5 Best Vet Tips To Keep Your Dog Healthy In New York
As many New Yorkers have come to realize, the big bustling city is a lot less lonely with a furry friend. Keep your prized pooch healthy with expert advice and helpful hints and your canine city slicker is sure to be one happy hound.
Veterinary Care
Urbanvets Animal Hospital
163 Avenue C (at 10th Street)
New York, NY 10009
(212) 674-6200
www.urbanvets.com
Hours: Mon to Wed – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thurs and Fri – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
House calls by appointment
Regular vet visits can't be beat when it comes to keeping New York's pets safe. Too many pet owners assume the city keeps pets safe from hazards like heartworms and communicable diseases, but prevention is paramount to dogs' safety. Keep your dog on heartworm prevention year round and keep them up to date on vaccines and annual visits.
Treats
Buttercup's Paw-tisserie
63 5th Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 245-6519
buttercupspaw.com/
Hours: Mon to Thurs – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Give your dog compressed vegetable bones instead of rawhide, pig ears and/or other animal parts as chew toys. These toys can cause dogs diarrhea and make them vomit. Worse still, sometimes surgery is the only way to safely expel rawhide pieces from a dog's stomach. Keep treats healthy and dog-specific with treats for every occasion from Buttercup's Paw-tisserie.
Emergencies
Animal Medical Center
510 E. 62nd St.
New York, NY 10065
(212) 838-8100
www.amcny.org
Hours: appointments daily – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m./hospital open 24/7
In big cities like New York, keeping control of your dog is paramount. Never, ever let you pet lick from a puddle; it could contain deadly toxins like antifreeze. Always look around dog parks before entering. Be wary of the potential for aggressive and sick dogs who are especially dangerous in the enclosed area. Be sure leash collar harnesses are secure and not frayed. Most dogs are hit by cars because they are off the lead. If and when every precaution fails, Animal Medical Center's state-of-the-art facility is always open. In the case of an emergency, call to consult with a vet or technician first, if possible. The important advice AMC's veterinarians have to offer could be lifesaving for the love of your life.
Related: NYC's 6 Best High-End Pet Boutiques
Grooming
Coco and Toto Doggy Boutique Store and Grooming Spa
444 W. 51st St.
New York, NY
(212) 956-5822
cocoandtoto.com/
Hours: Mon to Fri – 8 a.m. 8 p.m.; Sat and Sun – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In the winter when snow and salt are present, always wash your dog's feet off with warm water after a walk to prevent irritation and infection. Regular grooming prevents irritation and infection caused by little wounds or fur mats, and may reveal tumors owners might otherwise miss. Proper pet hygiene is just as important for pets as it is for humans, so keep to a regular grooming schedule to avoid preventable problems down the road.
Dental Care
Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island
75 Sunrise Hwy
West Islip, NY 11795-2033
(631) 587-0800
www.vmcli.com/
Dogs older than 5 years old are prone to dental disease, so be sure to include regular teeth cleanings in your pet's treatment plan. Regular dental visits reveal broken teeth, gum problems and early signs of diseases your vet might miss. Check your dog's teeth regularly as well, and invest in toys and treats that help prevent buildup. The dentists and dental technicians at VMCLI know what your pet needs at every stage in its life to guarantee a happy, healthy dog.
Dr. Jennifer Powell-Lunder is a freelance writer in New York. She is a clinical psychologist specializing in work with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. Her work can be found here
