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.

How to Celebrate Halloween Safely with Your Pets

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP
www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Do you have your Halloween costumes ready for this weekend?   If you plan on dressing up your pet as part of the Halloween festivities, there are a few safety tips that you should keep in mind.

Costume Safety Tips:

• Watch for Signs of Stress - When you put a costume on your pet for Halloween, check to see if your pet looks impatient or annoyed.  If your pet is unhappy with the costume or appears stressed, take it off so that they can enjoy the day comfortably.
• Make Sure They Can Move Freely - Some pet costumes can limit movement.  Make sure that your pet is able to move freely, and that the costume doesn't inhibit their heating, sight, or ability to breathe.
• Keep ID Tags Displayed - Always make sure that your cat or dog is wearing proper identification.  If your pet is wearing a costume, make sure that you don't remove their tags.  Halloween is unfortunately a holiday where many cats and dogs can become confused with the doors opening and closing for trick-or-treaters.
• Beware of Choking Hazards - Many costumes have little parts that can cause issues if they become stuck.  Keep ribbons, frills and bows away from your pets and keep an eye out for potential choking hazards.

Check out this article for more costume safety tips.  You can also contact our offices with any questions you have about how to keep your pet healthy and safe this Halloween.  Reach one of our Brooklyn or Long Island offices below:

The Cat Hospital

877-228-4131

5th Avenue Cat Clinic

718-398-1187

Paws and Claws Veterinary Hospital

718-782-8387

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Pool Safety Tips for Pets

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Are you enjoying the beautiful summer weather?  Swimming pools are a great way to enjoy the sunshine, while staying cool.  Here are a few ways to make sure you and your pets are safely enjoying the weather poolside.

Swimming Pool Safety:

• Always Supervise Pets - Not all dogs are good swimmers.  Never leave your pet unsupervised around water.
• Don't Let Them Drink Pool Water - Provide pets with a clean bowl of fresh water outside so that they won't be tempted to drink the pool water.  Chlorine and other chemicals can leave your pet with a belly ache.
• Buy a Life Vest - If you love spending time in and around water, it might be a good idea to invest in a dog life vest.  These life vests provide extra buoyancy so that your dog can stay afloat.
• Put A Fence Around the Pool - Pool fences are important for homeowners that cannot supervise pets when they are in the backyard.  This will help keep dogs out of the pool area when you're not around.

Check out this article for more pool safety tips.  Contact our office if you have any questions and enjoy the weather safely this summer!

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Celebrate National Beer Day Safely

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Happy National Beer Day!  Will you be celebrating with your favorite drink at happy hour?  While you may love to relax with a cold drink, make sure that you keep your alcoholic beverage away from your pet! 

Keeping alcohol away from pets is important.  Here are a few of the health effects that consuming a beer can have on your pet.

Signs of Alcohol Poisoning:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Decreased Coordination
• Central Nervous System Depression
• Difficulty Breathing
• Tremors
• Abnormal Blood Acidity
• Coma
• Death

The effects of alcohol are heavily dependent on body weight.  Since your pet weighs a lot less than you do, even a  small amount of alcohol can make them dangerously sick.  Read more about the effects that alcohol can have on your pet if you accidentally give them a beer here.

If you do experience any problems with your pet's health - whether they have accidentally reached your alcohol or otherwise.  Our experienced veterinarians can help make sure that your furry friend is happy and healthy.

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How To Celebrate a Pet-Friendly St. Patrick's Day

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

St. Patrick's Day is just a week away!  Are you ready to celebrate with Irish foods, drinks, and friends?  

We remind pet owners to always proceed with caution when feeding pets table scraps - including during your St. Patrick's Day celebrations.  Celebrate a pet-friendly holiday with a better understanding St. Patrick's Day pet food safety.

St. Patrick's Day Food Safety:

• Table Scraps - Table scraps can be high in calories and the drastic change in diet can give your pet an upset stomach.  
• Corned Beef - Corned beef is a beef brisket soaked in salt and vinegar pickling brine.  Due to this curing process, it's extremely high in sodium.  While a little salt is unlikely to be harmful to your pet, too much salty food in one sitting can cause sodium ion poisoning.  In addition, the broth used to cook the beef can contain garlic and even onions.  Both of these are highly toxic to cats are and dogs.
• Soda Bread - If you're making soda bread at home, be sure to keep the dough out of your pet's reach.  As dough expands, it can give your pet a bloated stomach.   Soda bread also often contains raisins or dried currants, which are both poisonous to dogs, and in some cases cats.
• Guinness and Whiskey - All alcoholic beverages are dangerous to pets.  However, Guiness and Whiskey tend to be the go-to alcoholic drinks for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.  In addition to the risk of alcohol poisoning, hops - one of the main ingredients in beer - is toxic to dogs and cats.  

Check out this article from dogtime.com for more tips on how to celebrate a pet-friendly St. Patrick's Day.  You can also contact one of our offices with any questions you have about how to keep your pets healthy this March.

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How Can You Keep Curious Kittens Safe?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Are you welcoming a new kitten into your home?  Here are a few tips to help make sure you keep your kitten and your home belongings safe.

Kitten-Proofing Tips:

• Know Their Hiding Spots - Kittens can squeeze themselves into spots you might not think to look.  Try to limit their access to potentially unsafe hiding spots like the clothes washer or dryer.
• Put Away Delicate Items - Cats are excellent at climbing and scaling your furniture.  Be sure to keep fragile collectibles in safe places.  Don't leave them out on open shelves, especially when you're not home to keep an eye on your kitty.
• Remove Poisonous Plants - Know what plants are poisonous to cats.  Keep these plants out of reach of your new pet!  
• Secure Doors - You may not think of it at first, but cats can open cabinet doors and drawers to see what's inside.  It might be a good idea to install childproof latches to keep your kitten away from potentially dangerous cleaning supplies, medications, and chemicals.

Read this article for more tips on how to make your home more pet-friendly.  

If you have any questions about how to care for your new kitten, contact our office.  Our veterinarians are happy to help you with all of your pet's health needs at one of our cat-friendly locations!

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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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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.