What defines a pet emergency? When your pet is sick or painful, you naturally feel that they deserve immediate treatment. However, if they are stable, many conditions can wait to be addressed at a scheduled appointment during normal business hours. Best Friends Veterinary Care triages incoming appointments by severity, to care for life-threatening emergencies as [...]

Pet owners understand about expecting the unexpected. With pet health insurance, they can face unanticipated emergencies, and know that financial constraints will not prevent their pet from receiving necessary treatment. Best Friends Veterinary Care has composed the following guide, to help you understand pet health insurance and make a confident investment in your pet’s future [...]

While ticks can be problematic all year long, they are more active in the warmer months, and can easily hitch a ride on your dog when you are out for a walk. The three most common ticks found in New York are the deer tick—also known as the black-legged tick—the American dog tick, and the [...]

We’ve all heard of Lyme disease. For many of us in the New York area, the term can elicit worry, or cause a shudder down the spine. That’s because the condition, caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, can cause serious disease in people and pets alike. And, since Lyme disease is endemic in our area, [...]

After being homebound for the last year, normality is gradually returning. While this is good news for humans, your dog may not agree. Dogs are social creatures and love their humans being close at paw. When you return to your regular routine, your dog may find the transition difficult. And, if you adopted a “pandemic [...]

While we have learned a great deal about COVID-19 and its causative pathogen, the SARS-CoV-2 virus, there is still much to discover. To ensure your pet and your family remain as safe as possible from this threat, our Best Friends Veterinary Care team provides updates on the global pandemic. Let’s take a look at your [...]

With the overwhelming amount of pet food choices available, choosing the right product for your pet can be extremely difficult. Many pet foods claim to be “all natural,” “organic,” or “grain-free,” but does this mean they are healthier options for our furry friends? Choosing a healthy diet for your pet is an important decision that [...]

Your dog’s bones and joints withstand a lot of wear and tear, especially if they are an energetic Labrador retriever or rambunctious German shepherd. In addition, some dog breeds are genetically predisposed to orthopedic problems and more likely to be affected. If your dog develops a sudden lameness or seems painful, a thorough exam and [...]

Pet dental disease is preventable and treatable, yet 85% of pets have tooth problems by age 3, and dental disease is the most commonly diagnosed pet problem. Best Friends Veterinary Care wants to answer this question: Why do so many pets suffer with tooth problems? One of our most knowledgeable patients, Darren the dachshund, lists [...]

Regular veterinary wellness visits—and not only visits when your pet is sick—are fundamental to their health and general well-being. Annual or biannual visits give your veterinarian the opportunity to track your pet’s health and identify problems early. Learn what a veterinary wellness visit entails, and its importance to your pet’s health. Thorough physical exam Our [...]