After more than a half-century providing veterinary care to animals across the Baltimore region, Erdman Animal Hospital is shutting down.
Dr. John Keil opened the veterinary practice in 1957 in east Baltimore’s Belair-Edison community. He eventually passed the torch to his son, Dr. Lance P. Keil, who has cared for patients for 38 years.
In a Facebook post Tuesday, the younger Keil cited the difficulty of keeping up with the demand for veterinary care, as well as his need to prioritize his health and quality of life, as reasons for the business’s closure.
Located at 3233 Erdman Ave., the animal hospital’s final day of operation will be May 28.
“This decision has not been made lightly,” the announcement reads. “After 38 years of caring for your beloved pets and serving this community, the demands of running a three-doctor practice and keeping up with the needs of our patients and clients have become significant. Despite my best efforts, I have been unable to find a permanent replacement, as the veterinary field has changed considerably in recent years.”
Clients can obtain a digital copy of their pet’s medical records by emailing EAH3233@AOL.COM.
Keil thanked clients for the privilege and honor of caring for their pets.
“Caring for your animals has been an incredibly meaningful part of my life, and I am deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me over the years,” he wrote. “However, I have reached a point where I must prioritize my quality of life, my health and begin a new chapter.”
Last week, the animal hospital announced that one of its doctors, Dr. Muhib Sahibzada, would be leaving the practice to take a full-time position closer to his home outside of Washington, D.C. Sahibzada’s departure left Keil and fellow veterinarian Dr. William Wu caring for the hospital’s existing patients and unable to take on new clients.
