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! 

Pet Obesity

Just like us, a well-balanced nutritional intake and regular exercise is important for your furry friends. October 8 is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, and with that we thought it important to highlight approximately 54% of cats and dogs in the United States are overweight. Today we want to help raise awareness to the dangers obesity may have on your pet. 

If you are unsure your pet is overweight there are several tools for which you can utilize to help better assess. First and foremost is your veterinarian, followed by online resources that show specifics on breeds and their ideal appearance and weight. A general rule of thumb to go by is being able to feel their ribs, but not seeing them. 

Here are some additional tips to help aid in keeping your pets weight in check. 

1. Talk with your veterinarian as they are the best resource for helping you. They can work with you to create a plan to help control, monitor and improve your pet’s weight. They are also able to recommend ways to help your pet lose weight in a healthy and safe way.
2. Calorie control. A wide variety of pet foods exist, always be certain to check nutrition labels for the best quality ingredients. Avoid foods that contain fillers. Avoid table scraps and try to limit the number of treats. Try to ensure treats are of the healthy variety. 
3. Consistency. Ensure feeding portions are consistent, place a cup in the bag to keep amounts the same. Feed them on a consistent schedule, and avoid overfeeding. Consider using an automatic feeder as this helps to keep a consistent schedule and amount. 
4. Go outside! Not only is it great for your pet, but you too! Take a nice walk around the neighborhood or park. A session of catch is always a great way to keep your dog moving and staying healthy. 

Similar to humans, pet obesity can have the same severe unfavorable effects as well. Disorders that are common with pet obesity include high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and so forth. If you are unsure about your pets weight, schedule an appointment with us today and start the conversation of getting them on a healthier track! 

New Puppy Care

Bringing home a new puppy is an incredible one of a kind experience. From those sweet puppy licks to the adorable tiny paws, cute puppy eyes, and fun snuggles a remarkable bond is being built. Along with those adorable features comes the other aspect, the proper care and training that will now be devoted to that cute little bundle as they grow.

Your pet health care team at Bregman Veterinary Group is committed to providing you with the tools you need every step of the way!

The Basics
Whether you are a newbie or seasoned pet owner, being prepared can help ease the stress that comes with adding a puppy to your household. Less stress means more fun bonding time with your newest addition. To help you out here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Veterinary Support – One of the most important things you can do is have an exam scheduled with your veterinarian for your new addition. This should take place as soon as possible upon getting them home. During this time your veterinarian will also discuss the proper diet,  immunizations, spay/neuter, and microchipping with you.

2. Supplies – Ensure you have the necessary basic items prior to bringing your new puppy home. Items such as collar, leash, bed, crate (if using), chew toys, food/water bowls. A baby gate is also a good idea as it will help to help keep them out of certain areas of your home you don’t want them in.

3. Puppy Proofing – Puppies love to chew, so it is best to take time prior to bringing them home to ensure your home is proofed and ready for them. Just like a child, they love to get their mouth on anything and everything, so chocking and poisoning are great concerns, so ensure you put away any items you don’t want them to get ahold of.

4. House training – Get your puppy outside throughout the day so they are able to expel. Getting them out first thing in the morning, before bed, after naps and after meals will help lead to successful training. Try to keep on schedule, and if you are unable to, find help such as dog walking company, family or a friend.

Diet
It is important to ensure your puppy receives proper nutrition and caloric intake while they are still growing. Choosing a high quality dog food that is formulated for them is very important and will help ensure healthy growth. As your puppy grows the number of feeding times will change. Recommended feeding frequencies are as follows

Puppies age 6-12 weeks should be fed 4x per day
Puppies age 3-6 months should be fed 3x per day
>6 months can be reduced to 2x daily


Socialization
For your puppy to grow into a happy and safe part of society, socialization is necessary. This should start to occur in the first few months and after being fully vaccinated.

With good socialization to other people, dogs, animals, locations and things your puppy will learn to become well-adjusted.

Your friends at Bregman Veterinary Group look forward to getting to know you and your new puppy! Give us a call with your questions, or to schedule an appointment.

Pet Dental Disease’s Four Stages

As we have discussed in previous blogs, your pets dental health is very important! Periodontal disease is often seen by our veterinarians, and can be found in most dogs and cats. This disease can lead to pain, infection, tooth loss and damage to other organs.

Dental health for our pet patients is very important to us at Bregman Veterinary Group, so we would like to place the focus of this blog on periodontal disease and further educate you on the stages of periodontal disease that can occur in pets.

Periodontal disease can be broken down into four stages, they are as follows:

Stage 1
The early stage is characterized by gingivitis. This is an inflammation of the pet’s gums as it responds to the existence of bacteria and tartar. You might notice some minor swelling of the gum area. You may also notice a visible thin red line on the gums next to the teeth at this stage as well.

Stage 2
A.K.A. periodontitis. At this stage there is a small amount of bone loss,  < 25% , visible on oral x-rays. Inflammation of your pet’s gums may occur along with visible plaque and tartar and bad breath. At this stage, your pet should get a professional cleaning to thoroughly remove the plaque and tartar, and to help reverse the progress of the disease.

Stage 3
At this stage serious damage starts. This stage is also known as moderate periodontitis. During x-rays 25-50% of bone loss can be found. Gums are swollen and aggravated and may even bleed. Significant pain may be present along with bad breath. It is recommended the infected/damaged teeth now be removed.

Stage 4
In the 4th and final stage, extreme periodontal disease is obvious. Bone loss is now >50%, visible in x-rays. Your pet could lose numerous teeth along with being in extreme pain. Infection could spread to internal organs as well now.

Preventing and Treating Pet Dental Disease

Periodontal disease can be treated, which is why you should always have an annual exam for your pet. This allows your veterinarian the ability to take the necessary steps for your pets oral care. These regular checkups, dental cleanings and daily brushing done by you go a long way towards a healthy mouth and life!
As always, your Bregman Veterinary Group is here for you and your pet! Don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule your pet’s next visit. Happy Brushing!

Pets benefit Mental Health

There is an increasing amount of research being done that shows how people with mental health issues can benefit from having a pet. The studies being conducted are now being meta-analyzed and providing evidence to support this fact. Studies have been done interviewing  individuals with varying backgrounds of conditions including PTSD, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Benefits
As the studies being conducted have shown, having a pet provided an unconditional support and love for owners. This helps to ease feelings such as loneliness, distress and worry.

"Pets provided acceptance without judgment, giving unconditional support, which [participants] were often not receiving from other family or social relationships,"
- Dr. Helen Louise Brooks

It has been found that owners stated their pets required them to stay connected with the outside world. Through different factors pets require physical activity, such as dogs that require walks and being outside. This would encourage owners to have social interaction and created strengthened ties to the community.

Study has also shown that those who own pets helped them with keeping a solid sense of self-worth, identity and meaning. One participant in a study noted  "When I was so depressed, I was kind of suicidal. [...] The thing that made me stop was wondering what the rabbits would do. That was the first thing I thought of and I thought, oh yeah, I can't leave because the rabbits need me." Another response included "When he comes and sits up beside you on a night," said another pet owner, "it's different, you know, it's just, like, he needs me as much as I need him, sort of thing."

With studies related to this subject continuing, the increase of knowledge in this area is quickly growing. Animals of many types can help calm a person when it comes to fear, stress and anxiety. As veterinarians we can see the benefits for owner’s of having a pet as part of their lives and we wanted to share those thoughts with you!

Tips For Keeping Your Pet Cool In The Summer

Summer is quickly approaching, which means extra fun with your pet enjoying the outdoors. However it also means rising temperatures, for not just you but your pet too! Here are some tips to help you beat the heat for your pet and keep them safe this summer!

5 Tips for keeping pet cool

1. Shade. While out enjoying the sun at the park or beach, be sure to take breaks and seek out shade for a cooling off period. A pets fur can trap heat, making it even hotter for them, so ensure both them and you get a shade break. 
2. Time of day. Exercising your pet is great, but should be done with caution during the hotter months of summer. Rather than a mid-day walk, take them out early in the morning or later in the evening when the heat is less intense. 
3. Get a fan. Set up a nice cool enjoyable breeze for your pet to enjoy while you are gone during the day. This will help them stay comfortable while your away. Be sure to set it up so in a manner that keeps them from pulling it over and causing an injury. 
4. Grooming. If your pet has a thick fur coat, consider getting trimmed to an appropriate length for summer temperatures. This will allow them to stay cooler and comfortable. 
5. Frozen treats. Make your pet a fun tasty summer treat that will help keep them cool. Add treats to ice cubes creating a fun pet popsicle for them to enjoy. 

Happy First day of Summer everyone, and stay cool!

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.