Georgie, a 4 month old Yorkie puppy, acutely became lethargic with vomiting and a decreased appetite. Initial lab tests performed with her primary care veterinarian were within normal limits. She was hospitalized to receive supportive care. Over the next 48 hours her health took a dramatic turn for the worse. Georgie became anuric, hyperkalemia, and... Learn More
All medication refill requests are now processed and filled entirely by our in-house Pharmacy staff. What you need to know:The most efficient way to request a medication refill is by contacting our pharmacy directly. Calls made into our main line will be transferred to our pharmacy. Prescription Refill Line: 202-363-7301Website: friendshiphospital.com/refillsEmail: refills@friendshiphospital.com Please allow up to 72 hours for refill processing.... Learn More
With the summer in full swing, one of the more common emergencies seen by the Urgent Care service at Friendship Hospital for Animals is heat stroke. Heat stroke is an illness that develops when the body temperature rises to dangerous levels. This increased temperature has effects on the entire body—it can cause shock, difficulty breathing,... Learn More
In our previous posts, we have talked about Fear Free Certification and helping our pets to become more comfortable prior to veterinary visits. This time we’ll take a look into the Practice Certification process itself. Practice Certification takes the components of the Fear Free certification one step further and asks the entire practice to work... Learn More
Previously, we discussed an overview of the Fear Free Certification program for veterinary professionals, including what the program is, how to find a certified professional, and why the program is valuable. This time, we will look into how we as owners can help to make our pets more comfortable prior to their appointments. I have... Learn More
When you make a commitment to an animal to be their caretaker, advocate, and have them become a member of the family, you make them a promise that you will do everything in your power to do what is best for them. That means having the best doctors and technicians involved in their care, gathering... Learn More
The Fourth of July is almost upon us, and as we prepare to celebrate America’s Independence Day, it is important to remember the potential dangers this holiday poses to our pets. The most notable of these dangers relate to fireworks, which may result in noise phobia/anxiety, poisoning upon ingestion, foreign body obstruction upon ingestion, and... Learn More
Poppy came to Armour Veterinary Ophthalmology for excessive tearing. She was diagnosed with lower lid entropion in both eyes. Entropion is an eyelid disease in which the eyelids turn inwards. The hairs on the outside edge are in contact with the corneas, causing squinting, tearing and irritation. If the hairs and resulting corneal ulceration is... Learn More
Does your older dog have a pesky eyelid mass that has started to bother him? Periocular eyelid masses are commonly seen in dogs on the upper or lower eyelid margins. The most common causes are meibomian gland adenomas and epitheliomas. These eyelid masses are generally benign; however, they can grow locally and start to cause... Learn More
Spring is upon us and many of us are starting to think ahead to the warmer days that are coming! With the increasing temperatures comes more time outside, going to the beach, campfires and the dreaded scourge of mosquitos. Heartworm disease is a potentially fatal condition in pets, spread by mosquitos, in the United States... Learn More
Dog are the most common pets owned by families. Our beloved pets bring much joy to our lives through companionship, physical exercise and their endless love and loyalty. On the other hand, our cute and cuddly four-legged friends can also cause harm, especially to young children, when we fail to recognize signs that a dog... Learn More
Hydrotherapy has become very popular in veterinary physical rehabilitation in the last 10 to 15 years. It is primarily used to enable early return to function after surgery or injury, improve muscle strength and improve range of motion in compromised joints. It is also becoming more frequently used in animals for athletic conditioning and weight... Learn More
Cannabis and cannabinoids as therapeutic agents for pets is a very hot topic in veterinary medicine. Currently, there is little evidence-based information regarding the use, dosing, and side effects of these agents when used in pets. Making things more difficult are the varied number of products on the market with wide-ranging formulations, strains, and dosing... Learn More
Did you know that some common dog chew toys (even some labeled as “dental health” products) can actually damage a dog’s teeth? Here are a few that we recommend you avoid: Hard plastic and nylon bones: These toys are often made of a material that is harder than the dog’s teeth, causing fractures as they... Learn More
February is Pet Dental Health Month! As a member of the Friendship family you know Dental Health Month is an exciting time of the year for us – and this year is no different! But we are switching things up a bit, by offering free dental health education in a way that is more accessible for most. ... Learn More
Doggy Boot Camp Join us for a 6-week weight-loss challenge designed to start your dog on the path to a healthier lifestyle. Enrollment includes: 1 Water Treadmill Session per week Nutritional consults and support Weekly weigh-ins, goals, and tips Access to private Facebook group with live Topic of the Week info sessions and Q&As Plus…... Learn More
As a small business, and leader in comprehensive animal healthcare, we pride ourselves on our commitment to community engagement and social responsibility. Friendship is proud to support these organizations throughout the year. Food & Friends 219 Riggs Road NE Washington, DC 20011 Food & Friends’ mission is to foster a community caring for men, women... Learn More
What should I think about when deciding to travel with my pet? Make sure your pet is comfortable with travel. Some pets cannot handle travel because of illness, injury, age or temperament. If your pet is not good with travel, you should consider a reliable petsitter or talk to your veterinarian about boarding facilities in... Learn More
November is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month While not many pet owners may realize it, there are a range of treatment options available for our beloved four-legged friends who end up as our veterinary cancer patients. Friendship has many years of experience helping thousands of pets fight cancer, with the goal of either improving an... Learn More
Give a Slice of Life this Thanksgiving Now in it’s 12th year, Slice of Life has become a tradition in the Washington region and Friendship has once again teamed up with Food & Friends to ensure that our neighbors facing life-challenging illness enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. Each pie purchased through the Slice of Life pie sale will deliver a... Learn More
November is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month What is cancer? Cancer is a collection of related diseases. It can start anywhere in the body. Cancer cells divide without stopping and may invade into surrounding tissues. Normal cells typically form and divide when they’re needed by the body, then die when they’re damaged or old. Cancer... Learn More
Halloween is a fun day filled with candy and costumes, but your pets may see things differently. Halloween can be traumatic and even dangerous to pets. Follow these Halloween pet safety tips to keep your pets happy and healthy. Lock candy safely away. Kids love to stash candy in their rooms, but a dog’s keen... Learn More
You asked: I have gotten mixed information about rabies vaccine times. Should you vaccinate an indoor cat once a year after the booster or every 3 years? Dr. Diaz Answered: Great question! Rabies vaccination is an important and required vaccine for all cats. A common misconception is that indoor cats are not required to maintain updated... Learn More
Possible problems with oral flea and tick medications have been in the news and on social media recently. I don’t blame you if you are concerned. Fleas and ticks, the diseases they carry, and the treatments to control them are something your primary care veterinarian is very familiar with, and deals with on a daily... Learn More
Why does my veterinarian recommend lab work? Your veterinarian may recommend early detection lab work even at the young age of 2 or 3 years old. Early detection lab work usually includes a blood test and may also include a urine test. The collection of these test often takes less than 10 minutes, and will... Learn More
A yearly veterinary checkup is the best way to keep your pet as healthy as possible – because it’s much easier to prevent disease than to treat it. How your veterinarian can help you: The first part of a wellness visit is a health evaluation. This includes a thorough history including information about a pet’s... Learn More
The FDA has recently issued a statement advising owners about potential risk for heart disease in dogs fed grain free diets. While grain free diets are of emerging concern, the importance of nutrition in maintaining healthy hearts is well-known. In the 1980s, cats were being diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a condition involving poor heart... Learn More
In honor of Check the Chip Day, Friendship will be doing free microchips (up to 60). Call today to schedule an appointment. Learn More
Pyro is a 12 year old female spayed chow mix who presented to Friendship Cardiology Specialists for recently diagnosed complete heart block. Complete heart block is typically caused by aging changes to the conduction system of the heart. This results in a very slow heart rate which can cause symptoms such lethargy and fainting. Dogs... Learn More
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