Slippery Rock Veterinary Hospital

10/14/2026

🐾⚠️ ALERT TO ALL PENNSYLVANIA PET PARENTS ⚠️🐾
The September tick-borne disease numbers are officially in, and they are a sobering reminder that tick season is still in full swing across Pennsylvania! Ticks don't disappear just because summer is over. Check out these staggering statewide statistics from last month alone:

🦠 LYME DISEASE
• 4,531 positive cases in Pennsylvania for the month of September.
• 46,894 total positive cases so far in 2026.
🦠 ANAPLASMOSIS
• 8,848 positive cases in Pennsylvania for the month of September.
• 82,488 total positive cases so far in 2026.
Anaplasmosis cases are rising rapidly and are currently pacing even higher than Lyme disease in our area! Both of these bacterial infections are transmitted through the bite of infected ticks and can cause serious health complications for your furry family members.
❓ What should you look out for?
Symptoms for both diseases can be subtle but often include:
• Lethargy or depression
• Fever
• Joint pain, stiffness, or shifting lameness
• Loss of appetite
🛡️ How can you protect your pet?
1. Year-Round Prevention: Ensure your pets are on a vet-approved flea and tick preventative every single month.
2. Daily Tick Checks: Thoroughly check your pets (and yourself!) after spending time outdoors, especially around the ears, neck, belly, and paws.
3. Vaccination: Talk to us about whether the Lyme disease vaccine is a good fit for your dog's lifestyle.

If your pet is acting sluggish, showing signs of joint pain, or if you've recently pulled a tick off them, please don't wait. Call us today to schedule an appointment or to restock your monthly preventative medication!

Send a message to learn more

09/09/2026

ALERT: Tick-borne diseases in Pennsylvania! 🐾
⚠️The August numbers are in, and the threat to our pets is high. Check out these staggering PA statistics for 2026:

🦠 LYME DISEASE 4,881 positive cases in August / 42,363 total cases this year🦠

ANAPLASMOSIS 9,133 positive cases in August / 73,640 total cases this year. Both diseases are transmitted by ticks that hide easily in fur.

🛑 Watch for signs: Lethargy, stiff or sore joints, loss of appetite, and fever.💡 Protect your pet: Keep them on monthly vet-approved prevention, do thorough tick checks after walks, and ask us about the Lyme vaccine. If your pet is acting sluggish or stiff, call us to schedule a quick blood test. Let's keep our fur babies safe! 🐶🐱❤️

Send a message to learn more

09/09/2026

🚨 PA PET PARENTS: Ticks are highly active across the Commonwealth, putting our pets at serious risk. Here are the official PA numbers so far for 2026:🐕 Lyme Disease: 5,542 in July | 37,482 total cases💥 Anaplasmosis: 10,312 in July | 64,507 total cases. What to do:🛡️ Use vet-approved tick preventatives monthly.🔍 Run daily tick checks (check toes, ears, and collars).🩺 Call us immediately if your pet shows lethargy, limping, or fever. Protect your fur babies! Call to update their preventative today. 🐾

Send a message to learn more

09/07/2026

We’re closed today in observance of Labor Day.

Wishing our clients, their families, and furry friends a safe and relaxing holiday! 🐾

We’ll reopen with regular business hours tomorrow, Tuesday, September 8.

Thank you for your understanding—Happy Labor Day!

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.