What is Pyoderma? Pyoderma, a bacterial skin infection, is a common skin problem, but it is uncommon for pets to develop pyoderma without an underlying cause. It is important to remember that all animals live with organisms on our skin. When a problem, such as an allergy, affects the skin barrier and/or the immune system,... Learn More
Should I Be Concerned if My Dog’s Eye is Going Grey? Have you noticed your older pet’s eyes starting to look a little hazy? As pets get older, there are two common conditions that can cause the eye to look grey. One of those conditions is that the lens is in the center of the eye,... Learn More
Remembering All of 9/11 On this solemn day, remembering 9/11 can be a very difficult task for any American. The nation’s hearts and kind words still go out to the grieving families and friends of the victims. Alongside, the thousands of 2-legged heroes were hundreds of 4-legged heroes – 300 plus. This blog was written... Learn More
Working Like A Dog Labor Day is upon us. This holiday can bring mixed emotions of the dog days of summer ending or the emotions of welcoming all that the fun-filled fall season has to offer. Labor Day, which is always the first Monday in September, was established around 1885 as a holiday to celebrate... Learn More
Catio’s, Cat Highways, and Cat Shelves……. Oh My! Do you have a cat that has a lot of energy or is very high-strung? Do you have multiple cats that do not get along…… is one a bully? If this sounds like your household, have no fear, you are not alone. There are still options out... Learn More
Saturday, August 26th, is National Dog Day! On National Dog Day we celebrate the special dogs that are members of our family and those that work selflessly to save lives. Remember to give your dog an extra hug or kiss in celebration! Better yet, be an advocate for the millions of homeless dogs waiting to... Learn More
Post Grooming Furunculosis What is post-grooming furunculosis? Post-grooming furunculosis is a deep skin infection that occurs rather quickly, usually on the back of dogs (where grooming products are commonly placed). The infection is often due to an organism, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa, that is associated with water environments. Because of this association, most affected dogs have... Learn More
Clinical Study – Subclinical Bacteriuria in Dogs with CKD Friendship Internal Medicine is now recruiting patients for a fully funded clinical study of “Subclinical Bacteriuria in Dogs with CKD.” How do you approach a positive urine culture in a dog without any clinical signs? Veterinary infectious disease experts have recommended that these dogs do not... Learn More
Check the Chip! National “Check the Chip Day” is here! Please remember to microchip your pet and do not forget to register their information and microchip number online! Microchipping significantly increases the chance that your pet will be returned home if lost. Today is the day to take the time and make sure that your... Learn More
Mighty Mittens Mara This little gal is Mittens. Don’t let her small size fool you, she’s quite the fighter. Mittens was recently adopted just shy of 6 weeks of age! Since she was so young, she had not yet been vaccinated and her immune system wasn’t fully developed. She began having diarrhea shortly after adoption.... Learn More
“Skip to My Lou”……..Why My Pet Skips When Walking the Beat Ever see your pup hop and skip when walking around town? Sure, sometimes its cute and doesn’t seem to bother them much, but did you know that this type of walk may indicate an orthopedic issue? Pets knee caps, a.k.a. patellas, and their luxation... Learn More
Are You Dog Obsessed? I know I am. I love your dogs and I love my dogs. Even though I’m not supposed to play favorites I have one! Here he is loving his Bark Box that came this month. The United States, along with several other countries, have become obsessed with their furry companions.... Learn More
What to Chew and What Not to Chew…….. That is the Question? We all love treating our furry friends with some sweet and delicious goods, but did you know most dog chews may be too tough for our little ones?! Sure, all dogs would love to gnaw on a bone from the butcher’s shop or... Learn More
Table Scraps for Fluffy and Fido! We love showering our beloved four legged friends with hugs and kisses and a table scrap here or there. The key is knowing which one will make Fluffy happy while staying healthy and which other ones to avoid. To provide our pups with the best health and nutrition, a... Learn More
You Asked: Why Do Young Animals Typically Have Parasites? Friendship Hospital for Animals primary care doctor, Dr. Kimberly Schultz answered: Puppies can be born already infected with roundworms as the parasite can pass from the mother’s tissue across the placenta to the developing puppies. Puppies can acquire hookworms from infected mothers during nursing. In addition,... Learn More
Friendship Hospital for Animals is Going Greener Friendship Hospital for Animals is going greener. With a green roof that is! During the hospitals extensive expansion in 2015 a green roof was added to further the hospitals commitment to alleviating our carbon footprint. Compared to a conventional roof, a green roof has several benefits not only... Learn More
What Does it Mean if My Veterinarian Hears a Heart Murmur? Listening to your pet’s heart and lungs is a vital part of the annual physical exam. When we listen to your dog or cat’s chest we are listening to the type of sounds the heart beat produces as well as the rhythm of the... Learn More
Are You or Your Pet Itching to Learn About Allergy Medications? While treating infection and working up the underlying allergic cause for infections/itch, we often need to help your pet feel more comfortable at the same time. The over-the-counter products (ex. topicals, antihistamines, vitamin E, fish oils, etc.) may be relatively safe, but this often... Learn More
You Asked: Can I use a microchip to locate my pet, like a lojack does for stolen vehicles? Our primary care doctor, Dr. Kimberly Schultz, DVM, has the answer: Microchips do not work like GPS systems. Microchips are tiny radio frequency identifying devices (roughly the size of a grain of rice). A microchip is implanted... Learn More
Can I Take My Puppy to the Park Yet? Everyone looks forward to bringing their new puppy to the park. To make sure your new friend stays safe and healthy, Dr. Kimberly Schultz, DVM and the Primary Care Team at Friendship Hospital recommend waiting until at least 2 weeks after your puppy has completed the... Learn More
June 23rd: Take Your Dog to Work Day! We all know how special dogs are in our lives. But did you also know that they can help with reducing stress levels and making you more productive at work? For more information and a tool kit to make this special day successful at your work place please... Learn More
Warm Weather Safety Tips: Part II Dr. Janine Calabro, FHA’s Chief of Emergency and Critical Care, is back with part two of the Warm Weather Safety Tips series in order to help you keep your furry friends safe and healthy this summer! We often see an uptick in trauma cases when it’s nice outside. More... Learn More
Warm Weather Safety Tips: Part I Happy June! Now that it’s heating up outside, FHA’s Chief of Emergency and Critical Care, Dr. Janine Calabro, has some warm weather safety tips. As an emergency & critical care doctor, my biggest worry every summer is heat-related illness, particularly heat stroke. As the weather gets warmer and more... Learn More
Each spring thousands of kittens are born, adding to the millions of cats already housed in a shelter setting. That means our local shelters and foster-based rescue groups have many adorable kittens to choose from in addition to older, more mellow cats. Please consider adopting a shelter cat (or two!) this month. Cats adopted from... Learn More
Why Does My Dog Eat Grass? Many wonder, including myself, as to why my dog goes outside and starts eating grass. Tons of theories have been suggested, but no link to a primary cause has been found. Most nutrition and behavior specialists speculate that the behavior is usually one of boredom and/or enjoyment if done... Learn More
What’s that fishy smell? Ever wonder why your pets scoot their bum on the rug? Or start licking their back-ends, which later smells like they burped a rotting fish? Well, here’s what that’s all about. There are two very special glands to thank, the infamous anal glands or anal sacs. These are two small glands... Learn More
Are tennis balls safe for dogs? Dogs love to play fetch but you need to be careful with the type and size of ball you use. Standard tennis balls have an abrasive outer surface that will wear down the tennis material with excessive chewing. There are “pet friendly” tennis balls that are made with less abrasive... Learn More
Chewing Rawhides vs. Brushing Your Pets Teeth Primary care doctor, Kimberly Schultz, DVM, recommends both. Dental disease can lead to inflammation, infection, and chronic pain in pets just as in people. Good dental hygiene is an important part of keeping dogs and cats healthy. Daily tooth brushing is considered the gold standard in terms of... Learn More
Does My Pet Need Weight Watchers? The Fat and Skinny About Your Pet’s Weight Just like with humans, talking about our pet’s weight can be awkward. The truth of the matter is that most of our pets are a bit on the pudgier side of the scales. Most of the time our pets are just... Learn More
May is National Arthritis Awareness Month! We asked primary care veterinarian, Dr. Amanda McMurphy, what the top 5 non-pharmaceutical options for treating arthritis were. This is what she recommends: 5) Transitioning to a Prescription Joint-Friendly Diet Joint-friendly diets contain natural anti-inflammatory agents and ingredients that serve as building blocks for cartilage development. Some joint-friendly... Learn More
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