celebrate this special day. However, an accidental spill that isn't immediately mopped up can be harmful to your pets. A little bit of alcohol can go a long way in pets, causing diarrhea, tremors and lack in coordination. Be careful with cupids concoctions around your pets!

Sweet Tooth- Candy is another big concern around this holiday. Chocolate can be extremely harmful to your pets health. The caffeine in chocolate can trigger stomach issues for your pet along with an abnormal heart rate. Our suggestion, hide the sweets!

Who doesn't love presents?- After exchanging gifts with your sweetheart, be sure to gather up any lingering ribbons, bows, tape, etc. and discard it immediately. Although your pets may look at these items as a great toy, these items can be dangerous if they swallow them.

Thank you to aspca.com for these wonderful tips. We hope they will help keep your furry friends happy and healthy this Valentine's Day!

If you should run into an issue on Valentine's Day with your pets health, please contact the Bregman Veterinary Group immediately. For more information, visit us online at www.bregmanvetgroup.com.

Cold Weather Tips for Pets

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

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With a winter storm hitting Long Island today, and another one scheduled to sweep the area this weekend, there is no better time to brush up on your pet safety tips. We want to ensure your furry friends are safe from the cold winter weather. It’s important to remember that with the extremes of winter weather come unique dangers and concerns for our pets.

So, how exactly can a pet owner best prepare for the snowstorm? Here are a few tips, courtesy of the Nassau County SPCA.

Bring your pets indoors – At a first sign of a storm you should always bring any outdoor pets indoors to keep them warm.

Keep your dog on leash – More dogs get lost in winter than any other season because it’s so easy for them to lose their sense and perspective during a snowstorm. Keep them on a leash or go to a fenced-in dog area.

Ice, salt and snow – If you pet has to go out in this snowstorm, have them wear a coat or boots to cover their paws. Outside your pet can step in all sorts of things including snow, salt, sleet or mud. Booties will keep their paws dry and will cut down any infections they might catch outside.

Food and medicine – Have a supply of pet food and medicine before it gets too dangerous to travel. Keep emergency pet kits ready incase something worst happens.

The Nassau County SPCA’s main rule is “if the conditions outside are unsafe for humans, they too are also unsafe for pets!” We agree! Let us know how you keep your pets safe during the winter on our Facebook page.

American Red Cross Pet First Aid App

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

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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.

Keep Your Pets Warm and Safe this Holiday Season

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

The cold and snow this season can harm your pets. It is essential to keep your pet warm and safe from the frigidness of winter. ABC Action News has great tips to help your pet from falling ill.

Keep your pet indoors this winter, if you have a neighbor who keeps their pet outdoors persuade them to bring the pet in. Pets are easily susceptible to frostbite mostly on the paws, ears, and tail.

If you do keep your pet outside make sure they have proper warm shelter to keep them from getting sick. The weather can lead to hypothermia. Straw can keep a doghouse warm as well as elevating the house off the ground.

Always provide water for your outdoor pets and make sure it does not freeze. Snow is not good enough to hydrate pets. Providing extra food this season will help build body fat to keep your pet warm. Ice melting salt can harm and irritate your pet’s paws.

Some symptoms of hypothermia in dogs include excessive shaking, shallow and slow breathing, slow heart rate, tiredness and muscle stiffness. In some cases a dogs eyes can dilate and their gums can turn pale. In a serious case of hypothermia your dog could potentially fall into a coma. Immediate care is needed to save your pet from hypothermia. If the temperature is too low to restore, hypothermia will become fatal. (ABC Action News)

If you are too cold to be outside then your pet is too. If you see a pet in need and not properly taken care of this winter, be the voice for that pet. Notify the pet’s owner about the damages of the winter.

For more information on this article, please CLICK HERE.

If your pet needs any care this winter season, please give us a call. For more information on Bregman Vet Group, visit us online. 

Keep Your Pets Safe and Happy this Thanksgiving

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Thanksgiving is coming up! Bregman Vet Group is so excited to spend the Holidays with our friends family, and pets!  In order to help our pets enjoy the Holiday, here are some tips on how to keep them safe and comfortable.

1. Certain Thanksgiving staples are not very pet friendly.  Make sure they avoid turkey bones, chocolate, onions, garlic, and of course, alcohol.
2. The aroma of Thanksgiving turkey can be impossible to resist!  Make sure your pets don’t have access to go garbage pickin’ on the leftover scraps.
3. Pets may get overwhelmed by all the guests your entertaining.  Make sure to set aside a room that your pet can go to if they feel nervous or stressed out.
4. A stressed pet can be more impulsive.  Always make sure your pets are properly tagged in case they run away. 
5. Give your pet a holiday gift like a new bone or chew toy to keep him occupied and happy.

We hope you all have a great holiday!  Don’t forget to call the Bregman Vet Group to schedule your pet’s next appointment to keep them safe and happy.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Raccoon collected in South Brooklyn Tests Positive for Rabies

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

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Attention all pet owners: A message from the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene.

Pet owners, earlier this month a raccoon that was collected in the Sea Gate area of Brooklyn tested positive for rabies. To date, this is the fourth raccoon to test positive in Brooklyn for rabies. However, it indicates rabies may now be present in South Brooklyn.

We highly recommend that you check with your veterinarian that your pets are up-to-date on all rabies vaccinations.

• A few friendly reminders to pet owners:
• Avoid contact with wild and stray animals.
• Make sure your cat or dog is up-to-date on all rabies vaccinations.
• Avoid leaving your pets outdoors unattended and feed them indoors.
• Avoid trying to separate animals that are fighting.
• Contact the Bregman Vet Group if your pet has been in contact with a raccoon, skunk, bat or any animal that be rabid.

We encourage you to report all suspected rabies cases to the Veterinary Public Health Services, Bureau of Communicable Diseases and the NYC Poison Control Center.  

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact any one of our locations.

Disaster Preparation Awareness

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Disasters can happen anywhere at any time. No matter the size, if you’re unprepared, your home and family can be in great danger.

Don’t wait for a disaster announcement to begin preparing. Start now. 

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) along with the Bregman Veterinary Group is encouraging all pet owners to take proper precautions to ensure you and your pets are ready if disaster is to strike. With hurricane season underway, there is no better time to prepare your home and family. 

Here are a few tips on how to begin preparing a disaster plan.

• Setup an appointment to talk to your veterinarian about disaster planning.
• Assemble an animal evacuation kit.
• Develop an evacuation plan for all of your animals and practice the plan.
• If you live in an apartment, make sure your animals are on record with management and are able to evacuate via the stairwell. Dogs should be taught to go up and down stairs to better assist rescue personnel. 
• Keep written directions to your home near your telephone. This will help you and others explain to emergency responders exactly how to get to your home.
• Identify alternate sources of food and water.
• Have well maintained backup generators for use in food-animal production operations.
• Keep all vehicles well maintained and full of gas.
• If you have horses or livestock, good barn and field maintenance can reduce danger. Decide on the safest housing location if evacuation is impossible, realizing that the situation is still life threatening. Assess the stability and safety of barns and other structures, promptly remove dead trees, and minimize debris in the field and immediate environment. 

For additional tips on disaster preparation, please CLICK HERE. 

Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Pet Happy & Healthy This 4th of July!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

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The Fourth of July is a time when the entire family gets together around the grill. The perfect time to share stories and food in the comfort of your own backyard; but perhaps it isn't exactly safe to include your four legged friend in on the festivities. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center cautions that the holiday food can in fact be potentially dangerous for your fury loved ones; here are the following tips to keep your pet safe.

Beware of the Piña Coladas: Alcoholic beverages pose a potential risk to your pets if consumed. They can lead your friend to depression or a possible coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a posing threat in the worst case scenarios.

Do not share your insect repellent or sunscreen: The consumption of sunscreen products and insect repellent may lead to drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, extreme thirst and complete lack of energy. Any insect repellent that contains DEET is said to leave neurological problems

Never let them help light the grill: Some brands of matches contain certain substances that are poisonous for your loved one. Chlorates can possibly harm your pets blood cells that lead to difficulty breathing, possibly Kidney disease in the worst case scenario. Lighter fluid, whether ingested or inhaled can lead to many health problems such as: gastrointestinal irritation, depression in the central nervous system, aspiration pneumonia and the development of breathing problems.

Everyone should keep an eye on what they eat: Remember that they are family but cannot eat everything you eat. Certain foods like onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt and yeast dough can be toxic for all animals. As their owner, you should be especially careful if your pet is not as young as they used to be; older pets have harder times with digestion and more nutritional requirements.

Be on the lookout for glow sticks: Glow sticks can be a fun additional accessory for every party but not so much for your pet. If consumed you're looking at the possibility of gastrointestinal irritation, excessive drooling and even intestinal blockage from swallowing the plastic container. Lets keep an eye on what is in their reach, especially if you have a curious friend.

Citronella candles, insect coils and oil products are as harmful as they are useful: Consumption of any of these products could lead to more gastrointestinal irritation and depression in the central nervous system. If they inhale the oils, you could be looking at aspiration pneumonia for your loved one.

Keep them away from the fireworks!: We all know what exposure to any lit fireworks can do but even toxic substances in the unlit ones can cause harm; potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals are potentially fatally dangerous if exposed to your pet.

Even the festive firework displays are a nuisance: Make sure they are in the house, where they can fully be protected from the noise that's going on outside. Keeping your pet safe is going to be easy this Fourth of July as long as you are an educated owner. 

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

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

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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. 

Poisonous Plants to Keep Away from Your Pets!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

With the warm weather finally here to stay, we’re sure that you’ll be spending a lot more time outdoors with your pets the next few months!

Although everyone loves the warm months, pet owners must be extra careful and keep a close eye on pets this time of the year, especially when plants are in bloom!

Here is a list courtesy of www.aspca.com of 17 poisonous plants! If you’re a pet owner, it’s extremely important you don’t leave any of these plants lying around your house or plant them in your garden!

• Lilies
• Marijuana
• Sago Palm
• Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
• Azalea/Rhododendron
• Oleander
• Castor Bean
• Cyclamen
• Kalanchoe
• Yew
• Amaryllis
• Autumn Crocus
• Chrysanthemum
• English Ivy
• Peace Lily
• Pothos
• Schefflera

For more information on pet safety, visit us on the web at www.BregmanVetGroup.com! 

How Do You Cat-Proof Your Home?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Are you thinking about bringing a new pet cat into your home? If so, you must be sure to “cat proof” your home! When purchasing a new pet, your first concern should be your pet’s safety in and out of the home.

Cats, just like many other pets, will eat almost anything they can get their hands on and play with a lot of household items that can be dangerous to their health.

Some of the most common items swallowed by cats are strings, yarn, dental floss, elastics and needle and thread. These items can do serious harm and damage to your cat and sometimes can even lead to fatal accidents.

In case of an accident or emergency, you should always have a first-aid kit set up for your cat if you can’t get to your veterinarians office immediately.

How do you cat-proof your home? Do you have any tips for bringing home a new pet? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked HERE! 

Keep Those Tackle Boxes Closed!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

With the warm weather here, the avid fishermen are out and about trying to catch the biggest fish they can, and ultimately cook it for dinner. But there are some toys that fisherman keep in their tackle boxes that can attract dogs and cats, and that’s not the type of fish they are trying to catch!

The site of the shining and sparkling lures can catch the eyes of any animals, but with cats especially, it could be very dangerous.

In one story, by Pete Keesling, his neighbor was outside in the backyard practicing his casting when his cat caught site of the shining lure in the sunlight, and went after it. The conclusion? Some sedation and wire cutters, and the lure was taken out of the kitty’s lip.

Be sure that your pets are away from dangerous things like these, and make sure they your tackle boxes or anything that you have outside or in the house are locked up and secured as freak accidents like this happen and you don’t want to bring your pet to the veterinarian’s office with this type of injury.

If you have any questions about dangerous items that you think your pet could get a handle on and hurt themselves, feel free to call us at one of the Bregman Vet Hospitals and we can let you know the danger of it.