Slippery Rock Veterinary Hospital

07/22/2026

TICK-BORNE DISEASES ARE SURGING IN PENNSYLVANIA!

🚨The latest data for June is in, and the numbers are staggering. Ticks are incredibly active right now, and our furry family members are paying the price. Take a look at the official positive cases across Pennsylvania so far:

🦠 LYME DISEASE
June alone: 5,966 positive cases
2026 total so far: 31,940 positive cases

🦠 ANAPLASMOSIS
June alone: 10,850 positive cases
2026 total so far: 54,195 positive cases

These aren't just statistics—these are real pets facing serious, painful illnesses. Both Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis can cause severe joint pain, lethargy, fever, and even long-term organ damage if left untreated.

🛡️ HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PET TODAY:
Never skip prevention: Ensure your dog or cat is on a vet-approved, year-round tick preventative.

Do daily tick checks: Check your pet thoroughly after every walk, focusing on the ears, belly, and between the toes.

Know the signs: If your pet is limping, unusually tired, or losing their appetite, call us immediately.

Tick prevention is much easier—and much less expensive—than treating a full-blown infection. Let’s keep our pets safe this summer!

📞 Is your pet unprotected? Call us today!

Send a message to learn more

07/07/2026

🐱🦟 Big flea warning for pet owners!
Researchers from Texas A&M found the bacteria that causes murine typhus (a human disease) in cat fleas in the Rio Grande Valley. This is one of the first studies showing cat fleas may be playing a bigger role in spreading this disease than before .

What they found:
DNA of Rickettsia typhi (the murine typhus bacterium) was detected in fleas from 6 of 167 cats tested.

Fleas also carried Bartonella bacteria, which are linked to cat scratch disease .

Why this matters:
Murine typhus cases in South Texas have risen sharply over the past decade, with more than 6,700 reported cases between 2008–2023. While rats and rat fleas were the main source historically, cat fleas are now a growing concern .

What you can do:
Use vet-approved flea control on all cats (pets and strays you help).

Keep cats indoors to reduce contact with wildlife.

Remember: controlling fleas protects both your cat and your family.

This study highlights how animal, human, and environmental health are connected—and why keeping fleas off cats is a simple but powerful way to protect everyone .

Send a message to learn more

07/03/2026

Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸🐾
Sharing a few cute patient photos and a quick reminder: keep pets indoors, away from fireworks, and make sure their ID tags and microchips are up to date. Have a safe and happy holiday!

06/22/2026

Holiday Ordering Reminder!

As we head into the 4th of July week, please take a moment to check your pet’s food supply. To ensure your pets stay happy and well-fed, we recommend placing any needed orders today.

Orders placed today will be received this week and available for pickup on Thursday, June 25.

Please note that no orders will ship during the week of June 29. Our next regular shipment will be received on July 9.

Thank you for planning ahead and helping us keep your pets healthy and happy.

Send a message to learn more

06/09/2026

🐾 Tick-Borne Disease Alert for Pennsylvania Pet Owners 🐾

As we head into peak tick season, we're seeing concerning numbers of tick-borne diseases across Pennsylvania.

🦠 LYME DISEASE
• 5,927 positive cases reported in Pennsylvania during May
• 25,974 total positive cases reported in 2026 so far

🦠 ANAPLASMOSIS
• 10,215 positive cases reported in Pennsylvania during May
• 43,345 total positive cases reported in 2026 so far

These diseases don't just affect people—they can also impact our dogs and cats. Symptoms may include fever, lethargy, joint pain, lameness, decreased appetite, and more serious complications if left untreated.

✅ Keep your pets on year-round tick prevention
✅ Check your pets daily for ticks, especially after spending time outdoors
✅ Talk with your veterinarian about Lyme vaccination for dogs
✅ Contact your veterinary team if you notice any signs of illness

With tick populations remaining active throughout much of the year, prevention is the best protection. If you have questions about tick prevention products or your pet's risk, we're here to help!

Send a message to learn more

05/20/2026

:

🐞 Summer Fun Comes With a Few Risks—Ticks Are One of Them 🐕❤️

https://youtu.be/3qiI1P1rP6E?si=uaC-6bBO8C7a_50y

We just watched this video that reminds us all how important it is to think about the risks—even on the most beautiful days outside. Spending time outdoors is wonderful for pets and people alike, but it also means exposure to ticks and the diseases they can carry, like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and more.

At Slippery Rock Veterinary Hospital, we know that prevention is the best medicine. Simple steps like:

Using a veterinarian‑recommended tick preventive

Checking your pet for ticks after walks or hikes

Staying on top of tick‑borne disease testing

… can go a long way toward keeping your pet healthy and happy.

If you’re not sure what product or testing plan is right for your pet, let us help! Call us to schedule a wellness visit and discuss the best tick‑prevention plan for your dog or cat.

05/19/2026

We’d like to let everyone know about a change to our hours next week. We will be closed on Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume normal hours on Tuesday, May 26th. We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

05/12/2026

Tick-borne diseases are surging in Pennsylvania—this is a serious season for our pets.

In April alone:

Lyme Disease: 6,032 positive cases

Anaplasmosis: 10,006 positive cases

Year-to-date totals for 2026:

Lyme Disease: 20,047 cases

Anaplasmosis: 33,130 cases

We (pets and people) are especially at risk as tick exposure increases with warmer weather. We are already seeing more cases, and many pets don’t show obvious signs early on.

Watch for symptoms like:

Lethargy

Lameness or joint swelling

Fever

Decreased appetite

Prevention is key:

Keep your dogs and cats on a reliable tick preventative

Perform daily tick checks, especially after outdoor time

Remove ticks promptly and properly

If you notice anything abnormal, don’t wait—early detection and treatment make a big difference.

Stay proactive and protect your pets this spring.

Send a message to learn more

04/12/2026

FACEBOOK T-SHIRT SCAM!

We do not sell merchandise through our website / facebook. Please report any suspicious comments or profiles to Facebook to encourage them to act. Facebook heavily relies on user reporting to identify scams.

FACEBOOK T-SHIRT SCAM!!

Send a message to learn more

04/09/2026

🦠 Tick-Borne Disease Alert — March Update for Pennsylvania

Tick season is starting strong, and we’re already seeing significant numbers across the state.

Lyme Disease: 5,721 new confirmed cases in March — bringing the 2026 total to 14,015.

Anaplasmosis: 9,054 new confirmed cases in March — bringing the 2026 total to 23,124.
Both of these diseases are transmitted by tick bites and can affect dogs, cats, and humans. Early detection and prevention make a huge difference.
✅ Keep your pets on year-round tick prevention.
✅ Check them daily after walks or outdoor play.
✅ Ask about Lyme and Anaplasmosis testing.

If your pet is showing signs like lethargy, fever, or joint pain - call the vet at 724.794.8545.

Let’s stay proactive this spring — protect your pets and enjoy the outdoors safely! 🌿🐾