A veterinary hospital group in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, says a cyberattack has disrupted access to pet medical records, forcing its three clinics to limit services.
Metro Pet/Manheim Pike Veterinary Hospital said in a Facebook post that the incident has affected access to medical records, including vaccine and medication histories. The clinic’s message to clients was also reported by FOX43. “At this time, we are unable to retrieve or update any patient records,” the clinic said.
Metro Pet said it cannot retrieve vaccine or medication histories while access to patient records remains down.
Metro Pet also told clients in Facebook posts on Jan. 5 that it was experiencing “computer issues” tied to its phones and asked people to call only for emergencies. Later that morning, the clinic said it was “back online,” though the Leola and downtown locations “may take a few more hours.” The clinic did not say whether the Jan. 5 disruption was related to the cyberattack it later disclosed.
The clinic said the issue is affecting all locations and asked clients to call only for emergencies or if a pet is sick. Metro Pet said it is seeing emergencies only while honoring appointments already scheduled, and that the temporary changes will remain in effect through the end of the week.
The clinic did not disclose what systems were affected beyond records access, whether law enforcement was notified, or when full access to records would be restored. The clinic did not respond to requests for comment.
Cyber incidents have disrupted veterinary care elsewhere in the U.S. In 2019, National Veterinary Associates said a ransomware attack affected systems across hundreds of its hospitals. In 2024, Southern Oregon Veterinary Specialty Center said a ransomware incident temporarily shut urgent care and constrained emergency operations as devices were replaced. In 2021, York Animal Hospital in Maine reported losing patient records after its owner said he refused to pay an $80,000 ransom demand.
Metro Pet Vet operates three locations in Lancaster County, including Manheim Pike in Lancaster, a downtown Lancaster site and a location in Leola.