Our Services

At Johnstown Veterinary Associates, we believe that having a healthy and happy pet starts with client education. We firmly believe in semi-annual to annual wellness exams, yearly and periodical vaccinations, essential diagnostics, proper dental care, pain management and dietary and behavioral counseling.

Anesthesia

Anesthesia is necessary for animal patients undergoing surgery and other medical procedures such as teeth cleaning, anal glands infusion, pelvic radiographs, etc. At Johnstown Veterinary Associates, the doctors and staff know that each patient is unique. Age, breed, health and personality are all factors that must be evaluated in order to do the best anesthesia possible, and so each patient gets an individualized plan that incorporates both the latest research and our many years of experience. We are fortunate to have a wide variety of modern anesthetics to help us safely treat our patients. From mild sedation for a reducing stress during a minor procedure, to general anesthesia administered for an operation, we always chose the safest and most appropriate combination of medications taking into account the individual patients age and health status. Prior to their procedure, one of our of veterinarians examines all patients and medical records are reviewed. In cases where general anesthesia is needed, a sedative is given for relaxation prior to anesthesia induction. Then, intubation is performed to deliver anesthetic gas (Isoflurane) and pure oxygen to the body. During anesthesia, we monitor our patients carefully including their pulse rate, electrocardiogram, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels and respiratory rates.  During recovery, patients are routinely checked for normal reflexes and temperature, and if needed, are wrapped in a forced warm air blanket during recovery to help maintain body heat. Following recovery patients are placed back in their beds and checked regularly until they are discharged. Rest assured, when anesthesia is required, your pet will have the safest and least stressful experience that modern medicine can deliver.

Boarding

Are you planning a vacation? Need to go out of town on business? Are you concerned that you won’t be able to find someone trustworthy to care for your pet while you’re away? If you need to travel and can’t take your pet along, why not plan to have your best friend stay with us at Johnstown Veterinary Associates? Traveling can cause enough stress and anxiety – you don’t want to worry about whether your pet is being well cared for. We offer a convenient solution by providing boarding in our safe, clean, and comfortable environment.

Our professional and friendly staff takes great care of our pet guests. We understand that each pet is unique, and we will make every effort to ensure that your pet is safe, happy and healthy during his or her stay with us. We’ll treat your pet with compassion and care, and we’ll provide individualized tender loving care until you return! We want all JVA pets to be happy, comfortable and safe. This is why we offer KURANDA beds for all (cats and dogs) our overnight visitors. However, for pet safety and proper hygiene, we will not be able to accept personal items such as beds, blankets, toys and/ or personal home items. However, we welcome bringing your own pet’s food and treats.

Does your pet have special needs, health issues, medication, or a special diet? Do you have special requests? Would you like to tour our facility? We understand that your pet has a special place in your family and that leaving your pet with someone while you travel can be a source of anxiety and uncertainty. We take great pride in our attention to cleanliness and in providing the highest quality care to each pet that stays with us.

We welcome your questions about our boarding facilities and policies and are eager to discuss how we can make your pet’s stay as happy as possible, while alleviating any stress you may be feeling about leaving your pet while you travel. Let us answer all your questions and put your concerns to rest! Call today to learn about our accommodations and boarding policies, or to schedule your pet’s stay.

Emergency And Critical Care

Because emergencies do not always happen during regular office hours, you can count on Johnstown Veterinary Associates to respond to emergency calls and critical care situations. Emergency services are provided by a network of veterinarians from Cambria and Somerset Counties on a rotation schedule. We understand how upsetting it is when your pet is sick or injured. We also know that when your pet is hospitalized and needs critical care services, you want the very best level of care possible. For these reasons, we offer emergency and critical care veterinary medical services through our network of veterinarians until midnight. From midnight to 8 a.m. emergency services are provided by Allegheny Veterinary Emergency Trauma & Specialty (AVETS). They can be contacted here. 

Urgent veterinary crises that require IMMEDIATE attention include:

• Severe accident or trauma
• Severe fever or malaise
• Broken bone
• Hit by a car
• Shock
• Attack by another animal
• Difficulty breathing or severe coughing
• Vomiting or diarrhea that goes on for an extended time
• Obstetrical problems
• Collapse
• More than one seizure in a 24-hour period
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Severe pain
• Known or suspected toxin ingestion

Grooming

Are you tired of wrestling with your pet when it’s time for a bath? Are you nervous about trimming nails? Is regular brushing becoming a chore for you and your pet? Has your pet’s hair become tangled, dirty, or matted? If you’re looking for options when it comes to grooming your pet, why not come to us for your pet’s next bath, nail trim, or haircut? We offer a convenient solution by maintaining a clean, safe, high-quality grooming facility. When it comes to keeping your pet looking like a star, let us help you! Our professional and friendly staff will take great care of your pet’s grooming needs. We understand that each pet is unique, and we will make every effort to keep your pet safe and comfortable during his or her grooming appointments. We’ll treat your pet with compassion and care while making every effort to create a look you will love! Does your pet have special needs or skin problems? Do you have special requests? We understand that it can sometimes be challenging to find a groomer who will be gentle, take good care of your pet, and give your pet the “perfect” look. We take great pride in providing the highest quality services to each pet that comes to us for a grooming appointment.

We welcome your questions about our grooming procedures and policies and are eager to discuss how we can make your pet’s next grooming appointment as happy and stress free as possible – for both of you. If you have a young puppy or kitten, let’s get acquainted early to help ensure that your pet will be comfortable with grooming throughout his or her life!

Let us answer all your questions and put your concerns to rest. Call today to schedule your personalized grooming appointment!

Microchipping

A microchip is about the size and shape of a grain of rice and is placed underneath your pet's skin between the shoulder blades. Microchip implantation takes only a few minutes and is very safe. Each microchip is unique and carries vital information about your pet—including your name, address, and contact information. When a microchip is implanted, the pet owner is given a registration form to complete. Registering the number on the microchip includes your pet in a national pet recovery database. Veterinary hospitals, animal shelters, and animal control offices across the country are equipped with special electronic scanners that can detect the microchip and read the identification number. If a lost pet is picked up by animal control or found by a good Samaritan and presented to a veterinarian, a quick scan of the microchip reveals the identification number. A toll-free phone call to the pet recovery database alerts the microchip company that a lost pet has been identified. The pet owner can then be contacted and reunited with his or her pet!

Young puppies and kittens can receive microchips, but even if your pet is already an adult, you should consider microchipping. Even indoor pets can get outside accidentally and get lost, so if you’re relying on other forms of identification, you could be placing your pet at risk. Microchipping is a safe, effective way to help ensure your pet’s return if the unthinkable happens.

Pain Management

The practice of high-quality veterinary medicine focuses on the entire patient – from medical issues that affect physical functioning, to emotional and psychological issues that affect well-being. Experiencing pain can affect the body’s physical functioning and can have a detrimental effect on a patient’s well-being and state of mind. That’s why pain management is among our primary considerations when we are treating a pet for any medical condition.

From routine procedures (such as a spays or dental cleanings), to more advanced medical treatments (such as bone surgeries or cancer treatments), to chronically painful conditions (such as arthritis or back pain), we are dedicated to providing safe and effective pain management to every patient. We will also help you recognize signs of pain in your pet so that we can modify his or her pain management plan when necessary.

Recognizing and alleviating pain in our patients is at the very heart of quality, compassionate patient care. We don’t take pain management for granted and will employ all our skills to help ensure your pet’s comfort, well-being, and full recovery.

In-House Pharmacy 

We maintain our most commonly used products in our in-house veterinary pharmacy. This is so that treatment can begin immediately for our patients and so that we may provide a convenient source of reliable products for our clients. 

Rabbits And Small Mammals

Rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and other small mammals have become popular pets as increasing numbers of pet owners come to understand the unique bond that can form with one of these special creatures. But did you know that small mammals need some of the same routine wellness care that dogs and cats need? Do you know if your pet should be spayed or neutered? Do you know if any vaccinations are recommended to help maintain good health? Do you have questions about proper nutrition, cage cleaning, grooming, or any other aspects of care and husbandry? Our staff of skilled professionals is well trained in the care and husbandry of small mammals and can give you the information you need to keep your “pocket pet” looking and feeling great.

Why not call to schedule a wellness visit? We can perform a physical examination, answer any questions you may have about your pet, and discuss whether any changes in diet or at-home care are recommended to help ensure the health and longevity of your pet.

Veterinary medicine for exotic pets is growing as the popularity of these animals increases. When pet owners have access to the best information about nutritional and environmental management, exotic pets have a greater chance to live longer, healthier lives. If you own one of these unique pets, we encourage you to schedule a complete physical exam and consultation on proper care and feeding. Our doctors and staff  at Johnstown Veterinary Associates can assist you with all of your small mammal needs.

Senior Care

Did you know that pets age faster than people and can be considered “seniors” at around 7 years of age? Just as our health care needs change as we age, your pet’s health care needs also change. Nutritional needs, exercise habits, and many aspects of your pet’s daily routine can change as your pet ages. But how can you tell the difference between “normal” aging and a medical problem? As in humans, some health issues that affect older pets can begin with very subtle changes that may go unnoticed until the problem has become serious.

Regular wellness visits are important for every stage of your pet’s life, so don’t forget to keep your senior pet’s scheduled wellness appointments. The best way to help protect your pet as he or she ages is to understand the aging process in pets. We understand that process and can help you help your pet. Even if your senior pet is already being treated for a medical condition, treatment recommendations can change as a condition progresses. Sometimes medication dosages need to be adjusted, or medication may need to be changed. Routine wellness blood work and other routine diagnostic testing are important for senior pets because these tests allow us to evaluate how your pet’s health is either responding to current management strategies or changing with age.

Your senior pet’s wellness examination is also your chance to have us address any of your questions or concerns about your pet. We welcome your questions and encourage you to be involved in decisions regarding your pet’s health care.

Older pets make wonderful companions, and thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, pets are living longer than ever! You are an important ally in your senior pet’s health care. We are here to help ensure that your pet is safe and happy throughout the “golden years.

Ultrasound

Although humans and animals are different in many ways, some advances in human medicine are also very useful for veterinary patients. One of these advances, diagnostic ultrasound, has proven to be a powerful tool in veterinary medicine. As a practice, one of our goals is to offer state-of-the-art medicine and diagnostic testing; so we are pleased to offer ultrasound services as a means of providing a higher level of quality care to our patients.

Ultrasonography is a type of diagnostic technique that uses ultrasound waves to produce an imaging study. This means that when we perform ultrasonography, we can see internal images of the patient’s body. Unlike some other imaging studies, like x-rays, ultrasonography does not use radiation. Instead, ultrasonography uses high-frequency sound (ultrasound) waves to create a picture of what is inside your pet’s body. Ultrasonography is a completely non-invasive, painless way to diagnose and evaluate many common diseases.

An ultrasound machine generates ultrasound waves. The machine is connected to a small probe that is held gently against your pet’s skin. The probe sends out painless ultrasound waves that bounce off of structures (for example, organs) in your pet’s body and return to a sensor inside the ultrasound machine. The ultrasound equipment collects these reflected “echoes” and uses them to generate images that are viewable on a screen. Ultrasound waves can generate excellent images of abdominal organs, including the liver, spleen, gallbladder, and kidneys. It is also useful for assessing fetal health and monitoring pregnancy in breeding animals, and it can help us diagnose and stage (determine the severity of) some forms of cancer.

Because ultrasound images are produced in real time, this technology can be used to evaluate the heart as it beats. This can help us detect abnormalities in the motion of heart valves, blood flow through the heart, and contractions of the heart muscle. It can also be used to assess the heart for defects. As we strive to provide our patients with the highest quality medicine and diagnostic testing, we are pleased to offer ultrasound as one of our diagnostic capabilities.

Wellness Exams

Semi-annual to annual exams are essential to ensuring a healthy pet; they are part of the first steps of preventative medicine.  Regular exams help veterinarians to detect changes before they become serious. When you bring your pet to JVA, we will: 

ASK for your pet's history

LISTEN to your concerns

ANSWER your questions

PERFORM fecal and urine analysis

OFFER the BEST recommendations for your pet

Our complete physical exam includes checking your pet's ears, eyes, nose, teeth and mouth. We will listen to your pet's lungs and heart and examine his/her skin and coat. A complete wellness exam also includes palpation of the abdomen and muscles and testing of the bones, joints and back. All core and elective vaccinations needed for your pet are available and tailored according to your pet's needs. We, at JVA, follow the American Animal Hospital Association's recommendations for vaccination schedules and protocols. We also recommend that you keep your pet on heartworm, flea and tick preventative medication year round. Getting to know you and your pet, will help us provide the best possible care, so your pet can have the best health and life possible.

Laser Therapy

Johnstown Veterinary Associates is pleased to announce the addition of the Companion Therapy Laser® to our practice. With this revolutionary new approach to veterinary medicine,  companion animals will receive instant relief of pain, inflammation and swelling associated with soft tissue injuries, trauma, surgery and chronic everyday disorders. A relatively new branch of medicine, the Class IV laser delivers a large amount of light energy into the pet's body. When the light interacts with damaged cells, healing is accelerated and pain is dramatically reduced. The Companion Laser Therapy is the deepest penetrating Class IV vet laser on the market. 
“As our best friends age, recover from trauma or surgery, or simply need relief from everyday aches and pains, this advanced technology offers: Drug-Free, Surgery-Fee, Pain-Free Relief,” said Dr. Fayez Assad, Medical Director. Dr. Assad cautions that laser therapy is not a "one size fits all" program. “There may be similarities in treatment regimens between pets, but your pet and our observations, along with physical exams and diagnostics, are what make programs personalized to each pet, and therefore more successful,” he said. 

Laser Surgery

Pet Bathing Services

Treat your pet to a luxurious bath. Our special, cleansing baths remove dirt, debris and that doggie (or kitty) pet odor – your pet will feel fresh and revitalized. If scratching is a problem, our medicated baths contain soothing agents that stop the itching. Services also include nail trim.  We also offer dematting services.

Behavioral Medicine

Pets can have a wide variety of behavioral issues, from simple housetraining problems to severe anxiety and aggression issues. We are well qualified and experienced in diagnosing and addressing behavior problems with an approach that combines skills from veterinary clinical medicine, behavioral medicine, and pet training. Our goals are to help pets and their owners live together comfortably and safely, and to help restore the bond between pets and their families.

Before you and your pet suffer through one more day of inappropriate behavior, call us. Let’s talk about how we can help.

Dental Care with Dental Radiography 

Proper preventative dental care for your pet includes daily tooth brushing along with an annual professional cleaning.  Poor dental health affects more than just your pet's teeth.  Bacteria from the teeth enter the bloodstream and cause damage to the kidneys, liver, and heart valves.  Short-term effects include pain, lethargy, and listlessness.  It's remarkable how many clients comment after their pet's dental cleaning that, "She's acting like a puppy again," or "He's acting like a kitten again," and it's all because we got rid of the bacteria on their pet's teeth and under the gumline.  Johnstown Veterinary Associates offers full dentistry services to small animals including ultrasonic scaling, polishing, and extractions. We would like to see your pet every year, and older dogs every 6 months.

In-House Laboratory

Johnstown Veterinary Associates has an advanced, in-house laboratory that enables our veterinarians to perform blood tests and obtain the results for you in a matter of minutes. Blood chemistry and hemotology tests help detect problems that may arise in organ systems and are also used to monitor potential risks of anesthesia and provide a reference point when choosing the appropriate anesthesia for your pet (pre-anesthetic). Our staff are also trained in microscopic examination of blood smear, urine samples, fecal samples, and aspirates of masses.

We also maintain a close relationship with outside laboratories like IDEXX and consultants at University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine so that we can rapidly provide more extensive care for your pet should the need arise. 

Nutritional Counseling

From the very first day you bring a new pet home through the final days of its life, nutrition plays a critical role in your pet’s overall health and well-being. Many pet owners take nutrition for granted, in part because the availability of so many nutritionally complete commercial diets has taken much of the guesswork out of choosing a suitable diet for a pet. However, did you know that your pet’s nutritional needs change with age and activity level? Did you know that specially formulated diets can assist in the management of various medical conditions, including kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease? Do you know how many calories your pet should have each day and whether you are over- or underfeeding? Are you comfortable reading and interpreting pet food labels?

Whether your pet has special dietary needs or simply needs to shed (or gain) a few pounds, our nutritional counseling services can help you accomplish your goals and keep your pet in good health. We offer counseling in dietary selection and feeding practices for pets during various life stages, such as growth, pregnancy, nursing, and the “golden years.” If your pet has a medical condition, we can help you select the most appropriate diet to suit your pet’s needs.

It can be easy for a pet owner to become overwhelmed by the available selection of pet foods, all of which claim to have specific benefits for pets. We can offer expert advice to help you negotiate the complicated array of choices. Let our nutritional counseling service help you achieve and maintain optimal nutrition for your pet.

Parasite Prevention And Control

There was a time when parasites like fleas, ticks, and roundworms were considered mostly a nuisance. Now, however, we know that parasites can cause serious illness and even death in pets. For example, ticks can transmit infections like Lyme disease, and fleas can transmit tapeworms and Bartonella – the bacteria that causes “cat-scratch fever” in humans. Another type of parasite, called a heartworm, is transmitted by mosquitoes. Heartworms live in your pet’s lungs and heart, causing damage to these organs, and sometimes even death. Intestinal parasites, like roundworms and hookworms, also threaten pets and are even transmissible to humans.

You may not always be able to tell if your pet has parasites. Fleas can hide under your pet’s fur, and some ticks are very tiny (only the size of a pinhead), so they are very difficult to find. Intestinal parasites like roundworms can cause diarrhea and other problems, but many infected pets don’t show any signs of illness at all.

Fortunately, we can recommend tests to tell if your pet has parasites. We can also examine your pet for evidence of fleas, ticks, or other parasites. Our expert staff can recommend medications to help control fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites. Preventing parasites in your pets also helps protect children and other family members, so let’s work together to protect your pets and family.

Veterinary examinations and parasite testing are important ways to protect your pet’s health. Let Johnstown Veterinary Associates provide you with a comprehensive parasite control program. We can recommend a schedule for parasite testing, discuss what signs of parasites you can look for at home, review ways to control parasites in and around your home, discuss treatment options if your pet has parasites, and recommend ways to control and prevent parasites in the future.

Parasites are not just a nuisance. They can carry serious diseases that affect your pet’s overall health and longevity. Let us help you protect your pet. Call JVA today to find out how!

Puppy And Kitten Care

Do you have a new puppy or kitten? Congratulations on this addition to your family! One of the first things you should do when you bring your new pet home is to introduce him or her to us – your veterinary care team. Puppy and kitten visits offer a unique opportunity to get you and your new pet off on the right foot!

Your puppy or kitten visit will include a full “nose-to-tail” physical examination. We will look for any signs of illness and make sure that your new pet is in good health.

Do you have questions about nutrition, training, vaccinations, grooming, parasite protection, or overall health? What about tips for introducing your new pet to other pets and family members? Even if you are a very experienced pet owner and have had puppies or kittens before, each pet is unique and offers an opportunity to learn something new! We welcome your questions and look forward to addressing any concerns you may have. The more educated you are about your pet, the better you will be able to care for him or her, so we strive to offer you all the support you need.

Puppy and kitten wellness visits also present an opportunity to discuss your new pet’s recommended vaccine schedule and the best plan for parasite testing, treatment, and prevention. Our doctors and other staff members are well-educated about veterinary vaccines and parasite control, and our goal is to give you the best advice for your puppy or kitten. We will review your pet’s vaccine and deworming schedule and discuss the best way to continue, so don’t forget to bring any records that you have received.

We will work hard to help you understand your pet’s health considerations, and we encourage you to be involved in decisions regarding your puppy’s or kitten’s health care. Puppy and kitten visits are an excellent way to get your new pet started on the road to a happy and healthy life. Let’s take these important first steps together.

Please Johnstown Veterinary Associates today to schedule an appointment for us to meet your new family member!

Radiology 

Radiography is a valuable diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine. As we continually strive to offer the highest quality medicine and diagnostic testing, we are pleased to offer radiology services as a means of providing excellent care to our patients.

A radiograph (sometimes called an x-ray) is a type of photograph that can look inside the body and reveal information that may not be discernable from the outside. Radiography can be used to evaluate almost any organ in the body, including the heart, lungs, and abdominal organs, as well as the bones.

Radiography is painless, safe, and completely non-invasive, and it uses only very low doses of radiation. Because the level of radiation exposure needed to perform radiography is very low, even pregnant females and very young pets can undergo radiography. Radiographs can be used to evaluate bones as well as the size, shape, and position of many of the body’s organs. The size of organs is important because some medical conditions—such as kidney, heart, or liver disease—can alter the size of these organs. The shape and position of organs can be altered or distorted by certain medical conditions, including intestinal blockage or cancer. Tumors, depending on their size and location, can also sometimes be detected using radiography. Radiography can also be used to diagnose bladder stones, broken bones, chronic arthritis, certain spinal cord diseases, and a variety of other conditions.

Radiographs are an important tool that can help us make a correct diagnosis for your pet. Our radiology service is staffed by caring, skilled professionals who will provide state-of-the-art care with compassion and expertise.

Surgery

Ensure the health of your cat, dog and/or rabbit with general surgery and dentistry services from Johnstown Veterinary Associates. We offer a wide range of general surgeries for your pet including, but not limited to:

• Laceration Repair
• Tumor Removal
• Spaying and Neutering
• Soft Tissue Surgeries
• Foreign body removal
• Abscesses
• Intestinal surgery
• Bladder surgery
• C-section
• Bone fractures and pinning

Our general surgery practice involves careful screening of your pet to ensure his/her safety and to tailor anesthesia to your pet's needs. Surgical services include fully trained veterinary and technical staff to ensure the safest, most efficient procedures for your pet. We offer advanced sterilization techniques, ECG, and oxygen saturation monitors.

Vaccinations

Pets today can live longer, healthier lives than ever before—in part because of vaccines that help protect them from deadly infectious diseases. Over the years, vaccines against dangerous diseases have saved millions of pets and virtually eliminated some fatal diseases that were once common. Unfortunately, many infectious diseases still pose a significant threat to dogs and cats that are unvaccinated. Although vaccine programs have been highly successful and vaccines are considered routine today, we (as caregivers) and you (as pet parents) cannot afford to become complacent about keeping pets up-to-date on their vaccinations.

Many vaccines are available for use in dogs and cats, but not every pet needs every available vaccine. Some vaccines are considered core vaccines and should be administered to all pets, whereas other vaccines are optional and may be recommended for pets based on a variety of factors, such as their risk for exposure to disease. Vaccine recommendations can also change throughout a pet’s life, as travel habits and other variables change. We will consider all these factors as we determine which vaccines your pet should have.

We understand that your pet is unique and that no single vaccine program will be ideal for every pet in every situation. Our doctors and other staff members are well-educated about veterinary vaccines, and our goal is to give you the best advice for keeping your pet healthy. Let us develop a vaccination schedule and ongoing booster routine that accounts for your pet’s lifestyle, overall health, risk for exposure to infectious disease, and other factors.

Vaccines help pets live longer, healthier lives. Protecting your pet is our primary goal, so developing an appropriate vaccine schedule for your pet is important to us. Call us today to set up an appointment to discuss your pet’s vaccination needs.

Saying Goodbye

When your pet is a member of your family, the love between you and your companion is intimate and enduring. It makes the end-of-life care and decisions heart-wrenching, emotional and very personal. One of the hardest things we do as pet lovers is watch them age and worry if we are taking care of them right.  There comes a time when we wonder if we are extending their suffering too far.  Often people put off that final trip to the vet because it's such a difficult thing to do. Knowing when euthanasia should be considered depends on your pet's health as well as your own. It is often helpful to look at the quality of life your pet is experiencing. Does your pet still enjoy eating and other simple pleasures? Is your pet able to respond to you in a normal way? Is your pet experiencing more pain than pleasure? You will be able to make a much better decision, and be more comfortable in your decision if you get as much information as possible regarding your pet's condition. If your pet is sick, ask about the treatment options, possible outcomes, and chances of recovery. In most instances, you will not need to make the decision immediately, so take time to think about what you should do. Discuss the decision with all of the other family members, including any children. Although it is a human tendency to question our decisions afterward, if you know you made informed decisions it will reduce the 'what ifs' you may tend to ask yourself. Decide what you want your pet's death to be like. We know that the decision is not easy, and we will be here to help you when that time comes. At Johnstown Veterinary Associates, we have a comfort room where families can spend private, quality time with their pets while dealing with heart-wrenching situations.