Friendship Animal Hospital

On June 15, 2026, Suki received four vaccinations in one sitting at Friendship Hospital in Pineville, NC. Those vaccinations were Rabies, Lyme, DA2PP/Distemper, and Bordetella. Suki had never received that many vaccinations in one sitting. This fact was confirmed by speaking with Friendship Animal Hospital and by looking at her medical record. Suki is a very sensitive and rare small toy breed, a Japanese Chin. After doing my own research, receiving a second opinions from Petfolk Veterinary Practice, and consulting with Facebook groups of other knowledgeable Japanese Chin owners, I reached a highly educated guess (theory) that the intense adverse reaction that Suki experienced on Saturday, June 20, 2026 (five days after receiving the vaccinations) could have been caused by the vaccination stacking (4) that Suki received on Monday, June 15, 2026. Many people advised me that the vaccinations should have been spaced out on separate days rather than administered all in one visit. On Saturday, June 20, Suki started to exhibit symptoms of puffy eyes that were closing due to swollenness, hives, redness, and intense itching. That night, she was unable to sleep due to intense scratching. She scratched her face until it bled. There were red hives, swelling, and no appetite. Her symptoms that day included swelling, bleeding, scabbing, hives, itching, loss of appetite, and a fever of 105. I was prescribed several medications and did my best to administer them. On June 24, 2026, I walked into Friendship Animal Hospital and asked if I could please speak with any vet tech or vet and show photos of the reactions that were not improving. I was seen by both Dr. Premo and Dr. Panuska. They both denied that this adverse reaction had anything to do with the vaccinations that Suki received 5 days prior to her starting to suffer. The doctors said that vaccine reactions typically occur within 24-48 hours after the vaccinations. I said that delayed vaccine reactions were rare but possible, especially in a very sensitive breed like the Japanese Chin. Dr. Leigh Anne Premo said she did not want to argue with me and left to get her boss, the owner of the practice, Dr. Richard Panuska. Dr. Panuska said that what happened to Suki is a different reaction than a vaccine reaction. He said that I had come to their office and mentioned other culprits such as bugs, flowers, or a hidden chicken ingredient in a dental bone. He did not admit that a dog could have a delayed reaction to vaccines. He had a copy of the discharge papers from a few visits ago and aggressively put the papers in my face and stated that what I was saying today (delayed vaccine reaction) is not what I said a few days ago. I told Dr. Panuska that I had some time to research about possibilities and I believe that my dog may have suffered due to the vaccines not being spaced out. On June 15, when she received the vaccines, I deferred to the expertise of the veterinarian. At that time, I did not know that four vaccinations was too many at once for my dog. If I would have known, I would not have allowed it to happen. Both doctors were defensive. Dr. Panuska was not empathetic. Dr. Premo, the vet who administered the 4 vaccines that day, was not empathetic or professional in discussing the fact that an adverse reaction was possible. This is Dr. Premo's 2nd year in her new job as a vet as she was recently a student. My dog is still not completely healed from this. The incident was expensive, over $1,000 in vet visits and medications. The worst part, however, was the serious pain that my dog visibly experienced and the lack of professionalism and customer service I received. ————————————————————— Update: Dr. Leigh Premo is no longer employed at Friendship Animal Hospital. This validates the complaint I filed with the NC Veterinary Medical Board. She has moved to a new state. I wish her a positive continued career with lessons learned in a new state. We all make mistakes sometimes. God bless, -Dr. Eberhardinger

One of the friendliest and caring vets I have been to. Their prices are affordable and I never felt rushed. The doctor throughly looked through my cats history and clarified any questions he had. I was impressed and left happy. It's also very clean and spacious when you walk inside. Something I really appreciated is that they put me and my cats inside a room once we got there to avoid pets getting scared of other that may be in the front animals in the front.

When you call them and ask them a question.This ain't yeah, then when you get there, they act like they forgot

Great team, great service. Very glad to take my animals here. Highly recommended.

The staff are exceptional! Dr. Panuska is awesome! Everyone treat our cat with kindness and we're very gentle.