Pittsburgh PetConnections Winter 2020-2021 Vol. 8 Issue 2

Winter 2020/2021

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PetConnections Vol. 8 Issue 2

PITTSBURGH

WEL LNESS THROUGH THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND

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WELCOME to Pittsburgh PetConnections

Winter 2020/2021 Volume 8 Issue 2

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From The Publisher

Welcome to Pittsburgh PetConnections Magazine’s!

Winter 2019, Volume 7 Issue 1

Welcome to our Winter 2020/2021 issue of Pittsburgh PetConnections and beginning of our 9th year!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Fun for

magazine people (and, a pet section!)

We welcome new advertisers 5thfor Avenue Fido andofAllcourse, Life Veterinary Clinics to the • East End • South Hills • Strip District magazine! Introducing Laura Gudenburr as a new staff writer for PetConnections!

We are also pleased to announce some fun new things that we have in the works • Sewickly • Monroeville • Wexford CORRESPONDENCE Training Retail PITTSBURGH PETCONNECTION Laura brings her expertise and experience with writing for various publications for PetConnections! info@pghpetconnections.com • Upper St. Clair NEW QUARTERLY including Gateway Publications. Laura was nominated by The Press Club of 724 -292-7387 Published by All Life Media, LLC. Pittsburgh We will be publishing yourLaura pet from winners of our new weekly social Western PA for the prestigious Golden Quill! pictures I’d like toofgive the opportunity Rights Reserved | © 2019 photo contests! Also new, our membership sign-up button on our Facebook www.TheDogStop.com Petconnections was created in 2012. Our missionAll is to to introduce herself tomedia all of you: page, where you can receive news about events and contests, special discounts publish a high quality, informative publication focused “I am thrilled to sharefrom my knowledge aboutdiscount living with pets through *Offer only valid for new clients at participating locations. Limit one coupon per family. Offer expires 6/30/19. our advertisers, event tickets, jointhe ourforum PetConnections Birthday Club PITTSBURGH PETCONNECTIONS QUARTERLY on the Human-Animal Bond. We support local businesses for Pets,I will submit story my to be published in our Human-Animal Bond section or of PetConnections Magazine! striveyour to share personal experiences paired Published by: Pittsburgh PetConnections, LLC. and also assist local non-profit businesses for pets and and more! information fromRemembrance, experts including clinicians from both veterinary and PetConnections LLC. was with formed people, to give back to our greatPittsburgh Pittsburgh communities. in 2012. Our mission is to publishhuman a highmedicine. I grew up as a child around cats. My grandmothers’, parents’ quality, informative publication focused on love and affection and uncle’s Eventsfor their felines brought me joy and ingrained a MAGAZINE PUBLICATION STAFFBond. We support Day Care Boarding Training Retail What to Expect When Hiring Grooming the Human-Animal local strong respect for animals into my soul. But also know that my family haveGrief Seminar, Animal Friends’ and CARMAA’s events Chartiers Custom Pet ICremation’s Healing Heartsand Pet ILoss are Carla Mader,and Publisher businesses also assist local non-profit a Dog Trainer not always known how to handleincertain situations highlighted our event section. that arose with our pets.

Buzzy Photography, businessesPhotography for pets and people, to give backfirsthand that people often don’t “do wrong” by their pets on purpose; I know Laura with her Daria K Design,toGraphic Designer our great Pittsburgh communities. rather we sometimes simply don’t have resources or connections to help guide beloved PINKIE Edward R. Moats, Managing Content & Copy Editor us. For those reasons, IThis believeIssue that access to a free resource like PetConnections A G A Z I N E P U B L I C AT I O Nis soS TAimportant FF Carla Mader, Sales & Distribution MManager to enhance our human-animal Laura Showcase riding show! See the Equine Affairs section article inside, written by Our cover features Manonbond.”

Farm’s~Princess Carla Mader, Managing Editor April Minech, Assistant Editor April Minech! Also, a reader, Ruth Maloy-Carter submitted her heart-warming story, “Great to be Ginger”, in the HumanJones Editor Photography, Photography Bernadette Kazmarski,Kara Kitty Korner Animal Bond section! Edward Moats continues his avian nutrition articles, with more great tips, in Feathered Friends.

Kelli Koladish, Graphic Designer Robin Reinfeld, Sales Manager Also, we are revisiting Integrative Healing for Pets with Dr. Doug, in our Pet Holistic section.

Edward R. Moats, Content Editor The AIR in THERE We hope you enjoy this issue as it is packed full of informative articles and resources for our pet parent readers!

Carla Mader, Sales & Distribution Manager Our rescue section features Nate’s reptile Rescue. PVSEC/BluePearl’s article about winter safety for pets. Our Kitty ADVERTISING SALES Kornerquarterly has Homeless Cat Management has spay andspecial neuterHoliday info, byissue Bernadette Edward R. Moats, Media Account Manager PetConnections is published as follows: March, July,Team September, and in earlyKazmarski. Equine affairs, Kristin Carla Mader, Director of Sales Health & Wellness Hermann writes about Learning from Source.

December! Our print copy distribution sites will be replenished every 6 weeks. Our online presence has always 724.292.7387 A D V E RT I S I N G S A L E S been much greater than in print with now over 400,000 impressions! To subscribe to your own personal copy Therapeutic Robin Reinfeld, Director of Sales, Pittsburgh of PetConnections, please contact us below.

PetConnections is published quarterly as follows: Early February, May, August, and November. Our print copy Palliative CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 412-780-2254 | rrcd@aol.com distribution will into be replenished 6 weeks. online presence has always been much greater than in Did you know? PetConnections hassites evolved a full-serviceevery specialized petOur media company, providing Lunging to develop your horse’s topline Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CVC, CVCH print with now over 350,000 impressions this year. To subscribe to your own personal copy of PetConnections, in printcontact and digital marketing platforms to help our sponsors grow their businesses.

R I T E R Sfor advertisingplease Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty & Emergency CenterC O N T R I B U T I N G Wservices us below.

We are mobile, promoting physical and emotional Kristin Hermann DVM, CVA, CVC,Contact Doug Knueven, CVCHus below for information on advertising or sponsoring!

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Did you know? PetConnections has evolved into a full-service specialized pet media company, providing April Minech Veterinary Specialty Pittsburgh & for picking up Thank you this copy of PetConnections. Be well and we wish you a joyful Holiday season with services for advertising in print and digital marketing platforms to help our sponsors grow their businesses.

Therapeutic Bernadette Kazmarski Emergencyyour Center family and pets! Stay Safe!us below for information on advertising or sponsoring!

Contact Edward R. Moats Palliative Kristin Hermann Dr. Becky Morrow, DVM Thank you for picking up this copy of PetConnections.

April Minech Laura GudenburrBernadette Kazmarski We are mobile, promoting physical and emotional Edward R. Moats Warmly, wellness. Every session is unique and customized.

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Cover Photo: Hayden and Harper Stewart Photo By: Erica Stewart

Carla Mader Publisher Carla Mader Publisher Please submit any correspondence to: pghpetconnections@gmail.com Pittsburgh | Central Ohio PetConnections Magazine Please check us out on the web & subscribe at: www.petconnections.pet PetCon Expos Follow and “Like” us on Facebook!

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HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND

Behavior Solutions for Our Furry Friends

By Laura Gudenburr

Many of us have felt lonelier and more anxious during quarantine restrictions – an experience that can help us to empathize with pets, who often are at home without human company. Despite the pandemic, the holiday season likely will result in more visitors at home and increased time away from home while shopping and traveling. These changes in our routine can cause stress and separation anxiety for pets.

Reasons for pet behavior Some dogs are destructive when home alone because canines innately want to be with human(s). “Dogs are creatures of habit; COVID has screwed up their routine,” says Lilian Akin, of Pittsburgh, who holds dual advanced certifications for her vast experience and knowledge assessed as both a behavior consultant for canines and professional dog trainer. She notes that pets have become used to us being home during quarantine, but eventually our schedules will change again – causing repeated disruption.

While many cats are content with hours alone and comfortable with additional visitors and festivities, some felines will act out when owners are away for days in a row or during environmental changes including increased noise. Stressed cats may hide, refuse to eat and not use their litterbox.

NATURAL REMEDIES I’ve compiled these suggestions based upon consultation with numerous veterinarians and pet trainers, personal trial-anderror, and research during the past 15 years: • Plan ahead to maintain consistent timing for feedings, interaction and potty needs. Use electronic timers to control lights inside.

• Invest in a camera that connects to your home Internet Wi-Fi and your smartphone. From anywhere, you can see your pets in real-time. Two-way audio allows you to hear if pets are vocalizing displeasure and enables you to talk to them. You can verbally reinforce good behavior or redirect them.

• Create a “hug” sensation from afar. Specially-designed apparel use gentle compression to imitate being held. Round beds with side bolsters, tent-shaped hideaways and cardboard boxes give secure resting areas that mimic snuggling with a human.

• Offer aromatherapy such as collars, sprays and diffusers.

Products contain pheromones and essential oils designed to calm pets.

• Leave on a radio or TV with music or people talking. Such sounds can reassure anxious pets during owners’ absence.

• Consider adopting another pet to provide companionship to a single pet, if your finances and time permit. Before adding another pet to your home, supervise and observe your current pet’s interaction with a potential new pal.

• Find a trusted person or hire a pet-sitter to visit your home to ensure dog potty breaks, litterbox cleanings, cuddling and playtime while you’re away for long periods.

Medications to help pets Karen Hayworth, DVM of VCA Northview Animal Hospital, values the role of medications to improve pet behavior. “If we can relieve pet anxiety, then we can relieve owner anxiety,” says Dr. Hayworth, who recommends contacting your veterinarian if pet behavior is adversely impacting the human-animal bond and definitely if a pet is injuring itself. Overgrooming causes digestion problems leading to vomiting or diarrhea. Chewing on hard objects causes tooth decay and bleeding gums.

Ms. Akin encourages owners to try medication early when behavioral problems are observed. Medications often help pets become more open to behavior changes and aid in training.

References Hughes, Kate. Grzyb, DVM, Katie. “6 Cat Calming Products to Help Ease Cat Anxiety.” PetMD, 29 Dec. 2018, www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/6-cat-calming-products-help-ease-cat-anxiety.

Musachio, Joy. “5 Steps To Make Essential Oils Safe For Dogs.” Dogs Naturally, 12 April 2020, www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/5-steps-to-make-essential-oils-safe-for-dogs/.

Sargisson, Rebecca J. “Canine separation anxiety: strategies for treatment and management.”

Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports Vol. 5 143–151. 30 Oct. 2014, doi:10.2147/VMRR.S60424.

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Pittsburgh PetConnections | Winter 2020/2021

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Pittsburgh PetConnections | Winter 2020/2021

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Helping Community Cats and their Communities through TNR

By Dr. Becky L. Morrow, DVM Regardless of where you live, I bet that you have seen at least one “stray” cat wondering around your neighborhood. While she may be a lost cat, more often than not, even if the cat is friendly, she probably does not have an indoor home. It may be surprising to hear that there are tens of millions of cats living outside of our homes in the United States. We just don’t see that many cats around in most cases. Why is that? Many of these cats are what we refer to as “feral.” Though they are members of the same species as that furball purring on your lap, these cats have reverted to a wild or semi-wild (“semi-feral”) state.

Feral cats typically avoid human interactions and often come out at night when we are less likely to be around. Of course, there are friendly cats outside as well, often referred to as “stray” cats. All these freeroaming cats, whether feral or friendly, are called “community cats.”

Community cats live in groups that we call colonies. A colony can be as small as a group of 6 cats or include over 100 cats. It really depends on the geography of the area, available resources such as food, water, and shelter, and whether the cats routinely interact with one another.

So why talk about community cats? The number one source of cats entering our shelters is from this population, and over 3 million cats each year are taken to shelters. The problem, of course, is there are not enough folks adopting all these cats, forcing shelters to euthanize nearly 1 million cats each year. While the shelter and rescue communities work endlessly to find enough homes, they simply do not exist. Another issue with community cats is from a humane standpoint. Remember that even feral cats are from a domesticated species and are still dependent on humans to some extent. Don’t get me wrong, these animals are amazing survivors – I’ve seen many cats with healed fractures, missing limbs, and lost eyes that appear to be doing just fine. That does not mean that all community cats can or even the majority will thrive without any human intervention. This is especially true of the previously “owned” cats that are tossed outside and abandoned by the humans that were responsible for their care. If all they have known was indoor life, imagine how they feel out there.

Despite the difficulties of living entirely in the great outdoors, due to their polyestrous nature and ability to ovulate in conjunction with mating, cats will still reproduce, and population explosions will occur. The more cats that are born, the more suffering that occurs. Fighting between cats leads to injuries and abscesses. Resources become stretched thin and increased population densities lead to an increase in feline-specific infectious diseases.

Nearly half of all kittens born die from exposure, infections, or parasite infestations. Clearly, they can use our help and many people do try and help them. You may know someone who is feeding or you may have been feeding community cats yourself.

A study performed in Ohio showed that 1 in 4 people do so. While that is a great start, we must think about what I just said – the more cats that are born, the more suffering that occurs. By providing increased resources (i.e. feeding) we are promoting the birth of more cats. Now I am certainly not implying that it is ok to let these poor kitties starve - it is ultimately our fault they are in this situation in the first place. But we do need to take it one step further and stop the reproduction. This is where TNR, or Trap, Neuter, Return, comes in.

8

Pittsburgh PetConnections | Winter 2020/2021

TNR is a scientifically validated, humane method to stabilize community cat populations, and, eventually, reduce the overall population through attrition. How does it work? Cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies, ear-tipped (to indicate that they are TNR’d), and returned to their outdoor homes.

The colony is then monitored for any newcomers that would need TNR’d, although this is minimized due to the territorial nature of the colony. In addition to daily, responsible feeding in a way not to attract vermin, colony caretakers provide shelters and monitor the general health of the cats. Anyone who manages a colony can tell you that the cats come running at feeding time and seem to be quite content. I can tell you that I have seen quite a few feral cats reaching ages in the teens, and that the vast majority of the thousands I care for each year are in good health.

One real caveat that must be considered is that TNR needs to be targeted in order to work properly. What does that mean? All of the cats in one colony should be TNR’d as quickly as possible before moving to another colony. This makes sense based on how cats reproduce. They will increase the population exponentially and could render any TNR efforts useless if we do a few at a time from multiple colonies. Getting as close to 100% done at one time is more efficient as well, since you will not be re-trapping cats that have already gone through the surgery. Though this sounds like a daunting task, with the help of community partners, their trapping supplies and expertise, we have done colonies of 40, 50, and even 90+ cats in a single weekend.

This would not be possible without high volume, high quality spay/ neuter (HVHQSN), using more efficient surgical techniques that allow for smaller incisions, less time under anesthesia, and faster recoveries for the cats. This way we not only have the ability to help more cats, but we can get those who live outdoors back to their homes, and away from the stress that interactions with humans causes, more rapidly.

Each year at Frankie’s Friends, we spay or neuter around 9,000 cats.

Although we never seem to have a shortage of patients, I can only imagine how many more cats there would be in our region if those dedicated community cat advocates were not bringing in cats for TNR ...

Article continued on page 17.

Dr. Morrow and her team can be reached at frankiesfriendscatrescue@gmail.com, by messaging Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue on Facebook, or calling 724-889-7011.

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VCA Northview Animal Hospit LOCATION LOCATION 223 Siebert Road LOCATION 223 Siebert Road Specialty Referral Center Pi�sburgh, PA 15237 LOCATION 223 Siebert Pi�sburgh, PA Road 15237

VCA Northview Animal Hospital VCA Northview Animal Hospital Specialty Referral Center VCA Northview Animal Hospital VCA Northview Animal Hospital Specialty Referral Center Specialty Referral Center Specialty Referral Center

P223 · 412-364-5353 Siebert Road Pi�sburgh, PA 15237 PPi�sburgh, · 412-364-5353 PA 15237 F · 412-364-5374 P ·F 412-364-5353 · 412-364-5374 P · 412-364-5353 E · VCANorthview@vca.com F · 412-364-5374 Ewww.vcanorthviewspecialty.com · VCANorthview@vca.com F · 412-364-5374 E · VCANorthview@vca.com www.vcanorthviewspecialty.com E · VCANorthview@vca.com www.vcanorthviewspecialty.com BUSINESS HOURS www.vcanorthviewspecialty.com HOURS ER/Urgent Care 7BUSINESS days/week 8am-7pm BUSINESS 8am-7pm HOURS ER/Urgent Care 7 days/week Referral Consulta�ons: By Appt. Mon-Sat BUSINESS HOURS ER/Urgent Care 7 days/week 8am-7pm Referral Consulta�ons: By Appt.

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Sweetie came

to us from a partner shelter in Memphis.

In many southern states, dog overpopulation has become such a crisis that euthanasia of young, healthy, adoptable dogs like Sweetie is all too common.

ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org

Iris is a sweet young cat

who was found as a stray and brought to our Animal Wellness Center for a spay surgery. With two badly infected eyes that were causing her a great deal of pain Iris underwent a double enucleation performed by our dedicated Clinic Services team.

Bunyonce developed

a head tilt – which can have many causes including an ear infection, stroke, brain tumor or even a life-threatening parasite in a rabbit. Under the watchful eye of a dedicated foster and treatment and monitoring from our Medical team, Bunyonce continues to improve with each passing day.

PET HEALTH & WELLNESS

My Pet Had a Seizure – Now What?

Dr. Laura Scoda Residency, trained in Neurology BluePearl PVSEC Neurology Service

First and foremost, if you are ever concerned about your pet, call your veterinarian or a local emergency clinic right away. The information provided here is meant to be supplemental to the conversation between you and your veterinarian.

WHAT IS A SEIZURE, AND WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? Seizures are the physical activity we see when the brain is having excessive, uncontrolled, abnormal electrical activity.

What a seizure looks like varies widely and depends on what area of the brain is affected. Generalized seizures typically involve the whole body and can include loss of consciousness, falling over to one side, stiff and/ or paddling limbs, head and neck extension, vocalizing, drooling, urination, defecation, and jaw chomping. Focal seizures typically involve the face and can include drooling, facial twitching, and lip smacking. However, there are many different types of seizures with many different presentations. In addition, many abnormal episodes can look like seizures but aren’t seizures, including severe vertigo, a syncopal event (fainting secondary to low blood pressure and usually cardiac disease), an episode of severe pain, or movement disorders. Therefore, it is very important for you to provide an accurate description of the episode to your veterinarian and even a video if possible.

WHAT CAUSED MY PET’S SEIZURE? Seizures are not a disease, but rather a symptom. Just as a cough alerts us to a problem in the respiratory system, a seizure alerts us to a problem in the brain. Most causes of seizures are grouped into two large categories - diseases outside the brain vs. diseases inside the brain. Common causes of seizures include Idiopathic Epilepsy (seizures with no identifiable underlying cause), cancer, a stroke, infectious or autoimmune conditions, or a metabolic cause such as low blood sugar or liver disease. Different disease processes will be more or less likely depending on your pet’s age, breed, and neurological examination performed by your

veterinarian. To determine the underlying cause of your pet’s seizure(s), your veterinarian will likely recommend a stepwise approach to start ruling different disease processes in or out.

The usual starting place is routine blood work and a blood pressure to look for metabolic causes. Other more advanced diagnostics can be performed by a specialist, a veterinary neurologist, and may include MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain and a CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) tap.

Most specialized procedures need to be performed under general anesthesia.

HOW DO WE TREAT MY PET’S SEIZURES, AND WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT? Controlling seizures can be a difficult task, and is usually an ongoing and lifelong conversation between you and your veterinarian with sometimes frequent adjustments.

Our goal of seizure treatment is not to eliminate seizures, but rather reduce their frequency and severity. Many different anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are available, but some more commonly used in veterinary medicine include phenobarbital, potassium bromide (KBr), zonisamide, and levetiracetam (Keppra). Your veterinarian will discuss the pros and cons of each medication and together you will determine a plan that works best for you and your pet.

These medications are lifelong and will require routine monitoring of blood work at least once to twice per year.

In addition, some pets need to be on multiple AEDs at the same time. Adjustments to medications are made based on a combination of seizure control and blood work.

Pittsburgh PetConnections | Winter 2020/2021

DO video tape your pet’s seizures (if possible and safe to do so).

Although most people have a cell phone camera within arms’ reach at all times, taking a video during such a stressful event is often counterintuitive and easier said than done! However, there are lots of other episodes that can look like seizures, and videos can be very helpful when trying to determine if your pet had a seizure.

Things to include in the video are a close up of your pet’s face, a full body shot, and you talking to your pet and monitoring them for a response.

DON’T make any changes to your pet’s medications without first talking to your veterinarian. Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) should never be stopped and doses should never be missed, so make sure you refill all medications at least one week ahead of time and make sure to set those medication alarms. Missing or skipping doses can sometimes lead to rebound seizures that can be difficult to control. If your pet did miss a dose, give the medication as soon as you realize and then call your veterinarian. This message applies to supplements, as well – don’t start any supplements without talking to your veterinarian since some supplements can lead to adverse reactions when mixed with certain AEDs.

DON’T put your hand in your pet’s mouth during a seizure.

Dogs and cats do not swallow their tongues, so you do not need to put your hands or any other objects in their mouth during a seizure. If you do, you may get bit, and that really won’t be helpful.

DON’T stay home all day to stare at your pet. Seizures happen.

And unfortunately, anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) do not eliminate seizures, they just decrease their frequency and severity. Although seizures look scary, they are very rarely life-threatening, so it is OK to leave your pet at home as usual. Just make sure to leave them in a safe space where if they do have a seizure, they won’t hurt themselves. Although treating seizures can be hard, we want to ensure good quality of life for both you and your pet, which means trying to go about business as usual.

DON’T panic – not all seizures are emergencies, but some are.

Although seizures look scary, your pet is usually unconscious during a seizure and won’t remember it happened. If they vocalize, it’s not because they’re scared or painful – it’s just that area of the brain being overactive. And while not all seizures are emergencies, some are. Emergency situations include a seizure lasting longer than three minutes, three or more seizures in a 24-hour period, and abnormal or prolonged recovery from a seizure. In any of those instances, or any time you’re concerned, bring your pet to an emergency clinic as soon as possible.

HEROES WANTED BluePearl Pittsburgh Animal Blood Bank

IMPORTANT DO’S AND DON’TS OF SEIZURES

DO move your pet to a safe environment during a seizure (if possible and safe to do so).

Move them away from bodies of water (e.g. pools, lakes), stairs they could fall down, heavy furniture or furniture with sharp edges, and off hard flooring where they could hurt themselves. If outside, try and move them inside or to a shaded area where they are less likely to overheat.

Do not move your pet if trying to move them will cause injury to them or you.

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DO keep a log of your pet’s seizures. Keeping an accurate seizure log, and bringing it to every veterinary appointment, will better enable your veterinarian to manage your pet’s seizure disorder.

We base a lot of medication changes on this seizure log. Things to include are date and time of the seizure, how long the seizure lasted, what your pet was doing before, during, and after the seizure, and any changes in medication.

This is Henry and Keisel, two of our many dog donors!

Is your dog eligible?

• Between 1-7 years old • Weight: 50 lbs + • 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

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HOLISTIC PET CARE

The Ketogenic Diet for Cancer

By Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CVC, CVCH

Cancer is the number one fatal disease of dogs and cats in the U.S. For people, the percent dying from metastatic cancer in the U.S. has not decreased since the “War on Cancer” was declared in 1971. Our current cancer treatments include slash (surgery), burn (radiation) and poison (chemo). Sadly, veterinary oncologists measure success in months. With all the money and effort thrown at this terrible disease, you would think that by now our understanding would be complete and that we would be doing better with treatment.

Maybe there’s something wrong with our current concept of cancer.

The present-day model of cancer is called the “Somatic Mutation Theory” (SMT). According to the SMT, cancer is caused by mutations in the nuclear DNA that trigger a cell to go rogue and reproduce uncontrollably. It requires about six specific genetic changes for cancer to develop.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Growth accelerating genes must be turned on Growth suppressor genes must be turned off Cell immortality genes must be turned on Cell suicide genes (those for apoptosis) must be turned off 5. Blood vessel formation genes must be turned on 6. Nuclear DNA repair processes must be deactivated Given the redundant DNA repair processes within cells, having all these specific changes happen through random mutations is quite unlikely. The fact is that it does not require mutations of the nuclear DNA to make these shifts, as we will see.

In fact, under normal conditions the mitochondria of the cell are responsible for sensing the metabolic conditions and switching off and on key genes. When food, in the form of glucose, is in short supply, the mitochondria signal the nucleus to switch off the cell’s genetic program of growth and reproduction. When blood glucose is abundant, the mitochondria signal the nucleus to cause the cell to reproduce. It is important to note that normal cells can use either glucose or ketones for fuel, but only high levels of glucose promote cellular reproduction.

While the nuclear DNA is well protected, that of the mitochondria is not. Over time, high blood glucose, combined with a high calorie diet, damages mitochondrial DNA which deranges mitochondrial function.2 The broken mitochondria rely strictly on glucose metabolism, and simultaneously the signal for cellular reproduction gets stuck in the “on” position. These processes also cause the production of mutation-causing free radicals. The relentless increased speed of reproduction and the free radicals lead to the nuclear mutations associated with cancer. Thus, high blood glucose predisposes to cancer cell formation and to cancer cell survival.

The fact that cancer cells can only use glucose for fuel has led to the idea that sugar feeds cancer. A ketogenic diet (one that is high in fat, moderated in protein, and extremely low in starch) can starve cancer cells yet feed normal cells. It can also make the formation of cancer cells less likely in the first place. Conventional, processed pet foods are high in starch, which the body quickly converts to glucose, which in turn can trigger and feed cancer.

Cancer is a metabolic disease. It is caused by highstarch, high-calorie diets (conventional pet foods) that damage cellular mitochondria. With this more complete understanding of how cancer really works, we can truly fight this disease by providing pets an appropriate diet. We can win the war on cancer with nutrition.

References Spector R. The War on Cancer, a Progress Report for Skeptics. Skeptical Inquirer. 2010;34(1):25-31.

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Pittsburgh PetConnections | Winter 2020/2021

Cancer is a Metabolic Disease. Thomas N Seyfried, Wiley, 2012.

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all honesty, there is no viable argument against targeted TNR as the No MatterContinued Where from You page Live,8. This Dr. Is WorthInmeans Every for community cat management. Killing community cats isn’t Second To Get Your Pet Better. only ethically questionable, it is not scientifically sound. The resources Helping Community Cats and

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RESCUE & SHELTER continued

Evidence against the SMT can be found in the “Cybrid” which is a cell that has been constructed using parts from two or more different cells. If the nucleus of a normal cell is replaced with the nucleus

of a cancer cell, the cell remains normal. If the nucleus of a cancer cell is replaced with the nucleus of a normal cell, the cell remains cancerous.1 This indicates that rather than nuclear DNA being responsible for causing cancer, it is something in the cytoplasm of the cell that is the initiating factor.

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a higher risk of getting toxoplasmosis from eating meat.

places for both human and feline citizens.

www.animalhealingnow.com

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17

petconnections.pet 11 www.petconnections.pet www.petconnections.pet 17

BEHAVIOR & TRAINING

What to Expect When Hiring a Dog Trainer

By April Minech

If your childhood was anything like mine, your parents didn’t hire a dog trainer to help with the family pet. I grew up thinking those magical people lived in Hollywood, and trained dogs like Lassie for movies. It wasn’t until I was an adult and started volunteering with a local shelter that I found out what those trainers really did; they’re life coaches for you and your pet. And they can help everyone not just movie stars.

Trainers spend their time first learning how to understand dogs, then helping people to understand them. That was news to me, and seems like there’s still a shroud of mystery about the subject. For example, my cousin and his wife got a lab puppy soon after they were married and when talking to him about it, I casually asked if they were taking any puppy classes. “He already knows how to sit and lay down,” my cousin said. “What else is there?” Zoinks! “Classes are for you to learn how to work with your dog,” I teased him, in my newly-educated-tone. “You’re the one that needs them!” He really had no idea, and appreciated the explanation and joined a suggested class soon after. “Training is not about teaching your dog commands, it’s about building a relationship with your dog,” says Lilian Akin, a well know Pittsburgh dog trainer.

“We try to help clients understand what their dogs are thinking and feeling. It’s about trying to be a good teacher to both the person and the dog.” So in case there are others out there wondering how it all works, this article should answer the basics and provide a starting point if you are interested in learning more.

So what qualifies someone to be a good trainer? Here’s the tricky part. While there is an official test that puts the letters CPDT (certified pet dog trainer) and CPDT-KA (certified pet dog trainer-knowledge assessed) after a person’s name, trainers are as individual in their methods as chefs are with their cooking. When looking for a trainer you should do some research: look for those with well rounded experiences like helping at shelters, ask friends about personal experiences, read reviews on web sites and most importantly - trust your gut. It should feel like a good fit for both you and your dog. If, after the first meeting, you don’t feel great or your dog seems upset, know that it’s okay to look for someone else. You’re going to be taking a journey with your dog and you want to enjoy the trip. Ever sit next to someone on a plane that you

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Pittsburgh PetConnections | Winter 2020/2021

didn’t vibe with? It can be a long ride. It’s your choice who to work with (and remember you’re advocating for your dog as well) so take your time and find someone who’s methods feel right to you.

Be prepared to do the work. Hiring a dog trainer is not like hiring a plumber, where they come in and fix the problem and leave you a bill. A trainer is more like a fitness coach: they make the plan, inspire and support you to do the work and help you with your form. Who has to do the exercises? YOU. How much does it cost? Rates are usually charged by the hour but that can be a little misleading. The pricing typically ranges from $75-$200 an hour (or upwards, depending on what you need) which sounds expensive. But the “hour”refers to how much time the trainer will be working hands on with you and most of the time all the rest: travel to and from your home, time spent writing up your case history and researching articles, prepping for specific questions that will need asked, phone/email support and general brainstorming on how best to help you come along for free. A trainer might be spending 5-6 hours on your case per week but only officially charging you for one. And that doesn’t count the years of schooling that the trainer has put it, almost always at their own expense.

So while it may look like a glamorous profession, it’s actually pretty reasonably priced for what you’re getting.

You’ll also need to be reasonable about your expectations.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” my mom used to say when I was running short on patience. How much time are you willing to put in? What is your current life situation? If you’re a working mom with small children, spending and hour every day doing training exercises with your dog might not be feasible. How much can you do? Your trainer can help talk you through what both you and your dog need to be happy, and map out what that will look like and how long it will take. Sometimes taking weekly classes can be a good fit and your trainer can recommend ones that might be a good fit. Other times, your dog may need specific work on one issue and the trainer can narrow down a plan to work on just that issue.

Dogs became our companions because we both benefit from the relationship. And that’s the key word - relationship- to remember in all of this. Working with your dog is a beautiful journey through life, something for both you and your dog to enjoy, and a good trainer can light the way.

If you are interested in learning more, you can contact Lilian here: Lilian Akin CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA Akin Family Dog Training laakin@verizon.net

CAT RESOURCE GUIDE Homeless Cat Management Clinic Schedule through March 2021

Our clinic is located at 207 Allegheny Street, Tarentum, PA 15084. At this time, we treat only cats at our clinics. You must call to register prior to any clinic.

CLINIC REGISTRATION

BY PHONE: call 412-321-4060 and leave a message. Please include your name and phone number in your message. Someone will return your call and complete your pre-registration.

HCMT is all volunteer and this may take some time. Clinics fill up quickly and it’s best to call at least two weeks in advance of the clinic you want to attend.

BY EMAIL: Email cathomeless@gmail.com with your name, number of spots you need and which date you are registering for. You will receive a confirmation email ONLY if you are registered.

NOTE: dates may be added and are subject to change.

FREE CLINICS (ferals only) Jan 9 – sponsored by the Ruth D. Simpson Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation Feb 6 – sponsored by the Ruth D. Simpson Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation March 6

FAST TRACK CLINICS $30 PER FERAL - See website for other costs

Jan 23 • Feb 20 • March 20

More dates may be announced and dates are subject to change.

Check www.homelesscat.org/clinic-info for the most up to date information.

Low-cost spay/neuter and animal services in and around Allegheny County This is an ever-changing list of resources for pet owners in Pittsburgh and beyond including low-cost spay and neuter programs for pets as well as TNR for community cats, after-hours emergency care, help with veterinary bills, pet-friendly rentals in Pittsburgh and across the US and links to shelters for adoption and other services. This information is provided for reference only and subject to change without notice. Please contact the organization or agency before using their services.

Low-cost Spay and Neuter Organizations and Programs TNR AND LOW-COST SPAY/NEUTER PITTSBURGH AREA

Homeless Cat Management Team 207 Allegheny St., PO Box 100203, Tarentum, PA 15084, 412-321-4060 http://www.homelesscat.org/ Feral Cats and Rescued Cats. Feral cats must arrive in a humane trap. Check the website for clinic dates. All appointments must be made by calling the phone number. No walk-ins. Ferals: $30.00 Fast Track, no-charge at free clinics. Rescued Cats: Females $55.00, Males $40.00 Both include rabies, earmite and flea treatments. Other services available.

City of Pittsburgh Free Spay and Neuter for City Residents City of Pittsburgh offers five free spays/neuters to all city residents http://www.pittsburghpa.gov/publicsafety/animal-control/spay-neuter.html

Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Programs at Shelters in Allegheny and surrounding counties SHELTER PROGRAMS

Animal Friends https://www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org/pet-care/spay-neuter/ Pet/friendly cats: $50 spay or neuter, includes pain medication – vaccines require are an additional fee.

Feral/Outdoor Package: $50, includes pain medication, rabies, FVRCP, ear tip and flea treatment. Cats must be feral and in a humane trap to receive this service.

Humane Animal Rescue https://www.humaneanimalrescue.org/veterinarycenters/spay-neuterservices/ East End: 66209 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206, 412-661-6452 North Shore: 1101 Western Ave., Pittsburgh PA 15233, 412-321-4625 Pet/friendly cats: $70 spay/neuter, rabies, FVRCP (distemper), microchip Feral/Outdoor Package: $50, includes pain medication, rabies, FVRCP, ear tip and flea treatment. Cats must be feral and in a humane trap to receive this service.

Beaver County Humane Society 3394 Brodhead Road, Center Township, PA 15001, 724-775-5801 http://www.beavercountyhumanesociety.org Friendly or feral cats, 3 packages: $35.00/$70.00/$100.00 Visit website for more information.

Clarion Paws (Serves Clarion, Forest and Jefferson County) Mailing address: P.O. Box 804, Clarion, PA 16214 Current Location: 11348 Route 322, Shippenville, PA (Clarion River Hill, between Kronospan and Clarion Electric) http://www.clarionpaws.org/programs/spay-neuter/ Monthly clinics, submit an application and you will be called when an appointment becomes available. Pets or ferals: $65 spay, $45 neuter. Includes rabies vaccine, ear mite check and treatment and flea treatment. Optional services at an upcharge.

Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic: spayneuterclinic@clarionpaws.org or call 814-2291231. Trap-Neuter-Return: tnr@clarionpaws.org or call 814-229-1231 and leave a message Butler County Humane Society 1015 Evans City Road, Renfrew, PA 16053 https://butlercountyhs.org/clinic/ Occasional clinics with mobile spay/neuter unit. Call 724-789-1150 for upcoming low-cost Pet/TNR clinics Washington Area Humane Society 1527 Route 136, Eighty Four, PA 15330 http://washingtonpashelter.org/ Currently moving into new building.

Low-cost Spay/Neuter Organizations in Allegheny and surrounding counties (alphabetical)

Pet/TNR: Spay $56, Neuter $37, visit website for details and scheduling.

Also offers low cost vaccinations and basic medical treatments. http://www.spayaz.com/Pittsburgh.html

Catnip Acres (Greene County) 155 Dark Hollow Rd, Waynesburg, PA 15370 https://catnip-acres.com/upcoming-events To schedule a spay/neuter, please call 724-833-0954 and leave a message.

North Hills Spay/Neuter Clinic 3967 William Flinn Hwy, Allison Park, PA 15101, 412-213-7353 Open Monday-Friday. Walk-in services for ferals.

Pet/TNR: Spay $56, Neuter $37, visit website for details and scheduling.

Also offers low cost vaccinations and basic medical treatments. https://spayaz.com/locations/pittsburgh-north-hills/

These are organizations which are not day-to-day clinics but organize, host, sponsor or otherwise provide access to spay and neuter services.

Fix ‘Ur Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic Low Cost Spay Neuter Washington County, Inc., DBA Fix ‘Ur Cat 18 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, PA 1531 Call 724-405-7FIX (7349) for an appointment.

Spay/neuter clinics are by appointment only, on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Pets and TNR surgeries. Early morning drop-off; late day pickup. https://fixurcat.org/ Fluffy Jean Fund (Washington County) 724-941-3991 http://fluffyjeanfund.weebly.com/ Fund for Feral Cats of Pittsburgh Reimburses partial funds to help spay/neuter feral cats (funds not always available) 412-521-5352 Lawrence County Animal Relief Fund (LCARF) PO Box 8514, New Castle, PA 16107, 724-510-4952 http://www.lcarf.com/ Monthly clinics: $65 Spay/Neuter for Cats and Kittens! Includes a rabies vaccine, FVRCP vaccine, (distemper) and flea and earmite treatment. Visit website for more information.

Operation Spay/Neuter Butler, PA (for Butler County residents only) http://operationspayneuter.com/ For all surgeries call for an appointment at 724-287-SPAY (7729).

Pet Search P.O. Box 1653, Washington, PA 15301 Call 724-228-7335 for clinic information. http://www.petsearchpa.org/ SNIPP: Spay and Neuter Indiana PA Pets Westmoreland/Indiana Counties, Alle-Kiski Valley (Leechburg) Monthly low cost clinics. Call 724-541-7205 for clinic information. http://www.snippindianapa.org/

Low-cost Spay/Neuter and Veterinary Clinics

Fix’N Wag’N Mobile low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinics scheduled in communities partnering with rescues. Visit the website for upcoming dates and places. https://fixnwagn.com/ THESE ARE INDEPENDENT CLINICS THAT OFFER SERVICES ON SITE DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS. Frankie’s Friends 730 5th Avenue, New Kensington, PA 15068, 724-889-7011 Spay/neuter for pet/feral cats: Neuter $40, Spay $55, includes Rabies, Ear mite treatment, Flea Treatment. Also offers low cost vaccinations and basic medical treatments. http://www.frankies-friends.org/ Penn Hills Spay/Neuter Clinic 11644 Frankstown Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15235, 412-244-1202 Open Monday-Friday. Walk-in services for ferals.

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://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html Spay USA http://www.spayusa.org/search.php Spay and Neuter Early, a Humane Alliance Campaign http://www.whentospay.org/get-your-pet-fixed Get Your Fix.org http://getyourfix.org/ ASPCA searchable map of low-cost clinics in US & Canada https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/ low-cost-spayneuter-programs EMERGENCY AND AFTER-HOURS CARE Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center (PVSEC) http://www.pvs-ec.com/ VCA Castle Shannon Animal Hospital http://www.vcahospitals.com/castle-shannon VCA Northview Animal Hospital Specialty Referral Center http://www.vcahospitals.com/northview A-VETS, http://www.avets.us/ PET-FRIENDLY RENTALS In the Pittsburgh area, visit this list on the FosterCat website: http://www.fostercat.org/friendly.html Nationwide (United States only) http://www.rent.com/pet-friendly-apartments SHELTERS AND SHELTER SERVICES Adoption, surrender, low-cost clinics, pet food pantries, referrals, etc.

Humane Animal Rescue, North Shore (Western PA Humane Society) www.wpahumane.org Humane Animal Rescue, East Liberty (Animal Rescue League) www.animalrescue.org Animal Friends (AFI), www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org Animal Advocates, animaladvocates.net Washington Area Humane Society, www.washingtonpashelter.org Butler County Humane Society, www.butlercountyhs.org Beaver County Humane Society, www.beavercountyhumanesociety.org ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS BY STATE (UNITED STATES) Animal Legal & Historical Center www.animallaw.info/articles/armpstatecruelty.htm

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DIRECTORIES

DOG TRAINING North: AKIN Family Dog Training (Lilian Akin) 412-732-8091 | akinfdt.net Greater Pittsburgh Area: Happy Pets Training/Christine Flint 412-373-9583 | www.happypetstraining.com Success Just Clicks, successjustclicks.com North Shore: South: Paula’s Professional Dog Services, 412-818-2482 DOG TRAINING CLUBS South: Dogworks Training Center at The Canine Club 412-220-8100 | www.thecanineclub.com 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 Manon’s Farm, 724-705-7912 | 724-621-0260 SydMor Equestrian Center 724-969-0510 | www.sydmorstables.com EQUINE FEED & SUPPLY AGWAY - SOUTHERN STATES North: Mount Nebo Agway, Sewickley, PA | 412-364-4430 Beaver Agway, Beaver, PA | 724-775-0535 Mars Agway, Mars PA | 724-625-2340 South: Eighty Four Agway, Eighty Four, PA | 724-222-0600 East: Ligonier Agway, Ligonier, PA | 724-238-6207 West: Imperial Agway, Imperial, PA | 724-695-7388 EQUINE HOLISTIC CARE Greater Pittsburgh Area: Dr. Michael Savko, DC, CCSP, CVCP 724-261-7915 | drchirovet.com EQUINE TACK STORES North: Shady Acres Saddlery 412-963-9454 | www.shadyacressaddlery.biz South: Lowry’s Western Store 724-228-1225 | lowryswesternshop.com EQUINE VETERINARIANS Dr. Brian Burks, DVM - Fox Run Equine Center 724-727-3481 | foxrunequine.com

HOLISTIC PET PRACTITIONERS Pet Chiropractor North: Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM, Beaver Animal Clinic 724-774-8047 | beaveranimalclinic.com Greater Pittsburgh: Dr. Michael Savko, DC, CCSP, CVCP 724-261-7915 | drchirovet.com EASE Animal Massage 412-447-8490 | www.easeanimalmassage.com HOLISTIC PRACTITIONERS FOR GUARDIANS East End: Judith Levy, Coaching/Energy Modalities 412-726-2659 | www.judithlevycoaching.com South: HOLISTIC VETERINARIANS Dr. Doug Knueven, DVM, Beaver Animal Clinic 724-774-8047 | beaveranimalclinic.com Dr. Qiang Li VCA Castle Shannon 412-885-2500 PET BURIAL, MEMORIAL & CREMATION SERVICES South: Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation 412-220-7800 | ccpc.ws Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home 412-655-4500 | jeffersonmemorial.biz Greater Pittsburgh: Thousand Hills Pet Crematory 724-355-8296 | www.thousandhillspetcrematory.com PET GROOMING North: All About Dogs 724-925-1577 | allaboutdogsgrooming.info Happy Tailz Pet Spa 412-759-7620 | Happytailzpetspa.com Healthy Pet Grooming 724-759-7567 Larry’s Laundromutt 412-534-4052 | Larryslaundromutt.com South: Woody’s Dog Wash & Pet Boutique 412-714-4644 | woodysdogbath.com East: Animal Elegance 412-361-1177 | www.animal-elegance.com Cat Around Town Cat Grooming 412-466-7877 (PURR) | cataroundtown.com West: Paws Here Awhile Pet Resort 724-573-4665 | pawshereawhile.com Greater Pittsburgh Area: Zoom N Groom (Sonya Patterson), 724-225-4827 PET FRIENDLY BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS Bactronix, 412-375-7886 | www.bactronix.com Good Nature Organic Lawn Care 888-LAWNSAFER | whygoodnature.com Simple Sugars Scrub, Simplesugarsscrub.com

North: Village Shoppes Scenery Hill Western PA No Boarders Pet and Animal Care Elves Lair Christmas & Gifts, Jan’s Tea Shoppe - 2nd Home & Farm Sitting Dog stop - North P RCoffee E SRoasters, E NVelvet T Envelope, T H IWesterS A D 724-935-DOGS F O R (3647) A | www.thedogstop.net F R E E D A Y 724-219-7801 O F |D AYC A R E * Street Noboarders-petcare.com wald Pottery, Two Old Crows, www.sceneryhillpa.

South: The Dog Stop - Sewickley com 412-766-DOGS (3647) | www.thedogstop.net Pets at Home Greater Pittsburgh Area: 412-655-7297 (PAWS) Lucky Paws Pet Resort Fragasso Financial Advisors 724-728-1484 | www.luckypawsresort.com Your Critter Sitters (Raylene Hoover) 412-227-3200 | www.fragassoadvisors.com 724-448-7330 | yourcrittersitters.com South: Matt Arch Foundation, www.connectarian.com East: Grandma’s Dog Daycare One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning 412-586-7094 | grandmasdogdaycare.com Pittsburgh Pet Concierge 724-225-1644 | www.onehourair.com 412-856-8505 | petconcierge.org Fuzzy Paws Pet Villa OxyMagic, 412-781-4110 | www.oxypgh.com 724-746-3899 | fuzzy-paws.com VETERINARY HOSPICE & MOBILE SERVICES Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh The Dog Stop - Banksville Rd. Greater Pittsburgh Area: 412-342-0500 | www.komenpittsburgh.org 412-343-1171 | www.thedogstop.net Nancy A. Ruffing, DVM East Pampered Paw Resort 412-801-1071 | gentlejourneyvet.com 724-413-3135 | pamperedpawresort.com Pittsburgh East Nissan VETERINARY PHARMACIES 412-824-90207| www.pittsburgheastnissan.com CONVENIENT LOCATIONS East: Greater Pittsburgh Area: Unique Home Solutions Pittsburgh Pet Concierge Murray Avenue Apothecary www.uniquehomesolutions.com 412-856-8505 | petconcierge.org 412-421-4996 | MAApgh.com South:• East End • South Hills • Strip The Dog Stop - Monroeville District VETERINARY HOSPITALS | www.thedogstop.net Southpointe Chamber, www.southpointe.net • Sewickly • Monroeville 412-373-3355 • Wexford North: The Dog Stop - East End PET-FRIENDLY LIVING Beaver Animal Clinic • Upper St. Clair NEW 412-361-0911 | www.thedogstop.net Greater Pittsburgh Area: 724-774-8047 | beaveranimalclinic.com The Dog Stop - East: Strip District Pinch Property Services Cheyenne Veterinary Wellness www.TheDogStop.com 412-315-7050 | www.thedogstop.net 412-445-8550 | PinchPropertyServices.com & Surgical Center *OfferEast: only valid for new clients at participating locations. Limit one Lane coupon Country Pet per Hotelfamily. Offer expires 6/30/19. 412-884-3162 | www.cheyennevet1.com 412-824-7991 | www.countrylanepethotel.com The Getaway at Glen Highland Farm Frankie Friends Veterinary Services West: www.glenhighlandgetaway.com 724-889-7011 | www.frankies-friends.org/low-costPaws Here Awhile Pet Resort veterinary-services 724-889-7011 South: 724-573-4665 | pawshereawhile.com VCA Northview Animal Hospital American Destiny RealDay EstateCare Services Boarding Training Retail Grooming Greater Pittsburgh Area: 412-364-5353 | vcanorthview.com 412-983-2220 | www.adr-usa.com Hounds Town USA South: Amore 412-232 -5085 | www.houndstownusa.com 877-716-6840 | amoreapartments.com All About Pets Veterinary Hospital PET RETAIL/SUPPLY 724-745-5503 | aapvet.com PET GROOMING SCHOOLS North: All About Pets Veterinary Hospital North: – Washington location Oddball Pets & Aquariums Pa Academy of Pet Grooming, 412-759-7620 724-503-4887 | www.aapvet.com 412-884-2333 | oddballpets.com PET MINISTRIES All Life Veterinary Clinics, 724-381-3446 Woody’s Dog Wash & Pet Boutique South: 412-714-4644 | woodysdogbath.com VCA Castle Shannon Christ United Methodist Church 412-885-2500 East: 412-277-1096 | christumc.net East: Petagogy, petagogy.com | 412-362-7387 Westminster Presbyterian Church The Big Easy Animal Hospital Petland East Side Village 412-835-6630 | westminster-church.org 412-908-9301 | tbeah.com 412-363-PETS | www.petlandvillageofeastside.com PET RESORTS - BOARDING, DAYCARE, Monroeville Pet Hospital Greater Pittsburgh Area: GROOMING & TRAINING 412-372-1100 | www.monroevillepethospital.com Baskets of Nature Camp Bow Wow South VETERINARY SPECIALTY & EMERGENCY SERVICES 724-831-9437 | www.basketsofnature.com 971 Killarney Dr Pittsburgh, PA 15234 North/South: Dig It Collars, dig-it-store.com Camp Bow Wow Southwest Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center, Inc. 412-276-WAGS (9247) Trixie’s Dog Fashions 412-366-3400 | 724-809-2000 pvs-ec.com www.trixiesdogfashions.com Camp Bow Wow North North: 412-931-WAGS (9247) O2 Derm Pet Topical Gel, www.O2Dermpet.com VCA Northview Animal Hospital Specialty Referral Center Camp Bow Wow Highland Park PET SITTERS 412-364-5353 | vcanorthview.com 412-362-PLAY North Camp Bow Wow Pgh East Furry Family Pet Sitting 724-733 CAMP (2267) 412-999-9524 | www.furryfamilypetsitting.com

All-Inclusive, Clean, Safe Fun for

DOGS IN THE ‘BURGH!

DIRECTORIES

ANIMAL EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS North: The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium pittsburghzoo.org The National Aviary nationalaviary.org ANIMAL COMMUNICATION Greater Pittsburgh Area: Renee Takacs, M.A., intuitguide.com ANIMAL-RELATED ART, PHOTOGRAPHY & RETAIL April Minech Custom Portraits | Pet Inspired Art www.ladybugdelightz.etsy.com North: Kim Lenz, Behind the Lenz Photography 412-983-0981, https://www.facebook.com/ Behind-the-Lenz-127787624032093/ Buzzy Photography 412-371-5212 | anita@buzzyphoto.com South: Kara Jones Photography, kjones.smugmug.com Paws ‘n Claws Eyewear, PawsnClawsEyewear.com ANIMAL RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS North: Animal Friends 412-847-7000 | thinkingoutsidethecage.org Beaver County Humane Society 724-775-5801 | www.beavercountyhumanesociety.org Frankie’s Friend Rescue 724-889-7011 | www.frankies-friends.org Pennsylvania Great Dane Rescue, 724-869-9185 Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary 412-366-1187 | hopehavenfarm.org South: Animal Care & Welfare 412-244-1372 | animalcareandwelfare.org Droopy’s Basset Rescue 888-9 GET DROOL | www.droopysbassetrescue.com Washington Area Humane Society 724-222-7387 | washingtonpashelter.org Animals Against the Odds Rescue/Rehab www.aato.rescueme.org East: Humane Animal Rescue 412-345-7300 | animalrescue.org HAR Wildlife Center 412-345-7300 | animalrescue.org SW PA Pugs with Special Needs 724-763-2790 | swpapug.org West: CARMAA, 412-780-4983 | carmaa-petadoption.com Greater Pittsburgh Area: SPAAR, www.seniorpetandanimalrescue.org Guardian Angels Pug Rescue, 724-537-3466 www.facebook.com/guardianangelspugrescue Humane Society of Greene County 724-627-9988 | greenepet.org PEARL Parrot Rescue, www.pearlparrots.com BIRD & SUPPLIES Natural Inspirations Parrot Cages www.naturalinspirationsparrotcages.com

List your business today! pghpetconnections@gmail.com

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FEATHERED FRIENDS

The AIR in THERE:

How household air quality can affect the health of our birds.

PRESENT THIS AD FOR A FREE DAY OF DAYCARE* P R E S E N T T H I S A D F O R A F R E E D AY O F D AYC A R E *

By Edward R. Moats

As companions, parrots spend the majority, if not all; of their time living in our homes.

Because of the enclosed environment, everyday products and chemicals can quickly alter the quality of the air we and our pets breathe. The feathered family should be cognizant of how the air quality in our homes affects not just our feathered companions, but all our pets.

TOXINS IN THE HOME:

Smoking cigarettes in the home can be potentially dangerous to your parrot. A parrot’s respiratory system is geared to maximize absorption of oxygen to aid in flight. Therefore, because of how the respiratory system absorbs oxygen and other airborne gases or fumes, exposure to harmful chemicals such as cigarette smoke can greatly increase the chances of respiratory illness and death.

Household cleaners have been proven to alter air quality and place humans at risk with perpetual exposure.

The same holds true with parrots when they come into contact with any form of aerosol product, bleach, ammonia, carpet cleaners, essential oils, and other products that pollute the air with strong fragrance or fumes.

In my home, I use vinegar and baking soda to clean with great results. There are other products the pet parent can use in proximity to their parrot. I recommend that you read labels to find cleaners and products that are suited to use in the parrot home.

Burning candles in enclosed areas such as our homes also alters air quality. Most candles are made from paraffin wax. This wax emits cancer causing agents known as Benzene and Toluene. In many candles, the wick may contain high levels of heavy metals such as lead. When these wicks are burnt, they emit toxic levels of chemicals into the air. Exposure to these chemicals can trigger respiratory failure and death in just a matter of minutes.

Teflon is one of the biggest dangers in our homes when it comes to parrots. Teflon Poisoning or Polytetrafluoroethylene Intoxication (instead of using

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Pittsburgh PetConnections | Winter 2020/2021

such a big set of words, I will shorten them to PTFE) can trigger respiratory distress that can threaten the life of a bird in a blink of an eye. PTFE is a non-stick coating that is used in many brands of cookware. (Other products include hair dryers, non-stick cooking bags, aluminum foil, shatterproof bulbs, self-cleaning ovens, stain repellents, and portable heaters that contain Teflon).

When overheated, PTFE disperses a gas into the air that is harmless to humans. However, this gas is highly toxic to birds. When this gas is inhaled by our parrots, it can cause difficulty in breathing due to the lungs filling up with fluid. Other potential sources that can place a bird at risk for respiratory distress are fumes from newly installed carpeting and new furniture.

Signs and symptoms of PTFE Intoxication and Respiratory Distress brought on by air pollutants include difficulty breathing and gasping for air, sneezing, wheezing, eye twitching or blinking, loss of balance and coordination, seizures, and sudden death.

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PITTSBURGH DOGS!

DOGS IN THE ‘BURGH! 7 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

7 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS East End • South Hills • Strip District • Sewickly Monroeville • Wexford • Upper St. Clair

• East End • South Hills • Strip District Carnegie and Cranberry locations coming soon!

• Sewickly • Monroeville • Wexford • Upper St. Clair NEW www.TheDogStop.com

www.TheDogStop.com

*Offer only valid for new clients at participating locations. Limit one coupon per family. Offer expires 4/01/21.

*Offer only valid for new clients at participating locations. Limit one coupon per family. Offer expires 6/30/19.

GROOMING

Grooming

DAYCARE

Day Care

BOARDING

Boarding

TRAINING

Training

RETAIL

Retail

If your bird is displaying any of these symptoms: IMMEDIATELY REMOVE YOUR BIRD FROM THE PROXIMITY OF THE SOURCE OF DISTRESS Remove the source of contaminant and place it outside on a safe surface. Ventilate the house. If you have a travel carrier, place your bird in the carrier and take your bird outside. If taking your bird outside is not an option, take your bird to the other side of your home that is the furthest away from the toxic source.

Once the source of toxicity has been removed from your home and your bird is receiving fresh air, immediately contact an Avian Veterinarian. Treat this as an Emergency situation and seek treatment for your parrot as soon as possible.

Understanding the potential dangers of chemicals in our homes that are harmful to our pets can assist the pet parent in being proactive in maintaining air quality. In the end, we and our pets will breathe easier and live healthy lives.

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EQUINE AFFAIRS

Lunging to develop your horse’s topline

Where will you lead

By Kristin Hermann Lunging is a valuable tool for training a horse. Most owners use lunging as a way to release excess energy but lunging a horse has many other benefits such as improving a horse’s balance and developing the topline.

When we train horses, we train them longitudinally over the back and laterally or side to side. At our disposal are many auxiliary aids we can use to train the horse on the lunge. Developing your lunging skills is a great alternative, especially if you cannot afford to pay a trainer.

However, one must first know how to lunge a horse. And I am not going to tell you it is easy. Like anything we do with our horses, it requires skill and coordination. We have to walk and hold the lunge line plus whip and keep the horse in the middle. Lunging is similar to riding; only we are not riding and are standing. The lunge whip is equivalent to the rider’s legs and asks the horse to go forward, and the lunger stands in line with the saddle, and the lunge line is like the reins. Like riding the legs or lunge line ask the horse to go forward and into the reins. If you don’t have lunging skills, I tell my students to develop them on a horse that won’t act out, turn in, or challenge them. Once you have developed necessary lunging skills with a reliable horse, then challenge those skills on a horse that may test you. I also recommend supervision. No one wants to get tangled up in a lunge line!

To train a horse on the lunge, we have many options. We can use side reins, a Chambon, sliding side reins, Pessoa, or a neck stretcher to develop the horse. Each training tool has a different purpose. The neck stretcher, Lunging in a Chambon. It puts pressure on the horse’s Pessoa, Chambon, and sliding side poll to encourage the horse to stretch down and lift the reins get the horse to stretch over back. Nylon lines attach to crown piece of bridle. the back and work back to front. Using these tools, get the horse to lift the back and carry the rider. Side reins also work the horse over the back but keep the horse also balanced laterally, meaning from side to side.

A horse has both longitudinal and lateral balance. We train the horse in both directions to get it supple to perform better. No one wants to ride a stiff or one-sided horse. Side reins work differently from the other tools because they keep the horse’s head and neck in the center of the horse’s shoulders. The other tools just stretch the horse over the back, and the horse can still “pop” a shoulder and lean on the bit and not go straight. Have I lost you yet?

Side reins put the horse’s head down with an elastic connection, keeps the neck and shoulders Leather sliding side reins encourage stretching down to straight, and encourage lift the back but most of the pressure is on the bit. the horse to give to the No elastic in the sliding sidereins. bit and back off the bit.

Just like we don’t want to ride a stiff horse, we don’t want a horse leaning or being heavy in our hands either. Being able to lunge a horse and understand the varying training tools and how they work is valuable for all equestrians bringing their horse along. Learning about lunging will help riders train a horse, whether you are struggling to get a horse to jump straight, move out or attempt to get the horse round! As you develop your skills, I recommend only lunging your horse at a trot until you and the horse are proficient in lunging.

Coventry Equestrian Center

Also, we never want to put any of these auxiliary aids on tight ever! Like everything we introduce to the horse, we want to do it gradually and not over face the horse. Anytime we tie a horse’s head down, we risk the horse reacting, and if a horse can’t go forward or feels constrained, it could go up! Avoid this at all costs!

What you want to look for when lunging is that your horse is relaxed, rhythmic, and eventually tracking up. When the horse is tracking up or stepping underneath itself, it is using its back. Most equestrians think drive, drive, and push, and then the horse gets quick and rushes. Not good. If we train our horses to lift its back, the stride will do what I call unravel and release the tension, and the horse will lengthen its stride and work over its back without getting quick or rushing. Relaxation and rhythm are two qualities a trainer needs to influence the horse further.

Developing your knowledge about lunging and developing those skills is an inroad to successful horsemanship and training. Lunging is an art, and training is a skill and understanding the biomechanics of training becomes fascinating!

Coventry Equestrian Center will be offering lunging seminars over the winter. Interested equestrians who want to learn more about these valuable training tools can contact Kristin Hermann blythedale@comcast.net. Or visit our Facebook page at Coventry Equestrian Center.

Kristin also shares training tips on her Facebook page called Home School Your Horse.In the next Pet Connections Magazine, I will write about developing the horse’s canter on the lunge!

Recommended reading: “Understanding the Chambon,” by Elizabeth Lander and Hilary Legard

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Pittsburgh PetConnections | Winter 2020/2021

© 2019 Cargill, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

WHEN THEY BEGIN TO FOLLOW?

DISCOVER ULTRA-PREMIUM HORSE FEED AT P RO E LITE H ORSE F EED.COM

Available at: Your local Agway store

Boarding / Lessons / Horse Sales

Dressage ~ Gymnastic Training for all horses & riders

Dressage ~ Gymnastic Training for all horses & riders Lunging is side reins that have an elastic give and keep the Learn to ride horse’s head centered so the shoulders, neck how and head stay & train withflexion clarity forpoll Dressage, in alignment. Also lifts the back and gets at the and straightness front to Hunt back. Seat, Eventing,

Western, Pleasure

All horses & riders benefit utilizing simplified gymnastic training (dressage)

Rockin’ Horse Stables

www.CoventryEquestrianCenter.com

Stretching the topline using training tools is a great way to train a horse to lift the back. But eventually if the correct muscles are working your horse will stretch on its own.

Learn how to ride & train with clarity for Dressage, Hunt Seat, Eventing, Western, Pleasure All horses & riders benefit utilizing simplified gymnastic training (dressage) Visit the “Home Schooling Your Horse” Facebook page for simplified training tips

Visit the “Home Schooling Your Horse” Facebook page for simplified training tips Kristin Hermann blythedale@comcast.net 724-206-9902

Coventry Equestrian Center

Rockin’ Horse Stables is a full care Hunter & Jumper boarding and training facility offering beginner to advanced English riding lessons, summer camps and quality horse sales. We strive to offer a clean, safe, family friendly environment for our riders and guests.

Minutes from Rt. 19 Cranberry Twp. • Stalls & Lessons Available

724-601-4706 • rockinhorsestables.com

Kristin Hermann blythedale@comcast.net 724-206-9902

www.CoventryEquestrianCenter.com

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7

REMEMBRANCE

Grieving a Loss or Palliative Care During the Holidays

By Bernadette Kazmarski

The holiday season, from Thanksgiving through the New Year, with all the extra social time and expectations, can be a jumble of tears and anger if you are anticipating a loss or grieving a loss. This year, with the physical restrictions of COVID, the isolation can make you feel alone and forgotten.

Holding it off, holding it in, denying it, telling yourself you shouldn’t feel that way will only stress you and you may instead feel resentful, irritable or angry and hurt someone else or yourself, and it will sometimes come out in tears or anger at unexpected times.

Caretaking is often sad and difficult work. Palliative care for a critically ill or terminally ill animal companion can be a lonely endeavor, made all the more difficult by a time of year when we are more social than usual, outside of our usual circle of friends, some of whom may not understand or accept, or even object to, your devotion. The expectation to spend more time away from home, especially when so many of us have had so little opportunity to socialize, may give you the choice of having to either cancel an obligation or leave your animal companion alone, can tear you apart.

• Plan your holiday time, especially social time, and prepare yourself for meeting the public and participating in social activities. It’s good to give yourself a break with friends who understand during caretaking and during grieving at any time of the year. Social activities are greatly abridged this holiday season, and if you have been at home with your animal companion, suddenly being out with others wanting to catch up and be merry can be a shock. If people knew your animal companion or know that you are giving palliative care, plan what you’ll tell them about your loss if they ask, and whether or not you might want to bring it up yourself. And, as you do at other times, avoid people who don’t understand your caretaking or grief at the loss of an animal companion.

Grieving a loss, even if the loss is not recent, even if the loss was years ago whether or not it happened during the holidays, this time of family, friends, socializing, choosing special gifts and making memories, is a marker in our year. It’s natural to remember all the previous holidays as you decorate, prepare food, shop, and visit, and if a beloved part of those memories isn’t with you any more you just can’t get away from it. This is even worse if you lost a animal companion during the holiday season and memories of their decline and death are mixed with memories of the holiday time.

On top of the fact that your memories of previous years clearly remind you of the loss, the extra socializing can be a nightmare as you try to manage your grief when you don’t really feel like going to the office party or the grab bag gift exchange, no matter how safe and physically distant it is. You stand a greater chance of encountering people who don’t understand your grief at losing an animal companion, and even if they do understand you may find yourself explaining over and over about the loss and that can be overwhelming.

FIVE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOURSELF • Allow yourself to feel pain or sadness. When you are by yourself or with understanding family or friends, don’t hide from your sadness at your animal companion’s condition, or your grief. Don’t push the feeling away, but recognize it, understand it, go ahead and cry, and let it pass on its own.

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Pittsburgh PetConnections | Winter 2020/2021

• Include your animal companion in your holidays. Your animal companion may not be well enough to meet guests but if they are, let them, or let those who are interested and loving spend time with your animal companion. If you’re grieving a loss you probably feel your animal companion’s loss constantly, but it may seem they’ll just get lost in the shuffle of activities and be forgotten, and there is no more desolate feeling. Find ways to keep your animal companion present, for you and others who know you and remember your animal companion.

Include decorations that were part of your relationship with your animal companion, like a stocking with their name on it, or a personalized ornament. Do something extra to add their presence, like frame your favorite photo of your animal companion and feature it prominently in your holiday display, or have a gift made for yourself with their photo, like a throw or a pillow that you’ll see and use. When you’re with friends or family, whether physical or virtual, bring up a memory of your animal companion from earlier holidays and point out the special things you’ve added in their memory.

• Be kind to yourself, as you always should be while grieving.

Make sure you really want to be part of social gatherings and limit your time if you feel you need to. Don’t overindulge but find some comfort foods and activities that make you feel happy—and don’t feel guilty about it.

Remembering P R E S E N T T H I S A DAtticus FOR A FREE

By Kaite Tontala

REMEMBRANCE

Losing an Animal Companion

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“Think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched... for nothing loved is ever lost and he was loved so much.”

As Atticus took his last wobbly walk in the garden- still stopping to smell the flowers, I wondered if he knew how many lives he had touched, both feline and human. Nine years ago, I brought this goofy blind cat home with me. I knew nothing about how to care for a blind or deaf cat and there was not FB or many internet sites to tell me how. I just felt that after being at the shelter for so long-he deserved better. I took a leap of faith, and never7regretted a second. His fearless love and joy of life CONVENIENT LOCATIONS changed my life and guided me along my path of cherishing and Note: We all have that one animal that touches us like no giving a home to over 60 senior special needs cats. He touched other, and Atticus was the cat that inspired Katie on her so many people-from the seniors he met as a therapy cat, the journey. She has spent over a decade volunteering with • East End • Strip District people who met him •asSouth my officialHills massage cat and those who cats at several organizations and learning along the way. fell in • love with him because he was just Atticus - an amazing Sewickly • Monroeville • Wexford Many senior cats (15+) and special needs felines spent their sweet cat. There is a hole in my heart that I do not know how last few years safe and warm with Katie. She offers hospice • Upper St. Clair NEW to mend, but I try to remember the joy he gave to me and so to cats that have been abandoned. And love to those who many others. I wish you all could have met this special guy... www.TheDogStop.com need it most. Katie is as special as the cats who find their and for those of you who did, take a moment to remember way into her loving arms. Knowing there are people like her gave you, hug your precious Atticus *Offerthe only smiles valid forhe new clients at participating locations. seniors.

Limit oneRIP coupon per family. Offer expires 6/30/19. in the world is a comfort to all. In honor of Atticus, Katie Schmaticus. Know your legacy will live on and you will never asks that people consider adopting a senior or special be forgotten. needs animal.

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• Make a memorial to your animal companion. Get a live tree that you can plant outside and then decorate each year.

Make a holiday donation in your animal companion’s name at an animal shelter or rescue, or sponsor an adoption so that another animal companion will be sure to have a chance to know a life with a person like your animal companion had with you.

Be aware of how you feel, and accommodate where you are.

Remember the good moments with your animal companion, and make sure you allow yourself some smiles and even laughs at your memories. Most of all, share the caretaking and the loss with others so that you don’t feel isolated, and that your experience and your animal companion’s will not be forgotten.

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petconnections.pet 11 www.petconnections.pet

REMEMBRANCE

The Garden of Faithful Friends at Jefferson Memorial There is a special place in the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh that is open, cozy, and tranquil respite from the bustle of the surrounding community.

Affording beatific vistas of rolling hills and wooden glens that wrap around friendly nearby neighborhoods. Jefferson Memorial Cemetery has provided a a peaceful resting place since 1929 when it was founded by Harry C. Neel.

• Mausoleum Crypt spaces constructed for casketed burial that includes 5 separate buildings and 4 private mausoleums • 14 mausoleum cremation niche units • 14 gardens that contain cremation niches • 24 garden statues of bronze or marble

Jefferson Memorial Park was founded in 1929 and passed down to his only son, John D. Neel, who is credited with the growth and innovation that has made Jefferson Memorial what it is today. John’s eldest son, also Harry C. Neel, currently runs the business as President and CEO. Harry’s oldest daughter, Dagny V.N. Fitzpatrick, joined the sales department of Jefferson Memorial and is now Vice President in charge of Family Services. Harry’s second daughter, Whitney R. Neel, joined the Funeral Home team in 2013 and will become the family’s 1st Funeral Director upon completion of her mortuary degree in December 2016.

Unlike many cemeteries and funeral home’s today, Jefferson Memorial has a place dedicated to our furry friends that’s open, cozy and, tranquil – The Garden of Faithful Friends. Within the garden is the Faithful Friends Mausoleum, which houses crypt spaces for your pet, and unlike any other cemetery in the area, space for you and your pet. In that same building are niche spaces for pet and human cremated remains.

Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home Facts • A fully handicap accessible facility • 18,500 square feet of floor space, beautifully decorated in Williamsburg décor • A chapel with vaulted ceiling and cushioned pews to seat up to 115 people • 5 visitation rooms • Hospitality room and lounge with parquet hardwood flooring • A children’s room that offers parents and guardians the ability to express their condolences without a babysitter (adult supervision is required) • Lighted parking lot that holds 178 cars with 6 handicap accessible parking spots

We at Jefferson believe that a pet who gave love and loyalty through life deserves the respect and dignity of having their remains placed in a lasting and final resting place, just as you would your human counterpart, for they too are a part of the family.

Jefferson Memorial Cemetery Facts • Jefferson cemetery consists of 340 owned acres with 170 acres developed and 180 acres available for future development • 1500 average annual interments • 38 traditional ground burial gardens including 4 lawn crypt sections for double depth burials

We have developed a distinctive pet room that consists of an arrangement room, a display room for caskets, urns and memorials, as well as a visitation room. Our before needs representatives and Family Service team aim to serve our pet families in every way we can.

We all love our pets and want to know they are in a safe and respectful place.

Our Garden of Faithful Friends allows your pet to stay at your side forever. It truly represents our motto – Family is at the Heat of Everything We Do For more information on how we can help you in your pets time of need, please reach out to our trained professional representatives at www.jeffersonmemorial.biz or call us directly at 412.655.4500

F a f i t o hful Fr n e d r a ie G at

nd

PRIMARY CARE: • Preventive and routine medicine (vaccines, spay/neuter, dentistry, routine diagnostic lab tests such as heartworm, fecal, CBC/chemistry, microchipping)

Call today to make an appointment!

• VCA CareClub® – A wellness plan to help your pet live a happy, healthy life – is available for every stage of life!

SPECIALTY CARE: • Surgery - Orthopedic, advanced soft tissue, laparoscopy/arthroscopy • Internal Medicine - Diagnosis and medical management of complicated cases • Integrative Medicine and Acupuncture - A mix of conventional western medicine and alternative eastern medicine • Avian and Exotic / ZooMed - Fur, scales, feathers, fins, and slime!

Avian & exotic / zoological companion animals are unique and delicate.

Their anatomy and physiology is vastly different from dogs and cats, yet require the same amount of expertise and care, special dedicated equipment, housing, and staff • Advanced Diagnostics - Digital radiography, ultrasound, CT, endoscopy

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e h T

The mausoleum is an elegant visual feature that expresses meaningful sayings and showcases people with their pets. Like a full-service funeral home, Jefferson Memorial offers visitation opportunities to all pet families.

THE VERY BEST FOR YOUR PET IN ONE CONVENIENT LOCATION!

Mention that you saw our ad in PetConnections when you book your appointment to receive a special offer upon check-in.

Designed exclusively for pets and their parents.

Complete funeral and burial services for you and your faithful friend.

Including advance planning for cremation, urns, graves, caskets and memorials.

VCA NORTHVIEW ANIMAL HOSPITAL SPECIALTY REFERRAL CENTER 223 Siebert Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

412-348-8895 VCAnorthview.com

They’re more than just pets, they’re family.

Call today to find out about your PetConnections savings! | 412.655.4500 | Jeffersonmemorial.biz

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Pittsburgh PetConnections | Winter 2020/2021

AT VCA ANIMAL HOSPITALS, WE CARE © 2019 VCA Animal Hospitals Inc. VCA Logo is a registered trademark of VCA Inc. or its affiliated companies.

The The The most most The most comprehensive most comprehensive comprehensive comprehensive multispecialty multispecialty multispecialty multispecialty referral referral referral referral && & & emergency emergency emergency emergency veterinary veterinary veterinary veterinary center center center center ininwestern western in western in western Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Pennsylvania The most comprehensive multispecialty referral & emergency veterinarySERVICES center in western Pennsylvania EMERGENCY EMERGENCY EMERGENCY EMERGENCY SERVICES SERVICES SERVICES

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