Hillside Animal Hospital

Introduction / Overview

For pet parents across Maryland, particularly in Allegany County, finding a veterinary clinic that provides not just excellent medical care but also genuine compassion and understanding is truly invaluable. In Eckhart Mines, MD, Hillside Animal Hospital stands as a shining example of such a practice. This full-service animal hospital is deeply committed to treating every pet "as if it were one of our own," fostering a long-lasting bond between the human-companion animal and enhancing that bond through a long, happy, healthy life for your beloved friend. As evidenced by heartfelt testimonials from long-time clients, Hillside Animal Hospital excels in handling complex medical procedures for senior pets and providing unwavering support during the most difficult decisions, such as end-of-life care. Their staff is consistently lauded for being "amazing, caring and compassionate from the start," and for providing clear communication and reassurance. Hillside Animal Hospital is also a proud accredited member of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), a distinction held by only about 15% of top small animal facilities in North America, ensuring they meet the highest standards of care across various aspects of their hospital. For locals seeking a veterinary partner who will stand by them from a pet's first wag to their peaceful last moments, Hillside Animal Hospital offers unparalleled service and dedication right here in our Maryland community.

Location and Accessibility

Hillside Animal Hospital is conveniently located at 17100 National Hwy, Eckhart Mines, MD 21528, USA. For residents of Eckhart Mines and the surrounding areas within Allegany County and beyond in Maryland, this address offers excellent accessibility. Situated on National Highway (which is part of U.S. Route 40), the hospital is easy to find and navigate to, whether you're coming from Frostburg, Cumberland, or other nearby towns in the tri-state area. Its strategic placement on a major thoroughfare ensures that vital veterinary services are readily available to a wide range of pet owners.

Accessibility is a significant factor when choosing a veterinary clinic for Maryland pet owners. A well-located facility minimizes travel time and reduces stress for both pets and their human companions, especially during urgent situations or for pets who may be anxious about car rides. The ease of access to Hillside Animal Hospital allows for consistent routine check-ups, timely preventive care, and quick response in emergencies. Furthermore, being located on a national highway often suggests ample parking and straightforward entry, contributing to a more comfortable overall visit. For locals, having an AAHA-accredited animal hospital like Hillside Animal Hospital so conveniently situated provides immense peace of mind, knowing that high-quality, compassionate care is easily within reach whenever their furry family members need it.

Services Offered

Hillside Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital dedicated to providing a wide array of comprehensive and high-quality veterinary services to pets in the Maryland region. Their commitment to individualized care and the latest medical practices is evident in their extensive offerings, which include:

• Wellness Examinations and Vaccinations: Annual to biannual comprehensive physical exams are the cornerstone of preventive care, allowing early detection of issues and personalized vaccination plans to maintain optimal health.
• Routine and Complex Surgery: A fully stocked, state-of-the-art surgery suite accommodates various procedures, from routine spays and neuters to mass removals, wound repair, lumpectomies, cystotomies, fractured bone repairs, ACL repairs, biopsies, and foreign body removal. They prioritize multi-modal pre-, intra-, and post-operative pain control.
• Advanced Dental Care: Dental health is taken seriously, with all dental procedures including IV fluids, anesthetic monitoring, full-mouth dental X-rays, and teeth cleaning and polishing. They perform both simple and complicated extractions. They also offer non-anesthesia dental care on specific days.
• Comprehensive Diagnostics: Hillside is fully equipped with complete on-site laboratory capabilities for quick and efficient routine tests (CBC, chemistry profiles, urinalysis, fecal analysis, heartworm, tick-borne disease, thyroid levels, FeLV/FIV testing). They also utilize off-site reference laboratories for advanced testing.
• Digital Radiography (X-rays) and Ultrasound Imaging: State-of-the-art digital low-dose X-ray machines provide crisp, accurate images quickly. They have a portable on-site ultrasound and work with a mobile ultrasonographer for full abdominal ultrasounds and echocardiograms, with images interpreted by board-certified radiologists/cardiologists.
• Acupuncture: Offered as an adjunct to conventional therapy, acupuncture can be helpful for arthritis and some neurological problems, generally painless for pets.
• Pain Management: Emphasizing a multi-modal approach, they strive to prevent pain from the outset and ensure comfort throughout healing.
• Hospitalization: Providing daily meals, constant monitoring, and safety for hospitalized pets, with trained staff communicating directly with owners and encouraging visiting hours.
• Pharmacy Services: Carrying a full line of medications, including vitamin and mineral supplements, flea and tick control, heartworm medication, prescription medications, and offering an online pharmacy.
• Urgent and Emergency Care: Equipped to handle emergency cases as well as less urgent medical issues, providing prompt attention when your pet needs it most.
• New Puppy/Kitten Exams: Tailored examinations and advice for the youngest members of your family.
• Drop-off Services: For busy schedules, they offer a convenient drop-off service, with pre-filled consent forms simplifying the process.

Features / Highlights

• AAHA Accreditation: Hillside Animal Hospital is an accredited member of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), a prestigious distinction held by only about 15% of small animal facilities in North America. This signifies their compliance with the highest standards of care across nearly every aspect of their hospital, including surgery, pharmacy, laboratory, patient care, cleanliness, and client service. This accreditation provides immense assurance to Maryland pet owners about the quality of care their pets will receive.
• Exceptional Compassion and Empathy: Clients consistently praise the "amazing, caring and compassionate" staff, particularly during difficult times such as end-of-life decisions. One client shared deep gratitude for the support received when putting their 15-year-old Yorkie to sleep due to a collapsed trachea, noting how the staff, including the vets, were "by our side each step" and made a sad decision "peaceful." This level of empathy is a significant comfort to grieving families.
• Expert Care for Senior Pets: The hospital demonstrates specialized expertise in caring for senior pets, as evidenced by the successful dental procedure on a 15-year-old Yorkie. Despite the risks, the staff "assured me that the benefit outweighs the risk" and "took good care of her," resulting in a greatly improved quality of life for the pet. They understand the unique needs and risks associated with senior animal care.
• Long-Term Client Relationships: The testimonials highlight Hillside's role as a family vet for many years, with one client mentioning "being our vet to our fur friend of 14 years and our cat Sundae," illustrating their commitment to being "with us from the start... till the end." This continuity of care builds deep trust and understanding over a pet's lifetime.
• Skilled Veterinary Team: The hospital boasts licensed veterinarians, including Drs. Steve Harman, Ben Harman, and Tom Vogtman, who are experienced in treating all types of pets and animals. Clients praise their ability to provide thorough explanations and make pets feel better "almost immediately."
• Cat-Friendly Practice (AAFP Gold Level): Hillside Animal Hospital is recognized by the American Association of Feline Practitioners as a Gold level Cat Friendly Practice®. This means they understand the unique needs and behavior of cats and implement best practices to reduce stress and provide an optimal experience for feline patients.
• State-of-the-Art Equipment: The facility is equipped with modern diagnostic tools such as digital radiography, ultrasound imaging (including a mobile ultrasonographer for advanced scans), and comprehensive in-house laboratory capabilities, ensuring accurate and timely diagnoses.

Contact Information

For pet owners in Eckhart Mines, MD, and the surrounding regions of Maryland seeking dedicated and high-quality veterinary care, Hillside Animal Hospital can be reached through the following contact details:

Address: 17100 National Hwy, Eckhart Mines, MD 21528, USA

Phone: (301) 689-2782

The clinic's phone number, +1 301-689-2782, provides a direct line to their caring and professional team for scheduling appointments, inquiring about services, or discussing your pet's health needs. This accessibility ensures that pet owners in the Maryland area can easily connect with a trusted veterinary partner.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For pet owners residing in Eckhart Mines and across the greater Maryland region, Hillside Animal Hospital stands out as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended choice for all their veterinary care needs. Its suitability for locals is deeply rooted in a combination of unparalleled compassionate care, comprehensive services, and a commitment to maintaining the highest industry standards.

Firstly, the convenient location on National Highway makes Hillside Animal Hospital easily accessible for residents of Eckhart Mines, Frostburg, Cumberland, and other surrounding communities. This geographical advantage ensures that pet parents can readily access vital veterinary services, whether for routine check-ups, specialized treatments, or urgent care, reducing travel time and stress for their beloved companions. For Marylanders balancing busy schedules, this accessibility is a significant peace of mind, knowing expert care is close by.

Beyond convenience, the hallmark of Hillside Animal Hospital is its profound empathy and expertise. Testimonials consistently praise the staff for being "amazing, caring and compassionate from the start," particularly during the most sensitive moments, such as end-of-life decisions for cherished senior pets. Their ability to provide comfort and support, ensuring that families feel "by our side each step," is invaluable. This compassionate approach extends to their specialized care for senior animals, where they skillfully navigate complex procedures like dental extractions for a 15-year-old Yorkie, demonstrating that they truly believe "the benefit outweighs the risk" for improving a pet's quality of life.

Furthermore, Hillside Animal Hospital's status as an AAHA-accredited practice sets it apart. This voluntary accreditation, achieved by only a small percentage of veterinary hospitals, signifies an unwavering commitment to excellence in every aspect of patient care, from surgical protocols to facility cleanliness and client service. This distinction provides Maryland pet owners with a strong assurance of receiving top-tier medical care. Combined with their comprehensive service offerings, including advanced diagnostics, surgery, dental care (including non-anesthesia options), and even acupuncture, Hillside Animal Hospital provides a holistic and superior veterinary experience. For any local seeking a trusted, compassionate, and highly skilled veterinary partner who will treat their pet like family, Hillside Animal Hospital in Eckhart Mines is undeniably the ideal choice.

Hillside Animal Hospital

17100 National Hwy, Eckhart Mines, MD 21528, USA