Disasters?
0This weekend is Mother’s Day! (Don’t Forget!) It’s also Animal Disaster Preparedness Day this Saturday.
What would you do in the event of an emergency to ensure the safety of your family and pets? Most people have the tornado preparedness talk with their children, and it’s important to factor your pets into the plan as well. “Miss Kitty needs to be wrapped in a blanket and brought with us under the stairs. We will always keep a blanket on the wall at the top of the stairs.” Discussions can begin like this and will help make sure your entire family is prepared and as safe as possible.
Websites like the Department of Homeland Security’s FEMA have articles on Pet Safety during disaster planning.
The ASPCA also has excellent disaster planning resources, including special considerations for birds and reptiles. Their emergency supply list is incredibly comprehensive, and a great resource for any devoted pet owner.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention also have their own article on Pets and disasters.
Don’t forget Microchips! In the event that there is a disaster and you and your pet are separated, a microchip can bring you back together.
Early Closing
0Tomorrow, Tuesday the 1st of May, we are closing early due to extenuating circumstances. We will not have appointments past 6pm this day. If you need any emergency service during that time, please contact either
PVSEC on Camp Horne Road, (412) 366-3400 or
AVETS in Monroeville, (412) 373-4200
Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month
0I know this is a hard topic for a lot of you, but it is one that needs to be discussed. We certainly see it in the media where animals are rescued by their local SPCA, shows like Animal Cops on the Animal Planet channel, and in online news constantly.
Animal Cruelty. We know the words, but do we know what they mean?
Animal Cruelty is the crime of inflicting physical pain, suffering or death on an animal, usually a tame one, beyond necessity for normal discipline. It can include neglect that is so monstrous (withholding food, water, and shelter) that the animal has suffered, died or been put in imminent danger of death. Not taking an animal to a veterinarian to be treated due to an illness or injury is also neglect and is classified as animal cruelty by the definition available on the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society website.
If you suspect cruelty or mistreatment of any animal, please contact your local humane authorities. In the state of Pennsylvania, the humane societies dispatch their own SPCA teams. They allow you to file complaints anonymously.
Contact Information:
Shelley Rosenberg at Western PA Humane Society (412) 321- 4625 ext.216
Or file online here
Animal Friends (412) 847-7066
Monday Walk-In
0Did you know we have walk-in clinics on Monday evenings? They are first-come first-serve clinics where anyone can walk in, returning clients or brand new.
Next Monday, our walk-in hours are from 1pm to 5pm.
On April 2nd, we will resume our normal walk-in clinic hours of 2pm to 6:30pm.
Microchip Awareness
1Many pets are lost each day in our city, but there’s a precaution you can take. Microchipping.
Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice, and are easily implanted. The microchips themselves can be scanned with any universal reader at any veterinarian’s office. We can read the number listed for the owner of the pet and let you know that they are safe and you can pick them up. Microchips can be great backup for collars, which a lot of lost pets will lose or squirm out of.
Homeagain reports that 1 in 3 pets get lost in their lifetime, and that without proper identification 90% will never return home.
Some of our staff’s thoughts on microchipping:
Kassie – “I think it’s a wonderful thing. I’ve seen it reconnect multiple pets with their owners. I think everyone should have one.”
Patty gets scanned for her microchip
Damian – “In addition to saving you heartache, Microchips can save you money. You can do lifetime licensing with your pet if they’re microchipped, and it saves so much money. Most of the time, the lifetime license will pay for itself within the first few years.”
Patty – “Someone left the back door open once and those birds outside looked mighty appetizing! I stalked them, of course, because that was my natural instinct being a stray for a long time, but then I realized I was LOST! I couldn’t find my HUMANS!!! Thankfully I have a microchip so I can get back home. Lucky for me, my humans realized I’d left the building and found me on a neighboring porch, but had I wandered farther, I may have been lost forever without my microchip!”
If you have any other questions about microchipping, and which RFID microchips are available to you through our practice, feel free to call us.
Patty’s Mailbox
0Some of you coming in have probably noticed Patty and her unusual resting place. 
If you haven’t, you have now! Patty seems to be in love with squishing herself into this little mailbox, and we love her for it.
Do your pets have unusual spots they love to sleep in? Let us know more about it!
Squirrel Appreciation Day
0Today there was an article in the Washington Post about Squirrel Appreciation Day. Take a little extra time today to feed our squirrely friend with some treats. Make sure its alright with your landlord or apartment manager, and leave some sunflower seeds out for our friends fighting the cold.
What are your opinions on Squirrel Appreciation day? Do you leave treats for squirrels year-round? We’d love to hear your comments!
Sales
0We currently have a deal with our Frontline Plus and Advantage products: Buy 6, get 2 FREE!
Now is the time to stock up for your pet’s flea and tick prevention. This offer ends at the end of the month (12/31), and on the first of the year, there will be a price increase for these products.
Have a Happy New Year and enjoy as the weather gets cooler and we see a bit of snow.
Ask-a-Vet #1 : Festivity Cautions 2011
0Thanks for reading our first Ask-a-Vet! Today we’ll be discussing some of the seasons dangers to your pets, as well as some fun things you can do to help keep them safe and included in your celebrations.
Poinsettias
The common knowledge is that these plants are poisonous. Consumption of a poinsettia can cause vomiting, drooling, upset stomach, and many other irritations in your pet. This also depends on your pet. If you pet is very sensitive, it may effect them more severely. If your pet eats poinsettia this year, please call your local pet poison control or emergency services.
Another flower to be cautious of is the Lilly. In cats, lilies can cause kidney failure, even in the smallest amounts.
If you still want all the colorful floral decorations, silk flowers are a much safer option for your pets.
Some other helpful hints for celebrating safely can be found at
To help your pet feel included, you can get them special snacks from your local pet supply, or make some at home! The VPI website has some excellent features on foods your pet is not allowed to have. If you feel like baking for your pet, there are several websites that have pet-safe recipes for you to try.
Always remember to double-check the recipe ingredients, and know that your pet may have their own individual allergies.
Weekly Ask-a-Vet
1We’re going to be adding a new feature to this site! Starting next Wednesday, we’ll be having a weekly article where you can ask one of our veterinarians or technicians about random pet issues.
This is by no means meant to substitute for any actual diagnosis for your pet, but more so to answer the simple and random questions. Things along the lines of “Are flea collars really the best choice for my animal?”, or “I heard a rumor about wintergreen oil being poisonous for my cat. Is this true?”. These are the types of questions we can answer here online.
Feel free to drop us a line using our contact form! We would love to hear from you.
