212-832-8417
Park East Animal Hospital
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Staff
    • Our Founder
    • Tour
    • Pet Photos
    • Careers
  • Services
    • Preventive Medicine
    • Travel Paperwork
    • Special Offers
    • Payment Options
    • Resources
  • News
  • Blog
  • Contact

Routine Feline Veterinary Care

8/25/2016

 
By Brett Shorenstein, VMD
Obi, a gray DSH cat, wears a little bowtie. He is very dapper!Obi is all dressed up for his trip to the vet!
Did you know that there is a National Bring Your Cat to the Vet Day? There is, and this year it was celebrated on Monday, August 22nd! At Park East Animal Hospital, we understand the importance of regular veterinary care for our feline friends as well as some of the unique challenges that are associated with providing that care.

In the United States, roughly 42.9 million households collectively own more than 86 million domestic cats - even more than the number of dogs owned in the country. However, recent studies have shown that felines account for only 32% of veterinary visits, and the gross number of feline visits per year is decreasing even as pet ownership is increasing. Cat owners cite travel concerns and in-office stress as two primary reasons to neglect non-emergency care. Cats are just like dogs in that they can develop chronic or acute medical conditions, but they often don’t receive the care they need, or don’t receive it as soon as it is needed. Cats are genetically designed to hide illness; therefore, when an illness becomes apparent at home it is often quite advanced.

A cat’s experience with the veterinarian begins long before he or she enters the hospital, so preparing your cat for the visit at home is an important aspect of feline care.  It is best practice to expose your cat to the carrier a few days before your visit. You may place some of his or her favorite toys in the carrier and potentially some catnip if they like it. Pheromones such as Feliway may be sprayed at home in order to give your cat a sense of calm.

When you arrive at the hospital, choose a quiet place to sit, away from any large or imposing animals. At Park East, we do our absolute best to maintain a low-stress environment for cats. We have a room designated for cat visits that includes Feliway dispensers and a clean, carpeted exam table. Our veterinarians and technicians are trained in low-stress handling for cats, with an emphasis placed on the cat’s comfort and using the minimum level of safe restraint. For especially fractious cats, your veterinarian can discuss the safe use of medications that can be given before leaving the house to calm your pet. When necessary, mild sedation administered in the office can minimize stress.

Royal Canin infographic regarding feline veterinary care in the United States.Feline Veterinary Infographic, courtesy of Royal Canin.
During a 30-45 minute appointment at Park East, your cat will be examined from head to paws. A detailed history, including a discussion of your cat’s behavior, is an important part of every exam. If changes are noted at home, it may be a symptom of an underlying treatable medical condition. Parasite prevention may be discussed, depending on your cat's lifestyle, and an annual fecal test is recommended. We will record your cat’s weight, temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate. The skin and coat are also thoroughly examined. Significant changes or abnormalities in physical exam findings can be early signs of disease.

An examination of the eyes, ears, and mouth is performed during which your veterinarian assesses corneal, lens, and retinal health and looks for ear infections. The mouth is examined for dental disease and possible oral masses. Dental disease can be quite painful for your cat, and they may eat in spite of it. Periodic professional dental cleanings are essential to keeping your cat healthy and comfortable. Many owners report a significant behavior change and increased liveliness just a few days after a dental procedure.

Auscultation of the heart and lungs is essential. The neck is examined for a thyroid nodule, which may be a sign of hyperthyroidism, a common disease process in cats. The abdomen is palpated to assess for any intra-abdominal masses. All external lymph nodes are also palpated, as enlargement can be a sign of cancer, infectious disease, or inflammation.

Blood work is usually indicated in middle-aged and older cats. Common conditions that affect cats include hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and kidney disease. Routine blood work will allow your veterinarian to intervene before a minor condition turns into a major one. Even if your cat does not have any abnormalities, establishing trends and a baseline for lab values can be extremely important as issues arise. The chronology of conditions - whether an acute change or a slow chronic change - will help your veterinarian give a more accurate prognosis.

If your cat appears to be in good health, vaccinations will be part of the annual exam. Rabies vaccination is required by law, and immunization against upper respiratory infections and distemper is also routine. If your cat goes outdoors, further vaccination may be recommended.

Let’s be better for our cats, together. Regular veterinary care aids in the prevention and early detection of disease, improving your cat’s health, happiness, and longevity. To schedule an appointment, or if you ever have any concerns about your cat’s well being, call our office at 212-832-8417 and speak with one of our veterinarians.

Summer Fun for our dogs

8/2/2016

 
By Vicki Ungar, Practice Manager
Mabel, a bullhuahua, vaults into her private pool.Mabel loves swimming!
As the days get warmer, we naturally look forward to bringing our pets outdoors with us for social activities. Our dogs enjoy frolicking in the ocean and running through the grass just as much as we do. When pets are well socialized, the world is more fun for them and their human companions. However, before taking our pets to the beach or park, it is important to remember a few rules of safety and courtesy.

In New York State, the law requires that dogs be leashed unless otherwise posted. Check your beach or park for signs indicating places and times where dogs are allowed to be off-leash, and restrict untethered play to these areas. It is essential that your dog is well-identified should she become lost. Dog tags that include your pet’s name and your phone number should be attached to their collar at all times. Microchips are a permanent, highly effective way to identify missing pets and return them safely to their owners.

The law isn’t the only reason to keep your dog on a leash. Unpredictable environmental factors such as traffic or wild animals can be hazardous to your pet. And while your dog may be friendly and enjoy playing with everyone it meets, not all dogs will respond well to this attention. If your dog wants to play with others, be sure to ask the owner if it is ok and carefully supervise.

State law also requires that all dogs have current rabies vaccination. Be sure that your pet is up to date and wearing his most recent rabies tag. Immunization against other communicable diseases such as lyme, leptospirosis, and bordetella may also be appropriate, depending upon your pet’s location and lifestyle. It is also always a good idea to be vigilant about flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. In addition to topicals and collars, there are now chewable flea and tick prevention tablets that do not restrict your dog’s water activities. Ask your veterinarian for more information and recommendations tailored to your pet.


Lucy gazes upon the sea. What wonders must lie behind yon horizon!Lucy casts her gaze upon the horizon.
When visiting the beach, find some ‘personal space’ for swimming. There’s nothing quite as fun for all of us as watching a Labrador Retriever riding the waves back in with her favorite frisbee in tow. Even dogs that can swim well can panic in rough water; therefore it’s best to never leave your dog unattended around water. Consider a life vest for your dog whether you are at the beach, a lake or around a pool. High-quality life jackets are available for dogs. Make sure to acclimate your dog to wearing the life vest prior to your outing. Dogs with thin hair coats are prone to sunburns, just like us. Use a quick-drying, spray-on sunscreen without ingestion warnings for your pets. There are also specialized outfits that provide protection from the sun as well as fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and biting flies.

When walking your dog on the beach, keep an eye out for washed-up sea creatures and other hazards that should be avoided. It is a good idea to bring fresh water and a clean bowl wherever you go with your dog. Collapsible bowls are a good option for travel. Also bring a small bag with some of your pet’s favorite treats. Dogs should be cleansed with fresh water when they are finished swimming. With long exposure, salt from the ocean or chlorine from the pool can irritate the skin. Rinse with a hose or give a quick bath before heading home.

And always remember the number one rule of dog courtesy - bring plenty of poop bags, and be sure to clean up after your dog and dispose of them properly!



    Picture

    PEAH Blog

    Welcome to the Park East blog! Contributions from our doctors and staff will be archived and organized here for your reading pleasure. Timely advice and reliable information from your trusted veterinary team.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    March 2018
    October 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016

    Categories

    All
    Acupuncture
    Autumn
    Beach
    Cats
    Dental Month
    Dr. Anderson
    Dr. Heskel
    Dr. Hooker
    Dr. Jackson
    Dr. Levine
    Dr. Shorenstein
    Dr. Thornton
    Feline Care
    Holidays
    Infectious Disease
    Leptospirosis
    Oral Health
    Park East Staff
    Parties
    Prevention
    Preventive Care
    Safety
    Summer
    Vector Borne Disease
    Vicki
    Winter
    Year Round
    Year-Round

    RSS Feed

1390 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10021
Between 71st and 72nd Streets

P: 212-832-8417
F: 212-981-3721

info@parkeastanimalhospital.com

Follow us on instagram!

Park East provides nursing care
24 hours a day, 365 days a year,
​and a doctor is always on call. 



                                                          

                                                  Copyright 2015 Park East Animal Hospital

Privacy