bulletWhat you can expect from Greenbriar Animal Hospitalbullet

  • 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.
  • · 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). · 
  • If your pet is ill, you'll get results from his/her lab tests within 30 minutes (we have an on-site lab). · 
  • Dr. Olson understands that anesthesia is a major concern for pet owners everywhere. In the course of her 25 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, isoflurane anesthesia, constant hands-on monitoring by experienced technicians/assistants, and anesthetic monitoring equipment. · 
  • Your pet can safely have most surgeries here, in our fully equipped surgery room.  Dr. Olson does many types of  soft tissue surgeries.  Sutures are typically buried under the skin, Elizabethan collars are very rarely used post-op, and  your pet should heal quickly.  If orthopedic surgery or specialized surgical techniques are needed, we will refer you and your pet to local surgical 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!· 
  • 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 and/or teeth cleaning a few days to 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 urgently needed medications will be sent home with you, while maintenance medications and prescription foods are delivered directly to your home (click on the Prescriptions button for more information). ·  Our home-delivery pharmacy also does compounding, so if you'd like to try your pet's medicine in a flavored liquid, or perhaps a capsule, just ask us!
  • Does the doctor recommend a Prescription food for your cat? We'll make sure you have samples to try first. · For dogs, we'll usually prescribe a small bag. 
  • 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, with muscle relaxation.
  • Does your dog or cat need regular (or occasional) professional grooming? Our Martha is gentle and quick, especially with elderly pets. Her years of grooming experience has her cat and dog patients leaving looking gorgeous! Call for an appointment (unfortunately, plan to wait  4 to 8 weeks). · 
  • 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 most weekdays. Last minute requests can usually be done if your pet can be at the hospital before 10:00 A.M. Check our Bath Specials for limited time offers. · 
  • 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 being proactive in advocating the best care for your pet, don't be surprised if she refers you and your pet to a local veterinary specialist! Many cases that she referred early in the course of their disease are happy and healthy, years later. · 
  • Need help with your dog's behavior? Good manners make a pleasant pet. We'll help get you started! Check out Dog Training for lots of training tips on behavior issues. We recommend local trainers Jill Hendelman and Janet McMillan (see phone numbers).