Local pet events in the East Village

Hello, fellow pet lovers!

It’s been quite a while since our last post. I hope that you are doing well. We’ve come across 4 local pet events in the East Village in the next few days and thought that this would be the best place to share it with you. Please click on the links for more details about each event. Thank you.

Sincerely,

The ABC Animal Hospital team

Today, Friday 9/6: Tango in the Park at Stuyvesant Square Park. 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Details:

Enjoy a wonderful evening of music, dance, and song in the beautiful historic Stuyvesant Square. Professional tango instruction will be provided. This event is perfect for families and perfect for date night. Come with your children and dogs, and dance around the fountain flower bed into the sunset. Location: Near Peter Stuyvesant StatueSuggested donation: $20Any cancellation will be posted on our Facebook page. If you are not on Facebook, all Facebook posts can be read via the link on our website.

Saturday 9/7: Hearts and Bones Adoption Event at Come Back Daily at 516 E 11th St. in the East Village. 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Details:

“You can meet our adoptable dogs at our adoption events throughout NYC! Please note that we do not do same day adoptions – only pre-approved adopters are able to take home pups from our events so that we can assure we’ve found the best possible match for them. But anyone is welcome to swing by and say hi!”

Sunday 9/8:  Calm Dog Yoga in Union Square Park, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Details:

An interactive yoga class for dogs and their humans, teaching pup-focused relaxation techniques.

JustFoodForDogs will host a free Dog Yoga class in Union Square Park as a third installment in the Calm series. We will be sharing complimentary samples of Calm, the all-natural stress relieving supplement for high anxiety dogs (or calm dogs intense situations!) and relaxation techniques. Doga will be lead by seasoned NYC yoga and dog yoga teacher Anna Farkas. Anna is a believer in the connection Doga helps create with your pup. And it’s a fun workout for all – pets and hoomans alike!

The 45-minute class will be followed by samples and gift cards at the JustFoodForDogs kitchen inside Petco Union Square. Every day the open kitchen prepares the only proven healthy pet food on the market, utilizing only fresh, whole food ingredients USDA certified for human consumption, in recipes nutritionally balanced for dogs as well as cats.

Participants are asked to bring their own mats and ensure their dogs remain on leash during class. Max capacity for this class is 20 people and their pets. Please RSVP and arrive on time to secure your spot.

Tuesday 9/10: Mighty Mutts celebrates 25 years Fundraiser. 6:00 PM

Details:

WOOF!! Join us for a festive evening to celebrate Mighty Mutts 25th year of saving animals. This is your chance to meet volunteers (the lifeblood of our organization), from both the Mighty Mutts team that shows our adoptable rescues at Union Square to our Ollie’s Place cat volunteer team caring for dozens of adoptable cats being shown every day of the week. You’ll meet other animal lovers while you have drinks, eat complimentary hor d’oeuvres, and have the option to purchase raffle tickets for incredible prizes like gift cards, Broadway tickets, and wine (you get one complimentary)! But best of all you’ll be a part of saving animals’ lives.
Our goal is to hit $100K in donations, so even if you cannot attend please consider donating at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mighty-mutts-inc/we-re-in-the-doghouse-throw-us-a-bone !

 

What greater gift than the love of a cat? -Charles Dickens

It’s the human-cat interactions that keep our bond strong with our feline family. And with the spring season upon us, it is important that we follow-up with their health and well-care check ups. We take care of each other. And with the spring season upon us, it is important that we follow-up with their health and well-care check ups. For outdoor cats, the threat of intestinal parasites are more prevalent in the warmer weather. If you haven’t done so already, start using flea and tick medication to prevent intestinal diseases. We offer heartworm testing and leptospirosis vaccines. Ask us the best way to keep your cats safe and healthy. Here at ABC Animal Hospital, we put your pets first. We want your family to enjoy the season — together.

 

Call ABC Animal Hospital to schedule your pet’s next well care visit and don’t forget to give us a ‘like’, ‘tweet’ and ‘follow’ on social media.

Dogs are man’s best friends more than we can ever imagine.

We take care of each other. And with the spring season upon us, it is important that we follow-up with their health and wellness check ups. Although always a threat, parasites are more prevalent in the warmer weather. If you haven’t done so already, this is the time to begin using heartworm, flea and tick medication to protect your pets from disease. As well as the recent leptospirosis scare this year, it’s possible that this will also be a high risk year for Lyme disease.  We also offer Lyme and leptospirosis vaccines. Depending on your pets and their lifestyle, we can work together to come up with an appropriate protection plan for your pets. Here at ABC Animal Hospital, we put your pets first. We want your family to enjoy the season — together.

Call ABC Animal Hospital at (212) 358-0785 to schedule your pet’s next wellness visit, get your pets tested for heartworm, and to pick up heartworm, flea, and tick medication. Don’t forget to give us a ‘like’, ‘tweet’ and ‘follow’ on social media.

Sincerely,

Dr. Tufaro and the staff at ABC Animal Hospital

ABC Animal Hospital’s 2016 Pet dates and NYC Pet events!

We’ve put together a nifty map of many pet related days and pet events in NYC that we thought people may enjoy attending! We hope you like it! Please click on this link: 2016 Pet calendar of events with links for the full details and individual links attached to each event. To view them, simply click on the event you’d like to know more about. P.S we’re participating in tomorrows Furry Friends Festival at Stuyvesant Town!

Mid West Canine Influenza Outbreak FAQ for New York dog owners

Dog owners should know that there is currently a canine influenza outbreak in Chicago and other parts of the Midwest. Currently there are no cases in the New York area, but we’ve put together some information so you’ll know how to protect your dogs from this contagious disease. We are monitoring the situation and will keep you updated if things change.

Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/epublicist/15552378181

Outbreak area:

More than 1000 dogs have been infected in the Midwest but as of 5/5/15 there are no cases in New York area. People traveling with their dogs should consider leaving their dogs home if they visit the Chicago/ Midwest area. If you do travel to the Midwest with your dog you should exercise caution and limit contact between you/your dog with other dogs in the area.

Symptoms:

Canine influenza is a contagious dog flu which can have respiratory symptoms similar to kennel cough, as well as a fever and runny nose. Some dogs exhibit no symptoms, while others exhibit mild or severe forms of the illness. The fatality rate is less than 10% and most dogs recover in 2 to 3 weeks.

If your dog has a cough or other symptoms:

If you suspect that your dog is unwell and may have the flu, if your dog exhibits a cough, discharge, or a fever please consult your veterinarian for advice or a consult. Flu symptoms can be caused by many different medical reasons and we can help you determine the appropriate course of action. When you come in for your appointment please inform us that your dog may have a contagious illness and limit contact with other dogs to avoid spreading any illness.

Risks:

Dogs who live in problem areas (Midwest/Chicago) are at risk as well as dogs who come into contact with other dogs that show symptoms of a respiratory infection. Higher risk areas of getting any canine influenza or any contagious disease include locations where dogs interact – boarding facilities, daycare, dog parks etc. Almost all dogs are susceptible to infection if exposed to the virus. Puppies, sick dogs, and senior dogs are also at higher risk and should avoid situations where they can come into contact with other dogs. Contaminated objects such as hands, dog toys and leashes can also spread the virus between dogs.

Vaccination:

The flu currently spreading through the Midwest is caused by a new strain of the virus -H3N2. The H3N2 Virus is closely related to an Asian strain and has not been seen in the US until now.  ABC Animal Hospital carries the vaccine for virus strain H3N8, but it is not known how much protection it will offer for the H3N2 strain. You should speak to your veterinarian about whether you need this vaccine based on your dogs risk level and exposure to other dogs.

Can humans or my cat get this strain of flu?

There is currently no evidence that the canine influenza virus is transmittable to humans. However, cases of the H3N2 strain has been found in cats, ferrets, and guinea pigs in Asia.

I’m boarding my dog in a kennel/ daycare – how can I protect my dog?

Talk to the pet facility to make sure that they have a plan to separate any dogs who may have an infectious disease and ensure that they will notify owners about the exposure. Practice good hygiene and wash your hands after coming in contact with other dogs.

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To make an appointment at ABC Animal Hospital:
Call us at (212) 358 0785 ( we’re open 7 days a week)
Email us at doc@abcanimalhosp.com to have someone call you back

New clients can also register your pets directly on our website.
Ask us a question about your pets through our website’s Ask the veterinarian page.

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Sources and for more information about the Canine Influenza Virus:

AVMA Canine Influenza Reference Page: https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/FAQs/Pages/Control-of-Canine-Influenza-in-Dogs.aspx

CDC Update: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/canine/index.htm

Cornell H3N2: https://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/news/civchicago.cfm

New Yorkers – Protect your Pets from Parasites!

Spring has finally come to NEW YORK and with it come fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes which transmit diseases to your pets. April is the time to start using heartworm medication. Flea and tick medication may be used year round depending upon where your pet travels. Tick populations and tick related illnesses will be higher this year in the New England area so preventative care is extremely important in keeping your pets safe.

Flea and tick infestations can be costly to treat and can also put your pets at risk to diseases such as lyme disease, erhlichiosis, and anaplasmosis. It’s safer for your pets and more economical to practice good preventative treatments against these parasites.

There are a number of products both topical and oral which are very effective in preventing fleas, ticks, and heartworm. You should speak to a trusted veterinarian for advice on appropriate parasite preventative medications for your pets.

In some instances your pets may need to be tested before the appropriate medication can be prescribed. At ABC we offer the Accuplex Canine PANEL which tests for heartworm, lyme disease, ehrlichia, and anaplasma. We can also help you decide which type of preventative medication would be most suitable for your pet. 

We sell Iverhart Plus, Frontline Plus, topical flea and tick spray, and flea and tick shampoo and can write you a prescription for the most appropriate medication for your pet. 

For more information or to make an appointment:

Call us at (212) 358 0785 ( we’re open 7 days a week)
Email us at doc@abcanimalhosp.com to have someone call you back

New clients can also register your pets directly on our website. You can also ask us a question about your pets through our website’s Ask the veterinarian page.

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A Tip for Ticks

If you visit upstate New York, Long Island, or anywhere in New England with woody or grassy areas, check yourselves and your pets for ticks immediately upon returning home. Pay extra attention to the groin, armpits, toes, ears, and around the neck.

As you can see in the photo above, ticks will change in size depending on their age and time of season. Ticks need to be attached for 24 to 36 hours to transfer pathogens so it is especially important to remove ticks as soon as possible.

Ask ABC: 4 common questions about Heartworm for New Yorkers

This is our first post in our ASK ABC series – addressing real questions we get from our clients.

1. What is a heartworm?

Heartworms are worms that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of infected pets. They can cause heart disease, lung failure, and damage other organs in the body.

2. How can my pet get heartworms?

Mosquitoes are carriers of heartworms and can transmit it to your cats or dogs. They can live for several years in your pet, and cause long lasting damage even after the worms are removed.

3. How at risk is my pet from getting heartworms?

This depends on where you live and where travel with your pets. To see data on heartworms and other parasites in your area you can use parasitesandpets interactive map. New York’s map is shown below.

Risks of heartworm infection are higher than usual during mosquito season. This usually begins in Spring, from April until November. Heartworm protection is especially important for pets who travel to places with mosquitoes (wooded, gassy areas, upstate etc), or to states where there are higher risks for heartworm.

Screenshot from Parasitesandpets.com – interactive map for Heartworm data in New York County. As you can see: New York county has a low risk ( 1/125 cases), but there are counties close by that have a moderate risk.

4. How can I protect my pets from heartworms?

Early detection and prevention is key to protecting your pets. At ABC Animal Hospital one recommendation we give after examining a pet is an oral medication to prevent heartworm disease. We trust and sell Iverhart – a chewable medication. (We keep our prices competitive to make it available for all our clients). We provide quick and easy heartworm tests for your pets in-house so results can be provided almost immediately.

You can contact us at (212) 358 0785 to make an appointment for an exam and a heartworm test.

New clients can also register your pets directly on our website. If you have any medical related questions – you can ask us for free through our website’s Ask the veterinarian page.

We hope that this helped clear things up about what heartworms are, and how you can protect your pets. Let us know in the comments if there are any other questions we can answer, and please share this if you found it helpful.

*Disclaimer: This blog is meant only to offer general advice to pet owners. it cannot replace advice given to you by a veterinarian. Reading our blog does not establish a client-patient relationship between you and ABC Animal Hospital. If you suspect that your pet is sick, contact a veterinarian you trust for a proper examination. We can be reached at 212 358 0785.