COMMON INQUIRIES
DO YOU TREAT EXOTIC ANIMALS?
Yes! We love creatures of all kinds! Call and ask us about how we can help care for your birds, rodents, rabbits, lizards, snakes, or other reptiles.
DO YOU OFFER PAYMENT PLANS?
While we don't currently offer our own payment plans, we are happy explore options and help guide you with reputable third-party services like using CareCredit for Veterinary Financing.
WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
We accept cash, debit, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and CareCredit.
Please note that payment is due at the time services are performed.
WHEN SHOULD I HAVE MY PET SPAYED OR NEUTERED?
It is generally recommended that your pet be spayed or neutered at around four to six months of age.
A medical examination is required to determine your pet’s health prior to any surgical procedure or anesthesia. By spaying your female pet prior to their first heat cycle, you greatly reduce the chance of mammary tumors and eliminate ovarian cancer. By neutering your male pet, you eliminate testicular cancer and prostate complications and reduce testosterone levels and aggression, as well as urine marking and roaming.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY PET IS IN PAIN?
Some signs, such as limping are a clear indicator of pain, but some signs are more subtle. Look for symptoms such as excessive vocalization, lack of appetite, change in behavior or normal habits, and lethargy. Call us right away if your pet is showing signs of illness, injury, or pain.
WHY ARE VACCINATIONS IMPORTANT?
Vaccinations are an important part of keeping your pet healthy. Regular vaccines keep your pet safe from preventable infectious diseases. During your pet’s wellness exam, our veterinarians will develop a vaccine schedule tailored to your pet that will prevent illness and disease.
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Also, note that Rabies Shots are required by New Jersey state law for all dogs and cats, even those who are primarily indoor or indoor only. The first Rabies vaccine is good for one year. Each vaccine after that is good for 3 years.
HOW DO I GET MY PET'S PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS?
Our in-house pharmacy has a large selection of prescription medications and therapeutic diets for your family pet. Our staff members can help you select the best medication, choose the proper dosage, and provide information on side effects or interactions. Contact us immediately if your pet experiences an adverse reaction, or if you have any questions or concerns regarding a prescription medication.
DOES MY PET NEED A DENTAL CLEANING?
HOW OFTEN?
Yearly professional dental exams, tooth scaling, and polishing are necessary to maintain healthy teeth and gums for your pet. Oral diseases can have a negative impact on your pet’s overall health; this is why it’s important that your pet receives a dental exam by our veterinarians on a regular basis. How often your pet needs his/her teeth cleaned varies with many factors. We will keep you informed specifically for your pet how often dental examinations and dental cleanings should be performed.
WHY DOES MY PET NEED A DENTAL CLEANING?
Dental disease involves more than just bad breath. When bacteria irritates the gum line, the gums become inflamed in the early phases of the disease-causing gingivitis. Left untreated, this leads to periodontal disease which causes loss of the bone/support structure of the tooth and subsequent tooth loss. In addition, the bacteria are consistently released into the blood stream allowing for systemic infections which can cause organs, such as kidney, liver, and heart to function improperly.
DO I NEED TO BRUSH MY PET'S TEETH AT HOME?
Regular at-home dental care is recommended to help maintain your pet’s oral and overall health. Home dental care for your pet should start early, even before their adult teeth come in. Pet owners should brush their pet’s teeth frequently as tooth brushing is the best method of preventing plaque, calculus, and bacterial build-up. There are also additional options for at-home dental care such as dental formulated foods, water additives, and dental treat.
WHAT IS KENNEL COUGH?
Kennel cough is easily transmitted from dog to dog and spread through the air. It is caused by viruses and/or bacteria that affect the respiratory system of dogs. The best way to reduce the severity of the disease is by frequent vaccination. There are several types of vaccinations available to treat kennel cough.
WHEN DOES MY PET NEED BLOOD WORK?
Yearly blood work should be performed to detect infections and diseases. This helps our veterinarians detect disease early. In many situations early detection is essential for more effective treatment. The type of blood work will be determined specifically for each pet depending on his or her individual needs. This is convenient to do at the time of the annual heartworm test, but can be done at any time of year.
HOW CAN I PREVENT FLEAS?
It is important to prevent fleas. Not only are they uncomfortable for your pet, fleas are also carriers of disease. There are many medications for the treatment and prevention of fleas. Many medications are in a combined form with the monthly heartworm medication. Not only is this convenient, but it reduces the cost of two medications! Although fleas are more prevalent in summer months, they can survive year round in a home.
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY PET'S EARS NEED TO BE CHECKED?
Conditions of the ear occur frequently in dogs and cats and result from a variety of causes. Symptoms like head shaking, scratching and pawing at the ears, rubbing the ears on the floor or furniture, whining, and abnormal odors are often indicative of a problem with your pet’s ear.
Conditions of the ears can be extremely uncomfortable and even painful. Some patients will require sedation or anesthesia to be properly evaluated. Careful examination of the ear with an otoscope allows your veterinarian to see the full length of the ear canal and the ear drum, which provides information important to the diagnosis.
DO PETS HAVE ALLERGIES?
Just like us, our pets can sometimes experience allergy symptoms. These allergic reactions may be related to environmental factors, or certain ingredients in their food.
If you notice your pet’s skin becoming uncharacteristically red or itchy, this might be an allergic reaction. Other signs your pet may be experiencing an allergic reaction include discharge from the eyes or nose, hair loss, vomiting, or diarrhea.
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​If you suspect that your pet is suffering from an allergy, you should schedule an exam with your veterinarian. Your doctor will be able to assess your pet, discuss his or her symptoms, and conduct any necessary tests to help identify the possible allergen. Together, you can decide on a course of medication or a change to your pet’s diet to help eliminate symptoms.