Pet Health Blog - Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital

We've gone digital!

8/18/2021

New texting and mobile app now available!

There are two new convenient ways to contact us: our new mobile app, and two-way texting!

Our new mobile app is called Pet Health Network. You can use it to request an appointment, view your pet’s vaccination history and prescription details, request prescription refills, and access information about our practice. To start using the app, download Pet Health Network from the iPhone App Store or the Android Google Play store.

Whether you have the mobile app or not, you can text us anytime at 412-218-3067. Messages received outside of office hours will be addressed the next day.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Seresto Safety Statement

3/5/2021

Dear Pet Parent,

A recent USA Today article regarding the safety of Seresto collars has gone viral, prompting an influx of calls from concerned clients. We're reaching out to provide information and assurance based upon reliable science and our firsthand experiences using this product for nearly a decade.

What is a "dental prophylaxis"?

1/23/2020

Your pet's oral health is about more than fresh breath! Advanced dental disease can cause illness elsewhere in the body as bacteria enters the bloodstream through inflamed gums. This can cause infection in the kidneys, liver - even the heart!

Dental disease is also painful. As tartar builds up, the gums become red and irritated. Tartar buildup creeps below the gumline, eventually eating away at the structures that secure the teeth. A loose tooth is a painful tooth!

What is a "dental" exactly?

A dental prophylaxis (or dental cleaning) is the only way to thoroughly remove tartar buildup from all of your pet's teeth and allow for a "clean slate" to provide at-home oral care & maintenance (and hopefully prevent the need for future anesthetic procedures).

National Answer Your Cat's Question Day

1/22/2020

Your cat has questions. We have answers. Read this post to find out if catnip is legal in PA and what that demonic machine that "cleans the carpet" is really for.

Microchips: What you need to know

8/15/2018

A microchip is not a guarantee that your lost pet will return home, but it significantly increases the chances of reuniting with your companion. Even if your pet doesn't run away, unexpected disasters can occur that may leave you separated.

Hurricane Katrina taught us a lot about the importance of permanent identification: the Louisiana SCPA reported that of the 15,000 rescued pets (not including the tens of thousands unaccounted for), only 15-20% made it back to their families.

The absolute best thing you can do to increase your pet's chances of returning home is have a collar with tags that display your cell phone number and home address. However, collars can be lost or removed, so we recommend a microchip as another means of identification.

Microchip Questions & Concerns

"My pet doesn't need a microchip because she is indoor-only/listens when I call her/has a fenced-in yard/is always on a leash when outside, etc."

As we learned with recent natural disasters, even the most well-behaved dogs and housebound cats can be at risk. Weather is unpredictable, fences can break, and pets can escape when startled by a contractor or fireworks. A microchip helps prepare for the unexpected.

"But doesn't it hurt to insert a microchip? Does my pet need to be sedated?"

We routinely offer to microchip every pet that goes under anesthesia, but sedation is not necessary. The implant procedure is similar to a vaccination, and most pets show only minor discomfort.

"I don't like the idea of something foreign in my pet."

Each microchip comes individually sterilized, and is designed to stay harmlessly under your pet's skin. The microchip itself is small, only about the size of a grain of rice. There is no battery or power source - it uses RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology to transmit the pet's unique ID number only when it receives a signal from the microchip scanner.

I'd like my pet to be microchipped. What's next?

Call our office to schedule a brief appointment. If you prefer, existing clients can request an appointment online here.
Before implanting the microchip, we will scan your pet to ensure one was not previously inserted. The microchip is also scanned to verify that it properly transmits the ID number.
The microchip is implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades of dogs and cats. (Other species can also be microchipped, using other standardized locations.)
Once inserted, we will scan your pet again to confirm the microchip's location.
Your pet's unique microchip number will be entered into our database, and we will give you instructions on how to complete registration. This step is important! Keeping up-to-date contact information is critical to reuniting with your pet.

Additional Benefits

HomeAgain Benefits
We use HomeAgain microchips at Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital. Lifetime registration is included in the cost of the microchip, so your pet's ID number will always be available in the searchable database.

HomeAgain also offers additional membership benefits as an option, including 24/7 access to Lost Pet Recovery Specialists and $500 Travel Assistance to have your pet flown home if found over 500 miles away.

Lifetime Licensing
Microchipped dogs in Pennsylvania are eligible for a Lifetime Dog License. This saves you time and money, because it eliminates the need to pay an annual license fee to the treasurer. You'll need the lifetime license application form, as well as a Permanent Identification Verification Form (we must provide you with this at the office). These get sent with your payment to your county's treasurer.

From the Allegheny County Treasurer:
The fee for a Pennsylvania Lifetime Dog License is $51.50 for a non-neutered male or non-spayed female; $31.50 for a neutered male or spayed female. Senior citizens can purchase the lifetime licenses for $31.50 for a non-neutered male or non-spayed female; $21.50 for a neutered male or spayed female, respectively.

Fun Presidential Pet Facts

2/19/2018

There aren't any pets in the White House now, but that hasn't been the norm throughout American history.

Trump is the first US President in nearly 170 years without any four-legged or feathered companions for Americans to adore!

The only other petless Commanders in Chief was the 11th President: James Polk, who served from 1845 - 1849.

Calvin Coolidge & Teddy Roosevelt had the most pets - the White House lawn was more like a zoo!

Since it's President's Day, we've gathered some interesting facts about presidential pets for you about the most off-the-wall animals that have lived on the grounds and the most interesting pet names (we've had some creative presidents with a good sense of humor!)

Most Unusual Pets

There have been plenty of dogs, cats, birds, and horses in the White House, but many presidents had a taste for exotic pets...

We can only appreciate most of these animals at zoos and wildlife reserves now, so it's hard to imagine visiting Washington D.C. and seeing a pair of alligators or grizzly bears strolling around the lawn!

Thomas Jefferson: 4 Mockingbirds & 2 Grizzly Bear cubs
John Quincy Adams: Silkworms
Andrew Jackson: An African Grey Parrot that swore so much that he was removed from the building during Jackson's funeral
Martin Van Buren: 2 Tiger cubs gifted by the Sultan of Oman
James Buchanan: An Eagle
Andrew Johnson: White Mice that he found in his bedroom
Benjamin Harrison: 2 Opossums
Teddy Roosevelt: Garter Snake, a Black Bear, a Badger, a Hyena, a Barn Owl, & a one-legged Rooster
Woodrow Wilson: A Ram
Calvin Coolidge: A Raccoon (that was intended as Thanksgiving dinner!), a Bobcat, 2 Lion cubs, a Pygmy Hippopotamus, a Wallaby, an Antelope, & a Black Bear
Herbert Hoover: 2 Alligators
John F. Kennedy: A puppy born to one of the Soviet Space Dogs

Most Original Names

"Sweetlips" (Foxhound), "Drunkard" & "Tipsy" (Coonhounds) owned by George Washington
"Satan" (!), a dog owned by John Adams
"Young Fearnought" (Arabian Horse) owned by Thomas Jefferson
"Cincinnatus," a horse gifted to Ulysses S. Grant by the citizens of Cincinnati
"Mr. Reciprocity" & "Mr. Protection" (Opossums) owned by Benjamin Harrison
"Emily Spinach" (Garter Snake) & "Baron Spreckle" (Hen) owned by Theodore Roosevelt
"Mooly Wooly," a cow owned by William Howard Taft
"Peter Pan" (Fox Terrier), "Boston Beans" (Bulldog), "Calamity Jane" (Sheltie), "Ebeneezer" (Donkey), "Nip" & "Tuck" (Canaries), "Do-Funny" (Songbird), "Tax Reduction" & "Budget Bureau" (Lion cubs) owned by Calvin Coolidge
"King Tut" (Belgian Shepherd) owned by Herbert Hoover
"Macaroni" & "Leprechaun" (Ponies) owned by John F. Kennedy
"Him" & "Her" (Beagles) owned by Lyndon B. Johnson
"Misty Melarky Ying Yang" (Siamese Cat) owned by Jimmy Carter's daughter
"Miss Beazley" (Scottish Terrier), George W. Bush's gift to wife Laura

There you have it. Now you can say, "Did you know...?" at the dinner table, and maybe score some points at couch Jeopardy!

Click here for the full list of Presidential Pets!

Can I Give My Dog the Flu?!

1/22/2018

Dog Flu

It's all over the media: this year's flu season is BAD. People all across the country are fighting off influenza - and those with dogs might be wondering:

"Can I give my dog the flu?"

It's important to know that Canine Influenza (a.k.a. the "Dog Flu") is a real thing.

However, it's different from the pandemic that has all of America keeping their hand sanitizer within arm's reach.

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.

Symptoms of Dog Flu

Signs of canine influenza are much like those in people, and can include:

Fever
Lethargy
Decreased Appetite
Coughing
Sneezing
Runny Nose

Most dogs recover from the illness within a few weeks, though there have been fatalities (less than 10%, according to AVMA studies). Like people, those with compromised immune systems are more likely to have complications than healthy adult dogs.

4 Things You Should Know About Canine Influenza

1. 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.

Battling Internet Rumors: Swiffer WetJet

1/15/2018

Swiffer Liver Failure Claim

A false account of a "neighbor's 5-year-old German Shepherd put down due to liver failure...and soon after his housekeepers' two cats also died of liver failure" has resurfaced. The message declares that Swiffer WetJet cleaning solution poisoned all the animals in the house just by using it to clean the kitchen floor.

Know that THIS IS FALSE INFORMATION that has been circulating since May 2004, and it has been brought back to life via social media (there are already 19,000 comments on the post in the image taken just 10 days ago).

We encourage everyone to read this article originally published by Snopes in May 2004. It contains important information, including a statement from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control toxicologists (direct link to press release is in the article) that explain thoroughly why this is nothing but a myth.

The Internet is a great way to share information, but if something alarms you, investigate it further. Things like this that don't cite sources or appear to come from legitimate experts are all too often created just to incite fear and cause harm to big companies without cause.

New Medication Replacing Long-Term Tramadol

1/3/2018

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:

Veterinary researchers recently discovered that dogs lack the M1 nerve receptors responsible for Tramadol's mode of pain control. The study concluded that due to these physiological differences, this medication does not provide the same long-term effects in dogs as it does in humans.
Though Tramadol offers effective control for acute pain, it has shown no bioavailability after 7 days. This means that any extended pain control is simply due to serotonin release (a common side effect of opioids), not the desired proper pain management obtained by blocking nerve receptors.

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:

Amantadine was originally developed as an antiviral medication, but has shown excellent results in treating chronic pain when used in conjunction with NSAIDs (such as Carprofen). It is not an opioid, but instead works by blocking NMDA receptors that amplify persistent pain.

If your pet is currently on Tramadol for chronic pain, please contact us to discuss changing to Amantadine.

Vaccine Reactions: When to Worry

8/23/2017

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. :)