Pet Care Blog - Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital

Discontinuing Exotic Pet Services

1/3/2019

An important message from your pet providers at Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital:

Dr. Brandi Cox has taken a position as a relief veterinarian to offer care throughout the Pittsburgh region. Unfortunately, this means that we will no longer be providing services for exotic pets.

Effective immediately, we will only be accepting canine and feline patients.

As a relief veterinarian, Dr. Cox will not be associated with a permanent location; she will fill in as a temporary caregiver when regular doctors are unable to be in their respective clinics. **Please understand that we are not able to provide you with Dr. Cox's personal cell phone number.**

It is important to us that you have access to continued veterinary care for your pets.
We have compiled a list of exotic practices around the area for your convenience (see reference list below). We've also marked them on a map for time/distance and custom directions to each location from your home: https://goo.gl/maps/cAcbVZkQZLB2

Please let us know your chosen practice and we will forward your pet’s medical records.
This information allows your new veterinarian to review subtle changes in weight, vital signs, lab results, physical exam findings, and more. Having a complete history is useful when assessing future medical concerns.

Thank you for entrusting us with your pet’s health over the past several years. It has been a wonderful opportunity to have grown to know and love your unusual pets. We appreciate your understanding and wish you and family health and happiness!

Exotic Vets near Pittsburgh

Click here to view custom Google map.

West Liberty Animal Hospital
(Dr. Dorn)
412-341-3383
3055 W. Liberty Ave
Pittsburgh PA 15216

Good Shepherd Veterinary Hospital
724-776-PETS
101 Fox Trot Dr
Mars PA 16046

All Pet Animal Hospital
(Dr. Bennett)
724-444-6600
5354 William Flynn Hwy
Gibsonia PA 15044

AVETS
412-373-4200
4224 Northern Pike
Monroeville PA 15146

Northview Animal Hospital
(Jennilee Morrison DVM DAVP – Avian, Dr. Pleban Oberst, & Dr. Zetwo)
412-364-5353
223 Siebert Rd
Pittsburgh PA 15237

MedVet
(Dr. Wells & Dr. Runcy)
724-717-2273
2810 Washington Rd
McMurray PA 15317

Animal General
724-776-7930
20411 Perry Hwy
Unit 10
Cranberry Twp PA 16066

Winter Hours in Effect

11/1/2018

PA Rabies Law: What you NEED to know

10/8/2018

Rabies: It threatens all mammals, including humans. This deadly virus is most commonly transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, often via bite or scratch wounds.

The bad news: Rabies is 100% fatal.
The good news: Rabies is 100% preventable.

Protecting pets and people is the top priority here, and that's why vaccination is required by PA State Law. Recent amendments to the law may affect you as a pet owner, so we're sharing some key points:

Guest Post: Welcoming a New Pet into Your Home

9/13/2018

Photo Courtesy of Unsplash

It’s an exciting moment when you decide to welcome a new pet into your home. In no time, you won’t be able to imagine life without them.

But before you can bring anyone home, there are several steps you need take first.

Recognizing Heat Stroke in Dogs

6/28/2018

Summer is in full swing, with a steady stream of 90+ degree days in the forecast all around Pittsburgh. As the temperatures rise, keep a close eye on your dog - heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke and put your best friend's life at risk!

The best defense against overheating is an educated pet owner, so we're here to teach you the signs to look for and first aid steps to take in a heat emergency (on your way to the vet).

Guest Post: Is Your Dog a Bad Neighbor?

2/28/2018

Image Credit: Unsplash

You keep your lawn manicured, faithfully observe quiet hours, and never leave the trash can at the curb longer than necessary. But is your dog thwarting your attempts at being a great neighbor? Whether you realize it or not, your dog’s behavior could be souring your neighbors’ opinions of your household. As both a pet owner and homeowner, it’s up to you to ensure your dog stays in everyone’s good graces!

Can I Give My Dog the Flu?!

1/22/2018

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

"Can I give my dog the flu?"

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

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

Battling Internet Rumors: Swiffer WetJet

1/15/2018

Swiffer Liver Failure

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

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

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

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

Never Forget to Renew Your Dog License Again!

1/2/2018

It's January, and dog license renewals are due. With all the holiday hustle bustle, it's easy to forget to write and mail that check, isn't it? What if we told you there's a way to never have to remember to renew your dog's license again?

Pennsylvania State Law requires all dogs over 12 weeks of age to be licensed (they do routine door-to-door visits to check compliance, too - violators are fined $300 per unlicensed dog). A standard license is renewed annually, and is valid from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. However, microchipped dogs are eligible for a Lifetime Dog License - pay once, and never worry about it again!

Don't serve Pancreatitis for Thanksgiving Dinner!

11/6/2017

Image Source: Canna-Pet

Thanksgiving is a time of joy; families gather together and feast on turkey, ham, stuffing, potatoes, and pie...YUM!

No matter how hard it is, don't give in to those sad puppy eyes at the edge of the table. The day after Thanksgiving is often known in the veterinary world as "Pancreatitis Friday" - a day full of dogs that can't stop vomiting, and come in hunched over with extremely painful abdomens!

Photo used under Creative Commons from andreboeni