Steel Veterinary Services

28/08/2024

Today we have the chance to honor our pets that have passed and celebrate the lives that they lived. Forever loved and missed! 🐾

27/08/2024

🐾Our Pet of the week is : Catniss. 🐾

Catniss is here to inform you about FIP - Feline Infectious Peritonitis.

Feline infectious peritonitis (often called FIP) is a severe, usually fatal disease caused by a feline coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that chiefly cause respiratory infections. The disease is seen worldwide. Although a large number of cats may be infected with the feline coronavirus, only a few develop the severe form of the disease. It is unknown why only certain cats are affected, but it is thought that a mutation within the virus and an inappropriate immune response by the individual cat may be responsible. Cats of all ages and either s*x can develop feline infectious peritonitis, but the disease is most frequent in cats 6 months to 2 years old. Although the disease can occur in any breed, purebred cats (including Persian, Abyssinian, Bengal, Birman, Himalayan, Ragdoll, and Rex breeds) are most likely to be affected. Kittens raised in infected colonies may contract the virus from their mothers or from carriers (infected cats with no obvious signs of disease) when their maternal immunity decreases at 5 to 6 weeks of age.

Most infections probably result from ingestion of the virus. Transmission by inhalation is also possible. Because cats shed particles of the virus in f***s, litter box exposure is the most important source of infection. The virus can also be transmitted through saliva, by mutual grooming, sharing the same food bowl, sneezing, and through close contact. Cats living in multiple-cat households are at greater risk of the disease. It has been suggested that this disease can move across the placenta from mother to developing kitten; however, the frequency with which this occurs is unknown.

Most common symptoms are:
Progressive distention of the abdomen due to fluid buildup.
Lung involvement and difficulty breathing.
Fever lasting 2 to 5 weeks.
Loss of appetite.
Weight loss.
Depression.

Call us today at 724-206-9944 for an appointment!😽

24/08/2024

🐾Samson was a wonderful patient for 14 1/2 years! First time we saw him was May 2010! He was a puppy rescued from a shelter!❤

He will be forever remembered, missed and cherished!🐾

Thank you to so much Laura and Mike for the nice treats and the beautiful and kind card note!
Lots of Love to you both!

Steel Vet Team! ❤❤❤

20/08/2024

🐾 Our Pet of the Week is: SADIE! 🐾

Sadie want to let you know that August is also: Itch Pet Awareness Month!

Signs of Allergic Itch:
Frequent scratching, licking, biting or chewing.
Excessive rolling, rubbing or scooting.
Recurrent ear problems.
Hair loss, body odor and skin changes.

REASONS WHY YOUR DOG MIGHT BE ITCHY

Allergic Dermatitis (or skin allergies)
Describes the signs of several skin diseases that are often caused by allergies in dogs
Flea Allergy
An allergic reaction to flea bites that cause inflamed and itchy skin, hair loss, and scabs on the dog’s skin
The hind end, tail base, and thighs are most commonly affected but lesions (skin changes) can develop anywhere on the body
Food Allergy
Occurs when a dog’s body is allergic (or overly reactive or sensitive) to something in its diet
Itching often involves the face, armpits, belly, and feet
Skin infections as well as irritation and infection of the ears are common
Dogs may have gas, increased bowel movements, or loose stools
Environmental Allergy (atopic dermatitis)
In humans, eczema is a commonly used term for itchy, red, and inflamed skin
Occurs when a dog's body is allergic (or overly reactive or sensitive) to pollens, dust mites, or mold spores
Affected dogs often have itching, redness, and hair loss of the face, undersides, and feet
Skin and ear infections occur frequently and ear rubbing or head shaking are common
Contact Allergy
An allergic reaction to something that touches your dog’s skin
Possible contact allergens include: household cleaners, shampoos, plants, and insecticides

Other Skin Problems
Bacterial Infections
Can occur when a dog’s skin is inflamed and irritated due to scratching from allergic skin disease, or if their immune system is compromised
Bacteria can multiply, leading to infection
Signs include skin redness, crusts, scabs, rash, and pimples
Yeast Infections
A type of fungal infection often seen in dogs with allergic skin disease
Affects folded areas of the skin, such as face and lip folds, ears, under the neck, between the toes on paws, and under the tail
Skin is often greasy, red, thickened, and has an odor
Hot Spots
Focal areas of intense irritation that lead to redness and oozing
Can appear very quickly and cause discomfort

If your furry friend is having any of these symptoms, give us a call at 724-206-9944 and schedule an appointment today! We can help!🐶

14/08/2024

🐾Visit our Online Pharmacy and check out the products from Zoetis promotion starting tomorrow: www.steelvet.com 🐾

11/08/2024

🐾Our Pet of the week is: WAFFLE!🐾

Waffle wants to remind you how important it is to vaccinate your Pet friends against RABIES.

The rabies vaccine is the best, most effective way we can safeguard our pets from contracting rabies. It will protect your pup, other animals, and your family from a fatal outcome. It is legally required that your dog and cat get their rabies vaccination and booster shots.

Rabies is a potentially fatal zoonotic disease. If an unvaccinated (or overdue for vaccination) dog or cat is exposed to a rabid animal or bites a human, the animal may be subjected to extended quarantine periods and, in some cases, euthanasia.

Please make sure to keep your pets up to date on Rabies!
Call us at 724-206-9944 we can help!😼🐶

10/08/2024

On behalf of the entire staff, I want to thank Mrs. Binkert for the delicious treat and the nice card, a million thanks! That made the whole staff happy! ❤️❤️❤️

08/08/2024

We want to say a big Thank you to Debra Borda from Pet Search that brought us these delicious Bundt cakes this afternoon. We had a busy and overwhelming afternoon and this treat was such a nice gesture. ❤️

The picture is from their website, the cakes were gone too fast, I did not have the time to get a picture 😂😂😂

Thank you Pet Search!!!!

07/08/2024

🐾 August is National Immunization Awareness Month! 🐾

Vaccinations are crucial for preventing diseases in pets, and they play a key role in your furry friend's preventative health plan. Whether core vaccines or lifestyle-specific ones, ensure your pet is protected. Consult with your veterinarian about which vaccinations are essential for your pet's health this year. Stay proactive and keep those tails wagging healthily!

Our model: Luna

Call us today at 724-206-9944 to get your pets up to date on vaccines.

05/08/2024

🐾Our Pet of the week is: Oscar!🐾

Oscar is here to remind you that annual exams or vet checkups for your dog or cat allow your veterinarian to monitor your pet's health, check for early signs of disease, and provide preventive treatments to help protect your pet against potentially life-threatening conditions.

Check out this article from our friends at Zoetis: https://www.zoetispetcare.com/blog/article/regular-veterinary-check-ups

🐶Call us today at 724-206-9944 and make a check up appointment for your furry friend!😼

29/07/2024

🐾Our Pet of the week is: Bailey! 🐾

Bailey wants to let you know how important it is to feed a proper diet to your pets.

Top tips for dog diets:

Feed a commercial diet that is certified as providing complete and balanced nutrition for your dog’s life stage, or work with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to plan a home-prepared diet that matches your dog’s needs.

Be conservative with treats. If you love giving your dog lots of little tidbits throughout the day, use low-calorie, low-fat snacks such as carrots or snap peas, or set aside part of their daily meals for treats.

Make all diet changes gradually, and consider giving a probiotic during this transition period.
Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian if your dog has chronic diarrhea or stomach upset to determine if there are other underlying causes.

Call us today for an appointment at 724-206-9944.

25/07/2024

Just a reminder that we will be open tomorrow Thursday 07/25 from 8:00-5:00pm, and closed this Friday 07/26 and Saturday 07/27.

24/07/2024

Please help! 🐶

July 21-27 is mega esophagus awareness week.

The week aims to raise awareness of canine megaesophagus, a condition that causes a dog's esophagus to weaken and enlarge, making it difficult for food to move into the stomach. This can lead to food getting stuck in the esophagus, which can cause vomiting, regurgitation, bad breath, and gurgling sounds when swallowing.

While some cases of megaesophagus can be reversed, most are permanent and require lifelong care. Dogs with megaesophagus may need to be fed small, highly digestible meals 3–4 times a day, and the consistency of their food may need to be changed to reduce regurgitation.

This is Velvet, he was diagnosed in February with Mega esophagus. The Veterinarian at Ohio state feels his condition is genetic and unfortunately he will not “outgrow it”. Velvet can only eat canned pate food in elevated dishes. He would love it if you could donate some cans of food( no sweet potatoes please, he’s not a fan). Below are the links to our Amazon and Chewy Wishlist but any canned pate food is appreciated.

Our chewy wishlist link is:
https://www.chewy.com/g/pet-search_b95025596 -list&wishlistsortby=DEFAULT

Our Amazon wishlist link is:
http://tinyurl.com/pet-search-wishlist

Velvet thanks you for your support

22/07/2024

Our Schedule this week: M and W: 9:00-6:00pm
T and T: 8:00-5:00pm
Closed on Friday and Saturday.

22/07/2024

🐾Our pet of the week is: Buddy!🐾

Buddy wants to remind you that dental health is an important part of a pet's overall health. A pet's teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by a veterinarian.

Don't turn your nose to your pet's bad breath! That odor might signify a serious health risk. Dental health is a critical part of your pet’s overall health, and dental problems can cause, or be caused by, other health problems.

🐶Call us today to schedule your consultation at 724-206-9944 and don't forget, our dentals starts at $185.00.🐶

15/07/2024

Marshmallow 🐶❤️🐶

Marshmallow was left in a box at the entrance of a campground.He is a 4 month old mix breed who will be medium sized full grown. We believe they are beagle/lab/retriever mix. He is your typical playful pups who is dog and cat friendly.
Applications can he found at https://www.shelterluv.com/matchme/adopt/PAPS/DogPA KL #03301
Washington Pa 15301

14/07/2024

🐾Our Pet of the week is: Wesley!🐾

Wesley wants to let you know that this summer the ticks are going crazy in our back yards. So, please make sure to protect your pets with a flea and tick preventative! We suggest Credelio.

Credelio® (lotilaner) kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis) and the treatment and control of tick infestations [Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick), Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick), Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick)] for one month in dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older and weighing 4.4 pounds or greater.

For our Cat friends, we suggest Bravecto or Bravecto Plus.

Get your Pets protected today! Call us at 724-206-9944.

10/07/2024

🐾Meet Kevin! 🐾

10/07/2024

It is time....
To get your feline Spayed or Neutered! 😻😺😽

Call us today at 724-206-9944 for an appointment! We are a full services veterinary clinic located in Washington PA.

Cat Spay: $96.50 (Includes: Oral Antibiotic, Injectable Pain Medication and Rabies Vaccine).

Cat Neuter: $76.50 (Includes: Oral Antibiotic, Injectable Pain Medication and Rabies Vaccine).

05/07/2024

❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️

04/07/2024

Pet Safety tips from our friends at Oklahoma State University Vet Med.

Keep your pets safe and secure during 4th of July celebrations. By taking these simple precautions, you can help your pets stay calm and comfortable during the festivities! 🎇

03/07/2024

🐾If you need to contact us for a last minute appointment, please call 724-206-9944. We will be open tomorrow July 03rd from 9:00am - 6:00pm. Closed on Thursday and back at the office Friday July 05th at 9:00am. 🐾

🐾🇺🇸Keep your Pets safe and Happy Independence Day!🐾🇺🇸

02/07/2024

😿

His name is now Atticus…
We received a phone call last night regarding a sick stray kitten. People were attempting to treat him, but realized he needed a vet. He arrived around 7:30pm full of ticks and maggots. Very pale gums and extremely lethargic.
Mandy, our wonderful foster mom, who is a vet tech, took him home last evening and picked hundreds of ticks off his frail body, gave him fluids and treated him for fleas. He spent the day at Steel Vet getting antibiotics. Part of his tail fell off due to maggots and infection. We haven’t seen a lot of improvement but he is a fighter.
If not better by tomorrow, we will not let him suffer.
We do this because “his life matters”💔

01/07/2024

🐾Our Pets of the week are : Ducati and Sprocket🐾

These adorable babies want to help us pass along the information you about Coccidia in dogs.

Coccidia in dogs

Coccidia is a common microscopic protozoan parasite of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Healthy adult dogs rarely develop diarrhea from coccidia, but puppies are commonly affected. Coccidia infections are caused by contact with contaminated f***s, directly or in the environment, or ingesting prey animals. Dogs with clinical signs are treated with a prescription medication. Prompt removal of f***s and frequent cleaning are the best strategies for prevention.

Cause

Coccidiosis is an infection in the GI tract caused by Cystoisospora spp. (previously known as Isospora). Dogs get infected with coccidia after ingesting a coccidia egg (oocyst) in a contaminated environment or direct contact with contaminated f***s. An oocyst only becomes infective to dogs after it matures (sporulates) in the environment, which happens within a few hours after a dog defecates unsporulated oocysts in its stool. Dogs can also get infected with coccidia by ingesting prey, such as mice.

Coccidia can infect various species, but one species cannot infect another, meaning cats or dogs cannot infect one another. Humans cannot get Cystoisospora spp. from dogs.

Clinical signs

Many dogs do not develop signs of illness. Puppies are much more likely to develop signs of disease, which can be severe, leading to dehydration and, in rare cases, death.

Diarrhea
Bloody or mucoid stool
Lethargy
Weight loss
Inappetence
Vomiting
Dehydration
Diagnosis

Coccidia is diagnosed by testing a f***l sample to observe coccidia oocysts. In some cases, dogs may not yet be shedding oocysts in their stool early in the course of illness, even after clinical signs have started, and may need repeat testing. Additional diagnostics, such as blood work, may be required in cases of severe illness.

Other species of coccidia, such as Eimeria spp., may be noted on a dog’s f***l test, but since dogs are not host to this species, it does not cause infection in dogs. This is often from predation or eating another animal's f***s (coprophagia), such as rabbits, rodents, or ruminants.

Treatment

Many cases of coccidia in adult dogs are asymptomatic and self-limiting, meaning they do not require treatment.

Treatment for those with clinical signs of illness requires a specific medication outside the common deworming medication often prescribed for initial puppy visits. Sulfadimethoxine (Albon) is the only FDA-approved medication for coccidia in the United States. A few other medications, such as ponazuril, are often used off-label to treat coccidia with success. Coinfections with other parasites are common and may require additional medications.

Additional treatments for dogs with more severe illnesses could include fluid therapy, medications to protect the GI tract and prevent nausea, or bland diets to support the GI tract.

Because reinfection can easily occur from environmental contamination, patients should be bathed after their last treatment and the environment disinfected to minimize the risk.

Outcome

Most dogs with clinical signs of coccidiosis respond well to treatment. Reinfection may be common without proper environmental management.

Puppies that experience severe illness from coccidia may have more chance of serious complications and, in rare cases, even death.

Prevention

Coccidia can be difficult to remove from the environment completely. Once oocysts sporulate into their infective stage, they are more resistant to disinfectants. Prompt disposal of f***s is critical for prevention because the oocysts sporulate within hours after defecation. Any debris left behind must be removed or scrubbed with a degreasing cleaner.

Oocysts are hardy in the environment and can survive for several months in the right conditions, and can even survive freezing. Oocysts cannot sporulate at high heat temperatures >113 F, and steam cleaning can be used to clean contaminated surfaces.

Preventing your dog from eating prey animals can also help avoid infection.

🐶Call us today if you dog is experiencing any of the symptoms described above! 724-206-9944 🐶

27/06/2024

🐾Do you know about Kennel Cough? The Bordatella vaccine helps protect your pet against some of the kennel cough strains and most of the kennels require it in order to board your pet. To make an appointment and get your pet up to date call us at 724-206-9944.🐾

18/06/2024

🐶🐶🐶

16/06/2024

❤️🐾 From the doctors and staff at Steel Veterinary: Happy Father’s Day to all wonderful Dads out there! 🐾❤️

10/06/2024

🐾 Pet of the week is Chica! 🐾

Chica is here to inform our clients about Megacolon in Cats.

What is megacolon?

If the nerves to the colon do not function normally, the muscles of the colonic wall will not contract properly. If this happens, the muscles become stretched and the colon enlarges in diameter. This enlarged colon may have a diameter three to four times that of a normal cat. Rather than being pushed into the re**um in a normal manner, f***l material accumulates in the distended colon, resulting in severe constipation called obstipation. This massive enlargement of the colon and the resulting constipation is called megacolon.

What causes megacolon?

An injury to the spinal cord can cause megacolon. In addition, mechanical obstruction caused by tumors, foreign bodies, hairballs, and strictures can lead to megacolon.

However, in most cases, we cannot determine the reason that the nerves to the colon stop functioning. This disease generally occurs in middle-aged to older cats, but has also been seen in cats as young as three to four years old. In cases that do not have an identifiable cause, the condition is termed idiopathic megacolon.

Megacolon is often diagnosed by clinical signs which can include straining to defecate, weight loss, lethargy, vomiting, and anorexia (lack of appetite). On physical examination, the cat may have a painful abdomen, as well as be dehydrated and depressed. Upon palpation of the abdomen, an enlarged colon filled with hard f***l material is often found and a re**al exam reveals impacted f***s. Further testing includes radiographs (X-rays) of the abdomen to assess the size of the colon and detect any abdominal masses that may be present. Other diagnostic tests such as blood and urine testing, ultrasound, and colonoscopy may also be performed.

How is megacolon treated?

Usually, a medical approach is tried first, with surgery reserved for unresponsive or advanced cases. A medical approach involves the use of laxatives, stool softeners, colon wall stimulants, and high fiber diets. These do not correct the underlying cause, but they do allow f***l material to pass so the cat does not become constipated and ill.

The medical approach may be successful for several months or years but will generally fail at some time. When this happens, surgery must be considered. A procedure called subtotal colectomy removes the non-functioning part of the colon. Although this procedure may involve removal of most of the colon, the a**l sphincter will be left intact so the cat should not lose bowel control. Most cats do reasonably well after this procedure with few permanent side effects.

Can the cat function without its colon?

Since one of the colon's primary responsibilities is to remove excess fluid from the f***l material, a cat that has had a subtotal colectomy will have rather soft stools immediately after surgery. In addition, it may pass several bowel movements each day. However, after one to two months, the stools will become formed and the cat will have an average of three bowel movements every two days. There should be no loss of f***l control.

If you think your Cat is suffering from Megacolon, call us for an appointment at 724-206-9944.

10/06/2024

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