• At Greenbriar Animal Hospital, you and your pet will see the doctor quickly - the wait averages less than 5 minutes.
• Appointments are scheduled so you never encounter a waiting room full of other pets! This lessens your pet's stress level.
• You and your pet will be greeted by our friendly staff in our bright, clean, and odor-free hospital.
• Your pet will get the doctor's gentle examination, and you'll get her specific recommendations in person and in writing. She'll help you and your pet with medical, surgical, behavioral, and nutritional information.
• Award winning care - in Washington Consumer's Checkbook and Washingtonian Magazine, Greenbriar Animal Hospital was chosen as one of the top animal hospitals in Northern Virginia.
• We are accepting new patients daily, and encourage your personal recommendations to family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
• Same-day sick visits are available every day (by appointment or via our drop-off service).
• Separate cat & dog exam rooms and separate cat & dog wards help lessen your pet's stress levels when visiting the hospital.
• Well pet exams, puppy and kitten checkups, and new pet exams receive a complete head-to-toe physical.
• You have the convenience of our daily drop-off service if you prefer (for checkups, rechecks, or sick visits).
• We highly recommend microchips for all cats and dogs.  This life-saving, permanent ID is implanted with a syringe and needle, just like getting a shot.  All local shelters and rescue leagues scan pets for microchips; we have re-united quite a few pets with their owners because they had a chip!  Ask us about getting your pet a chip today.
• If your pet is ill, you'll get results from his/her lab tests within 30 minutes.  As of 8/25/2007, this includes Thyroid levels and complete chemistry panels (we have a new on-site lab).
• Dr. Olson understands that anesthesia is a major concern for pet owners everywhere. In the course of her almost 30 year career (thousands and thousands of anesthesias and surgeries), she has had 2 young cats (one 4 months old, one 8 months old) die during anesthesia. Both of these cats had a hidden heart disease (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy), found on autopsy.
• Your pet will have the safest possible anesthesia - with pre-surgical screening blood tests, IV fluids, isoflurane anesthesia, constant hands-on monitoring by experienced technicians/assistants, and anesthetic monitoring equipment.
• We use Radiosurgery for our patients.  This technology is similar to laser surgery but with more benefits and fewer safety hazards.  Pets have much less bleeding, less post-op swelling, less post op pain, and faster healing with this technology!  The equipment we use is used by many human plastic surgeons.
• Your pet can safely have most surgeries here, in our fully equipped surgery room. Dr. Olson does surgeries on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  Sutures are typically buried under the skin, and your pet should heal quickly.  If orthopedic or special surgery is needed, we will refer you and your pet to local specialists.
• All pets are given pain medications before, during, and after all surgical procedures (including surgical tooth extractions). Most pets also have pain medications sent home for the first few days post-op.
• Does your pet have bad breath, or a sore mouth? We can help, with teeth cleanings, periodontal work, and surgical extractions for both cats and dogs of all ages. Old age is not a reason to postpone professional dental care, but some medical conditions are!  We will also provide tips for at-home care of teeth and gums.
• All surgeries and teeth cleanings are done with a licensed technician or experienced assistant working with the doctor doing the procedure. We wait until each pet is recovered before starting the next procedure.  Appointments are limited by this labor intense (but safe) method, so you may need to schedule your pet's surgery or teeth cleaning a few weeks in advance.
• Written home care instructions are sent home with every surgery & teeth cleaning patient, and post-op rechecks are scheduled for all surgical patients.
• Your pet's medications will be sent home with you, from our pharmacy (click on the Prescriptions button for more information).  We can arrange compounding (where medications are made into other forms. like a tuna-flavored liquid), so if you'd like to try your pet's medicine in a different form, just ask us!
• Does the doctor recommend a Prescription food for your pet? We'll make sure you have samples for your cat. · For dogs, we'll usually prescribe a small bag.  We have Purina, Hills, and Royal Canin Prescription foods in stock.
• If your pet needs x-rays, they'll be quick (usually completed in 30 minutes or less). Spine, hip, and shoulder x-rays need sedation and muscle relaxation.  X-rays with sedation do take longer!
• Does your dog or cat need regular (or occasional) professional grooming? Our Martha is gentle and quick, especially with elderly and pampered pets. Her years of grooming experience has her cat and dog patients leaving looking gorgeous! She is accepting new patients.  Call for an initial appointment (unfortunately, plan to wait 2 to 4 weeks).  Martha also does In-Between Grooming (a partial grooming, scheduled between regular appointments).
• Why not let us bathe your pet for you and avoid the mess?   Baths with nail trim (for cats and dogs) can be done on some weekdays.
• Does your cat need attention when you go away? We offer Posh Cat Boarding (includes daily individual attention, soft washable cat bed, exercise, any oral medications, and special foods). We can also recommend in-home pet sitters for cats and dogs, plus local and specialized kennels for dogs.
• Because Dr. Olson believes in advocating the best care for your pet, don't be surprised if they refer you and your pet to a local veterinary specialist!
• Need help with your dog's behavior? Good manners make a pleasant pet. We'll help get you started!  We recommend local trainers Jill Dulaney and Janet McMillan (see phone numbers).

"My philosophy? A good veterinarian never stops learning. A great one never stops giving."

Dr. Candy Olson is proud of the pets she's helped, and the relationship she has with their owners. She takes the time to examine your pet thoroughly and explain things completely. She never minds additional questions you or your family may have, and she'll make sure you get the information in writing! Dr. Olson will work with you to decide what is best for your pet's happy and healthy life.

There are no shortcuts to learning how to ease the day-to-day life of a cat with kidney failure and thyroid disease, or how to help a grumpy, elderly dog to overcome chronic arthritis pain. There are no shortcuts to earning the confidence and trust of this cat's or dog's owner, either. Which is why, despite Dr. Olson's 29 years of experience, she averages well over 80 hours of continuing education annually (Virginia requires 15), and reads 8 to 9 veterinary journals each month to keep up with the latest information. She's even authored a special pet care book, Handbook for Family Pets.

Dr. Olson spent one entire summer working with a board certified veterinary dentist (learning advanced teeth cleaning techniques, periodontal treatments, and a lot about surgical extractions). She's taken more than 50 hours of advanced continuing education (lectures, wet labs, and hands-on courses) in each of these areas: dentistry, geriatric medicine, arthritis, kidney disease, cancer, anesthesia, diabetes, soft-tissue surgery, pain control, and internal medicine.

Much of Dr. Olson's success with the care of pets with chronic problems comes from her attention to the smallest details that can help a pet's day-to-day life. Does your dog have some newly developed reluctance to go up stairs? Is your cat occasionally having stools outside the litter box? Dr. Olson will want to know about it!

Dr. Olson graduated from Michigan State Veterinary College in 1978 and moved to Northern Virginia in 1982. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Washington DC Academy of Veterinary Medicine, and is a mentor for veterinary technician students as well as a steady stream of science-oriented high school students. Dr. Olson also works with 4-Paws Feline Rescue League, local wildlife rehabilitators, and Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

In addition to her husband and grown children, Dr. Olson's household currently only includes one very elderly dog, rescued dachshund Molly.  Oh, and a very large garden!  She lost her beloved cat Lizzie in January 2003 to lung cancer, Raleigh, her then 16-year old English setter to kidney failure in late 2005, and Katie, her rescued mixed breed then 16-year old dog to chronic hepatitis in early 2007. Her hobbies include photography, reading, travel, and gardening.  She is usually at the hospital Tuesday through Friday, and every other Saturday.

At Greenbriar Animal Hospital we have a small, friendly, dedicated, sympathetic, and knowledgeable staff. Our staff members can help you with medication tips, information on fleas and ticks, puppy raising, behavior questions, sources for new pets, prescription foods, kitten raising, feeding and preventive care questions, puppy crating, obedience training, vaccinations, checkups, internal parasites, and lots more. If you manage to stump our staff with a question, they'll cheerfully search out the correct answer! Just ask.

During office hours, emergencies will be seen immediately. After hours you need to take your pet to the HOPE Center  in Vienna. Their number is (703) 281-5121. Or Pender, at (703) 591-3304.  South Paws 24 hour facility is best for major or potentially severe cases (with multiple specialists including Critical Care). They are in Fairfax; the number is (703) 752-9100. If you live west of us, it may be more convenient to go to the new Life Centre in Leesburg at (703) 777-5755. All four are staffed with veterinarians and licensed technicians, and have the needed equipment to deal with emergencies.

What constitutes an emergency? When should you call, or go directly to one of the emergency facilities? Any major, abrupt change in your pet deserves a phone call - the emergency clinic staff can help you determine if your pet should be seen. If it happens during our office hours, please call us! The following situations should always be seen the same day:

• Any sudden, major change in your pet.
• Any sudden swelling, especially on your pet's face, or if swelling is tender to the touch.
• Hives (many small raised bumps all over your pet - bumps may be red and/or itchy, and from 1/4 inch to 1 inch in diameter).
• Bleeding from any injury if it is more than a few drops, or your pet is bleeding and you can't find where the blood is coming from.
• Male dog bleeding from the penis.
• Unspayed female dog acting very ill, with or without vaginal discharge (which can be bloody).
• Bruises on the skin, or purple spots, from tiny to several inches in diameter. Especially if your pet acts lethargic!
• Repeated vomiting, especially if your pet is not drinking well, or if he drinks and then vomits fluid.
• Any red blood in vomit, or dark coffee ground appearance to vomit (this is semi-digested blood).
• Profuse, watery diarrhea (especially if pet is not drinking well, is doing any vomiting, is refusing food, and/or also acts lethargic).
• Pet ate something he shouldn't have - bones, plastic, cloth, needle and thread, etc. (pets have been known to eat hearing aids, rocks, earrings, necklaces, ribbons, and more).
• Severe cough, especially if sudden or sudden worsening of occasional cough.
• Choking, difficulty breathing, using abdominal muscles to breathe, wheezing (audible breathing).
• Seizures or convulsions (single one that lasts more than 5 minutes, more than three in one hour, or your pet is not returning to normal after a seizure - within 20 minutes).
• Your pet may have (or did) eat something poisonous or potentially dangerous. This can include human medications, chocolate, mouse poison, cleaning agents and/or insecticides, some plants, and more. With some poisons (including mouse bait, chocolate, and ibuprofen), time is the most important variable in your pet's treatment, so don't wait!
• Your pet was hit by a car or other moving vehicle, even if there does not seem to be any obvious injury.
• Your pet was in a fight with another pet, or with a wild animal. Even if there are no obvious bite wounds or blood, an emergency evaluation is important.
• Your pet may have (or did) bite into an electrical cord.
• Bloody urine, and/or straining to urinate.
• Your male cat or dog is trying to urinate, acting like he's urinating, but not producing any urine.
• Red, swollen, and/or itchy eye (especially if your pet is rubbing at it).
• Straining to defecate, or no stool for more than 24 hours (even if no straining).
• Bloated abdomen.
• Red, sore, swollen, and/or smelly ear. Especially if your pet is shaking his head a lot.
• Your pet is crying, reluctant to move much, and can't seem to get comfortable.
• Not putting any weight on one leg, or mild limp is suddenly much worse.
• Pet can't walk properly (stumbling, circling, falling over, weak rear legs, dragging rear legs).
• Your pet refuses to eat his regular for more than 24 hours.
• Weak, lethargic pet.
• Open, draining sore anywhere, especially if more than 1/2" diameter, tender, and/or smelly.