VCA Met Vet West Animal Hospital

03/21/2025

Safety first! Whether you're out for a walk or relaxing at home, the right pet safety gear is a must. We've rounded up our top picks to keep our pets protected. Watch to see our favorites!

03/20/2025

Spring is in the air 🌼 Next time you stop and smell the flowers, make sure they're safe for your pet to sniff too!

What's your favorite Spring activity with your pet? Let us know in the comments.

03/19/2025

Cats are very susceptible to H5N1, also known as the bird flu or avian influenza. At this time, the overall risk for exposure and infection in a healthy house cat who is not fed a raw diet is believed to be low. The virus has ravaged poultry farms, leading to the mass killing of over 150 million birds. Now, it's been detected in dairy cows, cats—even humans.

Signs of H5N1 infection in infected or exposed cats:
🐈Respiratory problems like coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, trouble breathing
🐈Neurological disorders, such as disorientation or trouble walking
🐈lSudden onset of severe disease or death without prior signs of illness or injury

🪶 How does bird flu spread?

The bird flu can spread through an infected animal's bodily fluids, but there have also been reports of cats getting the virus from food.
In the past four months, multiple pet food brands have issued recalls. The most recent recall applies to certain lots of Savage Cat Food‘s large and small chicken boxes which were sold at retailers in California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Monarch Raw Pet Food remains under recall, and Wild Coast Raw recently recalled its products after a pet died from the virus.

🪶 How to avoid exposure to bird flu

Cats should not drink unpasteurized dairy products or eat raw diets. Ideally, keep cats indoors and away from wild birds, livestock, and poultry. Immunosuppressed cats should be indoor only.
Humans should avoid touching sick or dead birds and thoroughly wash their hands after handling poultry or any animals who are housed outdoors.

03/18/2025

Meeting your pet is one of the easiest hellos, but it's also one of the hardest goodbyes.

Jennifer Scanlon, VCA South Shore (Weymouth) Animal Hospital, spoke with Newsweek about pet grief and how important it is to help pet owners navigate these difficult times.

Read More:

An X-ray revealed my 12-year-old dog had hemangiosarcoma, a type of cancer known as the "silent killer."

03/18/2025

This past weekend, we were proud sponsors of the Animal Friends benefit Bow Wow Bingo! 🐶🍀🐱
Each year, Animal Friends helps thousands of homeless animals and people. They provide assistance to the Pittsburgh community through rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, vet care, pet food distribution, supportive services, training, and education. We appreciate all that they do & we are happy to give back!

03/17/2025

☘️Happy St. Patrick’s day! ☘️
Give your little leprechauns a kiss from us today! 🐶🐱🌈🍀

Did you know that there are eight dog breeds native to Ireland that are currently recognized by the American Kennel Club. These Irish dog breeds have storied histories in their homeland and abroad, and they run the size gamut from miniature to massive.
🍀 Irish Terrier
🍀 Irish Red and White Setter
🍀 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
🍀 Irish Wolfhound
🍀 Glen of Imaal Terrier
🍀 Kerry Blue Terrier
🍀 Irish Water Spaniel
🍀 Irish Setter

The only recognized cat breed with Irish roots is the Manx cat. 🍀 Known for its short or absent tail, the Manx originates from the Isle of Man, a British Crown Dependency in the Irish Seas. 🍀

03/17/2025

We're feline lucky cause it's St. Cat-ricks Day 🍀!

03/17/2025

Janet, our groomer, will be out of the office for a while starting tomorrow. 🐾✂️🛁 We are sending her good vibes for a speedy recovery and return!
Stay tuned for more info on her return date.

03/15/2025

Do you let your pet sleep in your bed? 🤭
Let’s see a show of hands if you know what it’s like to get pushed to the edge of the bed by a soundly sleeping pet? 🙋🏻‍♀️🙋‍♂️
Let’s see some pics of those cozy fur kids!

03/14/2025

When it comes to pet health, make sure you're in the know. We're debunking a few common myths that can put your pet's health at risk.

03/13/2025

March 13th is

Today is dedicated to the incredible canines out there whose service and sacrifice help to keep us safe.

03/12/2025

Raise your hand if your timeline is just photos of the cutest pets! 😹🤚

03/12/2025

A subtle change in your cat's routine could be an indication that they're experiencing an underlying medical issue. VCA's Krista Williams, DVM, spoke with the HuffPost to help cat owners look for signs that your cat may be due for a checkup.

Read Now: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cats-veterinarians-signs-never-ignore_l_67aba777e4b0c52db9aaf7d1

Feline health experts break down the red flags that may indicate a serious underlying problem.

03/11/2025

Instead of fatty foods like cheese, peanut butter, and bacon, we recommend Pill Assist or Pill Pocket treats to make it super easy to give medication to your pets! They are conveniently located at our checkout desk.
💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊

03/10/2025

😂😂 Awww! Some of our kitty friends have really creative names.

Let’s hear them!
Wed love to see 🐱pics too 😺

03/08/2025

Friendly reminder that we Spring ahead tonight!
Your pets will probably not be happy that dinner time is going to be an hour later 🤣

03/06/2025

Microchips may be tiny in size, but they can lead to great results. Did you know this fast and safe procedure increases the chance of reconnecting lost pets with their owners?

Contact your local VCA to ask about microchipping your pet.

03/05/2025

Where can you find world-class medicine & hometown care? At VCA!

Find your local VCA: https://vca.mobi/FindAHospital

02/28/2025

Fun Fact Friday!
Did you know that pumpkin is not only a delicious fall favorite, but it’s also a superfood for your pet? Learn how pumpkins are great for your pets!

02/27/2025

Ever curious about why dogs sigh? Discover the real reason behind it—and how those sighs can actually be a sign of trust and security.

Find Out Why Dogs Sigh: https://vca.mobi/WhyDoDogsSigh

02/25/2025

A pet diabetes diagnosis can be stressful. However, with your loving care and our commitment to your pet’s health, we can manage diabetes together.

02/25/2025

Spaying your pet has several benefits, including helping to reduce the pet overpopulation crisis.

Talk to your veterinarian to determine the best time to spay your pet.

02/24/2025

While some dogs enjoy the cold, others need extra warmth. Watch here to learn about your dog's body temperature to ensure they stay cozy and comfortable this winter.

02/21/2025

Your pet’s smile is worth protecting. VCA accepts the CareCredit credit card for all types of veterinary expenses, including dental cleanings.

Learn more about CareCredit and see if you prequalify at https://bit.ly/3EFLhr0.

02/21/2025

Fun Fact Friday!
Did you know a dog’s sense of smell is up to 100,000 times stronger than ours? Their noses can detect scents we can’t even imagine!

Watch this video to learn more fascinating facts about how dogs experience the world through smell.

02/20/2025

We love the mischief makers, the snugglers, and the goofballs, but most of all, we love your pet. Thank you for allowing us to care for the pets you love. Happy 🩵🧡💜

02/20/2025

Ticks in the winter? YEP

According to our colleagues at the PA Tick Research lab, 🥶 some ticks will typically become less active during the winter but they typically don't die due to cold temperatures!
These two species of ticks will remain active during the weather, and the brown dog tick can even infest your home! 😱

If you find one of these ticks attached to yourself or a loved one, send it to us for testing! Visit ticklab.org/test-my-tick to order your test today!

02/19/2025

Luna, Milo, Max? We're sharing our predictions for the top pet names for 2025.

Comment your pet's name below and let us know if you made the list!

02/19/2025

Well hello, Petunia! We are so happy that you’re well and feeling better!

This little stinker chewed up and ate a whole container of Ice Breakers gum 😮
If you don’t already know, Ice Breakers gum contains XYLITOL which is toxic to pets.

When a pet eats xylitol, the body is tricked into thinking that it’s gotten into a lot of sugar. The pancreas produces extra insulin and within minutes the pet can become dangerously hypoglycemic. Even small amounts of xylitol can cause seizures, liver failure or even death in dogs. Make sure you know which foods and sweets in your house contain Xylitol so you can keep them away from your pets.

02/18/2025

Wherever your travels takes you, it's always important to keep your cats safe and reduce the amount of stress to them.

We're highlighting tips and tricks to make sure your pet travels go as smoothly as possible.

02/17/2025

Caring for your pet’s teeth is just as important as their diet and exercise routine. From dental chews to regular brushing, there are simple ways to keep their smile sparkling!

In honor of National Dental Month, swipe through for tips on starting a dental routine today for a lifetime of healthy teeth.

02/17/2025

Dental disease is one of the most common and serious health problems in dogs and cats. We're sharing ways to help keep your pet's teeth clean.

02/16/2025

Cuteness alert!! Westley is here to make your Sunday the best day ever 😍💕
Dr. Pietrzak was the lucky one who got to meet this handsome baby on Friday night. Welcome to our VCA Care Club, little man ❤️

02/15/2025

Dogs are so much fun!! 🤣🐶🎾

02/14/2025

Sometimes you’re lucky enough to work with your boyfriend and BFF ❤️🐶❤️🐶
Happy Valentine’s Day from Leo (Dr. Kuszmaul’s) and Millie (Dr. Pietrzak’s) 😍🥰

Fact: Many treats were fed in the making of this photo 🤣

02/14/2025

We think it's a treat to care for your pets! Just make sure to skip the chocolates!

Happy Valentine's Day - 💙 VCA