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Primary Care Archives

May 08

Spay and neuter surgery at Friendship: What to expect

The General Surgery department at Friendship Hospital for Animals offers a wide range of surgical procedures, both on an elective and emergency basis Monday through Friday. Ovariectomy is the surgical removal of the ovaries in females and orchiectomy is the surgical removal of the testes in males, these procedures are commonly called referred to as... Learn More

Apr 10

April is National Heartworm Awareness Month!

Heartworm disease, caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitus, is an all-too common and potentially devastating disease of dogs and cats.  It is estimated that approximately ONE MILLION dogs and cats in the US are infected with this parasite, and many may not have symptoms of the disease until the damage has been done.  This parasite... Learn More

Sep 01

Tips for Helping Your Pets Adjust to Back-to-School Season

Back-to-school season brings about significant changes in household dynamics, which can often affect our beloved pets. As families return to their regular schedules, our furry companions may experience separation anxiety, stress, or boredom. However, with a few simple strategies and some extra care, we can help our pets navigate this transitional period smoothly. In this... Learn More

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Mar 19

5 Household Hazards for Your Pet

In honor of National Animal Poison Prevention Week, which takes place March 19 to 25, our team wants to share some of the most common household products that are toxic to pets. #1: Medications One of the most common household hazards that pets ingest are medications—from an entire pack of beef-flavored heartworm preventives to their... Learn More

Apr 23

The Dog Aging Project

Logan is a participant in a study called the Dog Aging Project. To enroll him in the study I had to complete information on Logan’s physical and nutritional health, and his lifestyle. Today I signed up to participate in the “access to stairs” survey as part of the study. The Dog Aging Project is looking... Learn More

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Apr 09

Pet Poison Prevention Q&A

Dr. Sara Lister is a veterinarian with ASPCA Animal Poison Control.  Her previous work includes Oklahoma State University (class of 2007), followed by internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals. She continued to practice emergency medicine and general practice for the past 10 years, before joining Poison Control. If you think your pet may have ingested a... Learn More

Gray shorthair with yellow eyes looking up from garden next to to lilies
Mar 30

Lilies and Cats: The Lethal Lily

It is quite an unfortunate fact that most cat owners are unaware of the health hazards of lily plants. Flower shops typically do not ask if the recipient of a floral bouquet has a cat in the house and despite educational campaigns from veterinarians, the public is still mostly unaware of just how dangerous lilies... Learn More

Overweight-Cat
Sep 10

Treats – How much is too much?

Showing love through food can quickly become a problem for some pets. Commonly pet owners start off with a few small additional treats which over time expands to high calorie treats given more frequently. This quickly contributes to pets becoming overweight and even obese.  In 2018, an estimated 60% of cats and 56% of dogs... Learn More

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Jul 31

Do Pets Grieve?

Survivor Pet Your survivor pet may exhibit signs of intense stress after the loss of a housemate. It can be two pets that have been together their whole lives, yet it can also be pets who have only been together a short period of time. This can also occur to a dog after the passing... Learn More

dog and cat cooking
May 12

Cooking for Your Pet

You asked: I would love to know more about how to feed my dog unprocessed or minimally processed food. I’d like a guideline for calorie-density and appropriate volume, balanced sources of protein. What is the importance of variety of nutrition sources? For example, hard cooked or scrambled chicken eggs, salmon, red meat? What grains might... Learn More

woman working from home with her dog
May 05

Preventing Separation Anxiety

A record number of new pet adoptions have happily taken place during the current pandemic.  With ample time at home to train and care for a growing puppy, many have determined now is a great time to adopt.  Additionally, dogs and cats that previously spent hours each day home alone, are undoubtedly a little perplexed... Learn More

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Oct 07

October Wellness Plan Giveaway

PetlocityAt Friendship, we believe great pet parents should be rewarded for taking care of their pets.  That’s why we’ve partnered with Petlocity, a program that lets us reward our clients for providing great pet care. Track Your Pet’s Health: Petlocity helps you stay up-to-date with your pet’s health, like prescriptions, vaccinations, and exams.Earn Rewards: Receive... Learn More

Canine Rabies Vaccine
Sep 28

World Rabies Day 2019

September 28 is World Rabies Day World Rabies Day was established in 2007 in an effort to raise awareness about rabies, highlight rabies prevention efforts, and facilitate cooperation in efforts to fight this disease.  Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease spread by scratches or bites from infected animals.   “Rabies: Vaccinate to Eliminate” is the... Learn More

Golden Retriever in a puddle.
Aug 28

Leptospirosis

What is leptospirosis and why is it so important to be knowledgeable about this prevalent zoonotic disease? Leptospirosis is a disease of mammals caused by a spirochete bacterium that is unfortunately becoming quite prevalent. Leptospirosis is currently the most common infectious cause of acute kidney failure in dogs. Leptospira affects the kidneys and liver most... Learn More

CBD Oil
Feb 26

What You Need to Know About CBD Oil and Your Pets

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

Sep 24

Rabies Vaccinations for Indoor Cats

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

Sep 14

Early Detection Lab Work

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

Aug 29

Annual Wellness Examination

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

Friendship provides state of the art, comprehensive services for our clients and patients. But, more than that, we provide a caring team who understand the unique human-animal bond. View Our Services