Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Pet Happy & Healthy This 4th of July!

Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Pet Happy & Healthy This 4th of July!



The Fourth of July is a time when the entire family gets together around the grill. The perfect time to share stories and food in the comfort of your own backyard; but perhaps it isn't exactly safe to include your four legged friend in on the festivities. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center cautions that the holiday food can in fact be potentially dangerous for your fury loved ones; here are the following tips to keep your pet safe.
Beware of the Piña Coladas: Alcoholic beverages pose a potential risk to your pets if consumed. They can lead your friend to depression or a possible coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a posing threat in the worst case scenarios.
Do not share your insect repellent or sunscreen: The consumption of sunscreen products and insect repellent may lead to drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, extreme thirst and complete lack of energy. Any insect repellent that contains DEET is said to leave neurological problems
Never let them help light the grill: Some brands of matches contain certain substances that are poisonous for your loved one. Chlorates can possibly harm your pets blood cells that lead to difficulty breathing, possibly Kidney disease in the worst case scenario. Lighter fluid, whether ingested or inhaled can lead to many health problems such as: gastrointestinal irritation, depression in the central nervous system, aspiration pneumonia and the development of breathing problems.
Everyone should keep an eye on what they eat: Remember that they are family but cannot eat everything you eat. Certain foods like onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt and yeast dough can be toxic for all animals. As their owner, you should be especially careful if your pet is not as young as they used to be; older pets have harder times with digestion and more nutritional requirements.
Be on the lookout for glow sticks: Glow sticks can be a fun additional accessory for every party but not so much for your pet. If consumed you're looking at the possibility of gastrointestinal irritation, excessive drooling and even intestinal blockage from swallowing the plastic container. Lets keep an eye on what is in their reach, especially if you have a curious friend.
Citronella candles, insect coils and oil products are as harmful as they are useful: Consumption of any of these products could lead to more gastrointestinal irritation and depression in the central nervous system. If they inhale the oils, you could be looking at aspiration pneumonia for your loved one.
Keep them away from the fireworks!: We all know what exposure to any lit fireworks can do but even toxic substances in the unlit ones can cause harm; potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals are potentially fatally dangerous if exposed to your pet.
Even the festive firework displays are a nuisance: Make sure they are in the house, where they can fully be protected from the noise that's going on outside. Keeping your pet safe is going to be easy this Fourth of July as long as you are an educated owner. 

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Helping Pets Cope with Thunderstorms

Helping Pets Cope with Thunderstorms


Photo Source: Wikipedia
Do thunderstorms cause your pet anxiety?  Your pet is not alone.  Many animals are afraid of the loud roar of thunder.  Fortunately, there are ways to help your pet cope with this fear and stay calm during a storm.


Calming Tips:
  • Quiet Hideaway – Make sure that your pet has access to a quiet place where he or she can go to hide.  If possible, try to block out the lightening and cover up the sound of the thunder.
  • Stay Distracted – Sometimes playing a game or distracting your pet with their favorite toy can keep them at ease.
  • Conditioning Behavior – Behavior modification can desensitize your pet to the sound of a storm.  Try playing recordings in short intervals for conditioning.
If you are still having trouble keeping your pet calm during a thunderstorm, visit our office.  The experienced Veterinarians at Bregman Vet Group can help you determine the best possible coping method for your pet.  You can also read this article to learn more.


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Tips For Children on How To Safely Interact with Dogs!

Tips For Children on How To Safely Interact with Dogs!




Did you know that of the estimated 800,000 dog bites that occur each year involve children between the ages 5 and 8? TV host and dog trainer Victoria Stilwell from animal planet is offering some tips to children on what they need to know in order to interact safely with dogs!


Not every dog is your friend.
Kids often mistake wagging tails for happiness — and that isn’t always the case, Stilwell says. Help kids recognize when a dog is showing signs of aggression or fear. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA.org) offers photos that illustrate canine body language and tips to avoid dog bites. 

Embrace your inner tree (or rock).

Dogs lose interest when they are ignored, so Stilwell (right) tells children to become a tree, standing still and avoiding eye contact when dogs approach. If kids get knocked to the ground, advise them to roll up like a stone on the ground with knees in and hands behind their neck so they protect vital organs. Practice makes perfect.


Report loose or stray dogs.

If kids see a stray dog during walks to school, remind them to alert an adult. Stilwell says that parents should report loose dogs to animal control immediately. “There are so many irresponsible dog owners out there and these people need to be reported,” she says.


Be careful when walking on a dog’s ‘turf.’

Many owners rely on electric fences or shock collars to keep dogs confined to their own yard. But Stilwell notes that kids and other animals can easily cross those invisible boundaries — and that’s often when the trouble occurs. “Mostly children are bitten on the dog’s territory by a dog that they know,” she says. “It’s rare for a child to be bitten by a dog that comes out of nowhere and bites them.”


Never touch dogs behind a fence.

Tell kids to exercise caution and avoid taunting or exciting dogs behind fences, she says. Remember, that fence may not be too sturdy, and some determined dogs can jump over fences without any trouble.


Taunting dogs is a form of bullying.

“Being kind to animals is much more powerful than teasing, bullying, or being rough or unkind to these creatures,” she says.  “How would you feel if you were teased or bullied or hit?”


Do you find these tips useful? Let us know if you have any additional tips on our Facebook page, linked HERE

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Keep Your Pets Active This Year!

A New Year is the perfect time to make new goals for you and your pets.  Here are a few tips to help your pets stay healthy throughout 2015.Health Tips for 2015:Provide Plenty of Exercise - Dogs and cats need exercise to stay fit.  Go on a wa...

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Pet Costume Ideas

Halloween is right around the corner.  Did you pick out a costume yet?  More importantly, did you choose one for your pet?We scoured Pinterest to find the best pet costumes and give you some suggestions.  If you dress your pet up, please...

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The Reunion Veterinary Hospital Celebrates a Pet Friendly Halloween

Halloween Safety Tips from Reunion Veterinary HospitalHalloween is right around the corner.  As you and your kids get ready for the festivities, don't forget to keep your pets in mind!  These Halloween safety tips can help make sure your whol...

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Are You Ready To Bring a Pet Home?

When people think about bringing an animal into their home to live with them, there is always a risk that this animal can bring sickness or disease.  Without the proper precautions animals can bring germs that can spread to humans, particularly ch...

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World Rabies Day is September 28th

This Sunday, September 28th is World Rabies Day!  It is a day created by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control group and is recognized by over 150 nations.  The goal of World rabies day is to promote information on rabies control and reduce the amount of rabies cases by maintaining proper animal vaccination and control, as well as providing access to the necessary medical care for those infected. 

“Rabies is completely preventable.  We want people to understand the importance of vaccinating against the disease,” said Dr. Leon Russell, a professor in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.  Even with treatment available, more than 55,000 people per year die from a rabies bite worldwide.  Rabies can be contracted from dogs and cats to skunks and raccoons. 


In addition, Russell recommends that owners should take the necessary precautions and pets should always be routinely vaccinated against rabies.


If your pet is in need of vaccination, or treatment please contact us at the Reunion Veterinary Hospital for the best services!  Visit us at www.ReunionVetHospital.com for more information. Also, visit our Facebook page, linked HERE

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Here are the Benefits of Therapeutic Laser for You Pet

Benefits of MLS Laser Therapy


Clinical Benefits
Manage Pain. Reduce Inflammation. Speed Recovery.
The benefits of veterinary laser therapy are relatively new in the veterinary industry. Despite this, veterinarians are quick to adopt the technology as they see a marked improvement in their patient’s quality of life, and most notably in the reduction of pain and swelling and the increase in mobility.
MLS Laser Therapy technology is the most advanced laser therapy system on the market.  Reduction of response times, and therefore overall treatment times, distinguishes MLS Laser Therapy from traditional laser therapy with reciprocal advantages for both the operator and the patient.

10 Benefits of MLS Laser Therapy
  • Anti-Inflammatory Effect
  • Analgesic Effect
  • Accelerated Tissue Repair and Cell Growth
  • Improved Vascular Activity
  • Increases Metabolic Activity
  • Stimulation of Trigger Points and Acupuncture Points
  • Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation
  • Improved Nerve Function
  • Immunoregulation
  • Faster Wound Healing
MLS Laser Therapy effectively treats pain associated with:
  • Arthritis
  • Tendonitis
  • Wounds
  • Post-Surgical Swelling
  • Inflamed Ears
  • Lick Granuloma
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Disc Disease
  • Lameness
  • Sinusitis
  • and much more!
The Most Advanced Veterinary Laser on the Market Today
The Cutting Edge Mphi MLS Laser represents the most advanced veterinary laser on the market today. The technology delivers continuous and pulsated emissions each of which provides advantages that benefit pets in many different ways.
Continuous emission stimulates an anti-inflammatory effect and edema re-absorption, but with secondary analgesic effects.  Pulsated emission has a more intense analgesic action, but the effect on the inflammatory process is reduced.
The Cutting Edge Mphi MLS Therapy is the first laser to incorporate both continuous and pulsed emissions, simultaneously.  Rhythm, perfection of intervals and intensity, and maximum coordination are of the essence.

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