Services

We love what we do

We understand that pets are a part of the family, and your pet’s health is our number one priority. Yearly exams and preventive care can help deter many serious health conditions and provide early detection of diseases. We offer a wide range of veterinary services for your pets including but not limited to:

  • Pediatric, Adult and Senior Preventive/Wellness Care
  • Puppy and Kitten Care
  • Illness Care
  • Vaccinations
  • Radiology
  • Surgical Services
  • Laser Therapy
  • Ultrasonography
  • Dentistry
  • Chiropractic
  • Domestic Health Certificates (no international)
  • End of Life Services
Local veterinary hospital servicing the community for over 40 years.
We are familiar with your pet and your pets needs.
In-house laboratory for immediate results when necessary.
All surgical patients are placed on IV fluids to stabilize blood pressure during all anesthetic procedures.
Orthopedic surgeries are referred to highly trained surgeons.

Oral Health

Dental health is a very important part of your pet’s overall health, and dental problems can cause, or be caused by, other health problems. Your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian to check for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.

What is veterinary dentistry, and who should perform it?

Veterinary dentistry includes the cleaning, adjustment, filing, extraction, or repair of your pets' teeth and all other aspects of oral health care. These procedures should be performed by a veterinarian or aboard-certified veterinary dentist. Subject to state or provincial regulation, veterinary technicians are allowed to perform certain dental procedures under the supervision of a veterinarian. The process begins with an oral exam of your pet’s mouth by a veterinarian. Radiographs (x-rays) maybe needed to evaluate the health of the jaw and the tooth roots below the gumline. Because most dental disease occurs below the gumline, where you can’t see it, a thorough dental cleaning and evaluation are performed under anesthesia. Dental cleaning includes scaling (to remove dental plaque and tartar) and polishing, similar to the process used on your own teeth during your regular dental cleanings.

Oral Health in Dogs & Cats

Your pet’s teeth should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.
Have your pet’s teeth checked sooner if you observe any of the following problems:

  • Bad breath
  • Broken or loose teeth
  • Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
  • Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
  • Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
  • Pain in or around the mouth
  • Bleeding from the mouth
  • Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth

Some pets become irritable when they have dental problems, and any changes in your pet’s behavior should prompt a visit to your veterinarian. Always be careful when evaluating your pet’s mouth, because a painful animal may bite.

Causes of Pet Dental Problems

Although cavities are less common in pets than in people, they can have many of the same dental problems that people can develop:

  • Broken teeth and roots
  • Periodontal disease
  • Abscesses or infected teeth
  • Cysts or tumors in the mouth
  • Malocclusion, or misalignment of the teeth and bite
  • Broken (fractured) jaw
  • Palate defects (such as cleft palate)

Periodontal disease is the most common dental condition in dogs and cats – by the time your pet is 3 years old, he or she will very likely have some early evidence of periodontal disease, which will worsen as your pet grows older if effective preventive measures aren’t taken. Early detection and treatment are critical, because advanced periodontal disease can cause severe problems and pain for your pet.Periodontal disease doesn’t just affect your pet’s mouth. Other health problems found in association with periodontal disease include kidney, liver, and heart muscle changes.

It starts with plaque that hardens into tartar. Tartar above the gumline can often easily be seen and removed, but plaque and tartar below the gumline is damaging and sets the stage for infection and damage to the jawbone and the tissues that connect the tooth to the jaw bone. Periodontal disease is graded on a scale of 0 (normal) to 4 (severe).

The treatment of periodontal disease involves a thorough dental cleaning and x-rays may be needed to determine the severity of the disease. Your veterinarian will make recommendations based on your pet’s overall health and the health of your pet’s teeth, and provide you with options to consider.

What can I do at home for my pet’s oral health?

Prevention of the most common oral disease in pets consists of frequent removal of the dental plaque and tartar that forms on teeth that are not kept clean. Regularly brushing your pet’s teeth is the single most effective thing you can do to keep their teeth healthy between dental cleanings and may reduce the frequency or even eliminate the need for periodic dental cleaning by your veterinarian. Daily brushing is best, but it’s not always possible and brushing several times a week can be effective. Most dogs accept brushing, but cats can be a bit more resistant – patience and training are important.

There are many pet products marketed with claims that they improve dental health, but not all of them are effective. Talk with your veterinarian about any dental products, treats, or dental-specific diets you’re considering for your pet, or ask them for their recommendation.

Why does dentistry require anesthesia?

When you go to the dentist, you know that what’s being done is meant to help you and keep your mouth healthy. Your dentist uses techniques to minimize pain and discomfort and can ask you how you are feeling, so you accept the procedures and do your best to keep still. Your pet does not understand the benefit of dental procedures, and he or she reacts by moving, trying to escape, or even biting.

Anesthesia makes it possible to perform the dental procedures with less stress and pain for your pet. In addition, anesthesia allows for a better cleaning because your pet is not moving around and risking injury from the dental equipment. If radiographs (x-rays) are needed, your pet needs to be very still in order to get good images, and this is unlikely without heavy sedation or anesthesia.

Although anesthesia will always have risks, it’s safer now than ever and continues to improve so that the risks are very low and are far outweighed by the benefits. Most pets can go home the same day of the procedure, although they might seem a little groggy for the rest of the day.

An image of a cat

Chiro

Dr. Michael Savko, DC is a board certified Doctor of Chiropractic, that works under the direct supervision of licensed veterinarians at several local veterinary hospitals to help enhance the quality of care for large and small animals.  He has worked with both people and companion animals since 2000. His purpose is to quickly restore optimum health and to help each patient stay healthy for life.​

Dr. Savko uses Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM) technology. VOM precisely locates areas of your animal's nervous and muscle systems that have fallen out of proper communication or balance with the rest of the body and the brain. VOM is then used to re-establish communication and balance in these areas thus reducing pain AND inducing healing. Dr. Savko enjoys working closely with licensed veterinarians to be sure the patients are receiving the best possible care and has recently added a new doctor to his team, Dr. Jeremy Succop, DC, CVCP.

To schedule an appointment or to learn more, click here.

Ultrasound

Drs. Dana Kellerman DVM, DACVIM (SAIM) and Nathaniel “Chip” Meyers DVM, DACVIM (SAIM) of Pittsburgh Veterinary Internal Medicine (PVIM) are mobile veterinarians that provide ultrasound and echocardiogram services for us, as well as other veterinarians in the area.

General Surgery

We offer a full range of surgical procedures including but not limited to: spay/neuter, soft tissue surgery and dental cleanings/extractions.

 Boarding

At Pampurred Paws Hotel, our goal is to provide stimulating one-on-one care to your pet while they enjoy a Pampurred staycation, including play time, games, interactive toys and lots of individual attention! To schedule a tour or to schedule your pet for a stay, call 412-404-6407 or send an email to pampurredpawspgh@gmail.com.

Boarding Prices

*Felines

Kitty Kondos
Cats under 12 lbs     $26/night (2nd cat +$20/night) + tax
Cats over 12 lbs        $32/night (2nd cat +$28/night) + tax

Kitty Suites with Nestcam
$32/night (2nd cat +28/night)

*All cats boarding need proof of up-to-date Rabies and FVRCP (distemper) vaccinations as well as proof of negative FelV/FIV test. If your cat is FelV or FIV+, please call us for arrangements.

*Canines

K9 Kondos
20 lbs and under    $44/night (2nd dog +$28/night) + tax
21 – 60 lbs                $48/night (2nd dog +$31/night) + tax
61 lbs and over       $53/night (2nd dog +$34/night) + tax

LUXURY K9 Kondos with Nestcam
Any size dog    $11/night upgrade

*All dogs boarding need proof of up-to-date Rabies and DHPP (distemper) vaccinations, Bordetella within the last 6 months and a negative fecal. Vaccines and fecal MUST be completed BEFORE stay.

Make Appointment

We will do our best to accommodate your schedule. Request an appointment today!

Our Services

We strive to provide comprehensive care for our patients. 

New Patient Center

We have online forms for everything related to our Austin veterinarian clinic, and information.