Happy Anniversary!

Today we are celebrating the anniversary of Dr. Katherine Trexel. Dr. Trexel joined the Friendship team in 2003, and has been involved in many different areas of our hospital. She has worked as a primary care provider, an emergency vet, and

 as a member of our Surgery and Dentistry teams over the course of her 9 years at FHA. 

Dr. Trexel’s compassion and commitment to making a difference in the lives of her patients have earned her the respect of all who know her. After Hurricane Katrina, she adopted a four-legged survivor named Bob, a dog rescued on the brink of starvation who is her constant companion. Dr. Trexel also volunteers regularly with Remote Area Vet Services to provide free veterinary care to those living in impoverished communities.

Congratulations and happy FHA Anniversary, Dr. Trexel!

 

Brudder Sullivan Fund

 

The Brudder Sullivan Fund was established as a way for Friendship to provide financial assistance in times of need. The fund helps offset the cost of veterinary services for an animal with a good prognosis. The Brudder Sullivan Fund is primarily funded by donations that are made by Friendship each time an animal passes away at the hospital.

The fund has limited resources and decisions regarding use of the fund are reserved to the Director, Hospital Administrator or the Chief of Patient Care. While Friendship will accept donations to the fund, it is currently not designated as a 501(c)3, and therefore donations are not tax-deductible.
Please click on the link below to view the stories of recent recipients of gifts from the Brudder Sullivan Fund:
Brudder Sullivan Blog

Want to help wild animals survive the urban environment? Look into this free course at the Smithsonian. It's sponsored by City Wildlife, Maryland Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, and the Virginia Wildlife Rescue League.http://www.citywildlife.org/Wildlife911.pdf

Court eases up in pit bull case

Mark Humphrey/AP - Prada, a 4-year-old pit bull mix.

By Michael Dresser and Jill Rosen for the Baltimore Sun, Published: August 21

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story carried an incorrect byline.

Maryland’s highest court on Tuesday partly backed off its April decision that pit bulls are inherently dangerous, admitting that it went too far when it applied its standard to crossbred dogs. But the new ruling, which affects only purebred animals, does not clear the waters, according to experts.

The issue, they say, is that a “pit bull” is not a specific dog breed and that it’s difficult to positively identify a pit bull.

In a rare reversal, the Court of Appeals had granted a motion for reconsideration in a case — brought by the parents of a 10-year-old boy who was mauled by a pit bull — against the dog owner’s landlord.

The court’s 4 to 3 decision to impose a standard of “strict liability” in cases involving purebred and crossbred pit bulls sparked a protest among owners of the dogs and animal-welfare advocates.

Many expressed concern that the strict liability standard, which doesn’t make it a requirement to show negligence on the part of the pet owner, would lead landlords to bar pit bulls from their property rather than risk being sued when the animals attack. Critics of the ruling expressed concern that owners would be forced to choose between their pets and their homes and that many pit bulls would be taken to shelters and euthanized as a result.

The ruling led to a failed effort in the special session of the General Assembly that ended last week to override the court.

Tuesday’s ruling raised further questions.

“There actually is no such thing as a purebreed pit bull,” said Cory Smith, a senior director with the Humane Society of the United States. “It’s not a breed of dog.”

There are three types of purebred dogs that are of the pit bull variety, she said: the American pit bull terrier, the American Staffordshire terrier and the Staffordshire Bull terrier.

But the vast majority of dogs most people consider pit bulls — with big heads, strong jaws and muscular bodies — are of mixed lineage.

“There is no way to visually identify a dog as a pit bull, and there’s no way to even prove it using DNA,” Smith said. “Even veterinarians . . . have a hard time identifying a dog as a pit bull.”

The Humane Society said that the original ruling would have applied to about 70,000 pit bull-type dogs in Maryland. Smith guessed that only a fraction of those are purebred pit varieties.

Tami Santelli, the Maryland director for the Humane Society of the United States, said that the new ruling could bring limited relief for some dog owners but allows a bad decision to stand.

“There’s really no question that families are going to be torn apart over the next four months until the General Assembly comes back in January,” Santelli said. She said owners of a large Baltimore apartment complex recently told all pit-bull owners they would have to get rid of their dogs.

Read more here

Lion Cub's First Meeting With Dad Captured on Camera

 

Lions are known as some of the most ferocious animals on the planet, so a tender moment between a father and his cub captured on camera in the wilds of Africa is generating a lot of buzz.

"The lion photos have hit it quite big because it's the cub meeting his dad for the first time ever," said the wildlife photographer who captured the meeting, Suzi Eszterhas. "It's a major part of a lion's life growing up."

This particular cub met his dad for the first time after seven weeks with his mom.

"When lion cubs are babies, the mom keeps them in a den for the first six to eight weeks of life, and it's during this time that she keeps them very hidden," Eszterhas told Goodmorningamerica.com."After, she will bring them out and introduce them to the pride. It's at that point they meet dad for the first time."

(Courtesy: Suzi Eszterhas)Eszterhas was able to capture such a rare moment by embedding herself with the pride of lions on the Masai Mara National Reservein Kenya for three months while she was living in Africa for three years. This particular series of photos was captured in 2008 or 2009, she said.

"That was literally the moment the cub first saw his dad ever," Eszterhas said. "He kind of walked up shyly and then the dad immediately tried to play with him and the mom is watching the whole time to make sure the dad behaves. The whole moment is really special."

The California-based photographer spends nine months of the year in the field, documenting wildlife around the world.

"I spent a lot of hours just sitting with these animals watching them from sunrise to sunset," said Eszterhas, who traveled alone around the reserve in a Jeep taking photos. "Very quickly you just become a part of the landscape and they don't notice you at all. You're always safe but you're quite close to them and they get quite used to you."

The lion photographs have been published in "Lion," the latest edition of her six-title series of children's books, titled " Eye on the Wild," which documents an animal's life from infancy to adulthood in photographs.

Other editions have focused on bears, gorillas and cheetahs.

Read more here

The dogs are learning to outsmart their humans! May be time to try our mobile vet service Friendship To Go!

Crouching Kitten Hidden Tiger!

Fun stuff for dog lovers.

Here are some fun and interesting dog facts. See how much trivia you know about man’s best friend. Did you Know…

• A dog’s heart beats between 70 and 120 times a minute, compared with a human heart which beats 70 to 80 times a minute.
• A dog’s normal body temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
• A female carries her young about 60 days before the puppies are born.
• According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the smallest dog on record was a Yorkshire Terrier in Great Britain who, at the age of 2, weighed just 4 ounces.
• The longest lived dog, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, was an Australian Cattle Dog, named Bluey, who lived to be 29.
• An adult dog has 42 teeth.
• It is a myth that dogs are color blind. They can actually see in color, just not as vividly as humans. It is akin to our vision at dusk.
• If never spayed or neutered, a female dog, her mate, and their puppies could produce over 66,000 dogs in 6 years!
• The only sweat glands a dog has are between the paw pads.
• In 1957, Laika became the first living being in space via an earth satellite
• The world’s smartest dogs are thought to be (1) the border collie, (2) the poodle, and (3) the golden retriever.
• Chocolate contains a substance known as theobromine (similar to caffeine) which can kill dogs or at the very least make them violently ill.
• Dogs’ sense of hearing is more than ten times more acute than a human’s
• More than 1 in 3 American families own a dog.
• Dogs don’t like rain because the sound is amplified and hurts their very sensitive ears.
• The ten most popular dogs (AKC, 2007) are in order:
  Labrador Retriever, Yorkshire Terrier, German Shepherd,
  Golden Retriever, Beagle, Boxer, Dachshund, Poodle,
  Shih Tzu, and Bulldog.
• Dogs were the first animals domesticated by people.
• A greyhound can run as fast as 45 miles an hour.
• Spaying/neutering your dog before the age of 6 months can help prevent cancer in your dog.
• Puppies acquire a full mouth of permanent teeth between four and seven months old.
• Small dogs live the longest. Toy breeds live up to 16 years or more. Larger dogs average is 7 - 12 years. Veterinary medicine have extended this estimate by about three years. However, some breeds, such as Tibetan terrier live as long as twenty years.
• Eighty percent of dog owners buy their dog a present for holidays and birthdays. More than half of them sign letters and cards from themselves and their pets.
• The dog name “Fido” is from Latin and means “fidelity.”
• The U.S. has the highest dog population in the world.
• Most pet owners (94 percent) say their pet makes them smile more than once a day.
• Dogs are mentioned 14 times in the Bible.
• It has been established that people who own pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart attacks.
• All dogs can be traced back 40 million years ago to a weasel-like animal called the Miacis which dwelled in trees and dens. The Miacis later evolved into the Tomarctus,a direct forbearer of the genus Canis, which includes the wolf and jackal as well as the dog.
• Seventy percent of people sign their pet’s name on greeting cards and 58 percent include their pets infamily and holiday portraits, according to a survey done by the American Animal Hospital Association.
• A dog’s whiskers are touch-sensitive hairs called vibrissae. They are found on the muzzle, above the eyes and below the jaws, and can actually sense tiny changes in airflow.
• The origin of amputating a dog’s tail may go back to the Roman writer Lucius Columella’s (A.D. 4-70) assertion that tail docking prevented rabies.
• Dogs can smell about 1,000 times better than humans. While humans have 5 million smell-detecting cells, dogs have more than 220 million. The part of the brain that interprets smell is also four times larger in dogs than in humans.

Read more here

Nail Trims

Pets that do not have regular toenail trims are at greater risk for broken toenails and/or toenails growing into the paw pad.  It is extremely helpful to accustom your pet to having their feet handled at a young age. One method of accomplishing this is to gently play with or massage your pet's paws and toes regularly. This can be done while the pet is eating, or otherwise in a relaxed, comfortable setting such as on your lap watching TV. When first attempting nail trims, it can also be helpful to trim one or a few nails at any given time, followed by treats and praise.
To safely trim your pet's nails, follow these steps:
1. Have a helper. Until your pet becomes accustomed to nail trims, it will very likely be a team effort. Ideally, both people should be familiar to the pet. It is also recommended that you have your pet's favorite treat handy.
2. Have your helper gently hold the pet in their lap if size permits, otherwise kneeling next to the pet and keeping arms around the head and shoulders is sufficient.
3. Talk to your pet in a calm, gentle voice as you gently take one of their paws in your hand. If your pet keeps pulling their foot away, gently hold it for a few seconds and then give a treat as your pet relaxes. Repeat as needed.
4. Using pet nail clippers (guillotine-style clippers and human nail clippers are not recommended), quickly snip off the very tip of your pet's nails. After each cut, praise your pet generously and give a treat/head scratch.
5. Once you have trimmed all of the nails, again generously praise and reward your pet.
It important to make nail trims a positive experience for you and your pet. Ending on a good note is always advised, so use your judgment about when to stop or take a break so they can relax again.

What is Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care?

Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care is a veterinary specialty that could save your pet’s life! If your pet should become injured or suddenly develop an acute, life threatening disease, he or she will need prompt emergency care. In addition to requiring initial emergency treatment, many days may be needed for the disease process to run its course before recovery occurs. During this time, close monitoring and life support measures in the intensive care unit (ICU) may be needed. A vigilant team lead by a veterinarian who is specialty trained in emergency and critical care will improve the quality of care your pet receives during this crucial time, improving his or her chance for a good outcome

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What is a specialist in veterinary emergency and critical care? Does this involve additional training beyond their veterinary training?

A specialist in emergency and critical care is a specially trained veterinarian who is dedicated to treating life-threatening conditions. Yes, they do have additional training! They must first be a graduate of a recognized veterinary school, then receive a minimum (or equivalent) of 3 additional years of intense training in emergency, surgery and critical care through completion of an American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC)-approved training program. This intense program is referred to as a “residency” in emergency and critical care and focuses on the most up-to-date techniques for diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening disease processes in an emergency, and for the critical time while the animal is recovering. The emergency and critical care residency is supervised by mentors who have been through similar training programs and are themselves board-certified Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC).
Once the veterinarian has completed these years of specialty residency training, the individual must then pass a tough board -certification examination given by the ACVECC. Upon successful completion of the training and passing of the examination, the veterinarian is a Diplomate of the ACVECC, is termed a “specialist”, and is board-certified in veterinary emergency and critical care.

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How do I know if a veterinarian is a specialist in emergency and critical care?

The veterinarian will be a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC). You can find out if the veterinarian is a Diplomate of the ACVECC by asking the veterinarian or looking for the ACVECC credential (DACVECC). The credential may be listed on stationery, or be on a displayed Diplomate Certificate issued by the ACVECC. You may also check with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). You may also check our ACVECC web site where all ACVECC Diplomates are listed.

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How can I find a specialist in veterinary emergency and critical care for my pet?

Diplomates of the ACVECC may work in an emergency practice, a referral practice with other veterinary specialists (surgeons, internists), in industry, or in an academic setting such as a University that has a Veterinary School where they treat sick pet animals and teach veterinary students.
There are several ways for you to find an ACVECC Diplomate in your area. First, you may consult the ACVECC web site, where Diplomates are listed according to geographical location. Second, you may ask your veterinarian if the emergency practice in your area is led by a veterinarian that is an ACVECC Diplomate. Third, if your veterinarian refers your pet to a specialty practice for non-routine surgery, medical care or diagnostics, you can inquire whether there is an ICU with a life support team headed by a specialist in emergency and critical care, should your pet require intensive care and life support. A fourth way is to inquire at the Veterinary School in your area. You may ask if they have a fully staffed Emergency Room and Intensive Care Unit that is headed by an ACVECC Diplomate. If so, your critically injured or ill pet will be in the care of a fully-trained specialist.

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How do I know if my pet needs a specialist veterinarian in Emergency and Critical Care?

First, ask your veterinarian. Any pet that is seriously ill might benefit from this type of care. Animals that have sustained trauma or bite wounds are an obvious example, but a number of other problems are commonly treated. The following is a sampling of the type of patients that routinely benefit from care by an ACVECC Diplomate:

• Trauma patients, including those hit by cars, bite, bullet, knife or burn injuries
• Any animal that is having trouble breathing
• Animals that need a blood transfusion
• Any patient that is in shock (signs of shock can include weakness, pale mucous membranes in their mouth, cold extremities, and an abnormal heart rate)
• Animals that are having trouble urinating, or are not producing urine
• Dogs and cats that need specialized nutritional support because they are unwilling or unable to eat on their own
• Animals in which an abnormal heart rhythm is causing problems
• Animals with life-threatening neurologic disease such as coma or severe seizures that are not responding to medications
• Patients that have had surgery and are not recovering well from anesthesia or are having trouble in the first few post-operative days

More information here

About Pet Portals

So, what’s a Pet Portal?

Pet Portals are private websites that give you secure online access to your pet’s health information. We provide Pet Portals free of charge to all clients who have active e-mail addresses.

How can I get a Pet Portal?

Just give us your e-mail address and you’ll receive a password by e-mail.
Here's how you can get your Pet Portal:

• Click this "Get a Portal!" link.
• Visit our hospital. Just give the receptionist your e-mail address.
• Call us on the phone and give us your e-mail address.

Once you provide us with your e-mail address you’ll receive your password by e-mail.

How do I view my Pet Portal?

You view your Pet Portal by visiting our website and using your e-mail address and password to sign in. You must have “cookies” turned on in your browser in order to sign-in. You can bookmark the sign-in page, but not your Pet Portal, since it exists only when you are actually signed in.

What do you do with my e-mail address?

We use your e-mail address as your Pet Portal sign-in name. You have the option of receiving your pet’s service reminders (vaccinations, exams, etc.) by e-mail.
We also use e-mail address to contact clients about practice updates and important health news, such as information about West Nile Virus.
If you’d prefer not to receive e-mails from us, you can use your Pet Portal to change your e-mail preferences. You will still be able to use your Pet Portal, even if you choose not to receive e-mails from us.

Do you sell your mailing list?

We do not sell our mailing list. We do occasionally work with animal health companies to offer discount coupons and other promotions for products and services that we believe are beneficial to our patients. We do not disclose your personal information.

How much do Pet Portals cost?

Pet Portals are a service we provide free of charge to all clients with active e-mail addresses.

What can I do with my Pet Portal?

You can use your Pet Portal to manage your pet’s health care and medication schedule, communicate with us online, and learn more about your pet’s individual health and life-stage issues.

Do I need a separate Pet Portal for each pet?

No! Your Pet Portal contains health information for each pet with an active file in your account with us. Remember, in order to have an active account, your pet must have visited our hospital.
(If you see any information about your pet or account that needs to be updated, you can use the Pet Portal to let us know)

How secure is my Pet Portal?

Your Pet Portal resides on a secure server protected by a fire wall. Your personal information cannot be accessed by other Pet Portal users.
Your Pet Portal is created each time you sign in. When you are not signed in, your Pet Portal does not exist. This means that it’s impossible for someone to find and view your account on the open Internet. Only you (and anyone with whom you choose to share your sign-in name and password) can see your pet’s information.

Visit our site for more information: http://www.friendshiphospital.com/aboutpetportals.html

Happy FHA Anniversary to Dr. Nicola Moore! Four years ago today, Dr. Moore joined our team as part of the 2008-09 intern class. We liked her so much, we kept her on as a staff doctor! Dr. Moore brings an unsurpassed dedication to all that she does and for that, we thank you!

Dr. Moore is pictured here with her zany and lovable dog, Remy

Nicola Moore, DVM
I was born and raised in Silver Spring, MD. From a very young age, I loved animals and my dream was to be a veterinarian. Throughout my childhood, I had multiple pets from a cat and a dog, to hamsters and an iguana.

The majority of my immediate family lives in the Washington DC area, and when I am not working, I try to spend time with them. My other interests include outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking, camping, skiing, and running.
I enjoy the many facets that veterinary medicine has to offer. I have found a love for emergency medicine during my time here at Friendship, and am also passionate about internal medicine and surgery.

Senior Care

When your pet has been with you for many years—not only do they become irreplaceable members of the family, they also need a little extra care. As your pet grows older we recommend that “wellness visits” become more frequent and that we see your pet at least twice a year (every 6 months) for senior bloodwork and senior care. Bloodwork for seniors may include urinalysis, kidney and liver functions, complete blood cell counts, and thyroid functioning. It is important to have this bloodwork performed as it can uncover systemic abnormalities that a physical examination may not detect.

Wellness Care Services Annual Examinations Vaccinations Heartworm and Parasite Prevention Senior Care Dental Care Puppy/Kitten Plans Nutrition Counseling Urgent Care Service Surgery Internal Medicine Oncology Friendship To Go Pain Management Laser Surgery Cardiology Elective Hospitalization Diagnostic Services Pet Portal Online Stores Friendship Tails Heartworm and Parasite Prevention

All dogs in this area should be on an effective heartworm preventive year round. Administration is easier than ever with once-a-month chewable tablets. Cats, too, should be treated for parasites on a regular basis. Heartworm medication recommended at Friendship is also effective in preventing numerous other parasites. Your personal Pet Portal can be set up to provide you with monthly reminders to give these medications.

Vaccinations

Vaccinating your dog or cat protects him or her against a wide variety of infectious diseases. Your veterinarian will discuss with you a vaccination program that is appropriate for you particular pet. At Friendship, we do not believe that one vaccination program is correct for all pets. We do not believe in over-vaccinating dogs or cats. Mature, healthy pets that are not at excessive risk are generally vaccinated on a three year schedule. We understand that your pet is unique and needs a vaccination program specific to him/her.

Annual Examinations

All pets should be examined at least annually by your veterinarian. Pets age about seven times as fast as we do, so, older pets should be examined even more often. Examinations are critical to help veterinarians find disease early—the best time for them to be treated. Depending upon the age of your pet, blood tests or other diagnostics may be recommended as part of regular wellness care and disease prevention. Examinations also give you an opportunity to ask questions about your pet’s health.

Friendship To Go: Mobile Veterinary Services

At Friendship Hospital for Animals, we understand there are times when a trip to the vet can be tough for you and your pet. That's why we offer, Friendship To Go, a mobile veterinary care service.

A team that includes one of our staff veterinarians and a trained veterinary assistant comes to your home and brings our compassionate, top quality care to your dog or cat. We offer morning and afternoon home visits to make it easier to fit your pet's care into your busy schedule.
Friendship To Go includes a range of routine and preventative care services. We also offer end-of-life care so you can share your companion's final moments in a private setting that's more comforting for both of you.
You can chose Friendship To Go with confidence because, like the care we provide at the hospital, our mobile service is staffed by experienced veterinarians who are part of one of the most sophisticated veterinary healthcare organizations in the area.
Many services can be taken care of right in your home but if your pet needs additional care, you can rest easy knowing you have access to 24/7 care from the full team of doctors, technicians and services available at Friendship.
Call Friendship Hospital for Animals today to arrange an at-home visit or email us at ToGo@friendshiphospital.com

Oncology

At Friendship Hospital for Animals our goal is to preserve, lengthen, and improve quality of life for dogs and cats that are afflicted with cancer. With that in mind, we have been delighted to be able to offer Oncology Services for pet dogs and cats since 1998. Headed by board-certified oncologist, Dr. Chand Khanna, Oncology Services offers a wide variety of treatment options for pets with cancer. Dr. Khanna, along with Dr. Tony Rusk (who joined the Oncology Services in 2001) works closely with the staff at Friendship and with local referring veterinarians to provide the best healthcare options for cancer patients.

The focus of Oncology Services is to provide treatment options that meet the specific needs of each client whose pet has been diagnosed with cancer. These options may include conventional chemotherapy, new investigational therapies, and palliative or supportive care. We believe that success in providing options and helping families is best achieved with close communication between Oncology Services, the primary care veterinarian, and the family.
Along with the traditional chemotherapy options, Oncology Services at Friendship Hospital for Animals offers cutting-edge cancer treatments due to an alliance with Animal Clinical Investigations (formerly Animal Cancer Institute) headed by Drs. Khanna and Rusk. This nationwide organization helps to identify novel cancer treatments through collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry. The research that stems from these trials contributes to future generations of anti-cancer drugs and further promotes the understanding of the complexity of cancer.

Internal Medicine

Patients at Friendship are fortunate to have a fulltime, on-site veterinary internist. Dr. James McConnell heads up the internal medicine department and assists the staff doctors in evaluating and treating a wide array of serious and challenging pet illnesses.

Dr. McConnell has received advanced residency training and has over 18 years of experience using ultrasound and state of the art endoscopic techniques. His special focus is in diagnosing and treating digestive, respiratory, liver, and urinary tract illnesses of cats and dogs. He has also been called upon to use these skills in evaluating cheetahs, orangutans, tigers and Tsing Tsing, the older Panda who lived at the National Zoo prior to the introduction of Tian Tian and Mei Xiang.
Dr. McConnell provides consultations for and accepts referrals from Friendship Hospital veterinarians. He also provides his expertise in evaluating and treating pets referred from over 50 other veterinary hospitals located in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Consultations can be scheduled directly with Dr. McConnell Monday through Friday. If special procedures need to be performed to evaluate or treat your pet, they can usually be scheduled the same day as the consultation. Also, because minimally-invasive diagnostic techniques are used in Dr. McConnell’s evaluations, pets are usually able to return home later the same day.

Friendship Surgical Services

Friendship Hospital is proud of its record of surgical success. As co-Chiefs of Surgery, Dr. Glassman and Dr. Kuehn oversee a team of highly qualified technicians and surgeons who perform a wide range of surgeries. We perform all types of fracture repair and other orthopedic procedures.

We offer the most advanced surgical techniques and technology. All patients are carefully screened for safety, and anesthetics are specifically tailored to your pet. At Friendship Hospital, pain management is an important part of every surgical intervention.
Surgical services and facilities include: fully trained veterinary and technical staff, to ensure the safest, most efficient, state-of-the-art procedures for your pet; heated surgery tables for greater comfort; advanced sterilization techniques; continuous ECG and oxygen saturation monitors; 24 hour-intensive care after surgery and full blood testing. A dedicated and fully trained surgical technician continuously monitors patients during anesthesia.
Laser therapy is now a standard part of our post-surgery protocol, thanks to its ability to reduce pain and significantly speed the time it takes for incisions to heal. Except in cases where it is contraindicated (such as the removal of suspected cancerous masses), we administer the treatment after every operation performed at the hospital. Patients that have had orthopedic surgery receive at least one additional session, while they are still in the hospital. Click here to find out more about laser therapy.
Elective surgeries such as spays and neuters are performed with the same care and dedication as more complex surgeries. Senior surgical staff is either at the hospital or on 24-hour call in the event that emergency surgical intervention is required.

Surgical Admissions

• Presurgical bloodwork is required for all anesthetic patients
• Consent forms must be signed prior to surgery
• No food after 8PM the night before surgery (water is ok)
• Arrive at the hospital by 8:30 the morning of surgery
• Please provide us with accurate contact information for a responsible party available throughout the day
• At admission, a doctor will discuss with you your pet’s procedure—risks, possible complications, recovery—and answer any of your questions
• If you would like to spend additional time with the veterinarian you may schedule a pre-surgical consult prior to the day of the procedure.

During the Day

• It is generally difficult to give you a specific time for your pet’s surgery. Scheduled surgeries are not performed based on the order of check-in but on the procedures being performed that day.
• Feel free to call during the day to check on your companion’s surgical and recovery status. Your pet will be assigned a technician who can update you regularly. Your veterinarian should call you with a full status report by the end of the day.

After Surgery

• Follow your discharging veterinarian’s instructions
• Monitor your pets incision for swelling and redness
• Monitor your pet’s appetite
• Maintain bandages and administer medications as instructed
• Return for follow-up as directed

Urgent Care Service

When there is an emergency—you want to be sure that you have a trusted friend waiting to help you. Friendship Hospital for Animals will care for any animal presented 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This “Urgent Care Service” is designed to meet pet health needs ranging from routine concerns such as ear infections to life threatening critical emergencies.

No appointment is necessary. Upon arrival, all patients are quickly assessed by our highly trained triage staff. This staff has completed in-hospital coursework, on the job training, and passed an exhaustive exam to assure that they can accurately assess your pet.
Urgent Care Service patients are seen in the order dictated by the emergency doctors on duty. Their first priority is always critical patients that need the immediate attention of the doctor. More routine or stable cases will then be seen in the order in which they arrive. We appreciate that clients with non-critical patients understand the need of our urgent care staff to treat critical patients first and may, depending upon case load, be required to wait until critically ill patients are stabilized and cared for.
The Urgent Care Service is staffed by a dedicated team that is selected for its motivation to intensive patient care. The emergency doctors on duty consist of senior emergency staff selected for their work ethic, compassion, and ability. They have received advanced training and are experienced in emergency medicine. The service is also staffed by veterinary interns who are fully licensed and capable new doctors. They are the best new doctors in the country, and have immediate access to consults with senior staff doctors 24 hours a day. A senior staff surgeon is on call at all times.
We understand the concern and love you have for your pet. We will treat your pets like they are our own and we will also communicate with you as thoroughly as possible, so that you can understand your pet’s status and progress. We strive to keep you involved in the care of your critically ill dog or cat.
Our Urgent Care Service offers:

• 24 hour intensive nursing care
• 24 hour lab
• Digital radiography and emergency ultrasound
• Emergency Surgery services
• Crystalloid and colloid fluid support
• Blood and plasma transfusion
• Continuous ECG, blood pressure, CVP, and blood oxygen and gas monitoring
• State of the art pain management and thermal support
• Short term ventilator support

Your pet should be seen urgently if he/she is:

• Having difficulty breathing
• Is unconscious
• Has not urinated
• Is having difficulty walking
• Has a distended belly
• Has significant uncontrolled bleeding
• Is in significant pain

For more information about what constitutes and emergency go to the American Animal Hospital site.
If you have any question about whether or not your pet should be seen, please call us (202-363-7300). If you have any concerns at all, we encourage you to bring your pet in and have us evaluate him.

Wellness Care Services

At Friendship, we believe preventive health care is the best way to enhance your pet’s longevity and vitality. We also believe that each pet is a family member and an individual with unique medical, dental, and nutritional needs.

You can expect a Client Care Technician in every scheduled appointment to assist the doctor and answer any of your questions pertaining to the health and maintenance of your four-legged family member. Our client care technicians work hard as a liaison between you and the doctor and are available 24 hours every day via e-mail/pet mail and telephone to answer any of your questions or address any of your concerns.
The client care technicians will educate you regarding recommended preventive health products and services. We are more than happy to demonstrate the best ways to take care of your companion animal. Whether you are requesting advice on how to brush your dog or cat’s teeth, nutrition advice, or on how best to medicate your animal; we are always available to help you care for your pet and answer your questions regarding his health.

Meet the Team

The team at Friendship Animal Hospital promises that our large staff of primary care and specialist veterinarians, trained technicians and support staff will provide outstanding care for your pets. The Friendship team works to continuously understand and meet your needs and expectations.

We are here 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year to provide comprehensive, high quality, animal healthcare services; including primary and preventive care, critical and emergency care, and sophisticated special care.
We are the Friends you can count on to be there when you need us the most.
Our Team

Community Involvement

Friendship recognizes that we have a special responsibility to the community beyond our mission to provide quality health care for pets. As the largest pet health care provider in the area, we are committed to community service.

As a member of the Washington business and animal health-care community for over 60 years, Friendship is committed to helping make our community a better place to live. Friendship has developed or participates in a number of programs to support our community.

Veterinary Internship at Friendship Hospital

In many industries, the title “intern” attaches to an individual who is spending a limited time in a professional setting but has not completed professional training and may, in fact, just be exploring a profession to find out if it is a good “fit” for him. This is true in the fields of law and architecture and finance among others. This is not true, however, in veterinary medicine or human medicine.
In the field of veterinary medicine, the title “intern” is only applied to a graduate veterinarian who has elected to pursue advanced postgraduate clinical training. This is commonly the case in human medicine. In veterinary medicine, however, only about 25% of graduate veterinarians are motivated to seek an internship.
A person becomes a veterinarian on the day of graduation from veterinary college. On that day, she has earned a doctorate degree, thus meriting the title, “doctor.” As in human medicine, the degree is generally conferred after four years of undergraduate study and four years of professional school. Upon graduation and the successful completion of a National Board Examination, the veterinarian is eligible for licensure in any state in the nation. No additional training is required. The majority of graduating veterinarians begin practicing days or weeks after leaving school. Some work with associates and some may work by themselves as solo practitioners.
Those electing to pursue more training do so completely voluntarily. These are generally the most highly motivated and successful of the graduating class. In return for the advanced clinical training they receive, interns may work long hours and receive lower compensation than those classmates who do not do internships. Internships are highly competitive. At Friendship, we receive approximately fifty applicants for our six internship positions. Only university teaching hospitals or high-caseload private practices with specialists are able to offer internships attractive to new graduates.
At Friendship, interns are required to attend teaching sessions and seminars, present research or scientific lectures, participate in professional journal reviews, as well as see patients as an integrated member of the hospital team. Our internship program is a hospital asset of which we are very proud. Very few private animal hospitals are qualified to offer internships. Ours is not only qualified but, in large part because of our commitment to excellence, is recognized as one of the very best in the country.
Internships (human and veterinary) generally begin in June. Each June, Friendship welcomes five new interns. They come from varied backgrounds and have graduated from some of the finest veterinary colleges in the country. They are highly motivated, ambitious, and committed to the care of your companions. They have gone through a highly competitive selection process and are willing to put in long hours for not much pay in order to be here at Friendship.
Now that you know how well trained, talented, and dedicated interns are, we hope that you will welcome them. You should have confidence in the care they provide your pets knowing that they are some of the finest graduate veterinarians in the country.
Meet this year’s interns by going to Meet the Team—Interns.

American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)

American Animal Hospital Association—Offering the Peace-Of-Mind of National Accreditation

AAHA’s website
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is an international association of more than 33,000 veterinary care providers who treat companion animals. Established in 1933, AAHA is well known among veterinarians and pet owners for its standards for hospitals and pet health care. Approximately 3,000 veterinary hospitals voluntarily participate in the AAHA hospital evaluation program. Trained consultants regularly visit these hospitals to ensure compliance with AAHA’s standards for services and facilities. Individual veterinarians can also be members of AAHA.
Friendship Hospital for Animals is one of the less than 18 percent of North American veterinary hospitals accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). AAHA accreditation means that we meet strict standards for excellence in all areas of patient care, surgery and sanitation. Regular AAHA evaluation, inspection and consultations assure you of the highest quality care each and every time you trust your pet to our team of professionals. Friendship has been an AAHA member hospital since 1950!
The AAHA Standards of Accreditation address the following areas:

• Dentistry
• Emergency services
• Pain management
• Patient care
• Surgery and anesthesia
• Contagious disease protocols
• Radiology services
• Laboratory services
• Pharmacy
• Client service
• Staff continuing education and training
• Human resources and leadership
• Patient and staff safety
• Pet medical records
• Examination facilities and equipment
• Housekeeping and maintenance

Friendship's Vision Statement

The Friendship Family:
Commits every team member to a clear, shared vision of our future.
Values training and shares knowledge with the entire healthcare team to promote education and growth in order to fully meet the needs of our clients and patients.
Sets and maintains high service and healthcare standards and holds individuals accountable to those standards.
Is committed to providing excellent care to our patients, our clients and each other twenty-four hours every day.
Is compassionate to all clients and their pets.
Fosters an environment of loyalty, respect and equality. Recognizes and celebrates the diversity of our clients and our staff.
Is committed to open and honest communication.
Cultivates a positive, supportive environment, which is cooperative, civil, fun, and creative and promotes psychological, financial, and intellectual rewards.
Strives to be a national leader in the veterinary healthcare profession.
Is committed to community service.

About Our Company

Trust, compassion, sensitivity, understanding, respect and honesty—Friendship

Friendship Hospital for Animals provides high-quality, compassionate veterinary care to the cats and dogs of the Washington DC metro area. We have been accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) for over 50 years. To best meet the needs of our clients and patients, we are open 24 hours a day, every day, all year long.
Whether your companion is a puppy or a kitten, an adult or a senior, our dedicated veterinarians and team members will provide you with a wellness care program custom-tailored to your animal’s needs. We also offer state-of-the-art referral services—including cardiology, oncology, internal medicine, and surgery—all under a single clinic roof. If an unexpected health issue arises, our 24–hour emergency vet service means we’re here for you at any time of day or night.