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Riverdale Integrative Veterinary Care

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Riverdale, NJ
Riverdale Integrative Veterinary Care

Combining conventional medicine with holistic medicine to help your pets
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11/18/2024

Our little Pretty Poofy (Gigi) is back for another round of acupuncture and functional toenail trimming.

Like many bigger dogs, Gigi needs extra support in her back and legs as she gets older. That's why she comes to Dr. Hirsch for a full spa day: getting her nails nicely trimmed, a session of acupuncture to support her joints, hips, and back, and after a few minutes she is ready to enjoy the day.

Gigi has been a long-term client with Dr Hirsch and it's always great seeing her improve and stay active as he ages.
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11/15/2024

Pet cancer can appear in a variety of ways, many of which seem like regular symptoms of regular illness.

It is important to remember that not everything can lead to cancer, and searching online can lead people to believe the worst-case scenario for symptoms. Always be mindful of the symptoms and have a proper physical exam with one of our Doctors so we can provide a clear answer.

If your pet is experiencing any of these issues or a combination of these issues, then schedule an appointment with us so we can discuss options for your pet.
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11/13/2024

There are multiple types of diagnoses pets suffer from. We will try to cover as many as we can later this month, but it is important to understand what causes pets to get cancer is just as crucial as which type they may get.

Some pets have a genetically higher likelihood of getting cancer because of their breed. It is something pet owners must be aware of when adopting a pet because it will be a financial and emotional investment if or when their bodies start showing symptoms.

Feeding an unhealthy diet filled with preservatives and excessive amounts of nitrites and nitrates increases a pet's chances of getting cancer. Additionally, overweight and obese pets have a higher chance of developing cancer because the immune system is weaker and the body cannot combat cancer cells as quickly.

Toxins in the environment like to***co smoke, pesticides, herbicides, pollution, and similar foreign substances can cause tumor growth in the lungs or other parts of the body.

While age is not a specific cause of cancer, studies are looking into the effect that since many dogs are living longer than previous generations, it could play a role in the rise in cancer cases because the immune system is weakening. More research on this theory is still needed.

Over-vaccinating and injection-site sarcomas have been linked to tumors and cancer cells in many animals. Excessive vaccines put a strain on the pet's immune system, weakening it enough to allow cancerous cells to grow.

While these are only a few causes, it is always important to pay attention to your pet's environment and be mindful about what they eat, where they sleep, and factoring in their age and lifestyle to prevent diseases from overtaking their body.
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11/11/2024

November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month.

The term cancer can be a little difficult to understand since there are multiple diseases that can be considered cancer or cancerous.

Cancer is the uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells or tissue in the body. It is normal for some pets to grow lumps, warts, and bumps as they age, but owners should be mindful if these lumps start developing and show any signs of irritation to their pet.

When cells invade surrounding tissue, they are considered malignant and are the iconic representation of a pet having cancer.

While there is no true "cure" for cancer, there are multiple treatments which can help the pet live a full life. Some cancer cells may go into remission, meaning the growth has currently stopped, but the potential for the cells to grow is possible. There is no definite way to know if cancer cells will come back after remission, so following up with a doctor is important to be proactive.
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11/08/2024

Trivia Time!

Important question to all pet parents and people thinking of adopting a new puppy in their lives.

True or False, it is a pet parent's responsibility to train and always maintain control of their dog at all times.
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11/04/2024

Before we start our November theme, we want to close out October with an important lesson on ending pet stigmas.

The best chance pets like black cats, pit bulls, rottweilers, and other "dangerous dogs" have is education.

Take time to research these breeds, learn where the biases come from, and understand that not all animals act the same way. Just because one big dog is aggressive doesn't mean that every big dog is dangerous.

Communicate what you learn and be mindful of situations.
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10/31/2024

Happy Halloween everyone!!!
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10/28/2024

Pitbull Awareness day was over the weekend and we want to share some insight into why pitbulls are a lovable breed that needs help breaking out of a bad reputation.

Pitbulls are among the dogs classified as dangerous because of their bad reputation and cultural perception of them as "aggressive."

Pitbulls are seen as aggressive and dangerous because they were bred to fight in illegal bullfighting matches. People would place bets on who would win and allow the dogs to live in horrible conditions. The breed was so popular in the illegal fighting sport, that it became normal to associate the breed with aggression and fighting.

In actuality, pitbulls are just like any other dog breed, and when given love, attention, training, and a comforting home, they will become excellent family pets.

We cannot stress enough that animals are not born bad or aggressive. Aggression is a behavioral trait that is developed over time as a method of survival and self-protection.
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10/25/2024

One of the biggest issues regarding pet stigmas is how people think about the animals. Many people are told how certain animals are dangerous or have specific opinions on pets that are shared and treated as true.

Some cultures accept these ideas and teach the next generation to follow the same ideas they grew up with.

We must learn where these thoughts, concepts, and stigmas came from so we can learn to change the stigma around certain breeds.
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10/23/2024

Question, why are black cats still seen as unlucky?

Everything is based on perception and how the culture views black cats. For instance, black cats have been associated with witches and other evil magical icons which attributed to bad luck.

Cats are independent and persistent animals that are harder to train. Compared to dogs which actively try to appease their owners, a cat's independent and defiant personality makes them easier to be seen as unlucky.

Superstitions we are told as children resonate with us growing up and they stay in our subconscious as we get older.

People don't research or learn the history of black cats or their reason for being unlucky. Without educating and learning the history, the perception of black cats remains as unlucky animals.
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10/21/2024

It's always fun celebrating the holidays and diving into old traditions, but do you know where those traditions came from and how hurtful they can be to some animals.

Black cats are typically seen as unlucky and mischievous, commonly associated with witches and black magic.

However, the origin of black cats becoming synonymous with dark forces is a long history of religious superstition and color theory. In many European cultures, black is the color of evil, death, and darkness. It did not take long for people to believe black cats (or dogs) were evil and possessed supernatural powers.

In reality, black cats (and dogs) are just regular animals with different colored hair or fur. Unfortunately, these animals are often left in shelters and are less likely to be adopted because people believe in superstitions.
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10/18/2024

Pet obesity is a common issue because several factors contribute to excessive weight gain in our modern lives.

Free feeding allows pets to constantly intake food whenever they please quickly adds on weight over time.

Feeding a diet with low-quality ingredients and preservatives increases the chances of becoming obese.

Older pets have limited mobility and it is harder for them to work off any extra weight.

As we discussed earlier this week, certain breeds have higher chances of being overweight. Also, pets that had overweight parents have a higher chance of being overweight themselves.

Studies show that neutering a pet can increase their chances of becoming obese.

Owners who are overweight and obese may have difficulty supporting their pets, which allows the pet to mimic their owner and become obese by eating often and having low physical activity.
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10/16/2024

Any animal can indeed become obese through constant feeding and a low-activity lifestyle, but some breeds have a higher chance of becoming obese than others.

Granted, just because these breeds have a higher chance of becoming obese, does not mean they will. Pare parents should be more conscious about feeding and physical activity to ensure they stay healthy.
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10/14/2024

Managing an overweight pet can be challenging because it is a fight with their weight and their lifestyle that allows the excess weight to linger.

A few tips pet parents can do to help their pet lose weight are:

1. Feed a proper diet with high-quality ingredients and minimal fiber.

2. Keep a strict feeding schedule for your pet. Allow pets to eat for a set time (agreed upon by you and the veterinarian or nutritionist) to manage how much they eat.

3. Limit treats to 2-3 times a week. Discourage fatty treats and cookies and choose healthier options like vegetables and fruits.

4. Make sure your pet is getting plenty of exercise, within their physical limits. Do not overextend your animal because it may lead to injuries. Monitor your pet's physical limitations, and develop a routine and activity schedule that works within those limitations.
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10/11/2024

Trivia time everyone!!

True or false - it is a pet parent's responsibility to train and always maintain control over their dog.

Check your answer and learn why on the next slide
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10/09/2024

Today is Pet Obesity Awareness Day, so we will show some of the effects a pet may suffer from obesity.

Obesity is excess fat on the pet's body which causes an increased risk of health complications. Such complications can include:

Respiratory disease: dogs with short snouts and overweight animals require more oxygen to sustain themselves. With excess fat, breathing becomes harder and reduces the amount of oxygen intake.

Heart disease: similar to humans, too much excess fat and poor nutrients can clog the arteries, making it harder to pump blood throughout the body.

Arthritis: excess weight creates additional pressure on a pet's limbs. Pets suffering from arthritis may have worse symptoms because of the extra pressure or the limbs can weaken faster to cause arthritis.

Hypothyroidism: improper diet and poor nutrients can affect a pet's thyroid (hormone glands) which can cause improper regulation of hormones throughout the body.

Diabetes: improper hormone control and a poor-quality diet can increase the chances of diabetes.

Cancer: excess fat allows cancer cells more chances to grow because of the irregular cell growth to support the excess weight.

Bladder stones: improper diet and poor water intake increase the chances of developing bladder stones, which can cause multiple urinary system issues.
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10/07/2024

October is known as Pet Obesity Awareness Month, and we are going to share some important facts so everyone can understand the epidemic of pet obesity.

While social media likes to highlight overweight and obese pets as cute, obesity is a disease that can increase the risks of health issues or make ongoing health conditions worse.

Obesity is considered a disease because of the adverse health effects placed on the pet, which is why it needs to be discussed more seriously for the betterment and overall well-being of the animal.

There is no "perfect weight" for any animal because every animal is different. But speaking with a nutritionist or our Doctors can help you determine the best weight range for your pet.
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10/02/2024

It is always important to do research before bringing a pet into your home. Before buying or adopting a pet, sit with your family and discuss these important questions:

Do you want a big or small dog? Can your residence support a dog of appropriate size?

Do you prefer a dog with long or short hair? Do you have time to groom a dog with long hair?

How active do you want the dog to be? Do you want an exercise partner to go for long jogs or a snuggle buddy?

Can you afford the medical bills because veterinary medicine can be as expensive as human medicine?

Do you have time to train your pet?

Understanding what type of dog you want to bring into the family will help ease the transition for the new pet and your family for future care.
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Address

82 Newark Pompton Turnpike
Riverdale, NJ
07457

Opening Hours

Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 2pm

Website

https://vetriverdale.com/

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