Are You Giving a Pet as a Gift this Holiday Season?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

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Are you surprising a loved one with a pet this Christmas? If so, make sure you do your research before purchasing your new furry friend!

NBC's WGEM refers to Executive Director Sally Westerhoff of the Quincy Humane Society for a few tips to follow if you may be giving a pet as a gift this holiday season. Westerhoff suggests making sure the pet you choose will fit in with the entire family and that you should discuss the idea with the family beforehand. It's also important to choose a pet whose temperament will fit in with your family's lifestyle. (WGEM)

To continue reading on how to properly chose a pet to give as a gift, please CLICK HERE.

Are you planning on giving a pet as a gift this holiday season? Let us know on our Facebook page. If you have any questions regarding pet care or bringing a pet into your home, please feel free to contact the Bregman Vet Group to answer any questions you may have.

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. 

What is Your Holiday Budget for Your Pet?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

This holiday season, some dedicated pet owners plan on surprising their pets with toys and treats. Are you one of those pet owners? In a AP-Petside Poll, 68 percent of pets across the nation can expect presents. One pet owner, Gayla McCarthy even says, “Christmas is about the pets.” (USA Today)

The annual budget for pet gifts comes to about $46. Some pet owners say they spend less to make their pets happy. Last year, Thomas Koch spent $8 on his dog and cats. His dog Jessie received toys while his cats had fun with catnip and play mice. (USA Today)

On the other hand, there are owners like Lauren Beard who spent $70 on her pets last year. She even buys presents for the neighborhood dogs. George Smith of Colo. tells USA Today pets are “part of the family, just like our kids.”

For some owners, pets make up a huge part of the family and they want to share the holiday spirit with them. Some inexpensive gifts to make your pet happy include treats, bones, bedding and grooming products. Enjoy the holidays with your furry friends and show them your love whether it is through a nice petting or some fun treats.

To read more on the USA Today article, please CLICK HERE.

Don’t forget to keep your pets happy and healthy this holiday season! Bring your pet to Bregman Veterinary Group for check ups and any concerns. For more information, visit us online at www.bregmanvetgroup.com.

VetOfficeSuite Client/Patient Tab Information

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

This blog is a continuation of the intro blogs to vetofficesuite.com. We encourage you to pass this information along to your veterinarian.

VetOfficeSuite.com is an exceptional resource for veterinarians and is designed to provide convenience and accessibility to veterinarian practices at an affordable price.

Below is a screenshot of what veterinarians would see on the “client/patient” tab.

From this tab, veterinarians can create new clients, search existing clients, and find a new patient by searching:

• Client Name
• Patient Name
• Phone #
• Client #
• Microchip #
• Rabies Tag Code #

Users can also find basic information about patients, including all records, soap forms and patient documents all in one spot.

We would appreciate you passing this information along to your veterinarian and express how user friendly VetOfficeSuite.com is. For more information, please email all questions to vetofficesuite@gmail.com. 

Keep Pets Out Of The Emergency Room This Holiday Season With These Tips!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

You are aware that feeding your pet people food can have messy consequences, but who can resist those hopeful eyes?  So you give your pet a little taste of your delicious holiday meal.  One bite turns into five, and before you know it you've shared half a plate of turkey with your furry friend.  

Unfortunately our pets become accustomed to a certain diet and the addition of such people food inevitably messes with their digestive systems.  As a result, they often get sick.  To prevent your pet from such unpleasantness, and to avoid a costly trip to the vet, check out these holiday tips courtesy of www.mnn.com. 

"Keep Out Of Reach Of Pets": Survey your home for any off-limit items that may be accessible to your pet.  Move them to a higher location that will be out of their reach.

"Practice Makes Perfect": Now is the perfect time to brush up on some of those obedience rules you learned but were never quite dedicated to using! 

"Pet Zone": Designate an area of the home for your pet and fill it with a comfortable bed and some toys to keep them entertained. 

"No Means No": Make sure you alert your guests that feeding your pet is off limits! And when they stare at you with those puppy-dog eyes, say "no" and look away!

"Accidents Happen": Despite all your efforts, pets just have a knack for finding and consuming items that are off-limits. Accidents happen! Immediately noticing a change in your pet is key.  If they seem to be acting unusual, get them checked out.  It's better to be safe, than sorry! 

For more information on handling pets during the holidays, visit http://goo.gl/qbzVfg.  Don't forget to call Bregman Vet Group to schedule your pets next appointment! 

What Information Should Your Pet's Collar Contain?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

As a pet owner, we view our furry loved ones as an extension of our family.  Many people care for their animal in the same way that they would care for a baby.  We worry when they get sick and try to prevent them from ever getting hurt.  However, accidents do happen.  The front gate could be left open allowing your dog to run off, or the window could be cracked a little too wide, giving your cat an easy door to the outside. 

It is essential that your pet wears a collar in the event this occurs and that it contains the necessary information needed to be returned home safely.  

Here is what your pet's ID Tag should state:

• The pets name
• Your telephone number (Listing your cell phone number allows you to be easily accessible and reached.)
• The city in which you reside.
• If there is enough space and you feel comfortable, list your home address.
• It is also wise to have your pet wear proof of a rabies vaccination.  This allows the person who finds him or her to feel safe knowing your pet is up to date on shots.  

For more information on pet ID tags, visit http://goo.gl/dxHjwb.

Bregman Veterinary Group has over 50 years of combined veterinary experience and guarantee to provide your pet with the highest quality care available.  

Are You a Frequent Flyer with Your Pets?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Photo Source: Wikipedia

Do you normally travel with your pets? Well, if you’re a frequent flyer on Southwest Airlines, be prepared to begin paying more to bring your furry friends on board.

Southwest Airlines is bumping their pet fee from $75 per pet per flight to $95 per pet per flight, beginning on January 15, 2014. Southwest Airlines remains one of the most cost effective airlines for pet owners. (USA Today). 

If you travel with your pets, let us know about your experience on our Facebook page.

To continue reading about Southwest Airlines changes for pets, please CLICK HERE.