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
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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!
 What does the vet see when looking in your pet's mouth? Oral exams are an important part of evaluating your dog or cat's health, because disease in the mouth can have far-reaching impact on other parts of the body. The vet is looking at more than teeth when lifting those lips! What is the veterinarian looking for during an oral exam?
Halitosis is most often caused by periodontal disease, but can also be a sign of a bigger problem, such as kidney disease or diabetes.  Gingival Hyperplasia
Gingival hyperplasia (pictured right) is a condition in which the gum tissue grows excessively, often causing it to overlap the dog's teeth.. This disease can affect any breed, but we see it often in Boxers, Bulldogs, and Great Danes. Gingival hyperplasia is not usually a problem in itself, but it can cause periodontal disease to advance by trapping debris and bacteria between the gums and teeth.  Feline Stomatitis (Source: MSPCA)
Some cats develop Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (FORLs) or "neck lesions." FORLs cause the cat's tooth to resorb into the body, exposing the sensitive nerve within. Experts are still seeking the source of this painful condition, but extraction of affected teeth is typically recommended to alleviate discomfort and further progression.  Malocclusion (Source: Brett Beckman)
Pictured right is a dog whose lower left canine tooth makes contact with an upper incisor.  Retained Deciduous Tooth (Source: Animal911)
Sometimes the root of the deciduous tooth does not resorb properly, leaving it in the way of the permanent tooth as it erupts. We call these retained deciduous teeth. If not extracted, a retained baby tooth can cause the adult tooth to erupt abnormally. It can also cause chronic problems with dental disease as debris and bacteria become lodged between the deciduous and permanent teeth.  Severe Tartar (Calculus) in a Dog
When plaque is not removed, it hardens into tartar. This mineralization (also called calculus) process forms a cement-like buildup on the teeth and below the gumline. Unlike plaque, tartar can only be removed by professional dental cleaning. What can you do to improve your pet's oral health?
We understand that some pets may not tolerate toothbrushing. Not to worry! There are other options, like OraVet Chews, Oratene Maintenance Gel, and Hill's Prescription Diet t/d. Not sure what's best? Ask us - we're always happy to help!
 Think your dog or cat needs a dental cleaning?
February is Pet Dental Health Month, and Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital is offering a special discount on dental cleanings through the end of March. In addition to saving $30, you'll also get free samples of pet dental care products to keep your companion healthy with a sparkling smile! Click here for details about our Dental Health Offer. Call us at 412-364-5511 to schedule a pre-anesthetic exam, or request an appointment online now. Thank you for playing an active role in your pet's health! |
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954 Perry Hwy
Pittsburgh, PA 15237 |
Call: 412-364-5511
Text: 412-218-3067 © Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital 2022
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