Blue Pearl Article Spring 2022
Veterinary technicians play many roles. We are phlebotomists, radiology technicians, laboratory technicians. We are ICU nurses and anesthesiologists. Most importantly we are the voice for the voiceless. Every day we advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. That is the most rewarding part of being a vet tech: Knowing that at least one patient […]
Problem Behaviors? Something to Think About if Your Dog Itches By April Minech
Allergies be the cause of more than just a little scratching; it can affect how your dog thinks, feels and behaves. Canine atopic dermatitis is a common allergic skin condition in dogs that causes long-term and constant itching similar to eczema in people. Often, we can gain insight into what is happening with dogs by […]
Caring for a Blind Pet By Amy Peters, LVT and Sheri Santucci
Caring for a blind pet is a unique and privileged responsibility. If your pet has become suddenly blind, they may become confused by the sudden nature of its change in vision status. Many pets adapt to their blindness quickly while others need months to adjust to the change. Vision in cats and dogs is quite […]
Ultrasound: Answers to 5 Common Questions
Does ultrasound provide a definitive diagnosis? Ultrasound is a powerful diagnostic tool, and in many instances the only one necessary to yield the diagnosis – but, unfortunately, not all cases fall into this category. Ultrasound permits detailed evaluation of the internal organ structure – for one, it is the only available imaging modality to assess […]
American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists Annual Service Animal Eye Exam Event
The ophthalmologists and staff at BluePeal Pittsburgh are excited to again be participating the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists Annual Service Animal Eye Exam Event taking place in May 2023. Now in its 14th year, this event has provided over 80,000 free examinations in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. This effort is due […]
Why Does My Pet Need a Cone?
Imagine getting a cut on your finger that requires stitches. At first it hurts, but then within a few days it gets itchy… very, very itchy. To help relive the itchy, you start to scratch the area. You feel better so you stop scratching, but the itch returns with a vengeance, so you start scratching […]
BLUE PEARL BLOOD BANK EVERY DONOR IS A HERO
By: Dan Kavanaugh We all love our pets, and we only ever want the best for them. We treat our furry friends like family and we extend that consideration onto their medical care. Many of the treatments we provide to each other can also be prescribed for our pets as well. Have you ever wondered […]
Avoid Getting Tricked by Your Treats: Minimizing Canine Holiday Related Toxin Risks
By Christina Genareo, DVM The holiday season brings with it many joys, but the veterinary emergency room often, unfortunately, sees an increase in toxicity related cases during most holidays, including during celebrations of Halloween. Severity of clinical signs following toxin ingestion can vary greatly depending on the type of toxin ingested and dose ingested. As […]