Finding out your pet has cancer can be a frightening and stressful experience for many reasons. One common source of anxiety is the idea that your pet may require chemotherapy treatment, which can be an intimidating prospect. The word “chemotherapy” often conjures images of severe side effects that nobody wants their pet to experience: things... Learn More
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
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
As winter brings a chilly embrace, it’s crucial to be proactive in ensuring the well-being of our four-legged friends. The frosty season brings not only joy, but also potential hazards for dogs and cats. Here are some winter safety tips to keep your pets healthy and happy. Beware of Common Toxins: One of the most... Learn More
Thanksgiving is upon us, and while you’re preparing a delicious feast for your loved ones, don’t forget to include your pets in the celebration. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through some safe Thanksgiving foods that your four-legged friend can enjoy without any worries. 1. Turkey Treats: It’s important to note that plain, cooked... Learn More
Cancer Prevention in Pets Cancer doesn’t have just one cause, and the development of cancer typically stems from a complex interplay of genetic factors, environmental factors, and chance. This multifactorial nature means that while we do not know how to prevent cancer, there are certain easy steps we can take to reduce cancer risks in... Learn More
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
During the height of summer, weather conditions can become more than miserable for your furry pal—they can be downright dangerous. Protect your pet from the threat of heatstroke with the following tips. #1: Monitor the weather By keeping a close eye on the temperature and humidity, you can time your pet’s outdoor excursions to the... Learn More
While not many pet owners may realize it, the good news is that are a range of treatment options available for our veterinary cancer patients. Friendship has many years of experience helping thousands of pets fight cancer, with the goal of either improving an animal’s quality of life, or in the best case, achieving a... Learn More
As summer temperatures heat up, you and your furry pal likely want to cool off with a swim. Although it’s in their name, not all dogs–or pets–know how to “doggy paddle,” so take proper precautions when you swim with your four-legged friend. Here are five tips to help your pet stay safe while swimming. #1:... Learn More
As cold winter weather slowly slips away and warm spring temperatures arrive, sluggish parasites wake up. This makes April the perfect time for Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month. Take action to reduce your pet’s likelihood of giving ticks a ride—or a meal—and learn how to spot common Lyme disease signs to ensure your... Learn More
Celebrate Take a Walk in the Park Day with your four-legged friend on March 30, but don’t let hazards ruin a perfect day. Keep your eyes peeled for the following issues when walking your pet. #1: Other dogs Running across another dog could spell disaster, especially if either dog is reactive and manages to slip... Learn More
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
It has recently come to our attention that one of the major manufacturers and distributors of prescription pet food has issued a voluntary recall for potential excessive levels of Vitamin D. Nestlé Purina is voluntarily recalling select lots of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diet Elemental EL dry (both 8-pound and 20-pound bags). Please see the... Learn More
Summertime comes with a host of hazards for pets, but colder weather also brings its own dangers. As the temperature drops, watch out for the following issues that can require emergency care for your furry pal. Antifreeze toxicity in pets Antifreeze is used to keep your car’s engine functioning in the winter, but it can... Learn More
As temperatures fall, so do humidity levels in your home and outdoors. A drop in humidity often leads to dry, itchy skin and can leave your furry pal uncomfortable during the winter months. Prevent excessive scratching and licking by soothing your pet’s skin with a combination of at-home and veterinary-approved therapies. At-home dry skin treatments... Learn More
Updated November 4, 2022: As of Monday November 7, 2022: One person per patient is permitted into the building. Masks are optional inside of the hospital – if you are experiencing symptoms of illness, we kindly ask that you remain masked. Clients may use the first floor lobby and front patio to optimize social... Learn More
What is CPR? How helpful is it from a pet owner’s perspective? Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, also known as CPR, is an emergency first aid technique that sustains blood flow to the brain and heart in the event of cardia arrest. CPR entails chest compressions, assisted breathing, and advance life support measures including medications and defibrillation. Cardiopulmonary... Learn More
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
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
As the COVID pandemic picked up speed in mid-March, Friendship made the difficult decision to close our doors to our clients while leaving our doors open to our patients. We understood that this decision would change our daily routines with curbside check-in and without clients in exam rooms. What we didn’t expect was that it... Learn More
We write you today with some very exciting news. As of May 18th, Friendship has merged with Encore Vet Group. With notable cultural and philosophical alignment, and a shared passionate commitment to veterinary medicine, Friendship and Encore are excited to serve the DC community together. For the past 85 years, Friendship has been a Tenleytown... Learn More
For some time now, Friendship has been evaluating telemedicine as another layer of providing care to our patients. There are benefits and limitations to any new procedure and the launch of this service will be exciting and challenging. Technology is expanding in ways that allow us to better visualize and assess patients remotely, in real-time.... Learn More
A lot has changed in our country since we wrote about COVID19 and your pets last month. Read below for the most recent updates from Dr. Cohen. What’s the consensus? Can pets be infected or transmit COVID 19? If you are worried that COVID-19 may harm your pet, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the... Learn More
Updated March 2023: Masks are OPTIONAL inside the hospital. Clients may use the first floor lobby and front patio to optimize social distancing Scheduled specialty appointments will remain curbside but clients are welcome to use the lobby and facilities, as needed. If you have questions about your pet’s specialty appointment, please contact the department directly.... Learn More
Ever since Winter was adopted at 7 weeks of age, she has dribbled urine. This leaking was constant- when she was sleeping but also when she was awake, walking, and playing. Spaying her produced no improvement in the incontinence, nor did any medication seem to help. Hoping to find a solution, Winter was presented to... Learn More
What is a coronavirus? Coronaviruses are named for their crown-like appearance. Most common coronaviruses cause mild symptoms of runny nose, sore throat, fever, and cough. Some can descend deeper into the lungs and cause pneumonia. Animals have their own common set of coronaviruses. It is rare but possible for a coronavirus infecting an animal to... Learn More
It is that time of year again, and winter is approaching! We want to make sure that you are able to enjoy this cold weather with your furry family members worry-free, so we have compiled the following list of recommendations to help you do just that! More dogs are lost during the winter than during any... Learn More
Did you know that Friendship’s veterinarians are required to complete 20 hours of continuing education each year? In fact, our board-certified specialty doctors provide free continuing education lectures for all DC-area veterinarians (and beyond!) every month at our hospital. In order to practice the highest quality of medicine, the majority of Friendship’s staff doctors actually... Learn More
Who doesn’t love Halloween? Dressing up, trick-or-treat, pumpkin carving; so much fun. But the ringing doorbells, unfamiliar people, and frightening masks can create high anxiety for some pets. To help reduce your pet’s stress, try disconnecting your doorbell and using a motion sensor for the night. Or you could bring the fun to the trick-or-treaters... Learn More
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