When Should You Bring Your Cat to the Vet?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP
www.BregmanVetGroup.com

It's not always easy to tell when our pets needs medical attention.  While we know to bring our pets in after a trauma or allergic reaction, other medical maladies aren't as apparent!  

Here are a few signs it's time to schedule a vet visit.


Signs to Lookout For:

• Vocalizations - Meowing is your cat's way of communicating with you.  Some cats are naturally more talkative than others, but it's important to keep an eye out for loud meowing.  In some cases, vocalizations can be a sign of a medical problem.
• Sneezing - A sneezy, runny nose can be a sign that your pet has a cold.  However, you should closely monitor your cat when he or she isn't feeling well.  If your cat's symptoms last longer than a normal cold, it could be a sign of a feline virus.  Make sure your pet has all the proper immunizations and bring her or him into the office for an exam.
• Excessive Sleep - Cats can sleep for long periods of time.  However, if you notice that you cat would rather sleep than eat, drink or play, this is a sign that they may need medical attention.  Cats tend to sleep as a response to illness.  Even if your cat just has a cold - it's still important that they eat and drink.  
• Losing Fur - Cats love to groom - and fur loss isn't always abnormal.  However, if you notice that your cat begins to groom in excess or begins to lose patches of fur, it's time to schedule a visit with us.  Loss of fur can be a sign of ringworm, a fungal skin infection, or fleas.

Is it time to bring your cat into the office for a visit?  Give us a call!

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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When Pets Gain Weight, Chronic Disease Grows

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Chronic disease is on the rise in cats and dogs, but owners are hesitant to visit the veterinarian to treat existing conditions, according to the State of Pet Health 2012 Report, published by the Banfield Pet Hospital (http://goo.gl/ERFXN).

In the five-year span from 2007 to 2011, dogs weight increased 37 percent and obese cat cases increased by 90 percent. In 2011, one out of every five cats and dogs were classified as obese or overweight.

Other chronic diseases were also diagnosed in both cats and dogs, including a high percentage having arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease and hypothyroidism. 

When it comes to kidney disease, if cats are diagnosed in the early stages, they live about two to three more years. Failure to diagnose this disease right away could give cats about six months to live.

“The key to successful early disease diagnosis involves a partnership between pet owners and their veterinarian to identify changes in a pet’s overall health and behavior,” said Jeffrey Kausner, DVM, senior vice president and chief medical officer for Banfield. “In partnership with pet owners, we hope to reduce the number of pets living with undiagnosed or unmanaged chronic diseases.”

If you have a pet that has gained a lot of weight, please come see us at one of our Bregman Vet Hospitals so we can make sure your pet is healthy and stays healthy.