Pittsburgh PetConnections March-April 2015 Vol. 3 Issue 5

Pittsburgh

PetConnections Magazine Free!

March/April Issue • Vol. 3, Issue5

Barnyard Yoga page 33

Dog Park Etiquette

Page 17

March/April Issue • Vol. 3, Issue 5

20 13

PPC is Pittsburgh’s #1 Resource for Everything Pets

ate of E xc tific r e

ence ell

page 21

C

Wanted: Kitten Foster Parents

Toni and Meg

We Care About Your Pet!

Healthy Pet Products is your resource for all your nutrition needs for your pet.

ABOUT HEALTHY PET PRODUCTS

While operating my own pet sitting business over an eight year period, I became increasingly concerned about the various health afflictions that I was seeing in my customers’ dogs and cats. The list of ailments appearing over and over again included allergies, itchy skin, ear infections, auto-immune disorders and a multitude of other problems. I began researching these health concerns and discovered that every symptom seemed to point to food and environment. This made perfect sense because I am a firm believer that we are what we eat. It is apparent that our beloved pets are what they eat as well. I had to do something! Ironically there was a local store

Specializing in Raw Feeding!

up for sale that only sold natural pet food and treats. I bought the store in order to spread the word about how important it is to feed quality pet food to our pets.

to help them to understand what better nutrition can do for their pet and in turn do That was in October of 2008 and since then, for them. I hope you’ll stop in sometime soon to meet Meg, myself and our staff we have improved the lives of many pets.

So much though, that I was able to open a and see what we can offer your pets. second store in order to reach a broader NEED ASSISTANCE? market. My research on pet nutrition and WE ARE HERE TO HELP. the pet food industry is ongoing and ever To inquire about the products and services changing. I have found that many of the found on our Web site or in our stores, ailments our pets are suffering from these contact us by phone or e-mail. We will be days can be greatly improved or completely happy to assist you. You can contact eliminated with premium kibble, raw Toni Shelaske by phone at 412.366.0700 feeding and supplementation (and dare I or 412.831.3700 or by email at say less vaccinations). My true passion in life toni@healthypetproducts.net. is to reach as many people as I possibly can

Sat, May 9, 2015 10am - 2pm

SOUTH HILLS: Crossgates Plaza 1742 Washington Rd. Upper St. Clair, PA. 15241

A fun filled, informative and freebie kind of day!

(Next to Model Cleaners)

412.831.3700

Monday-Thurs: 9am - 8pm Friday-Saturday: 9am - 6pm Sunday: 10am - 4pm

Special pricing on select foods. Plus much much more…

NORTH HILLS: 9805 McKnight Rd. McCandless, PA 15237

412.366.0700

Find us on

www.healthypetproducts.net www.pghpetconnections.com January 2013

Monday-Friday: 9am - 8pm Saturday: 9am - 6pm Sunday: 11am - 5pm

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Washington Area Humane Society May 3 - Pancakes for Paws Breakfast Houston American Legion, 9am-1pm

Hello, I’m Lilly. I am a 3 year old female with lots of personality! I love to be petted and brushed, and I love attention. I am not fond of other cats, so I would need to have you all to myself. Older children would be ok, although I’m not too sure about dogs.

Hi, my name is Nora. I am a funFrom lovingdecks, 1 year old pit/ boxer mix looking for a new family.

I am atovery friendly fencing girl who just loves to play. I give bathroom lots of doggy kisses, so remodeling, keep the Wet Ones handy! I like the other dogs here J&D at the shelter but I have not really methas any cats.

done it all!

Hello, my name is Mittens. I am a shy 5 year old girl.

I love to play with toys and I adore attention. I would likely be great in a home with other cats or dogs, and older children because I am a little feisty!

Volunteer Orientations occur the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month, 11am at the Shelter.

All animals have been spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated.

The Washington Area Humane Society (WAHS) is a 501(c)(3) no-kill shelter funded solely by private contributions & donated supplies. Our shelter takes in thousands of animals & investigates an average of 1000 abuse complaints each year.

1527 Rte 136, Eighty Four, PA 15330 (724) 222-7387, www.WashingtonPAShelter.org

WAHS ad generously sponsored by J&D Home Improvements From decks and fencing to bathroom remodeling, J&D has done it all!

Offer expires 5/31/2015

J & D Home Improvements www.jdwaterproofing.com

The Burgh’s Best AWARD-WINNING All-Inclusive Dog Care Facility

PAWS HERE AWHILE

State-of-the-art facility • Themed vacation dog & cat rooms TV • Stereo • Patios • Air/Heated We offer your dog the most comprehensive enrichment program while boarding with us. Our knowledgeable staff will provide activities and exercise that matches your dog’s drive.

PROFESSIONAL PET GROOMING Day and Evening Appointments

East End, Strip District, South Hills, Sewickley, COMING SOON! Monroeville

Doggie Day Care, Boarding, Grooming, Walking, Pet Sitting, Obedience Training, Dog Walking, & Retail Store Voted Best Pet Resort & Groomer Pgh Magazine Best of the ‘Burgh, 2014 Super Service Award Angie’s List, 2013, 2012, 2011

For locations, hours, pup cams & more visit

www.thedogstop.net

724-573-4665

www.pawshereawhile.com

10% O ServiceFsF!

On your next visit, when bring this ad yo in to any u of our locatio ns.

In This Issue: The Human-Animal Bond.............................9 Choosing a New Way of Being

Featured Rescue............................................21 Wanted: Foster Parents to Help Conquer Kitten Season

Featured Business....................................11-12 Murray Avenue Apothecary

Featured Organization.............................23-24

Animal Health & Wellness.....................13-14

Holistic...................................................27-28

Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Save a Yorkie Rescue, Inc.

The Five Supplements Every Pet Needs

Animal Behavior......................................17-18 Kitty Korner............................................30-32 Dog Park Etiquette

Cat Rescue Resource Guide; Cat Scratch Fever

Equine Affairs..........................................33-34 Barnyard Yoga

Advertiser Locator Map................................19

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©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March/April 2015

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Welcome to our March/April Issue 2015 - Volume 3 Issue 5 News & Events We are pleased to announce that we are launching Central OH PetConnections this summer, in addition to Pittsburgh! Dr. Susan Wagner, DVM is now our Chief Editor.

Dr. Wagner is a veterinary neurologist at MedVet Medical and Cancer Center in Columbus Ohio. She has been writing for our Human-Animal Bond section since inception and we are very excited to having her step into this integral role with PetConnections!

Ahhh, springtime is finally upon is! We have updated our dog park list so you can get out with your dogs for some much needed relief form cabin fever!

Our Pittsburgh pet event season is also here and will be in full swing! Join us for Healthy Pet Days on May 9th (see inside cover) and also Sewickley Unleashed on May 16th and many more on our event page.

We would like to thank Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center and for renewing and sponsoring for a third year in a row and also contributing expert content. PVSEC provides outstanding care and service to people and their pets, local veterinarians, as well as support many organizations and events in Pittsburgh.

Healthy Pet Products is another renewing sponsor for the third year and also provides great information for our readers, supports the community Pittsburgh PetConnections Magazine Disclaimer: ”The views expressed in PPC Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policies of Pittsburgh PetConnections Magazine. All viewpoints are welcome...”

Pittsburgh PetConnections Bi-Monthly

Published By: Pittsburgh PetConnections, LLC.

with donations and event sponsorships, as well as provide excellent safe & natural pet products.

We also welcome or new advertising sponsors Petagogy pet supply store, Murray Avenue Apothecary, Fuzzy Paws Pet Villa, Titan Bones, The Medicine Shoppe of Oakmont, Pittsburgh Pet Concierge and Keystone Canine Training!

This Issue Springtime is finally here! Of course those in the rescue world know – here come the kittens! Read about how you can help conquer kitten season by The Western PA Humane Society! Our featured rescue organization is Save a Yorkie Rescue, Inc. Read on about Cat Scratch Fever by Dr. Hansell, The Five Supplements Every Dog Needs by Dr. Doug, Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas by Dr. Anderson from Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center, Barn Yard Yoga by Kristin Hermann and more!

We encourage you to submit your photos and stories, as well as remembrances to be featured online and in future issues via email.

Thank you for picking up PetConnections. Take care of yourself and your animals and be well!

Warmly, Carla Mader Publisher Pittsburgh & Central Ohio PetConnections Magazine Please submit any correspondence to: info@pghpetconnections.com Please check us out on the web & subscribe at: www.pghpetconnections.com.

Follow PghPetMag on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/PghPetconnectionsMagazine

www.pghpetconnections.com Subscribe, Submit, Upload!

Submit your business or rescue organization’s info for a FREE listing on our directory.

Pittsburgh PetConnections, LLC. was formed in 2012.

Our mission is to publish a high quality, informative and Human-Animal Bond focused publication.

We support local businesses and also assist local non-profit businesses for pets and people, to give back to our great Pittsburgh communities.

No website for your small home-based pet or wellness business?

Add a Featured Listing on the PPC online Directory for a small yearly fee and upload photos and detailed info about your business!

Magazine Publication Staff Managing Editor.........................................................Carla Mader Content Editor...........................................................Trinette Kern Graphic Designer.......................................Flatboy Productions Photography.................................Nicole Begley Photography Sales & Distribution Manager...............................Carla Mader Sales...........................................................................Michael James Sales...........................................................................Robin Reinfeld Contributing Writers: Our contributing writers have many years of combined experience and expertise in the fields of veterinary medicine and the Human-Animal Bond.

ADVERTISING: Contact: info@pghpetconnections.com 724-503-8695 All Rights Reserved Copyright 2015 March/April 2015

Become a Media Partner with PPC Magazine!

A Media Partnership with PPC includes: • Ad in print or online (free design) • A Free Featured directory page on our website with your business info, photos and link to your website • Your logo in our monthly newsletter • PPC promotes your business at our events

www.pghpetconnections.com

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PETCONNECTIONS RESOURCE DIRECTORIES Animal Educational Exhibits

Washington Area Humane Society 724-222-7387 | washingtonpashelter.org

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium pittsburghzoo.org The National Aviary nationalaviary.org

East:

North:

Animal Behavior

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Judith Levy, M,Ed., CEHP, RMT 412-521-5133 | judithlevywellness.com

Animal Communication Greater Pittsburgh Area: Renee Takacs, M.A. intuitguide.com

Animal Rescue League 412-345-7300 | animalrescue.org ARL Wildlife Center 412-345-7300 | animalrescue.org SW PA Pugs with Special Needs 724-763-2790 | swpapug.org

West:

North:

Nicole Begley Photography nicolebegleyphotography.com Vibrant Images vibrant-images.com

South:

Kara Jones Photography kjones.smugmug.com Paws ‘n Claws Eyewear PawsnClawsEyewear.com

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Pet and Home Portraits petandhomeportraits.blogspot.com Jenny Karlsson Photography jennykarlssonphotography.com

Animal Rescue Organizations North:

Animal Friends 412-847-7000 | thinkingoutsidethecage.org Beaver County Humane Society 724-775-5801 Pennsylvania Great Dane Rescue 724-869-9185 Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary 412-366-1187 | hopehavenfarm.org Western Pa Humane Society 412-321-4625 | wpahumane.org

South:

Animal Care & Welfare 412-244-1372 | animalcareandwelfare.org

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Dr. Astrid Manning, DC, CVCP 412-341-2505 | drastridmanning.com

Greater Pittsburgh:

Greater Pittsburgh Area: Success Just Clicks successjustclicks.com

South:

Animal-Related Art, Photography & Retail

South:

Dog Training

Janet Jackson animalangellady.com Judith Levy, M,Ed., CEHP, RMT 412-521-5133 | judithlevywellness.com

Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM Beaver Animal Clinic 724-774-8047 | beaveranimalclinic.com

East:

North Shore:

East End:

North:

CARMAA 412-780-4983 | carmaa-petadoption.com

Animal Reiki East:

Holistic Practitioners Pet Chiropractor

Western PA Humane Society 412-321-4265 | wpahumane.org Paula’s Professional Dog Services 412-818-2482

Dog Training Clubs South:

Golden Triangle Obedience Training Club 412-653-6880 | gtotc.com Keystone Canine Training 412-833-2211 | keystonecanine.com Xcel Canine Training Center 412-833-2504 | xcelcaninetraining.com

Equine Boarding, Lessons & Training Facilities North:

Rockin’ Horse Stables 724-601-4706 | rockinhorsestables.com

South:

Coventry Equestrian Center 724-206-9902

Equine Holistic Care

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Dr. Michael Savko, DC, CCSP, CVCP 724-261-7915 | drchirovet.com

Equine Tack Stores South:

Lowry’s Western Store 724-228-1225 | lowryswesternshop.com

Equine Veterinarians East:

Dr. Brian Burks, DVM Fox Run Equine Center 724-727-3481 | foxrunequine.com

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

Dr. Dina Livolsi, Doctor of Chiropractic 412-824-6276 | drdinalivolsi.com Dr. Michael Savko, DC, CCSP, CVCP 724-261-7915 | drchirovet.com

Holistic Veterinarians

Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM Beaver Animal Clinic 724-774-8047 | beaveranimalclinic.com

Pet Burial, Memorial & Cremation Services South:

Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation 412-220-7800 | ccpc.ws Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home 412-655-4500 | jeffersonmemorial.biz

Pet Fencing

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

DogWatch 724-586-6555 | DogWatchPGH.com Invisible Fence of Western PA 724-396-7231 | invisiblefence.com J & D Home Improvements, Inc. 800-837-9379 | jdwaterproofing.com Pet Stop Pet Fencing System of Western PA petstop.com

Pet Friendly Restaurants North:

Double Wide Grille - Mars 724-553-5212

South:

Double Wide Grille - Southside 412-390-1111

Pet Grooming North:

5th Avenue Fido 724-772-5511 | 5thavenuefido.com All About Dogs 724-925-1577 | allaboutdogsgrooming.info K-9 Kingdom 724-935-3647 | k9kingdom.com Larry’s Laundromutt 412-534-4052 | larryslaundromutt.com

March/April 2015

PETCONNECTIONS RESOURCE DIRECTORIES

Paw Prints Pet Retreat 724-903-0063 | pawprintspetretreat.com

South:

Canine Club 412-220-8100 | thecanineclub.com Grand Slam Grooming 412-221-5081 | grandslamgrooming.com Grooming With Care 412-977-5961 Petsburgh Dog & Cat Grooming 412-885-4027 Pets At Home 412-655-7297 The Pet Salon 412-279-5331 | petsalonusa.com Sandy’s Cat Grooming 412-759-1806 Woody’s Dog Wash & Pet Boutique 412-714-4644 | woodysdogbath.com Creative Canine Cuts 724-223-9020

West:

Paws Here Awhile Pet Resort 724-573-4665 | pawshereawhile.com

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Zoom N Groom (Sonya Patterson) 724-225-4827

Fuzzy Paws Pet Villa 724-746-3899 | fuzzy-paws.com

Veterinary Pharmacies

East:

The Medicine Shoppe 412-826-9500 | mscompounding.com Murray Avenue Apothecary 412-421-4996 | MAApgh.com

Camp Bow Wow - Highland Park campbowwowpgh.com Pittsburgh Pet Concierge 412-856-8505 | petconcierge.org

West:

Veterinary Hospitals

Pet Retail/Supply

Beaver Animal Clinic 724-774-8047 | beaveranimalclinic.com BelaCoop Animal Hospital 724-939-7062 | belacoopanimalhospital.com Seven Fields Veterinary Clinic 724-742-4433 | sevenfieldsvet.com VCA Northview Animal Hospital 412-364-5353 | vcanorthview.com

Camp Bow Wow - Greentree campbowwowpgh.com Paws Here Awhile Pet Resort 724-573-4665 | pawshereawhile.com

North:

Healthy Pet Products 412-366-0700 | healthypetproducts.net

South:

Healthy Pet Products 412-831-3700 | healthypetproducts.net Oddball Pets & Aquariums 412-884-2333 | oddballpets.com Woody’s Dog Wash & Pet Boutique 412-714-4644 | woodysdogbath.com

East:

Petagogy petagogy.com | 412-362-7387

Pet Grooming Schools

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Golden Paws Pet Styling Academy 412-297-9383 | goldenpawspittsburghpa.com

Titan Bones 724-622-3600 | TitanBones.com

Pet Massage

Pet Sitters

Your Critter Sitters – Raylene Hoover 724-448-7330 | yourcrittersitters.com

Little Piggies Pet Sitting littlepiggiespetsitting.com

Pet Ministries

Chris’s Canine Club 724-746-3864 | chrisscanineclub.com Your Critter Sitters– Raylene Hoover 724-448-7330 | yourcrittersitters.com

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

South:

Christ United Methodist Church 412-277-1096 | christumc.net Westminster Presbyterian Church 412-835-6630 | westminster-church.org

Pet Resorts - Boarding, Daycare, Grooming & Training North:

5th Avenue Fido 724-772-5511 | 5thavenuefido.com Camp Bow Wow - Ross Township campbowwowpgh.com K-9 Kingdom 724-935-DOGS (3647) | myk9kingdom.com

South:

Camp Bow Wow - Castle Shannon campbowwowpgh.com Grandma’s Dog Daycare 412-586-7094 | grandmasdogdaycare.com Canine Club 412-220-8100 | thecanineclub.com

March/April 2015

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

North: South:

West:

Seraphina Pet Sitters 412-389-9735 | seraphinasitters.vpweb.com

East:

Pittsburgh Pet Concierge 412-856-8505 | petconcierge.org

Security Services

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Vector Security 800-756-9161 | vectorsecurity.com

Veterinary Hospice

Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Nancy A. Ruffing, DVM 412-801-1071 | gentlejourneyvet.com

www.pghpetconnections.com

North:

South:

All About Pets Veterinary Hospital 724-745-5503 | aapvet.com Allegheny South Veterinary Services 412-257-0909 | alleghenysouthvetsvcs.com Hickory Veterinary Service 724-356-1000 | hickoryvetsvcs.com VCA Castle Shannon 412-885-2500

East:

Pittsburgh East Animal Hospital Monroeville - 724-325-2500 Greensburg - 724-205-6960 peah.vetsuite.com The Big Easy 412-908-9301 | tbeah.com

West:

Avalon Veterinary Hospital 412-761-9149 | avalonvh.com VCA MetVet West Animal Hospital 412-788-6400 | vcahospitals.com/met-vet-west

Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Services Greater Pittsburgh Area:

Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center, Inc. 412-366-3400 | pvs-ec.com VCA Northview Animal Hospital Specialty Referral Center 412-364-5353 | vcanorthview.com

East

AVETS – Allegheny Veterinary Emergency Trauma & Specialty 412-373-4200 | avets.com

Veterinary Technology Schools Greater Pittsburgh Area: Pittsburgh Career Institute 412-281-2600 | pci.edu

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Oddball Pets and Aquariums The Best Aquarium Store in Pittsburgh

˚Freshwater ˚Saltwater ˚Reefs

˚Planted www.oddballpets.com

, ance n e t n ai ing M D esign r e f f Now O ation and ll Insta es! c Servi

412-884-2333

262 Joseph Street Pittsburgh PA 15227

Animal Care & Assistance Fund presents...

Uncorked &

Unleashed Saturday, May 9, 2015 7pm - 10pm

VIP Cocktail Hour at 6pm

LeMont Restaurant ~ Mount Washington

VIP ticket: $175/person, 6pm-10pm General ticket: $125/person, 7pm-10pm All sponsors & guests who purchase VIP tickets enjoy VIP Cocktail Hour which includes heavy hors d’oeuvres & open bar.

Complimentary

Valet Parking!

Mention Uncorked & Unleashed at door.

Enjoy us for a night of fun!

• Spectacular view of Pittsburgh • Delectable dinner stations

• Raffles & prizes • Caricature artist, photo booth, & more!

Information, sponsorship opportunities, & tickets available at

www.AnimalCareFund.org

Animal Care and Assistance Fund (ACAF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that assists pets in Southwestern, PA who need emergency or specialty care at Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center (PVSEC). Our objective is to offer pet owners, in financial crisis, an alternative to euthanasia when their pet faces a treatable, yet life-threatening condition.

THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND D

espite intensely cold weather here in the upper Midwest, the birds have been singing for weeks, and little critters are showing their faces. While we endured continuing temperatures below zero, the animals were telling us to hold on. No matter what, spring was coming — and what a spring it’s going to be.

We must have the courage to see when situations are not in the highest good. Everyone and everything is connected by a vast energy field. When we continue to stay in drama and pain, we negatively influence the universal energy field, and promote suffering for all beings.

Each of us is here to make a difference - whatever that There has been a monumental spiritual shift occurring may be. As we follow our healing path, we must in humanity over the last few years, and this spring remember that the action step itself does not marks it’s completion for many people. Recurrent determine the outcome — the energy and intention struggles with bitter cold, snow and ice, as well as behind it does. In other words, it’s not what you do, but personal difficulties, how you do are ready to end. It’s it. Walking a new season, away from a and we can choose relationship to embrace it. And if or job may be we can truly choose very a new way of being, appropriate, we can influence the but if the healing of the rest of dynamic the planet.

by Susan Wagner DVM, MS, ACVIM behind leaving is Many of you have been following the powerful fight negative (anger, victimization, retaliation) the scenario between darkness and light. This battle is apparent as will continue to be recreated. In fact, you’re not really we read stories of global violence and suffering. But our moving forward— you’re just going around the block, own personal wars may be more difficult to see. Our only to end up back where you started. It may look a patterns have been repeating over and over again, but little different, but make no mistake, it’s the same place. we’ve gotten wiser. The triggers that pull us back into And the next stimulus to move on is going to be even suffering have to be smarter and more subtle in order stronger. to reel us in. They’re often just underneath the surface, and it’s difficult to see them — or perhaps we really If a resolution doesn’t seem at all possible, remember don’t want to. We’re frustrated from shoveling layers of the power of spring — rebirth and renewal. Open your snow, only to find ice underneath, when our intention heart and ask for guidance. Remind yourself that it’s was to find a clear and safe path. your heart’s desire to live a peaceful, fulfilling life.

Simply intend that you are giving your difficulty to a We want the daffodils to show up and make it all better, higher vibration, and let it go. You may be amazed at but it’s not quite that easy. Let’s not falter now. Yes, the what sprouts up to help. snow is gone, but we can’t get swept away by spring flooding because we’re too exhausted to check the Please take time to regenerate — even if it’s just a few water level in the creek rushing right next to us. moments to listen to the birds, take a walk, or enjoy the sun on your face. Quiet reflection is imperative. If you One of the most important themes during this can’t do it daily, then set aside a couple times per week completion time is recognizing danger. We see or feel — whatever you can do. Being still isn’t optional —it’s something that isn’t resonating with us, and we as important for healing as eating and drinking are to instinctively know that it’s unhealthy. We want to heal your physical body. When asking for clarity, we have to it, so we stay connected, when in reality, it’s not in our have the patience to receive it! These simple steps keep best interest to engage with it at all. Continuing on us aware and resilient, so we can look forward to this path will cause suffering at some point. It may be enjoying blossoming trees and baseball. physical, emotional or financial.

Choosing a New Way of Being

9

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March/April 2015

Petagogy is an independently owned local pet supply store.

412-362-7387

www.petagogy.com 5880 Ellsworth Ave, pittsburgh, pa 15232

2015 Pittsburgh Pet Event Calendar April

May

11 Bark Shadyside Dog Walk & Yard Sale animalrescue.org

2 Pittsburgh Marathon & Pet Walk wpahumane.org

11 15th Annual Wildlife Baby Shower animalrescue.org

3 Pancakes for Paws washingtonpashelter.org

18 Goodwill Donation Drive animalrescue.org

9 Healthy Pet Day healthypetproducts.net 9 Uncorked & Unleashed animalcarefund.org 16 Sewickley Unleashed sewickleyunleashed.org

Please see our online event calendar page at pghpetconnections.com for 17 Keystone Training Garage & Bake Sale more great and local pet events! keystonecanine.com March/April 2015

www.pghpetconnections.com

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FEATURED BUSINESS M

urray Avenue Apothecary’s state-ofthe-art compounding laboratory prepares innovative, economical, easy-to-use dosage forms for animals. Susan Merenstein, RPh, owner of Murray Avenue Apothecary, has over 34 years experience in pharmacy practice, including pet therapies. She and her dedicated staff, representing 40 years of combined experience, regularly help veterinarians and animal care specialists solve a variety of medication problems, including hard-to-find medications, custom dosages, drug combinations, alternatives and transdermal medications.

About Vet Compounding Veterinary compounding can make medicine time a treat – for pets and their owners.

Compounding, which is the art and science of preparing customized medications, is an increasingly popular solution to veterinary problems, just as it’s become more prevalent in human medicine. When it comes to diseases like skin rashes, eye and ear infections, heart conditions, cancer, and diabetes, animals and humans have a lot in common. But giving pets medication presents a unique set of challenges – challenges that can often be addressed through compounding.

Meeting the unique medication needs of animals is one of the fastest growing areas of pharmacy compounding. Working with your veterinarian, a licensed compounding pharmacist can individualize your pet’s medications based on species, size and weight, among other factors. Compounding is undertaken at the direction of the licensed prescriber, your veterinarian, who takes into consideration clinical observations, testing and experience before determining whether a compounded medication is required for your pet.

Just like their human owners, animals are unique and have individual needs when it comes to taking medicine. Compounding pharmacists can assist you with your finickiest felines, or canines that require specific dosing depending upon their breed and size, as well as exotic and large animal patients – many of

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which cannot be served by commercially available medications.

It’s a team effort: A caring veterinarian working closely with a compounding pharmacist can improve the health and happiness of your pet.

In order for treatments to be effective, compliance is critical. Your pet can’t reap the benefits of a medication that you find impossible to administer. Compounding is uniquely suited to improve compliance by providing flexibility in strengths and concentrations, and making available dosage forms such as topicals, chewable treats, liquids, and flavoring options.

Our compounded medications are prepared from active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) purchased from FDA-registered suppliers, and are not “unapproved substances.” All of our pharmacists and certified technicians are licensed and strictly regulated by State Boards of Pharmacy, so you can feel certain that you and your pet are in highly qualified hands.

Your pets are special. Their medications should be, too.

Pets are members of our families. We want them to have the same level of attentive and innovative medical treatment that we expect for ourselves. Today’s veterinarians understand this, which is why many rely on compounding as one way to deliver this advanced level of care.

Acetyl-Glutathione for Animals One of our most successful compounded medications is absorbable Acetyl-Glutathione.

The buzz words in today’s healthcare settings for humans and animals are Glutathione, Telomeres, Enhanced Performance, Anti-aging, and Detoxification. Glutathione (pronounced “gloota-thighown”) is the body’s essential health AID-Antioxidant, immune booster and detoxifier. It is also an analgesic, decreases recovery time from injuries, and is great for arthritis and joint pain.

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March/April 2015

Acetyl-Glutathione can help with: * Arthritis * Joint pain * Asthma * Liver Disease * Allergies * Inflammation * Aging * Hepatitis * Itchy skin * Hot spots * Kennel Cough Ask your veterinarian about this state-of-the-art medication for your pet. Murray Avenue Apothecary is the only compounding pharmacy in the country to compound products with Acetylated Glutathione and Topical Palmitated Glutathione.

Call us at 412-421-4996, or stop by 4227 Murray Avenue today!

For more information, visit www.MAApgh.com or www.PittsburghsPetPharmacy.com.

murray avenue

APOTHECARY

Compounding Pharmacy Boutique

Murray Avenue Apothecary

PET CORNER

We meet your animal’s unique needs!

We offer many compounded medications and supplements for pets including Acetyl-Glutathione, exclusive to Murray Avenue Apothecary:

Arthritis Joint Pain Asthma Liver Disease Allergies Inflammation Aging

My 12-year-old large 90 lb. dog has severe arthritis to the degree she has episodes where she can not stand or walk. During one of these episodes, she slipped down the steps, causing her to limp from the injury.

Murray Avenue Apothecary recommended a nd com p ound ed AB SOR B ABL E Acetyl-Glutathione, and within 2 weeks of taking the Glutathione she stopped limping.

She is visibly stronger and in much less pain.

Thank you MAA, you saved my dog!

4227 Murray Avenue | Pittsburgh, PA 15217 | 412.421.4996 MAApgh.com | LabNaturals.com | PittsburghsPetPharmacy.com March/April 2015

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ANIMAL HEALTH&WELLNESS Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas

By:Christine Anderson, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology), DACVR (Radiation Oncology)

S

oft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a collection of tumors of connective tissues, most commonly located in the skin and subcutaneous tissues. They are grouped together because they appear similar microscopically to the pathologist and have similar biological behavior: potentially aggressive and invasive at the site of the primary tumor but with a less than 10-15% rate of spreading to other locations in the body for low and intermediate grade tumors. High grade tumors can have an up to 50% rate of metastasis. STS include fibrosarcomas, peripheral nerve sheath tumors, hemangiopericytomas, myxosarcomas and liposarcomas. There are other types of sarcomas that occur in dogs that are not included in the The sarcoma is visible as an category of STS because irregular mass around the tarsus they either have a higher metastatic rate or typically arise in other locations in the body. STS usually occur in middle age to older dogs. No specific breed or sex is predisposed to STS, but they are more common in large breed dogs.

Diagnosis: Typically, a mass is noted by either the owner while petting their dog or by a veterinarian during a routine physical exam. The mass is usually firm and attached to the underlying tissue rather than mobile in the skin. No mass can be confirmed to be non-cancerous on exam alone. The only method to diagnose a skin or SQ mass is to obtain a tissue sample either with a fine needle aspirate (FNA) or biopsy. While a FNA can be done in seconds with the pet awake, they may be non-diagnostic for STS up to 40% of the time. A biopsy, where a larger tissue sample is obtained, may be

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required. When STS metastasize, they spread to regional lymph nodes or the lungs, so careful palpation of the lymph node, with FNA and cytology of the lymph node when possible, and chest x-rays should be performed. Depending on location, abdominal ultrasound may also be recommended. Advanced imaging of the primary tumor with CT or MRI can be very helpful in planning the surgical approach as the true extent of the tumor may not be evident on physical exam.

Treatment: Because of the low metastatic rate, treatment is aimed at removing or controlling the primary tumor. The ideal treatment, when possible, is complete surgical excision which can be curative. Because these tumors are invasive into the surrounding tissues, in order to remove the entire tumor the surgeon will attempt to remove the mass with adequate tissue around the mass, known as a margin. For this reason, it is ideal that the veterinarian is aware that the The affected leg is ready to be treated. mass is a The markings on the leg aid in sarcoma prior to positioning the patient correctly for surgery to best plan repeated treatments. the surgical approach. After surgery, the entire surgical specimen should be submitted to a pathologist to determine if the mass has been completely excised and to determine the grade (ranging from 1- 3, or low, intermediate, and high). In some cases, due to the size or location of the tumor, complete surgical removal is not possible and tumor cells are left behind. In these cases additional therapy may be warranted to prevent or delay tumor regrowth.

ŠPittsburgh PetConnections

March/April 2015

Radiation therapy: The best outcomes for incompletely excised STS are achieved with radiation therapy (RT). Eighty-five percent of incompletely removed STS are controlled long term with RT. The one year local control rate with radiation alone (no surgery prior to treatment) is approximately 50%.

Definitive radiation therapy is typically administered as 18-20 daily treatments (Monday-Friday) over 3 to 4 weeks. Patients need to be anesthetized for each treatment to ensure they The patient is under anesthesia on the treatment table (called a couch) with her unaffected leg moved out remain still in the correct of the way to fully expose the treatment leg. The tumor is covered by a material known as bolus which aids in even distribution of radiation dose throughout the tumor. position, but very short acting metronomic chemotherapy works to treat cancer is anesthesia drugs are used so patients evolving. There is less data regarding the efficacy of are usually fully awake within an hour of their this treatment, but in one study of dogs with STS, the treatment. Side effects from radiation usually develop median time to tumor regrowth was 13.5 months in the last week of treatment and include hair loss, compared to 7 months in dogs treated with surgery redness and ulceration of the skin at the radiation site, alone. The metronomic chemotherapy protocol like a bad sunburn. The pain can be managed with topical and oral pain medications, but some yemporary involves oral chemotherapy given at home, and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID). discomfort is likely. Given the hope and expectation While chemotherapy can cause lethargy, vomiting or of long term tumor control, this short term discomfort diarrhea, and low white blood cell counts, these side is considered acceptable. Veterinary patients do not experience nausea and lethargy from radiation therapy effects are rare in patients on metronomic chemotherapy. Patients on metronomic chemotherapy as some humans do. protocols are seen for regular recheck appointments, including physical exams and blood work to monitor Cisplatin (chemotherapy) beads: changes in physical condition.

Another option is to place beads containing the Overview: chemotherapy drug cisplatin under the skin at the surgical site after surgical removal of the mass to try to Soft tissue sarcomas can be effectively cured in many kill any remaining cancer cells in the area. patients, especially with early diagnosis and According to unpublished data, 90% of patients have tumor control at one year, and 70% have tumor control effective treatment. Many skin and subcutaneous two years after bead placement. Most animals tolerate masses are non-cancerous, but this cannot be determined on physical exam alone. “Lumps and this procedure very well, but inflammation at the bead bumps� on your pets should always be evaluated by a sites can occur. veterinarian with FNA and cytology, but masses that are increasing in size are particularly concerning.

Low dose continuous

chemotherapy/metronomic chemotherapy: Another possible treatment option following surgery is low dose continuous oral chemotherapy known as metronomic chemotherapy. Understanding of how March/April 2015

Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center (PVSEC) 807 Camp Horne Rd Pittsburgh, PA 15237 (412) 366-3400

www.pghpetconnections.com

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RUN FOR A REASON! NEED A REASON TO RUN?

We have over 10,000! That’s how many homeless animals the Western PA Humane Society takes in every year. We count on runners like YOU so that we can continue to help these deserving pets. By running for the Western PA Humane Society in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, you can help us to help Pittsburgh’s homeless pets.

IT IS SIMPLE TO DO - JUST 3 EASY STEPS!

1

Register through www.run4wphs.org

2

Work on meeting your fundraising goal (we’ll help you come up with ideas!)

3

Reap the benefits of free registration, WPHS swag bag, WPHS jersey, inspiration, running groups and other resources – all while helping wonderful shelter animals.

Runners can participate in the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5K or Children’s Marathon Fun Run.

Offering: • in store & mobile grooming • full & self service washing • healthy pet foods and supplies

Larry’s Laundromutt 201 Ohio River Blvd.

Sewickley, PA 15143 412-534-4052 www.larryslaundromutt.com

www.aapvet.com 724-745-5503 155 East Pike Street Canonsburg, PA 15317

March/April 2015

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ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

By: Lilian Akin, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA Akin Family Dog Training

S

pring is coming, and people who have been hibernating with their dogs all winter will be flocking to dog parks, so I thought it timely to write a little about dog parks and how to make your dog’s time there pleasant and safe.

First of all, not all dogs are good at dog parks. If your dog is fearful of people and/or other dogs, was not well socialized as a puppy, has been in a fight in which he or another dog was injured, or is either elderly or physically compromised, you should not take your dog to a public dog park. The dogs that do best in dog parks are younger, energetic, and well socialized with people and other dogs. Your dog’s personality and temperament should determine if he would enjoy visiting a dog park. It is also up to you to make sure your dog is healthy, up to date on vaccinations, and won’t pose a danger to any of the other park attendees.

I do not recommend bringing young puppies to dog parks. Young puppies need to be carefully socialized under controlled conditions. They need to meet all types of new people and well-mannered dogs with known vaccination histories and known temperaments.

A puppy going through a fear imprint stage (where a fearful event can affect their behavior for the rest of their life) can be traumatized by a group of ruffian dogs.

Also, some adult dogs might see your puppy as a prey animal and attack it. Although some dog parks allow puppies over the age of 4 months, a safer age would be at about 6 months. There is also the possibility that not all dogs at the park are healthy, and until all your puppy’s vaccinations have been received and immunity established, you run the risk of exposing him to disease.

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Not all people should go to a dog park either. Dogs play hard and can barrel into people who are frail or elderly.

Young children, babies and children in strollers should not enter a dog park. You do not know if all the dogs are good around children. A child running or crying might trigger the dogs’ natural instincts, and could be herded, nipped at or worse. If you want to bring your family, have them stay on the outside and watch.

When you take your dog to a dog park, you are responsible for your dog. Do not just let the dog run and spend the time socializing with your friends. Watch your dog. Pick up after your dog. Be attentive.

While dogs playing together can be fun and enjoyable, it can quickly lead to chasing, bullying and over-stimulated behaviors that can tip to aggression and injuries. Give your dog a time out or rest if he is getting over-aroused. Stay connected with your dog, enjoy the time with your dog, and most of all, remember to parent your dog and redirect any inappropriate behavior.

I use a lot of treats and toys in my training, but I do not recommend bringing treats or toys into a dog park.

Doing so can cause fights over resources. Some dogs are obnoxiously obsessed with food. Others might have allergies. Throwing a ball might be a favorite game for your individual dog, but it can cause other dogs to chase him or cause fights over possession of the toy. Leave the toys and the treats at home.

It is important to watch your dog so that you can intervene before a problem occurs. Most problems in dog parks are foreseeable and preventable if owners are proactive and redirect their dogs when needed.

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March/April 2015

Interrupt play that is too rough. Give your dog a break if his arousal level increases. Be willing to leave immediately if your dog becomes a bully or acts inappropriately, is being bullied, or if your dog is not having fun. Only you can protect your dog.

I do not recommend taking unaltered dogs to dog parks. It is irresponsible to have a female in heat off leash in a public park. Bringing an unaltered male into a dog park is a little more controversial. I do not recommend it, not because of the behavior of the unaltered dog, but because other male dogs sometimes react negatively to the smell of testosterone. It is just risking a fight when an unaltered male goes to a public dog park with unknown other dogs.

Years ago when I did bring my dogs to dog parks (they are older now and not as dog park tolerant), I would walk up to the gate and pause. I would look at the dogs who were there and watch their play styles and interactions. As I always had a herding breed dog and a greyhound, I needed to make sure that the dogs’ play styles were consistent with my dogs’ styles. If not, I would just leave and we would walk the trails.

Try, if you can, to allow your dog an appropriate greeting with the other dogs in the park. Do not bring your dog inside while being rushed by a big group of dogs. That is too overwhelming and fear inducing. If you are already in the park, do not permit your dog to rush newcomers. Call your dog away from the gate.

Allow newcomers to do slow greetings with yours and the other dogs in the park.

Be careful of equipment. It is dangerous to leave choke chains and prong collars on your dog while he is playing. Teeth can easily get caught in the collars, causing panic and a fight resulting in severe injuries or even choking to death. Shock collars are also very dangerous in dog parks. An ill timed shock can be conducted through your dog to another dog and cause a serious fight.

If you do choose to go to a dog park, be aware, be responsible and enjoy.

March/April 2015

Visit your local dog park!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Allegheny Commons Park or West Park Off Leash Area Bear Hollow Park Off Leash Area Bear Hollow Trail Off Leash Dog Area Bernard Dog Run Bradys Run Dog Park Carnegie Dog Park Chambers Park Off Leash Dog Area The Charlie Douglas Dog Park Doglogic Indoor Dog Park Dogs Rule Dog Store and Playground The Dog Stop Indoor Dog Park Duff Park Off Leash Dog Area Fairview Dog Park Franklin Dog Park (at Twin Lakes Park) Green Tree Borough Dog Park Hartwood Acres County Dog Park Heritage Dog Park - Monroeville K9 Kingdom’s Indoor Adventure Park Keystone State Park Kovalczik Park Off Leash Dog Area Lillian Kellman Nature Reserve Off Leash Dog Area Lower Frick Park Off Leash Dog Area (East) Lucky Paws Dog Park and Pool Mingo Creek Park Off Leash Dog Area Misty Pines Dog Park North Dog Park Paws on the Run (at Murrysville Comm. Park) Pedora Park Off Leash Dog Area Penn Hills Dog Park Raccoon Creek State Park Riverview Dog Park Rotary Dog Park (in Cranberry Comm. Park) See Spot Run Dog Park Settlers Cabin County Park Sewickley Heights Borough Park Off Leash Area South Dog Park South Side Riverfront Dog Park Summervale Park Off Leash Dog Area Thornburg Conservation Park Off Leash Area Townsend Park Off Leash Dog Area Upper Frick Dog Park (West) White Oak Dog Park

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Advertiser Locator 1 Healthy Pet Products (see ad inside front cover) 2 Woody’s Do-It-Yourself Dogwash (see pg 35) 3 Animal Rescue League (see ad inside back cover) 4 Oddball Pets & Aquariums (see ad pg 7) 5 Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation (see ad pg 37) 6 Beaver Animal Clinic (see ad pg 28)

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7 The Pet Salon (see ad pg 20) 8 Western PA Humane Society (see ads pg 15, 22) 9 P ittsburgh Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center (see ad back cover) 10 Rockin’ Horse Stables (see ad pg 35) 11 Jefferson Memorial (see ad pg 37) 12 VCA Castle Shannon (see ad pg 34) 13 All About Pets Veterinary Hospital (see ad pg 16)

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Advertisers Coventry Equestrian Center (see pg 20) Dog Stop (see pg 3) Dog Watch (see ad pg 25) Fifth Avenue Fido (see ad pg 26) Fuzzy Paws (see ad pg 20) Gentle Journey (see ad pg 37) Grand Slam Grooming (see pg 35) HAAWC (see ad pg 1 25) Holistic Care for Animals (see ad pg 29) Invisibile Fence (see pg 12) Judith Levy (see ad pg 24) J & D Home Improvements (see ad pg 2) Kara Jones Photography (see ad pg 16) Keystone Canine Training Club (see ad pg 29) Larry’s Laundromutt (see ad pg 16)

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

Manning Chiropractic (see pg 34) Manon’s Farm (see ad pg 25) The Medicine Shoppe (see ad pg 24) Murray Avenue Apothecary (see ad pg 12) 24 14 Nicole Begley Photography (see ad pg 20) Paws Here Awhile (see ad pg 3) 26 Petagogy (see ad pg 10) Petsburgh Dog & Cat Grooming (see ad pg 20) Pittsburgh Career Institute (see ad pg 32) Pittsburgh Pet Concierge (see ad pg 20) The Rogan Rexford Blood Bank (see ad pg 35) Sandy’s Cat Grooming (see ad pg 20) Sewickley Unleashed (see ad pg 36) Titan Bones (see ad pg 20) Washington Area Humane Society (see pg 2) March/April 2015

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FEATURED RESCUE Wanted: Foster Parents to Help Conquer Kitten Season It Happens Every Year...

E

very year beginning in springtime, the Western PA Humane Society as well as other shelters across the country experience a steady stream of Good Samaritans bringing in hundreds of homeless kittens. This phenomenon, known as “Kitten Season,” occurs when unspayed/unneutered cats mate and give birth. And it’s not just one litter. Many cats have two or even more litters, and a number of those kittens also give birth, because cats as young as five months can become pregnant.

Tending to so many kittens puts a huge strain on the shelter, both from a lack of space and a financial standpoint. Imagine how much work it is to feed and care for hundreds of kittens in addition to all the dogs, bunnies, and other small animals already being housed!

All throughout Kitten Season, shelter staff works very hard to find homes for all these kittens.

A serious problem One of the reasons that Kitten Season is so problematic is that many of the kittens brought to the shelter weigh less than a pound, and need to be bottle fed because they cannot eat on their own. Western PA Humane Society simply doesn’t have the staff to physically bottle feed all those kittens. Kittens weighing under a pound also are too young to be vaccinated, and therefore cannot be placed with the rest of the cat population due to the risk of contracting and spreading disease.

The Western PA Humane Society accepts and houses all kittens weighing at least a pound, because at that weight kittens generally begin eating on their own, and can also be vaccinated.

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How You Can Help To address this issue, the Western PA Humane Society is reaching out to the community to recruit loving, dedicated foster parents to nurture and care for these tiny creatures until they grow to the appropriate size/ age to be adopted. Fosters then return them to the Western PA Humane Society.

Do you have what it takes to foster a litter of kittens? If you are willing to bottle feed every two hours, stimulate the kittens so they eliminate, and keep them constantly warm, you may be the perfect candidate. The Western PA Humane Society will train you and provide all the information you need to give these kittens a chance.

Managing Expectations Before you say yes, you have to be prepared for disappointment. While it’s rewarding to care for tiny kittens, it is the sad reality that a high percentage will not survive. Even while being cared-for by their mothers, approximately 20% of kittens die in the wild, so it’s understandable that motherless kittens are at high risk for mortality. However, the Western PA Humane Society believes that fostering will help save more kittens than are lost.

For more details on becoming a foster, please visit wpahumane.org/foster-services, or call Foster Services at 412-321-4625 ext. 9. And, most importantly, please spread the word on the value of spay and neuter.

Other Ways to Foster If caring for tiny kittens is not the right fit for you, please consider fostering some of our other animals in need.

The Western PA Humane Society desperately needs the help of compassionate, kindhearted volunteers to foster: • Cats with upper respiratory infections that need to be separated from healthy cats until they recover • Dogs and cats who need behavioral training • Dogs who need a kennel break

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March/April 2015

TRAP-NEUTER-RELEASE Three Rivers Feral Project The Western PA Humane Society is a partner in the Three Rivers Feral Project, which is an initiative to provide low-cost spay/neuter/vaccination services to area caregivers who care for feral cat colonies. This program is available to feral colony caregivers who practice Trap-Neuter-Release, which is the humane solution for feral cats.

How Does TNR Work?

The Western PA Humane Society encourages compassionate individuals who feed feral cats in our communities to practice Trap-Neuter-Release, or TNR. To participate, you set a humane trap for a feral cat, and when the cat is trapped, bring it to our shelter. We will spay/neuter, provide a one-year rabies vaccination, a dose of flea treatment, and an ear-tip to identify the cat as an altered cat who is part of a managed feral cat colony. The fee is $30 per cat. Any feral cat or kitten over the age of three months is eligible for this program. When feral cats are spayed/neutered, provided food, water and shelter, they will thrive in their outdoor home. Appointments are available weekdays and Sundays, and must be made in advance for TNR. Drop off is between 8 and 9 AM and pick up is between 3 and 4:30 PM. Cats must arrive at our clinic in a humane box trap. Traps should be covered with a towel or a sheet in order to make this experience less stressful on the feral cat. To schedule an appointment, contact: Molly Vandora 412-321-4625 ext 213 molly.vandora@wpahumane.org To show our support of colony managers, we waive the fee for every 10th

feral cat that you bring to the shelter during one calendar year.

A feral cat is different from a stray cat. A stray cat is a pet cat that has been lost or abandoned. Feral cats are born in the wild and are unable to be

safely handled. Most of these cats are not adoptable in a shelter environment.

The Western PA Humane Society rents humane traps for $60 each per week. You will receive a $40 refund upon the return of the trap in good condition within seven days.

Those returning traps after seven days will receive a $10 per week reduction of the initial refund amount. Contact Shelley Rosenberg at 412-321-4625 X 216 or shelley@wpahumane.org

FEATURED ORGANIZATION H

er voice broke with a sob. “I can’t do it anymore,” she said. “The dogs deserve better than this.”

A desperate phone call from an overwhelmed dog owner. Thus began Save a Yorkie Rescue’s latest adventure.

happens. People lose jobs, divorce, move, deploy, die. Who takes the dogs left behind? We do.

Save A Yorkie Rescue, Inc.

Save A Yorkie Rescue, Inc. was incorporated in 2002. Since that date we have upheld our mission: to find Yorkies in need – from In one cramped hotel shelters, from owners room, eight Yorkies were who can no longer care By: Marilyn Faughner, Rescue Coordinator for them, the strays who stampeding busily http://www.saveayorkierescue.org around and under the get lost and, of course, 610-781-3025 bed. Four of the those who are so sick or Yorkies were just 7 weeks old – gold and black fluffy injured that there is no one else able to help them. We butts, fighting for a spot on their very young and take them in, fall in love and begin giving them the care harried mom. She could not escape their hungry they need. While there are approximately 60 people in attempts to nurse but she was worn out. This was her our rescue doing this work, we network with hundreds second litter. Hardly more than a pup herself, the of others to make sure that home visits and transports puppies’ mother was the result of unspayed and take place as needed. We are part of a finely honed unneutered dogs having been left alone for hours at team, a vast army of volunteers, invisible to the public, a time. Fortunately, there was someone to call when but strong and thriving across the country. their owner realized the dogs needed more than she could provide. Save A Yorkie Rescue, Inc. received the As an accredited breed rescue serving all of call – a plea for help, like so many others that come in Pennsylvania, NJ, DE, MD, VA, and western NY, we are every day - and we knew what to do. accountable to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, which demands that we keep accurate vet Why do people give up the dogs they love, and why records on every case. We report our income to the IRS would anyone give up a tiny and popular dog like a and thus account for all expenses. This all-volunteer Yorkie? It’s a question we are both amused by and organization is not an amateur operation. None of saddened to answer: Why? Simply because life our members receives a penny from the rescue for gas money, time or expenses. Any and all donations go to the Yorkies in our care.

Whatever the veterinarian advises is done and done well. In many cases, we pay thousands of dollars for one dog, to keep our promise - to help our rescues thrive. But while vet bills are a major issue there is one even more important: finding people who will allow one small dog to come into their home temporarily. That is a stickler.

We are always on the lookout for the most elusive and precious of entities – foster homes for our dogs. A dog lover willing to risk the chance of a broken heart to save one small dog is harder to find than diamonds and more cherished than rubies. Few people, even those who profess great love for dogs, will consider the idea of taking in a dog, caring for it and then allowing it to be adopted by another family. But, fortunately, we have been blessed with a few of these elite and exquisitely loving people. They are directly responsible for the lives of all of the dogs we’ve saved. Without them rescue does not exist. Although we receive hundreds of applications to adopt a Yorkie, almost none of the adopters will offer to foster a dog so that someone else will have a chance to adopt. Our endless search for foster homes limits us dreadfully. We cannot take the next dog without having a place for it to come into, so whiIe offers of money, dog food and toys are always appreciated, foster families are needed most. We will find a way to pay the bills, but without a foster home a dog may die needlessly. That reality is one of the greatest sorrows faced by rescuers everywhere.

Please help our rescue, and all other rescues. Consider fostering, even just once. We pay for medical care,

March/April 2015

grooming, beds, toys, and treats. The only cost to you is in love. Yes, your heart may break when your foster dog passes to someone else’s arms, but you will have the wonderful satisfaction of knowing that a dog was saved and will live a happy life because you cared. Your heart will mend and someone will experience the great joy of sharing life with a Yorkie.

Whatever became of the six “hotel guests” we were asked to help? All six traveled 7 hours to a foster home where a very experienced family cared for and loved them. They went to the vet immediately to get their puppy vaccinations, supplements for their meals and thorough checkups. Mom spent more and more time away from the weaning puppies - resting and eating, a luxury she never had before.

One month later, four of the puppies and their mom were adopted out to wonderful homes. The last puppy, Tuck, will be in his new home by the time you read this.

There was no lack of interest in the puppies. In fact, we received one very interesting application. The former owner applied to adopt her dogs back! We politely declined her offer.

And the cycle continues…

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MANON’S FARM Located in Washington PA

Catering to all your horse’s needs!

We offer:



Stall & Pasture Board



Full Care



Lessons

724-705-7912



Training

724-621-0260



Sales



Reasonable Rates!

Schedule an underground dog fence installation with us before June 1, 2015 and we will give you $100 off!

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©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March/April 2015

March/April 2015

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5

HOLISTIC CARE

macronutrient (protein, fat, carbohydrate) balance and its degree of heat-processing, all factor into your pet’s overall nutritional status.

Pet foods are held to minimal nutritional standards that are meant to prevent deficiencies, not provide optimal nutritional value. Even high-quality foods often fall short. Adding supplements ensures that our animal companions get everything they need to build healthy bodies.

Not all supplements are created equal. You cannot determine the quality of a product from the label and marketing materials. Recent studies have proved that many supplements do not live up to the claims on their labels. In this article I will mention supplements by name, not because these are the only good supplements available, but because I have seen for myself through years of prescribing them that they work. Other supplements may be great, but there is no way for me to test them all.

The Supplements Every Pet N Needs

The first supplement on my list is a balanced, By: Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CVC, CVCH whole-food multivitamin, utritional made by concentrating supplements can the nutrients from whole be very beneficial to our pets because foods rather than most pet foods are deficient in certain nutritional producing them synthetically. The factors. Conventional pet foods are especially devoid of result is a supplement that provides the full range of nutrients because the high-heat processing destroys vitamins and phytochemicals at doses found in whole most of the vitamins, enzymes, and phytochemicals foods. My product of choice is “Canine Whole Body foods naturally contain. The synthetic vitamin/mineral Support” for dogs or “Feline Whole Body Support” for mix that pet food manufacturers add back is a poor cats made by Standard Process. substitute for the nutrition found in whole foods.

Even raw pet foods can be missing nutrients. It is difficult to mimic Mother Nature. For example, the wild game eaten by the ancestors of our pets fed on grass that was high in omega-three fatty acids. The meat they provided was high in omega-threes. Most domestic food animals these days are grain fed, which results in meat with omega-six fatty acids. Pets benefit from a high omega-three to omega-six fatty acid ratio.

This cannot be accomplished by feeding most modern meats.

As important as supplements are, they are not a substitute for a wholesome diet. You simply cannot undo poor nutrition with supplements. The quality of the ingredients a diet contains, as well as its

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My second supplement is fish oil. Fish oil is high in omega-three fatty acids which are lacking in the vast majority of pet foods. The high omega-six fatty acids present in most pet foods promote inflammation.

On the other hand, omega-three fatty acids decrease inflammation. Foods lacking omega-three fatty acids promote skin allergies, arthritis, and cancer.

Supplementing fish oil in a pet’s diet can help to alleviate these issues. The omega-threes in fish oil also help promote brain development and health. My fish oil supplement of choice is “Canine Omega 3” for dogs and “Feline Omega 3” for cats from the company Ascenta.

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March/April 2015

in. The joint supplement I recommend is Vetri-Science’s “Glycoflex.”

My third recommendation is probiotics. Probiotics reinforce the good bacteria in the gut which help maintain intestinal health. Because three quarters of the immune system is located in the lining of the GI tract, probiotics actually help the immune system to function better, and because of the gut-brain connection, probiotics can even affect mood and behavior. My probiotics of choice is Answers Pet Food’s cultured, raw goat’s milk called “Additional.”

The fourth supplement I recommend is a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin. These two natural compounds help to promote healthy joints. Arthritis is a common, painful condition in both dogs and cats. Prevention of this terrible disease is paramount.

Glucosamine/chondroitin supplements can help the body maintain joint health even after arthritis has set

The fifth supplement from which every pet can benefit is digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes support the digestive process and replace some of the natural enzymes that are processed out of commercial pet foods.

Adding digestive enzyme to food can improve the absorption of omega-three fatty acids by 71%.

As pets age, their production of digestive enzymes diminishes, which is why some pets lose weight in their senior years. The digestive enzyme supplement I recommend is called “Prozyme.”

All pets can benefit from these supplements throughout their lives. It is best to be proactive and head off medical problems before they start by providing the best nutrition possible. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Dr. Doug

The Holistic Vet Sign up for Dr. Doug’s blog and get free weekly holistic pet health insights

Holistic and Conventional Care

Check it out today at http://drdougknueven.com and see what you’ve been missing!

Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9-8; Fri. 9-5; Sat. 9-3; Sun. Closed 357 State Avenue | Beaver, PA 15009

724-774-8047

beaveranimalclinic.com March/April 2015

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SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2015 8 AM to 1PM

“Not Your Ordinary” OPEN HOUSE & FREE WORKSHOP GARAGE SALE and BAKE SALE CLASS DEMONSTRATIONS Join us for our first every Garage and Bake Sale. We have over 100 members donating new and used items; dog, cat, equestrian, rabbit, rodents, aquarium and household objects to be sold at this event. And of course enjoy our baked goods while browsing and take home that special treat for your pet!

• • • • •

Free Door Prizes, including Free Class Vouchers Free Samples of dog & cat food from Healthy Pet Products Special Vendor booths; Tastefully Simple and Pet Odor Candles Free Class Demos The proceeds go to Keystone Canine Training Club which is a not for profit all volunteer organization in your community dedicated to training and education.

9:00 am to 10:00 am Rally/Obedience 10:30 am to 11:30 am Nose work 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm K9er’s Performing

KEYSTONE CANINE TRAINING CLUB • 5167 Brownsville Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236 • 412-833-2211

www.keystonecanine.com

Saw every doctor, every specialist, had every test…

No one could figure out what was wrong. No one could get results.

For over a year Arielle “walked” with all pressure on her front legs. A cat that used to jump straight up in the air several feet, could not even jump on the couch. Medicated for an unknown cause of an unknown condition, she was in constant pain and lethargic. The owners had “tried everything”.

Exploratory surgery was their next option. They were heartbroken, exhausted...until they met Dr. Savko.

In just two weeks Arielle “had several bursts of activity, she was more playful!” After about six weeks she is actually initiating play with her brother. “Much more active, more social” mom says, “with no setbacks!”

Well, Arielle sure does have a jammed up, sensitive lower back, (but not jammed enough to show up on MRI or radiographs). We are gradually releasing the spasms, and removing interference from the nerves so she can start to HEAL. Her body was stuck, literally, and figuratively in what Dr. Savko calls “response mode”. The body didn’t know what to do but spasm and inflame to try and “protect”. Unfortunately, that pinches the nerves more increasing pain, and decreasing function, inhibiting LIFE. After a few short weeks, we are now in “healing mode” where the body is producing natural muscle relaxers, anti inflammatories, and pain killers.

It is releasing and relaxing...Arielle is getting better! Arielle is living!

DC, CCSP, CVCP

Dr. Savko works with the following veterinary clinics: Meadowlands Veterinary Hospital, Washington, PA Suburban Animal Clinic, Butler, PA, Delmont Veterinary Hospital, Delmont, PA, Fox Run Equine Center, Apollo, PA

ears Over 1r3ieYnce Expe

You have not tried everything unless you have seen Dr. Savko!

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KITTY KORNER

Cat Rescue Resource Guide Low-cost Spay and Neuter Organizations and Programs

This is an ever-changing list of resources for cat owners in Pittsburgh and beyond, though many of the listings, like the shelters, apply to dogs and other pets as well. It includes low-cost spay and neuter programs as well as TNR for community cats, pet-friendly rentals in Pittsburgh and across the US, and links to shelters for adoption and other services. In the future we will also list clinic dates with the organizations below when they are available.

TNR And Low-Cost Spay/Neuter For The Pittsburgh Area Homeless Cat Management Team: www.homelesscat.org City of Pittsburgh Free Spay and Neuter for City Residents City of Pittsburgh free spay/neuter: www.pittsburghpa.gov/animalcontrol/spay_neuter.htm City of Pittsburgh residents can apply for free spay or neuter vouchers for up to five pets, including stray/feral cats.

Low-cost Spay/Neuter and TNR Programs at Allegheny and Surrounding County Shelters Animal Friends: www.thingkingoutsidethecage.org Animal Rescue League: www.animalrescue.org Beaver County Humane Society: www.beavercountyhumanesociety.org Washington Area Humane Society: www.washingtonpashelter.org - Colony Cat Project: faith.b2@verizon.net Western Pennsylvania Humane Society: www.wpahumane.org Low-cost Spay/Neuter Organizations in Allegheny and surrounding counties Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue, Allegheny & Westmoreland Counties: www.sites.google.com/site/frankiesfriendsnatronaheights Fluffyjean Fund for Felines, Allegheny and Washington Counties: www.fluffyjeanfund.weebly.com Fix Ur Cat, Washington County: www.fixurcat.org Catnip Acres, Greene County: www.catnip-acres.org Snip-it.org, Westmoreland/Indiana Counties, Alle-Kiski Valley (Leechburg): www.snip-it.org Low-cost Spay/Neuter and Veterinary Clinic Spay Neuter Clinic, Penn Hills, 412-244-1202: www.spayaz.com/pittsburgh-pa Find Local Low-cost Spay, Neuter and Veterinary Care on the Internet Low-cost Neuter and Spay (search by zip): http://neuterspay.org Love That Cat (online search): http://neuterspay.org Spay USA: http://neuterspay.org Pet-friendly Rentals In the Pittsburgh area, visit this list on the FosterCat website: www.fostercat.org/friendly.html Nationwide (United States only): www.rent.com/pet-friendly-apartments Shelters and Shelter Services ALLEGHENY COUNTY Animal Friends (AFI): www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org Animal Rescue League (ARL): www.animalrescue.org Western Pennsylvania Humane Society (WPHS): www.wpahumane.org SURROUNDING COUNTIES Beaver County Humane Society: www.beavercountyhumanesociety.org Butler County Humane Society: www.butlercountyhs.org Humane Society of Westmoreland County: http://members.petfinder.com/~PA83/about.html Washington Area Humane Society: www.washingtonpashelter.org Non-shelter Feline Adoption FosterCat: www.fostercat.org Kopy Kat Sanctuary, Westmoreland County (Delmont): www.kopykatsanctuary.org March/April 2015

www.pghpetconnections.com

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KITTY KORNER I

’ll bet most people don’t know that Cat Scratch have no observable symptoms of the disease. There is Fever is more than a song. Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) also a test called PCR, but this requires a special is real, and can affect cats, dogs and even people. For laboratory and is costly. As with a blood culture, a many years the disease in humans was associated with positive PCR result proves infection but does not prove contact with cats and kittens, but the actual cause was that the cat is ill from the Bartonella organisms. a mystery. It was not until 1992 that the flu-like fever, malaise and When a cat is lymph node showing clinical signs enlargement of illness from was associated Bartonella, it may have with a causative a fever, its gums may bacterial be red, inflamed and organism, infected, or it may have Rochalimaea uveitis, an By: John C. Hansell, VMD henselae, later inflammation of the Washington Animal Hospital, LLC renamed Bartonella henselae. inner layers of the eye.

Uveitis has been It’s estimated that of the 60 million pet cats in the commonly associated with Bartonella infection, but United States, at least 20% are infected with Bartonella, may also be the result of viral diseases such as feline mostly young cats, cats that go outdoors, and cats leukemia virus (FelV), feline immunodeficiency virus exposed to fleas. During grooming the organism is (FIV), feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), protozoal transferred from a cat’s claws or teeth into the skin, and diseases such as toxoplasmosis, and systemic fungal it can live in the bloodstream, lungs and gums. A bite disease. Uveitis can lead to blindness in cats, people or scratch from an infected cat transfers the organism and less commonly in dogs. to a new host. People diagnosed with Bartonellaassociated illness usually have a history of close To be safe, when you get a new cat, especially if the cat contact with cats, although not always. In those cases was feral or has fleas before coming to you, or there are the patients most likely have been exposed to fleas or people in your household who may be susceptible to flea feces in the environment. People with healthy the more serious outcomes of Bartonella exposure, you immune systems may contract classical Cat Scratch should request a Bartonella test on your cat’s first visit Fever, which usually resolves on its own without to your veterinarian. Likewise, if your cat is antibiotic therapy, but in immunocompromised showing clinical symptoms. individuals a Bartonella infection can be particularly dangerous, even fatal. What begins as a flu-like disease Your veterinarian may suspect Bartonella if: within two weeks of exposure can become pneumonia, affect the liver, kidneys and even the brain, especially in • If your cat’s symptoms can be associated with infants, the elderly, people with auto-immune Bartonella, especially if they keep coming back disorders, those undergoing chemotherapy, and others after treatment who have existing medical conditions that may have • Other possible causes of the cat’s illness can be weakened their immune systems. ruled out • The cat tests positive for Bartonella (either by What makes Bartonella so worrisome is that many cats blood tests, blood culture or PCR) can carry the Bartonella henselae bacteria without • The cat responds positively to drugs known to be showing any signs of illness. And, because it is possible effective against Bartonella. for a cat to be exposed to Bartonella, develop antibodies against it, and then eliminate the infection Bartonella infections are commonly treated with from its body, blood tests will still show a positive result. Azithromyacin. Flouroquinolones like Orbax and Some veterinarians prefer to use a blood culture, but Zeniquin, and doxycycline and rifampin are also this technically difficult diagnostic test can take weeks effective treatments. because the organism is a slow grower. Although a positive blood culture proves infection, the cat still may

Cat Scratch Fever

Not Just a Popular Song

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March/April 2015

Another reason the testing of apparently healthy cats for Bartonella may be useful is so that veterinary blood banks know the status of their donors, or breeders can know the status of their breeding stock. People with compromised health, or health issues in their families, may want to consider adopting only cats with negative test results as a precaution. Remember, though, that a cat may have a positive antibody test without being infected. It may only show that the cat was exposed to Bartonella, eliminated the infection and is partially immune. A positive test should not mark the cat as dangerous, and since Bartonella is so readily treatable, euthanasia should not be considered.

How can you keep your cat safe from Cat Scratch Disease? Because fleas are the most significant factor in the transmission of Bartonella, flea control is of the utmost importance. Keep your pet cats indoors, use veterinarian approved topical flea repellants year-round, and be cautious about adding stray or shelter cats to your household without testing.

To protect yourself and your family members from Bartonella-associated illnesses, in addition to flea control, only adopt healthy, flea-free cats and kittens.

Regularly trim your cat’s claws, and learn about cat body language so that you can recognize signs of agitation and avoid bites and scratches. If a scratch or bite does occur, wash the injury immediately and thoroughly, and contact a medical professional for advice.

VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY

March/April 2015

www.pghpetconnections.com

32

EQUINE AFFAIRS A

Barnyard Yoga for all riders

trained horse should move equally in both directions, tracking right and tracking left.

Riders spend hours to achieve this from side to side and longitudinally, or back to front, but how many of us actually take time to supple and balance our bodies so we can become better riders? We expect our horses to perform with precision on both sides, yet we can only brush our hair with one hand. While perhaps not ambidextrous, we need to be able to use our hands and legs equally in the saddle, and be actually “quadradextrous.” In order to better train our horses to be supple and balanced, we should take responsibility of our bodies first. As renowned trainer Alois Podhajsky so smartly stated in his book, The Complete Training of Horse and Rider, “riders must first have control over themselves before they could even consider to harness and train a horse!”

Barn Yard Yoga was created to integrate exercise and our love of horses, replacing the gym with the barn where we all want to be anyway. It presents exercises that can be done while walking to the pasture, sweeping the barn, feeding, watering and grooming a horse. Barn Yard Yoga lengthens and strengthens the areas of our bodies that we use for riding, including the neck and shoulders, pelvic girdle, hips, abdominal muscles, knees, ankles and feet.

The correct basic riding position enables the rider to communicate clearly with the horse. If the rider’s legs, seat or hands are out of alignment, the rider will be signaling the horse incorrectly (or out of tune). I always use the analogy of the horse being an instrument the rider is learning to play. If learning to play the clarinet you first would learn where to place your fingers on the instrument. It is the same with riding a horse, only you must learn to use your whole body, not just your fingers. The rider’s legs straddle the horse’s back, the torso and seat stay in balance, the ankle, hip, shoulder and ear stay

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By: Kristin Hermann

in vertical alignment, and the arms, elbows and hands communicate with the bit. Riding may look easy. Ha! Most sports require use of an inanimate object, such as a ball, golf club or tennis racket. I know of no sport other than riding where the participant straddles an animal with a mind of its own!

In order to ride in harmony with a horse, you cannot be stiff, lean to one side, grip with the legs, or grab the reins tightly. In order to ride harmoniously, the rider needs to establish a relaxed, balanced position and communicate to the horse in a clear manner. Barn Yard Yoga emphasizes working the major areas of the body used to communicate to the horse: the arms and shoulders, back, hips and legs. Here are a few simple exercises you can try.

Most riders hold a lot of tension in the head, neck and shoulder area. Use of a lead rope will help you rotate your shoulders and open up your chest. It is important to keep your elbows straight to achieve symmetrical stretching in the shoulders.

The wider apart your hands, the easier it will be to rotate your shoulders. Forward bends help to stretch the lower back.

You can use the same lead rope to stretch the quadriceps. Balance is also addressed in this exercise. Try standing on one leg with your toes pointed forward. If you find that too difficult, use a wall or a feed bin for support.

Never put yourself in a situation where you may tear a muscle or lose your balance. These exercises are meant to be simple stretches.

©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March/April 2015

My favorite Barn Yard Yoga exercise is putting my leg up on the stall door while watering horses. Watering can be boring, so a little exercise at each stall is how I came up with the idea! In this photo, you can see how flexible Anita is, but you can also see how this position stretches her leg and opens her hip.

A more subtle hip opening and back stretch is to bend over a hay bale, or a small pony if you really want to be creative! While you are enjoying a beautiful day at the barn, why not stretch out on a bale of hay and open up your back?

and I am sure you will come up with several of your own! Happy stretching.

The model for Barn Yard Yoga is Anita Prentiss Buzzy.

She is a professional photographer, avid equestrian and certified Pilates Instructor. She teaches Pilates at her studio in Squirrel Hill, and at Coventry Equestrian Center. She can be reached at pilatesanita@gmail.com.

Author Kristin Hermann, also an avid equestrian, professional equine trainer and instructor, owns Coventry Equestrian Center. She recently pursued Pilates to maintain her athleticism, and has been doing Barn Yard Yoga almost daily as she completes chores around the stable.

Contact Kristin at blythedale@comcast.net.

Barn Yard Yoga is for all riders. Keeping our bodies supple will keep us in the saddle longer and communicating to our horse more clearly. Enjoy these simple stretches

MANNING CHIROPRACTIC AND WELLNESS CENTER Dr. Astrid Manning, DC, CVCP

412•341•2505 www.drastridmanning.com

YOUR PET'S OTHER DOCTOR

■ ■ ■ ■

Complete Wellness Care Advanced Medical Care Dentistry & Surgery Experienced & Caring Staff

24/7

REGULAR HOURS: Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Sat: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Treating diseases such as: • Hip dysplasia-like symptoms • Urinary and digestive disorders • Wobblers and lameness disease • Endocrine disease 250 Mt Lebanon Blvd Suite 307 • Pittsburgh PA 15234 March/April 2015

24 HOUR EMERGENCY CARE

EMERGENCY HOURS: Mon-FRI: 8:00 PM - 8:00 AM Sat & Sun: 4:00 PM (Sat.) - 8:00 AM (Mon.)

Routine and Critical Care Doctors on premises 24 hours a day

VCA CASTLE SHANNON ANIMAL HOSPITAL

3610 Library Road • Pittsburgh, PA 15234

412-885-2500

VCAcastleshannon.com

www.pghpetconnections.com

34

Summer Day Camps

Grand Slam Grooming

Minutes From Rt. 19 Cranberry Twp.

Grooming Service & Dog Training available at:

168 Vanadium Rd. #A Bridgeville, PA 15017 (412) 221-5081 www.grandslamgrooming.com

DeAnne D. Orive

Please call for an appointment

I.P.G. International Certified Master Groomer Certified Obedience Trainer

Our horse themed day camps offer much more than just horseback riding.

Do-It-Yourself Dog Bathing No mess to clean!

Fun & economical!

1off

$

All Do-it-Yourself BATHS

With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior service.

Grooming Services

now available by appointment!

Near South Bark! 5843 Brownsville Road

412-714-4644 www.woodysdogbath.com

Unique games, educational, activities, adventure activities, crafts and much, much more add up to a ton of fun packed into 4 days!

Give them a summer camp experience to remember!

No experience necessary register now, camps fill quickly.

Boarding-Lessons-Sales

724-601-4706 visit our website at

rockinhorsestables.com

Rockin’ Horse Stables

The Rogan Rexford Animal Blood Bank

“Pets Giving Pets the Gift of Life”

Please volunteer your dog to be a “Blood Donor Hero” Dog Donor Eligibility • Between 1 and 7 years of age • Weight: 50 lbs. or more • Healthy with a gentle temperament • Current with vaccinations • Never had a blood transfusion

• Tested negative for blood-borne diseases (free testing by blood bank) • Must be on heartworm, flea and tick preventative • Not pregnant or currently nursing

Read more about The Rogan Rexford Blood Bank at: www.animalcarefund.org For questions, or to make an appointment call: 412-348-2588 or e-mail: AnimalBloodBank@pvs-ec.com

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©Pittsburgh PetConnections

March/April 2015

A Day of Fun for People & Pets

Benefitting the Western PA Humane Society

Saturday, May 16th 9:00am to 3:00pm An Explore Sewickley Event

Join us for some tail-wagging fun at the 6th Annual Sewickley Unleashed!

9:00am People-Only 5K Walk/Run 10:00am–3:00pm Vendor Booths Open 10:30am Pet Parade Starts

Visit www.SewickleyUnleashed.org for more information and registration.

Thank you to our sponsors:

IN REMEMBRANCE Your pet can be received from your home or veterinarian or your family may choose to bring your pet directly to my Bridgeville location.

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ŠPittsburgh PetConnections

March/April 2015

Donation Drive The Animal Rescue League Is partnering with Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania to host a donation drive fundraiser!

Animal Rescue League and Wildlife Shelter 6620 Hamilton Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Saturday, April 18th 10:00am - 2:00pm You can help the Animal Rescue League raise money by simply donating your gently used clothing, shoes, housewares, and more! They earn money for every pound of donated items!

Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center

The Most Comprehensive Multispecialty Referral & Emergency Veterinary Hospital in Western Pennsylvania

EMERGENCY PET CARE

Open 24 Hours a Day, 365 Days a Year. Veterinarians On-Site At All Times. Dogs, Cats, Birds, Reptiles, Small Mammals

ANESTHESIOLOGY

Dianna Ovbey, DVM, MS, Practice Ltd. to Anesthesiology

CARDIOLOGY

Eva Sikorska, DVM, DACVIM Erin Anderson, VMD, MSc, DACVIM

DENTISTRY

Krista Mendoza, DVM, DAVDC

DERMATOLOGY

Sandra Sargent, DVM, DACVD Bill Oldenhoff, DVM, Practice Limited to Dermatology

EMERGENCY & CRITICAL CARE

Kenton D, Rexford, VMD Christine Guenther, DVM, DACVECC Christine Rutter, DVM, DACVECC Sarah J. Deitschel, DVM, DACVECC Amy Dickinson, DVM, DACVECC Kara Osterbur, DVM, DACVECC Rebecca A Miller, DVM Joey Kallem, DVM Elissa Allen, VMD Robin M. Dutra, DVM Lindsey Rademacher, DVM Kristen Krisulevicz, DVM Richard Skalos, DVM Carol Park, BVSc Tricia Tovar, DVM, Resident in EM & Critical Care Jennifer Daly, DVM, Resident in EM & Critical Care

MRI & CT IMAGING

PetsDx Veterinary Imaging - www.petsdx.com Gerald Frye, VMD

INTERNAL MEDICINE

Sherwood Johnson, DVM, DACVIM Tracey Peterson, DVM, DACVIM Emily Klosterman, DVM, MS, DACVIM

NEUROLOGY

Edward MacKillop, DVM, DACVIM Kendra Mikoloski, DVM, DACVIM

ONCOLOGY

Rebecca Newman, DVM, MS, DACVIM Todd M. Erfourth, DVM, DACVIM Bridget Urie, DVM, MS, DACVIM

OPHTHALMOLOGY

Lawrence Bagley, DVM, DACVO Rachel Keller, DVM, DACVO Michael Finn, DVM, MS, DACVO

RADIATION ONCOLOGY

Christine Anderson, DVM, MS, DACVIM, DACVR

RADIOLOGY

Christopher Warrington, DVM, DACVR

SURGERY

Anthony D. Pardo, MS, DVM, DACVS John T. Payne, DVM, MS, DACVS Julie L. Compton, DVM, MS, DACVS Jonathon Anderson, DVM, DACVS Michael Doornink, DVM, DACVS Hope Chisnell, DVM, Practice Limited to Surgery Kathryn Campbell, DVM, Resident in Surgery Jeffrey Christ, DVM, Resident in Surgery

807 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 412.366.3400 www.pvs-ec.com