Mar
19
Understanding MRI: A Guide for Pet Parents
MRI of a dog's brain Learn More
Tag Archives: Friendship Hospital for Animals
Jan
27
Snow Melt and Pets: What Every Pet Owner Should Know
During winter, snow and ice melting products (“snow melt” or “ice melt”) are commonly used on sidewalks, driveways, and roads. While helpful for people, many of these products can be dangerous to pets. Why Snow Melt Is a Problem Snow melt products often contain chemicals such as: salt (sodium chloride), calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium... Learn More
Jan
25
Winter Safety Tips for Your Furry Friends
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
Dec
29
Keeping Your Furry Friends Safe As You Celebrate the New Year & Head Into Winter 2026!
The winter months and the New Year bring joy, but they also present unique hazards for our beloved pets. Here are some helpful tips to consider for the season ❄️ Winter Weather Safety Tips for Dogs & Cats ❄️ * Protect from the Cold: * Indoor Warmth: 🎄 Holiday Season Safety Tips for Dogs & Cats 🎄 Decorations: Toxic Plants: ... Learn More
May
06
Understanding Pet Allergies
At this time of year we are all enjoying spring and looking forward to the summer. But with leafy trees, colorful flowers, and plants blooming, we are also very aware of the pollens! Many humans suffer from allergic disease and many pet owners can see their dogs and cats suffering as well. Cats and dogs... Learn More
May
06
Allergy Testing and Immunotherapy for Pets
Environmental allergies are a life-long problem for so many pets. What is especially hard is that we cannot easily remove environmental allergens. Most dogs and cats are NOT allergic to cleaning products, laundry detergents, or litter. Although many dog and cat parents would be willing to do anything for their pets, cleaning or filtering simply... Learn More
Apr
15
Understanding Veterinary Laparoscopic Surgery for Your Pet
As a devoted pet owner, ensuring the best health for your furry friend is always a top priority. One area that has gained significant attention in recent years is veterinary laparoscopic surgery. This minimally invasive technique is being increasingly used for procedures such as spaying, neutering for cryptorchid testicles, and gastropexy in cats and dogs.... Learn More
Oct
10
Chemotherapy in Pets
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
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
Feb
13
Treating Luna’s Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
Meet Luna: A young Rat Terrier who presented to Friendship Hospital for Animals for evaluation of urinary issues with the Internal Medicine service. While being evaluated by Dr. Stephanie Skinner, a loud heart murmur was heard and Luna was referred to see one of our Board-Certified Veterinary Cardiologist, Dr. Chris McLaughlin. Dr. McLaughlin performed a... Learn More
Nov
14
Safe Thanksgiving Foods for Your Pet
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
Nov
07
Pet Cancer Awareness Month
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
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
Jun
28
Beat the Heat: Essential Tips to Safeguard Your Pet from Heatstroke
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
Jun
14
Treatment Options for Pets with Cancer
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
Jun
07
Cancer in Pets
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 cells disobey the rules: abnormal, damaged, and... Learn More
Apr
12
Protect Your Pet from Lyme Disease
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
Jan
31
The Potential Warnings of a Winter Pet Emergency
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
Jan
24
Fix Your Pet’s Skin Quickly With These Helpful Treatments
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
Apr
09
Wash Away Your (Skin) Troubles
Bathing your pet can be important for reasons like general hygiene, the occasional unexpected mud bath, and de-skunking. Some pet owners may be surprised to know that for certain medical reasons, like bacterial infections, your veterinarian may prescribe a medicated shampoo as part of the treatment plan. With antibiotic resistance becoming an increasing global concern,... Learn More
Jan
26
Winter Tips for Your Pet’s Paws
Winter Tips for Your Pet’s Paws We’re all waiting for spring, but in case March comes in like a lion, we wanted to share some pet paw winter safety tips. The New York Times recently noted the desire to “winterize” our dogs with clothes. Not every dog will tolerate boots, and not every dog will... Learn More
Jan
25
Remembering Donal McKeown
Remembering Donal McKeown Friendship clients from the 60’s and 70’s will be sad to learn of the recent death of Donal McKeown. Dr. McKeown was a co-owner and partner of Dr. William Ready and Dr. Harvey Cowan. He practiced at Friendship from 1958 to 1974. Following his service at Friendship, Dr. McKeown returned to his... Learn More
Jan
27
Vote Friendship Best of DC 2015!
Vote Friendship Best of D.C. 2015! It’s that time of the year again: Washington City Paper‘s “Best of DC” Readers’ Poll! Since 2008, Washington City Paper has polled the Washington, D.C. metro area asking readers to submit the very best of everything from food and drink to goods and services. Though Friendship has taken a... Learn More
Jan
03
Happy New Year from Friendship!
Greetings and Happy 2015 from Friendship Hospital for Animals! 2014 was a crazy and exciting year as Friendship embarked on expanding its physical facilities to include an entirely new, state of the art second floor and freshly renovated ground and first floors. The addition of this space will double the size of the hospital and... Learn More
