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 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:

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.

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.

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.

• Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital: 412-364-5511

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• P.V.S.E.C. (Camp Horne Rd): 412-366-3400

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• University Veterinary Specialists (McMurray): 724-717-2273

 

• ASPCA Pet Poison Helpline ($59 Fee): 855-764-7661

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:

1. Have your dog vaccinated for Lyme disease (and keep up with annual boosters). The Lyme vaccine helps to decrease the likelihood of disease transmission. Based on recent studies, the vaccine schedule for best protection includes a series of two vaccines 2-3 weeks apart, one at 6 months, then one at 1 year. The Lyme vaccine needs annual boosters to continue to protect your dog.
2. Screen annually for exposure using the 4Dx Snap Test. This is the same test we use to detect heartworm disease, and will let us know if your dog has been exposed to Lyme. It works similarly to a pregnancy test, giving us a "yes, exposure" or "no, no exposure" result. To confirm an active infection, our veterinarian will likely recommend further testing to accurately determine of the level of antibodies in your dog's blood (called the Quant C6 Antibody Test).
3. Use a safe, effective flea & tick preventative. Keeping ticks off of your pets and preventing them from having the opportunity to bite and transmit Lyme (or other tick-borne diseases) is one of the easiest ways to keep your companions safe.

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​A few important points about choosing flea & tick products:

• ​​Avoid over-the-counter preventatives: there are no regulations requiring safety studies for OTC flea and tick preventatives, and many of these products contain harsh insecticides that may be dangerous for your pets.

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• Read the label: Make sure the product's label matches your pet's weight, and that it is labeled for your pet's species. Never, ever apply a product labeled for "dogs only" to your cat. It could have deadly consequences!

• Know your options: Some pets dislike the sensation of topical medications, or may have sensitive skin. We carry several flea and tick prevention products that suit a variety of situations. If you're not sure which is right for you, just ask!

(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.

​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?

• Wear long sleeves and pants when clearing brush or walking through the woods.

 

• When hiking, stick to wide, well-maintained trails whenever possible.

 

• Apply insect repellent with at least 20-30% DEET to exposed skin and clothing (do not use this on your pets).

 

• Do a "tick check" after being in tick-friendly environments. Check your skin, clothing, and backpack, if you carry one. If you can, take a shower within 2 hours of returning home.
  

• Wash and dry clothing with hot water and high heat. If the fabric can't withstand high temperatures, tumble dry with low heat for at least 90 minutes after washing.

​What is the veterinarian looking for during an oral exam?

• Is there an odor?

​Halitosis, or "bad breath" can be an indication of disease or infection. Many owners are aware of the bad odor coming from their pets' mouths, but don't realize that in most cases, we can treat the underlying cause.

Halitosis is most often caused by periodontal disease, but can also be a sign of a bigger problem, such as kidney disease or diabetes.

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• Are the teeth and jaws properly aligned?

Malocclusion (misaligned teeth) is common in brachycephalic breeds ("short-nosed" dogs like Pugs and Bulldogs). While not always problematic, crowding or misalignment can cause excessive wear on affected teeth, discomfort, or difficulty chewing food.

Pictured right is a dog whose lower left canine tooth makes contact with an upper incisor.

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• Is there plaque or tartar buildup?

​Plaque is a soft, bacterial-based film that coats the teeth. It can be easily removed with daily oral maintenance, like toothbrushing.

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.