As we approach Independence Day, it's crucial to prioritize the safety and well-being of our furry companions during the festivities. The Fourth of July brings excitement, but it can also pose potential hazards to our pets. In this blog post, we'll provide simple and actionable tips to ensure a safe and stress-free holiday for your beloved pets.

1. Create a Safe Retreat:
Fireworks can be frightening for pets due to the loud noises and bright lights. Set up a cozy and secure space within your home where your pet can seek refuge during the fireworks display. Prepare a quiet room with some background noise, like soft music or the television, and ensure that it is escape-proof, with no open windows or doors. This will provide your pet with a comfortable retreat to help minimize anxiety.

2. Keep Pets Indoors:
During Independence Day celebrations, it's best to keep your pets indoors, even during daytime activities. The sudden bursts of fireworks or noise from firecrackers can startle animals and cause them to become disoriented or run away. By keeping them inside, you reduce the risk of your pet getting lost or injured. Ensure all windows and doors are securely closed to prevent accidental escapes.

3. Identification and Microchipping:
Accidents can happen, no matter how careful we are. Make sure your pet has proper identification tags securely attached to their collar with up-to-date contact information. Additionally, consider microchipping your pet for a permanent form of identification. Microchips greatly increase the chances of a lost pet being reunited with their family. Contact us for more information on microchipping and to verify that your pet's information is current.

4. Avoid Hazards from Human Food:
During holiday gatherings, resist the temptation to share your favorite treats with your pets. Some common human foods can be toxic to animals. Steer clear of feeding your pets chocolate, alcohol, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, or any foods containing artificial sweeteners like xylitol. These substances can be harmful and potentially life-threatening. Instead, provide safe and pet-friendly treats or contact us for suitable options.

5. Firework Safety:
If you plan to set off fireworks at home, always prioritize the safety of your pets. Ensure they are safely indoors, away from the launching area. The loud noises and bright lights can cause extreme anxiety and stress in pets. Consider alternative options like visual displays or silent fireworks to minimize the impact on your furry companions. Contact us for more information on pet-friendly firework alternatives.

6. Calming Techniques:
If your pet experiences anxiety or fear during fireworks, there are calming techniques you can try. Contact us for more information on natural remedies such as anxiety wraps or pheromone diffusers that can provide a sense of security. Additionally, create a soothing environment with dimmed lights, comfortable bedding, and familiar toys to help your pet feel more at ease.

As you prepare to celebrate Independence Day, remember to keep your pets safe and secure. By following these simple tips, you can ensure a stress-free and enjoyable holiday for your furry friends. Contact us for more information about pet safety during this festive time. Let's make this Fourth of July a wonderful and pet-friendly celebration while safeguarding our beloved companions. Have a safe and joyful Independence Day!

As spring brings warmer weather and blooming flowers, many of us also experience the woes of allergy season. Over-the-counter medications can help alleviate our symptoms, but it's important to be aware of potential toxins that could harm our furry friends!
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• Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are decongestants found in many allergy medications and can cause hyperactivity, increased heart rate, and even tremors and seizures in pets.
• Decongestant nasal sprays and redness relief eye drops containing oxymetazoline, xylometazoline, tetrahydrozoline, or naphazoline can also cause vomiting, weakness, panting, and significant changes in heart rate and blood pressure, even in small amounts.
• Cough drops with xylitol, a sugar alcohol, can cause gastrointestinal upset, low blood sugar, and liver damage in dogs.

While some over-the-counter allergy medications like cetirizine or diphenhydramine may be safe for pets, always follow your veterinarian's instructions and check the label for any additional active or inactive ingredients that may be harmful.

If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxin, contact your veterinarian immediately or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's 24-hour hotline at 888-426-4435.

As veterinarians, we understand the importance of spending quality time with your furry friends, especially during the spring season when the weather is perfect for outdoor activities. However, as much as we love to have fun with our pets, it's crucial to keep them safe while enjoying the outdoors. Here are some Springtime tips for safely enjoying the outdoors with your dog.

1. Schedule a Spring Checkup: Before you embark on any outdoor activities, ensure your dog is in good health. Spring is a perfect time for a comprehensive veterinary checkup, especially if your pet hasn't had one in a while. During the checkup, we will perform a physical examination, update vaccinations, and check for any underlying health issues that may impact your pet's outdoor experience.
2. Keep Parasites at Bay: As the weather warms up, fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes become more active, increasing the risk of parasitic infestations in your pet. Be sure to use veterinarian-approved preventive treatments to protect your pet from these parasites, and buy them from a trusted source to ensure that you're getting genuine products (like our online pharmacy!).
3. Keep Your Pet Hydrated: Dehydration can be life-threatening for pets, especially during outdoor activities. Always carry enough water for your pet and offer water breaks regularly to keep them hydrated. Clipping a collapsible fabric or silicone travel water bowl to your leash is really helpful, too!
4. Watch Out for Allergies: Spring allergies are not just limited to humans, pets can also develop allergies to pollen, grass, and other environmental allergens. Symptoms of allergies in pets include itching, skin irritation, and respiratory issues. Schedule an appointment with us if you suspect your pet has allergies.
5. Be Mindful of Poisonous Plants: Springtime means new growth, and some plants may be toxic to pets if ingested. Keep your pet away from lilies, azaleas, daffodils, and other plants that can be harmful. If you suspect your pet has ingested a poisonous plant, contact animal poison control immediately.
6. Keep Your Pet on a Leash: While it's tempting to let your dog roam free in the park, it's essential to keep them on a leash for their safety. This helps to prevent accidents, fights with other animals, and encounters with wild animals.
7. Check for Ticks After Outdoor Activities: Ticks are prevalent in wooded areas and can cause Lyme disease and other illnesses. Check your pet thoroughly for ticks after any outdoor activities and remove them immediately if you find any.
   
   

Location-specific Tips for Western Pennsylvania

1. Beware of Snakes: Western PA is home to copperhead snakes. When hiking or walking with your dog, stay on designated trails and keep him or her on a leash. Avoid areas with tall grass or brush, which can be ideal hiding spots for snakes. Additionally, keeping your yard clear of debris and clutter can discourage snakes from taking up residence near your home. If you suspect that your pet has been bitten by a snake, seek veterinary care immediately.
2. Avoid Blue-green Algae: During the warm months, blue-green algae can bloom in stagnant water sources such as ponds and lakes. This algae can be toxic to pets if ingested, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and even death. Keep your pet away from these water sources.
3. Protect Your Pet from Heatstroke: Summers in Pittsburgh can be hot and humid, increasing the risk of heatstroke in pets. Avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day and provide plenty of water and shade for your pet.
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Spring is a wonderful time to enjoy the great outdoors with your canine companion, but it's important to keep them safe while doing so. By following these tips, you and your furry friend can enjoy a fun and safe Spring season. If you have any concerns about your dog's health or wellbeing, don't hesitate to contact us - we're here to help! So grab your leash, a bottle of water, and let's hit the trails for some tail-wagging adventures!

Veterinary medicine has advanced leaps and bounds over the past few decades. Laser therapy is one of the most recent additions, allowing us another method to safely treat a wide range of conditions in dogs and cats.

We use our Companion Therapy Laser every day to enhance healing for surgical patients, decrease pain and inflammation from infections and injuries, and improve mobility for arthritic pets.

Many clients ask about how laser therapy works, and how it affects their pets. Here are answers to our most common questions:

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

The article claims to reveal information linking the use of the Seresto flea and tick collar with illness (specifically seizures) and death of pets. This article appears to be a sensationalized misrepresentation of the data collected by the EPA. Here’s the trouble: these data are simply collections of spontaneous reports made to the agency directly by consumers. The purpose of such reporting sites is to create a place for people to raise concerns. Public health agencies collect and monitor these spontaneous reports for trends that suggest a problem that merits investigation. If a pattern is seen that suggests there might be a safety issue, the agency can investigate to determine if there is a real concern or not.  Investigations have not been done to show the reports in this article are accurate or that there are legitimate connections between the product and the events described.

To illustrate why this raw data is not reliable on its own, consider that the same issue has arisen numerous times over many years with regard to vaccines and the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), managed by the CDC and the FDA. VAERS collects unsubstantiated anecdotal reports about possible harm from vaccines. Despite the overwhelming evidence for the safety of vaccination and most vaccines in common use, these reports are frequently cited by anti-vaccine activists in an attempt to “prove” that vaccines are causing tremendous harm. One doctor actually submitted a report that a vaccine caused him to turn into the Incredible Hulk, and this report would still be in the VAERS database if he had not allowed the government to delete it - his point was to show that any claim can become part of the database, no matter how outrageous or improbable.

The USA Today article conflates a different pesticide with a high level of toxicity (a crop insecticide for agricultural applications) with the well-studied chemicals that are used in the brand name Seresto collar, which have decades of safe use in dogs and cats. Peer-reviewed, published studies provide scientific data proving the safety and efficacy of these ingredients used in combination in the Seresto collar; here is a 2012 study done in Europe (with higher regulatory standards than the US) and a 2015 international study that tested the collar alone and when used concurrently with other common antiparasitic treatments.

One critical issue that this article fails to address is the prevalence of knockoff or lookalike products. Unfortunately, if a veterinary product is successful, greedy companies try to capture some of the market by producing products that appear similar but contain different ingredients, or a different proportion of ingredients. It is not unusual for counterfeit replicas of a brand-name product to be produced in foreign countries and sold online posing as the original product. These knockoffs are convincing but have not passed the regulatory testing required of properly approved products to confirm safety and efficacy. Well-meaning consumers that have inadvertently purchased these products online or in retail stores may observe adverse effects in their pet and submit a report vilifying the brand-name product, even though that is not what caused the side effects.

Know that we have full confidence in the Seresto collars sold in our hospital, as we purchase directly from the manufacturer and can guarantee the legitimacy of our stock. Our doctors and staff have been using this product consistently on their own pets since Seresto first entered the market in 2012 and will continue to do so for convenient, safe and effective flea and tick control that we trust. We have seen a small percentage of dogs and cats with localized reactions (skin irritation/hair loss around the area of the collar), in which cases we have immediately addressed any issues and developed a new prevention program using an approved alternative product.

We have always recommended that clients choose a preventative program that best fits their pet, lifestyle and comfort level. Your pet's safety and health remains our priority and if any legitimate concern were to arise involving any products or medications provided to your pet, we would reach out to you immediately with information and a recommended course of action.

Thank you for your continued trust in our care,
Your pet's health team at Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital

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