Though there are some similarities in symptoms, there is no conclusive evidence that dogs can catch the flu from humans, or vice versa.Canine influenza virus (CIV) is most commonly spread in "high-traffic" dog areas, like boarding kennels, doggie daycares, dog parks, and animal shelters. Some local facilities are starting to require dogs to be vaccinated for CIV, but even if it's not a requirement - it's still a good idea to strongly consider the extra protection of immunization.
4 Things You Should Know About Canine Influenza1. There is a vaccine available. There are two strains of CIV: H3N8 (identified in 2004) and H3N2 (identified in 2015). Previously, only an H3N8 vaccine was available. We now carry a new combination vaccine with one that provides protection against both H3N8 and H3N2. Since H3N2 was not included in the original canine influenza vaccine, all dogs starting the combo vaccine (even if they already had the H3N8-only vaccine) will require an initial series of two injections 4 weeks apart; it is then boostered annually to maintain protection. 2. Canine Influenza is highly contagious. The virus is spread through respiratory secretions (nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing), and can survive on surfaces for up to 48 hours. Be sure to thoroughly wash bowls, toys, and your hands! Though you cannot get your dog's flu, you can pass the virus along to other dogs after handling an infected dog. 3. Canine Influenza is a year-round problem. Unlike the human flu, there is no "dog flu season" to worry about. Instead, the virus tends to spark up with isolated outbreaks throughout the year. Unfortunately, these outbreaks often occur in kennels and shelters. When dogs exposed to the virus leave the facility, they can spread the infection elsewhere. 4. If your dog is showing signs of an upper respiratory illness, schedule a visit with the vet. There is no cure for the canine influenza virus, but your dog may need supportive care to combat dehydration and secondary bacterial infections. Your dog's health is our top priority, and we're always here to answer your questions and help guide you to choosing what's for your best friend's health and lifestyle!
To schedule an appointment, call us at 412-364-5511 or request an appointment online here.
 Pain management is a major part of our duty to the pets that come through our doors, and we are always on the lookout to find the latest research and therapies available to keep our patients comfortable and healthy.
As part of our mission to provide the best medical care to your pets, our veterinarians regularly attend lectures to stay current with the most current developments in veterinary medicine. One of these recent lectures addressed the efficacy of Tramadol (an opioid often used to treat pain) in dogs. Here's what we've learned:
In light of this new information, the veterinarians at Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital are recommending a different medication for patients that need long-term pain management for chronic conditions:
If your pet is currently on Tramadol for chronic pain, please contact us to discuss changing to Amantadine.
3. Offer an AlternativeCats are attracted to trees - it's in their nature to want to climb and observe their surroundings from up high! Ask Santa if he might bring your kitty a early gift: A CAT TREE! There are some very reasonably priced cat trees online, with options to fit any style and budget. Be sure to reward your cat with praise for choosing her kitty condo over the forbidden Christmas tree!
Other Important Safety Tips
Vaccine reactions are uncommon, but can be very serious, and in some cases, life-threatening. Know what's normal, and when to be concerned about your pet following a vaccination. Of course, if you're ever concerned about your pet's health, we encourage you to call us! Better to be safe than sorry. :) 
Is your pet microchipped? Great! This permanent ID has proven time and time again to be an effective backup for lost collars and tags. But it doesn't stop at just having a microchip implanted!
The #1 reason for microchipped pets NOT reuniting with their owners is that the contact information in the database is incomplete or incorrect. August 15 is "Check the Chip" Day, so take a few minutes to log in and make sure the info linked to your pet's microchip is up-to-date. Not sure where to go? Visit www.petmicrochiplookup.org and enter your pet's microchip number to find out where the chip is registered. If you're having trouble finding your pet's microchip number, call us - we can help! 
How vaccines work:Legend has it that Albert Einstein once said, "If you can't explain it to a six-year-old, you don't understand it well enough." We could certainly get in-depth into the science of immunizations, but for simplicity's sake, here's an anyone-can-understand version:
How your pet's vaccines help protect your family: Some diseases are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans. In dogs and cats, the most common zoonotic concern is the Rabies virus. Rabies is a fatal disease, most often transmitted via bite wounds from an infected animal. It is a problem in Pennsylvania. According to data from the PA Dept. of Health, there were 405 Rabies positive animals submitted in 2016 (21 in Allegheny County). The most recently released data from June 2017 reports 154 Rabies positive animals statewide - in just one month. Keep in mind that the PADOH is only able to report these numbers based on animals that were submitted for testing. This does not include many more that die from the disease, undetected in the woods. The Rabies vaccine for dogs and cats is extremely effective, and is required for all domestic animals by PA state law (yes, they do go door-to-door and check). A common question from cat owners: "Pumpkin never goes outside; why does she still need a Rabies vaccine?" State law aside, indoor cats still need to be protected. Though their risk for exposure is much less than a free-roaming outdoor cat, take a look at the map above: bats are the second most common Rabies positive animals in PA. Most often, these are bats that have made their way into homes through chimneys or by other means. Cats are prey animals, and Pumpkin would be thrilled to finally get a chance to nab that "hairy bird" that just flew into her house. Not good if the "hairy bird" is actually a rabid animal. There is no "one-size-fits-all" vaccine regimen.There are many vaccines available for dogs and cats, but not every pet needs every vaccine. Our veterinarians recommend immunizations based upon your pet's lifestyle and environmental risk - this is one reason we spend extra time to ask important questions during your appointment. Vaccinations can be divided into "core" and "non-core" vaccines:
There are no silly questions!As your pet's medical providers, part of our job is to help you be a well-informed pet owner.
If you have questions about your pet's vaccines, the diseases they prevent, or anything else, please ask us!   Are your pets disaster-ready? June is National Pet Preparedness Month, and as advocates for your pets' health and safety, we're sharing important resources and helpful tips to make sure you and your furry family are ready for just about anything! Link: Get a free pet rescue window decal from the ASPCA here to alert first responders about how many pets are in your home.
Helpful Resources
 With Easter just around the corner, we thought it'd be a good time to remind pet owners with kids to keep the Easter baskets and candy stash up and away from your pets! Curious noses are attracted to these sweet treats, and most pet owners know that chocolate is bad for dogs, but do you know why? Chocolate contains Theobromine, a compound that humans can easily metabolize. Dogs' bodies do not process Theobromine well, causing it to build up in their bodies and produce serious side effects. Severe cases of chocolate toxicity can lead to muscle tremors, seizures, heart arrhythmia, or even death.
If you suspect your dog has ingested chocolate, here's what we'll want to know:
Call us right away. Do not wait to look for side effects! After hours, contact a 24-hour emergency veterinarian or call the ASPCA Pet Poison Helpline. If a toxic dose of chocolate was ingested, early treatment is critical. At the hospital, we are able to safely induce vomiting and administer fluid therapy, if needed. The type of treatment needed will depend on your dog's specific situation. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
 Confirmed Lyme cases in dogs from 2012-2017. Source: IDEXX Lyme disease wasn't much of a problem in Pittsburgh just 10 years ago. In fact, the CDC had zero reported cases for Allegheny County in 2007 (see map). Unfortunately, that's not the case today. Southwestern Pennsylvania is plagued with Lyme, thanks in part to our recent shorter, milder winters. In 2012, we started seeing dogs show Lyme positive results when performing their annual heartworm test (it also screens for three tick-borne diseases: Lyme, Ehrlichia, & Anaplasma). The numbers of affected dogs have continued to grow, and it's now typical to see several patients per week that have been exposed to Lyme. Our dogs are at risk, and so are we. Many clients have offered stories about their own experiences with Lyme. People often don't realize that they've been bitten by a tick until their doctor diagnoses an infection. Similarly, we frequently see dogs that test positive, and their owners had no knowledge of a tick attachment. It's important to remember that even if your dog is a white fluffy couch potato, she still goes outside to "do her business," and the ticks are waiting. We can bring them in on our clothes, too! What can I do to protect my dog from Lyme disease? We recommend a three-point prevention method for our patients:
 A few important points about choosing flea & tick products:
(Click the infographic at left to view full size image.) What are common signs of Lyme disease? Many people are familiar with symptoms of Lyme in humans: the telltale "bullseye rash," fatigue, & joint pain. Dogs don't present with the rash (and even if they did, it'd be hard to see under all that fur!). Signs of Lyme disease in dogs are subtle at first, and usually develop several months after the tick bite. Early signs can include fever, lethargy, and decreased appetite. Clients commonly come in for an exam when their dog starts showing signs of joint pain and swelling. Often, a dog with an active Lyme infection will present with what we call "shifting leg lameness." In other words, he'll favor one leg for awhile, then shortly after will limp on a different leg. Although less common, Lyme disease also has the potential of causing disease in the kidneys, heart, and nervous system. If you're concerned that your dog is showing signs of Lyme disease, please call to make an appointment, or request one online.  What do I do if I find a tick attached to my dog? Sometimes ticks will attach despite our efforts to keep them off. If you find one, you want to safely remove it. We carry tick tools that can help making removing ticks from your pets easier, and if you're nervous about taking it out yourself, we can safely do it for you! Note that it is impossible to tell by looking at a tick whether or not it carries Lyme disease. It takes several weeks after exposure before antibodies will be detectable in the blood, so if you'd like your dog to be tested, note the date of the tick attachment and call to set up an appointment for at least 6 weeks later.  Source: Center for Disease Control How do I keep ticks out of my yard? The CDC recommends creating "tick-free zones" by designing your landscaping to be unattractive to ticks. What can I do to protect myself from tick bites?
Have more questions about ticks or Lyme disease? We're only a phone call away!
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HOURS BY APPOINTMENT
MONDAY - THURSDAY 9:00AM - 7:00PM FRIDAY 9:00AM - 5:00PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY CLOSED |
954 Perry Hwy
Pittsburgh, PA 15237 |
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