Protect Your Pet From Intestinal Parasites

Many of you have called in regarding Dr. Oz’s recent segment on Intestinal Parasites.

With all of the statistics concerning intestinal parasites in dogs and cats (over 18% of dogs and cats tested positive for some form of intestinal parasite in the Tri-state area in 2009!), it is natural to have questions about what to do to protect yourself, your pet, and your family.
Many worms are zoonotic, which means that it IS possible for humans to become infected, however, good hygiene, awareness, and vigilant testing and deworming can help to significantly decrease the risk.

What to look for:

Symptoms manifested by pets that are infected with internal parasites can vary, and depend on a pet’s age, nutritional status, parasite load, duration of infestation, etc. One of the most common symptoms of internal parasitism is diarrhea. Other symptoms include poor appetite, lethargy, coughing, and abdominal distention. Some pets don’t show any symptoms while others can become very ill, or even die from their infestation.

How to prevent them:

Because so many pets can have worms and remain asymptomatic, University Animal Hospital recommends regular fecal tests (at least twice a year) for all of our patients, to help monitor and stop the spread of intestinal parasites.

As a preventative, we strongly urge all parents to keep their pet on a year round Heartworm preventative, such as Sentinel for dogs, which, in addition to preventing heartworm disease, also prevents and controls flea infestations, and protects against intestinal worms. For cats we recommend Revolution to prevent heartworm disease, and for use as a broad spectrum dewormer.

Frontline for dogs and cats is another important part of your pet’s all around wellness routine – Frontline plus gives your pet unparalleled protection against fleas (who can infect your pet with Tapeworm), as well as giving you excellent protection against ticks.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to call us on (212) 288-8884.

Protect your babies with a preventative care regime!

University Animal Hospital

(212) 288-8884

354 East 66th Street

New York, NY

10065

February is Pet Dental Health Month!

Receive 10% off your pet’s Dental Health Care in February.

Dental care is more than just a cure for bad breath. Just like people, pets need preventative dental health care to avoid painful problems later in life.

Here are some things to think about while you’re brushing your teeth:

• More 8 out of 10 dogs, and 7 out of 10 cats show signs of poor dental health by the age of three.
• Dental problems in pets – as in people – can lead to pain, tooth loss, and periodontal disease
• Pets’ oral disease invariably progresses with time, as does people’s, and can result in damage to internal organs, including the heart, liver and kidneys.

Poor dental care affects more than just your pet’s mouth. Bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and damage your pet’s liver, kidneys, lungs and heart. A proper dental care routine can add 3-5 years to your pet’s life.

Call (212) 288-8884 to schedule ’s appointment. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Call us today to book your pet's dentistry or find out more.

University Animal Hospital

(212) 288-8884

354 East 66th Street

New York, NY

10065

We have two adorable kittens available who are looking for good homes! We have one boy and one girl. The male cat is fixed and both are dewormed,current on boosters, and friendly.

Kittens available for adoption

Please call us on (212) 288-8884 for more information or to schedule a time to view these cuties!

University Animal Hospital
(212) 288-8884
354 East 66th Street
New York, NY 10065

The holidays are getting closer, and our grooming and boarding spaces are filling up fast!

If traveling with your pet is not an option, let them have a staycation with us. Whether it’s one night, one week, or more, your dog will enjoy our clean and comfortable facilities. We provide supervised and loving care around the clock. While you are away we will closely monitor your pet, ensuring his or her comfort and health. We have a veterinarian on premises 24 hours a day for boarding supervision, and can accommodate special medical boarding requests.

Rain, sunshine, sleet or snow, our kennel attendants walk each dog individually 3 – 5 times per day, just like you would at home. Our expert groomer, Gracia, is also available to give your pets the spa treatment with a full grooming before they go home. Call us today to book your space.

University Animal Hospital

(212) 288-8884

354 East 66th Street

New York, NY

10065

Remind My Pet is a great website to make those remembering medication easy! You can opt for  e-mail or text alerts that remind you when to give each dose, as well as when you are due for a refill!

While University Animal Hospital is not affiliated with this site, we are always looking for ways to make it easier for pet owners to keep their pets happy and healthy, and believe it is a valuable resource for keeping on track with monthly preventatives.

Don't forget, Monthly Flea/ Tick and Heartworm Preventatives are important for both dogs and cats!

Don’t forget health certificates for your pet’s trip. Photo courtesy of Flickr user yarhargoatCreative Commons BY 2.0

Thinking about taking your pet with you on an exotic vacation? There are many things to consider before you and your pet jet off to some posh locale.

First, find out what entry requirements, if any, are necessary for your pet to accompany you. You can do so by contacting the embassy of the country you plan to visit. Requirements differ by country—some countries do not allow importation, while others have long quarantine requirements.

You should also contact your regional U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Services office for further certification requirements. The airline you travel with might also have its own pet travel requirements, so please check with them, as well.

Remember: the timetable and requirements for health certificates are different for every country. Planning for your trip well in advance is a good idea—that way, all your paperwork is completed and your trip will be a little easier.

Once you’ve identified the requirements, your pet must receive the appropriate vaccinations and health certificates from us. Dr. Lawrence Zola of University Animal Hospital is a USDA accredited veterinarian in the Upper East Side (UES) of New York City who can provide international travel certificates for your pet. No matter where you’re going, University Animal Hospital can help guide you through the process of getting prepared for your big journey.

Some general pet travel tips:

• If this is your pet’s first time traveling in a crate, get your pet accustomed spending time inside the crate before the trip. Make the crate as comfortable as possible – include a soft pad and familiar toys.
• Make sure your pet is wearing a collar and identification tags, even if he or she is microchipped. Also, make sure your pet’s crate also contains identifying information. You can never be too careful when it comes to pet identification. Include any special instructions about your pet on the crate so that flight attendants and airport staff can better care for your pet.
• Exercise your pet before traveling. This will help encourage your pet to relax.
• Feed your pet a small meal before traveling, and provide water up until two hours before departing. Include a water dish attached to the crate your pet is traveling in so that attendants can provide water.

Dr. Lawrence Zola and the veterinarians at University Animal Hospital can help you make traveling with your pet safe and stress-free. From international health certificates to important and required vaccinations, University Animal Hospital is ready to help you and your best friend have a great vacation.