We enjoy writing informative articles on all kinds of pet related topics.  We have pet food recipes, humor, science and human interest stories.  Enjoy!

Local News

How To Give My Pet An Exam

By examining your dog in the comfort of your home where he is most relaxed, you can get accurate, stress free information that is critical to a veterinarian’s understanding of your pet’s health.  Learn these ten focus points of your dog’s body and what information is most important to a veterinarian, then prepare your dog for the most enjoyable, relaxed examination of his life!

Veterinary Care During COVID-19 Outbreak: Animal Medical Announces Changes

In compliance with the New York State On Pause Executive Order, Animal Medical is limiting our care to patients that are sick, injured, in pain, near end of life, or having an emergency.  If your pet needs vaccines, or his or her annual exam at this time, please use the form below to reschedule your pets appointment for some time in May.

COVID-19 And Pets: Helpful information

After a dog in Hong Kong tested positive for the corona virus, COVID-19, we’ve had several questions about pets as a possible source of infection.  Here are the facts, as we know them.

Remains Point To 30,000-Year-Old Human-Animal Bond

Newly uncovered, 30,000 year old fossils provide further evidence that dogs were man’s first domesticated animals.

Is Spaying And Neutering Bad For My Pet?

On September 3rd, 2019, the NY Times published an Op-Ed piece by Alexandra Horowitz, a cognitive scientist who studies dogs.  In the article, Horowitz argues that we have created a culture where we are desexing dogs and cats to conform to our way of living without paying enough attention to the health implications of our actions. The article is causing quite a stir amongst pet owners and veterinary professionals alike. 

How To Stop Your Dog Digging Up Your Flower Bed

Sure you can fence your flowers in or space wooden stakes throughout the bed, but who wants to do all of that!?

Animal Medical of New City Treated Koko, the Gorilla

            We Treated Koko!            Many of you have heard that Koko, the lowland gorilla that could use sign language, has died.  What you might not know is that in 2012, Dr. Howard Gittelman of Animal Medical of New...

Where Are All The Bugs and Bats?

View the results of a survey that we conducted of the people that live in our area. Nearly all report a decline in seeing important species.

With a Name Like Smuckers, it has to be…GROSS!

Class Action lawsuit cites proof that Smuckers-owned company sold pet food contaminated with euthanasia solution.  

Animal Hoarding: A mental illness with devastating consequences

Often lampooned as ‘crazy cat ladies’, animal hoarders are no laughing matter. They are psychologically disturbed individuals whose behavior hurts the animals that they possess, their community, and themselves. Animal hoarders have a near 100% recidivism rate and cost municipalities tens of thousands of dollars per case.

Arsenic Saved This Dog

On a remote, Caribbean island, a stray dog is rescued, but only a trip to the U.S., 4 months of special treatments, and 3 doses of arsenic keep her from dying.

Raising Backyard Chickens: Animal Medical of New City is Crowing ‘Why Not’?

Every day, more of us are turning to backyard chickens as a natural source of farm fresh…errr yard fresh eggs.   Here is a short list of facts and how-to’s on getting started with your own New City farmette!   Raising Backyard Chickens in Rockland County, NY...

Take Two Dogs And Call Me in the Morning

Scientists prove that dogs and cats have a positive impact on our own health and the health of our children.   You love them, we love them, and more and more, scientists are starting to love them.  Check out these recent scientific studies showing the positive...

Going for the Gold!

Animal Medical of New City Is A ‘Gold’ standard Feline Friendly practice.   In 2018, Animal Medical was designated an official Gold Feline Friendly practice by the American Association of Feline Practitioners.  The hospital is only one of two veterinary practices...

Dr. Howard Gittelman Diagnosed with Lyme Disease

Though I’ve heard lots of stories of people contracting Lyme disease, I never quite understood how a person could have a tick on him or her and not notice it. Then one day, I woke up with a strange rash on my chest…

Veterinary Emergency Group New To the New City Area

Animal Medical of New City can now expand the comprehensive veterinary emergency services it provides clients with the addition of the Veterinary Emergency Group in the Nanuet area. Animal Medical and Pet Emergencies It’s always been important to our practice to be...

Dining with Your Dog In New York City? It Could Happen Soon!

When's the last time you, your husband, and your dog decided to take in a Broadway show and a dinner in NYC?  Well, your dog might have to wait out the show part of the night back at the apartment, but be sure to add a third to the reservation at Sardi's.  NY health...

Flea Product For Dogs: Bravecto is safe, effective, and comes in a pill!

Greetings clients and patients of Animal Medical of New City! Well it seems as though spring has finally arrived, and with the warmer weather here it is time to make sure your pets are up to date on their flea and tick prevention. We want to take the time to inform...

Reorder Your Flea and Tick Treatments Online…at Our Pharmacy!

Tick Preventatives are Necessary One of the things that continues to shock our clients is the discovery that ticks can be found on dogs even in the deepest, coldest days of winter. Ticks do not die during the winter.  They only hibernate.  Give them one warm day and...

Halloween Pet Dangers To Look Out For

By Dr. Justine A. Lee, DVM, DACVECC Ah, Halloween, one of the busiest chocolate holidays of the year!  As Halloween night approaches, keep in mind that some human treats can be potentially deadly for your dog or cat. Help keep your dog and cat safe by being aware of...

Humor

Veterinary Hospital Treats a “Tribble”

Animal Medical of New City treats earth’s first ‘Tribble’, a genetically modified organism developed by Dr. Albert Elaboro Fibb at the Weiss Research Center of Cornell University

Stony Point Residents Say Veterinarian Discovered Sasquatch

Night of terror leads to authenticated video footage. New City Veterinarian, Howard Gittelman fails at attempt to safely sedate and control the animal.

No Bowl Feeding System …didn’t go exactly as I had planned…

Gold Level Feline Friendly Practice Owner, Howard Gittelman decided to try the NoBowl Feeding System to keep his cat, Gary, stimulated and engaged. He kept a diary of his progress, but it didn’t quite turn out as planned.

Pet Food Recipes and Nutrition

Mother’s Day Biscotti Cookies For Dogs

Mother’s Day Biscotti Cookies For Dogs

Look, if your pup could make you biscotti for Mother’s Day, I’m sure he would! Maybe all he needs is a helpful hand from Mom and the kids to genuinely show his slobbering affection.  Here is a great treat that your pup will love and the whole family will enjoy making....

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St. Patrick’s Day Homemade Dog Treats

St. Patrick’s Day Homemade Dog Treats

Feeling lucky? You should be! St Patrick’s Day is here, so how about making some St. Patty’s Day Puppy Patties for your pup?! (Say that 10 times fast). These green shamrock cookies will make your pup one happy laddie or lassie!   Ingredients: 1 cup of whole wheat...

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Healthy Living

Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex

  More than 200 cases of Canine Infectious Respiratory Complex have been reported across 4 states since October, but experts believe that cases are more widespread. Rockland County veterinarian, Howard Gittelman, has released this statement to explain more about the...

Chat GPT Versus Animal Medical: Who is the better vet?

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence tool that allows you to have a conversational exchange with a chatbot. We decided to test its veterinary knowledge against the doctors that work at Animal Medical of New City to see how accurate this powerful computing tool could be when answering cat and dog medical questions.

Reproduction in Dogs FAQs

Animal Medical of New City answers all your questions about reproduction in dogs.   At what age can dogs reproduce?   A dog's fertility is marked by the start of her estrus cycle or the 'heat cycle'. In general, smaller dogs have their first estrus cycle...

How To Tell If My Cat Has Arthritis

Arthritis is a common issue in older cats, though the signs are not always clear. If you have a cat that’s 8 or more years old, here’s how you can identify if he has arthritis and what you can do to make him feel better.

How To Encourage My Dog To Eat

Is your dog not eating?  After determining the underlying cause, try these tricks to encourage eating.   Determine Why Your Pet Is Not Eating   It is not normal for dogs to refuse food.  Even one day of not eating should command your attention.  If your pet...

Is It Cool To Get My Dog High?

Dr. Howard Gittleman takes a hit off a question that’s been giving the web a buzz for some time. 

Veterinarian Takes Issue With Seresto Article

The Animal Medical of New City Medical Direct is particularly vexed by an unsubstantiated report that says Seresto collars kill pets. Read how he believes we should respond to reporting that seems spurious.

How To Stop Pet’s From Stealing Each Other’s Food

New electronic SureFeed microchip feeders prevent one pet from stealing another’s food. They also keep food fresher and reduce waste. Find out more about these easy-to-use systems that work with your pet’s existing microchip or collar ID to control portions and stop other household pets from raiding the bowl.

How Do I Clean My Pet’s Ears?

Cleaning your pet’s ears is easy provided you know what you’re doing and you have the right tools. Let’s get started.

How To Give My Pet An Exam

By examining your dog in the comfort of your home where he is most relaxed, you can get accurate, stress free information that is critical to a veterinarian’s understanding of your pet’s health.  Learn these ten focus points of your dog’s body and what information is most important to a veterinarian, then prepare your dog for the most enjoyable, relaxed examination of his life!

A Man of Faith, A Person Who Loved: 3 reasons why Congressman John Lewis was the real deal

John Lewis, ‘The Conscious of Congress’, grew up in segregated Alabama, toiled as a youth picking cotton, and experienced firsthand the injustices of racism, yet his inimitable humanity, capacity for love, and bravery triumphed.

Animal Medical of New City Releases Statement On Covid19 and Pets

In the wake of news by the United States Department of Agriculture and Center for Disease Control that two New York household cats tested positive for the Covid19 virus, Animal Medical has released the following statement to pet owners.

Annual April Fool’s Gag. Which Story Is Real?

Every year we like to pull a fast one on our clients during April fools. In the past there have been fibs about treating Star Trek Tribbles, sighting Sasquatch near Bear Mountain, and others.  This year, we thought it might be inappropriate to play a trick given the current headlines, but we appreciated the value of a bit of fun and levity.  So we came up with a plan.

COVID-19 And Pets: Helpful information

After a dog in Hong Kong tested positive for the corona virus, COVID-19, we’ve had several questions about pets as a possible source of infection.  Here are the facts, as we know them.

Remains Point To 30,000-Year-Old Human-Animal Bond

Newly uncovered, 30,000 year old fossils provide further evidence that dogs were man’s first domesticated animals.

Are Raw Diets Good For My Dog or Cat?

Veterinarian, Dr. Howard Gittelman of Animal Medical of New City, explains everything pet owners need to know about raw diets for dogs and cats. Is it okay to feed my dog or cat a raw diet? The answer…

What Should I Do If My Pet Is Lost?

A recent story about a Washington State couple that lost their dog while vacationing in Montana is making its rounds in the news cycle. The husband and wife spent 57 days searching for their pet, sometimes with night vision goggles, before he was found.   The story...

Is Spaying And Neutering Bad For My Pet?

On September 3rd, 2019, the NY Times published an Op-Ed piece by Alexandra Horowitz, a cognitive scientist who studies dogs.  In the article, Horowitz argues that we have created a culture where we are desexing dogs and cats to conform to our way of living without paying enough attention to the health implications of our actions. The article is causing quite a stir amongst pet owners and veterinary professionals alike. 

Hospice Care For Pets

Do you have a very elderly or terminally ill dog or cat that you are trying to care for at home? Animal Medical of New City can help you keep your pet as comfortable as possible without hospitalization and with a minimum amount of visits to our practice.  What is...

How To Know If My Pet Is Dying

Watching an elderly or sick pet decline in health is an emotionally draining experience.  Here are signs that your pet’s health is waning and that he or she may be nearing death.

Oral Health and Dentistry

Flip The Lip (And check out your pet’s oral health)

Flip The Lip (And check out your pet’s oral health)

That's right buster....I'm going to flip your lip Simply put, oral health for pets is critical to long life and overall well-being. Pets with clean mouths, free of red gums, plaque and tarter have no oral pain, have healthier internal organs, eat better, are more...

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Dental Health Primer

Dental Health Primer

Oral disease is one of the most common problems in veterinary medicine with nearly 100% of dogs and cats showing signs of periodontal disease by the age of three. Some problems that can result from oral disease include   trouble chewing excessive salivation bad...

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Dr. Gittelman Teaches How To Make Brushing Fun

Dr. Gittelman Teaches How To Make Brushing Fun

Owners sometimes get frustrated by the maintenance required to keep their pets’ mouths clean and smelling fresh. The good news is that there are tools that can help make this job easier and more effective. The basic tenants of preventing periodontal disease haven’t...

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Puppies Kittens and More!

Should I Get a Bird As a Pet?

Should I Get a Bird As a Pet?

There’s more to getting a bird than simply buying a cage (although more on that below). Birds are delicate and complex creatures that need lots of loving care and attention to be happy and healthy. So don't be fooled, playing them Sesame Street to see their friend,...

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Pet Rabbit Care

Pet Rabbit Care

Rabbits!  They can be trained to use a litter box, they’ll come when called, and some will engage their owners in a daily game of tag!  Domestic rabbits are delightful companion animals. They are inquisitive, intelligent, sociable and affectionate—and if well-cared...

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Pet Spay and Neuter FAQs

Pet Spay and Neuter FAQs

What's the difference between spaying and neutering a pet? Spaying is a general term used to describe the ovario-hysterectomy of a female animal. Neutering is a general term used to describe the castration of a male animal. However, neutering is often used in...

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