Meridian Veterinary Services

02/07/2025

This is great!

01/08/2025

Is Rock Salt Bad For Dogs? In a word: yes. Rock salt is bad for dogs. Your dog should not be licking or even walking on the rock salt that is still the most used de-icing agent on sidewalks and roads. The two main concerns around rock salt with dogs are sodium poisoning and injury to your pet’s paws. Veterinarians warn dog owners that rock salt can harm a dog’s paws when on daily walks; salted sidewalk granules can lodge between their toes, causing irritation, dryness, and even painful sores. And if your dog ingests rock salt? Rock salt can cause sodium poisoning if eaten even in small amounts. Rock salt is (at least in theory) pure, concentrated salt, so if your dog eats a sizeable chunk of it, she/he may develop the highly unpleasant symptoms of sodium poisoning, which include vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, excessive thirst, urination, loss of appetite, seizures, tremors, muscle stiffness, confusion, and high fever. Obviously, the most frightening symptoms will only occur if your dog eats a significant quantity of salt in relation to your pet's weight. If your dog simply tries licking the rock salt rather than eating a chunk, it is unlikely you will have a serious problem, although a potential bout of diarrhea is still uncomfortable for your dog and should be avoided. If you have noticed that your dog has licked the salt on more than one occasion, even if there are no symptoms, you should discourage the licking from developing into a habit. Just like humans, dogs are sensitive to excessive salt consumption. Just like us, they can develop various health issues like high blood pressure and heart disease from long-term excessive salt consumption. Those potential health issues are not the biggest worry with your dog licking rock salt, though.

How to Protect Your Dog From Rock Salt - Protecting your dog’s paws from rock salt is easy. For the best protection, consider dog boot booties. If your dog hates wearing anything on their paws, clean out any snow that has accumulated between their paws and then wipe them with a wet towel. Add coconut or olive oil to the pads, as the rock salts tend to dry out the paws.
As for preventing your dog from ingesting the salt, you will just have to watch your canine friend very closely and firmly discourage any attempts at licking/eating the salt. If you saw your dog ingest a sizeable quantity of rock salt, it’s best to take your pet to the vet, just to be safe.
To sum up, is rock salt bad for dogs? Yes. Ideally, your dog should not either walk on rock salt or ingest it. And while a very small quantity is unlikely to cause serious harm, you should still try to keep your canine friend away from de-icing agents sprinkled on sidewalks.

12/10/2024

Snickerdoodle meeting us for the first time. She was very relaxed for her acupuncture session. Such a love-bug!

11/28/2024

This condition that can result from our pets eating improper foods.

🐾 Important Thanksgiving Reminder: Pancreatitis in Pets 🦃

Pancreatitis can occur as a sudden, one-time event (acute) or as a recurring condition (chronic). Symptoms range from mild to severe and may not appear immediately—sometimes developing days after a pet consumes fatty foods.

With all the delicious holiday treats around, it’s important to monitor your pet closely and report any unusual behaviors to your veterinarian right away.

Signs of pancreatitis to watch for:
• Nausea or drooling
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain (may manifest as hunched posture or reluctance to move)
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Dehydration

Don’t let Thanksgiving turn into a meal you and your pet regret. Keep rich, fatty foods out of reach, and remind guests not to feed table scraps. If you believe your pet may be suffering from pancreatitis, contact us or your local emergency veterinary hospital immediately.

We’re sure glad horses don’t get pancreatitis! 🐎

🦃🦃Wishing you and your furry family a safe and happy holiday! 🐶🐱

Photo courtesy of

10/31/2024

A client wrote this -
Discovering Meridian Veterinary Services has been a game-changer for my pets' health. I was initially searching for a veterinarian who could provide nutritional guidance, which surprisingly few offer. Dr. Lipton and her team have exceeded all expectations.

During our first visit, Dr. Lipton conducted a thorough examination of my French Bulldog and took the time to educate me on various nutritional options. She patiently explained how to introduce a more comprehensive diet plan, tailored to my dog's needs. What impressed me most was her balanced approach of traditional and holistic medicine/treatments – she even addressed behavioral concerns and offered practical recommendations.

The experience was so positive that I scheduled a nutritional consult for my Boston Terrier as well. Dr. Lipton and her staff are incredibly responsive, friendly, and genuinely invested in the well-being of our pets.

Since switching to Meridian Veterinary Services, emergency visits to the ER for digestive issues have become rare occurrences. The follow-up care is exceptional – Dr. Lipton even responds personally when I call with general questions or seeking advice.

What sets Meridian Veterinary Services apart is their commitment to preventative care through nutrition and education. They don't just treat symptoms; they aim to improve overall health and quality of life for our furry family members.

If you're looking for a veterinary service that goes above and beyond, offering comprehensive care with a focus on nutrition and prevention, I can't recommend Meridian Veterinary Services highly enough. They've made a remarkable difference in my pets' lives, and I'm truly grateful to have found them.

07/11/2024

This shows the importance of vaccines for pets and people.

Did you know more than 60 percent of infectious diseases in humans and 75 percent of emerging human diseases originated in animals?

As we continue to commemorate - the day Louis Pasteur successfully administered the first vaccine against rabies virus - we encourage you to visit our FAQ page to learn more about how zoonotic diseases affect you and your pets: https://bit.ly/3LamZFB

06/03/2024

Funny!

05/09/2024

A client wrote this about us - We take both of our dogs here and we are so happy to finally find a veterinarian who not only treats illnesses but also practices and teaches prevention. Both 9 year old dogs are healthier than they have ever been before. They are bright and playing like puppies with each other. We have learned so much from Dr. Lipton. I would give 10 stars if I could!

04/10/2024

Meet the Staff - Sue-Anne is the Practice Manager. She has been working with dogs and cats for nearly 40 years in various capacities including boarding, grooming, breeding guinea pigs and dogs, selling puppies, volunteering (along with her family) as a puppy raiser of 5 dogs for Guiding Eyes for the Blind and working for veterinary hospitals. She has come to realize that “4-legged companion pets fill her heart with joy and happiness, even when they are not hers.”

She has lived in Montgomery County since she was 10 years old. She particularly loves it here because we have 4 seasons and are close to mountains, ocean, hiking trails, horseback riding, and of course, all kinds of fabulous restaurants. She and her husband and have raised 3 wonderful daughters, but sadly, none of them have decided to stay in the area.

04/09/2024

Dazzling Canines LLC visits us once a month. We still have available appointments April 20th and May 18th. If your pet would benefit from a dental cleaning but anesthesia is a risk, this is a great alternative. Call us to schedule 301-593-3749.

08/07/2023

This is Leona, a 7-year-old German Shepherd Dog. Sadly, she has been diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy and Osteoarthritis. Luckily, her person is very dedicated and wants all possible therapies to help Leona. She has responded very well to a balanced treatment approach with both Eastern and Western therapies with Dr. Lipton. Her appointments have included Chiropractic (both soft tissue and osseous adjustments), various types of Acupuncture (e.g. electrical acupuncture as shown in photo), Tui-Na acupressure massage Infrared light therapy, and Electromagnetic field treatment (using an Assisi Loop). We have also made specific dietary recommendations and adjusted her medications. We are very pleased and encouraged with her improvement thus far.