When Should Your Pets Get Checkups?

Most of us try to see a doctor at least once a year for an annual checkup. But what about our pets? Do they need to see the vet as often as we need to see our general practitioners?

Unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on a lot of things, like your furry friend's health, age and whether she's an indoor pet or outdoor pet.

If you notice any of the following signs, you should bring your animal companion into a veterinary office immediately:

• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Lethargy or depression
• Vomiting, diarrhea or loose stools

If your pet is otherwise healthy, adhere to these guidelines from PETA for scheduling checkups:

• At least once a year for dogs and cats under 10 years old
• At least once every six months for pets 10 years and older

Not sure whether or not it's time to bring your pup or kitten in to see a doctor? Contact the veterinary experts of Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital today at 908-464-0023. Learn more about our wellness exams here.

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Learn More About National Veterinary Technician Week

Did you know that National Veterinary Technician Week is October 11-17, 2015? The nationwide observance honors veterinary technicians, who are crucial to the day-to-day success of veterinary practice. Learn more about the celebration below:


National Veterinary Technician Week began back in 1993, and it takes place every year in the third week of October. It's the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the contributions made by veterinary technicians across the nation.

Veterinary technicians help keep our pets healthy and safe!  According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, veterinary technicians assist with all the following tasks:

• Obtaining and recording patient case histories
• Collecting specimens and performing laboratory procedures
• Providing specialized nursing care
• Preparing animals, instruments and surgical equipment
• Assisting in diagnostic, medical, and surgical procedures
• Exposing and developing x-rays
• Advising and educating animal owners
• Supervising and training practice personnel
• Performing dental prophylaxes

We'd like to take a moment to recognize Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital's spectacular veterinary technicians. Thank you for all you do, and Happy National Veterinary Technician Week!

To make an appointment for your pet, give us a call today at 908-464-0023. Keep up with Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital by connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube!

Fact Friday: All About Felines

In honor of Fact Friday, we're shining the spotlight on our feline friends. There's probably lots you don't know about your cat! Let's take a look at some cat facts you may find surprising:

1. Cats' front paws have five toes, and their back paws have four
2. In the US, there are 88 million cats and 74 million dogs, making them the most popular pet
3. Cats begin dreaming when they're just one week old
4. Kitty litter was made from sand until 1948, when researchers found that clay was more absorbent
5. While the human ear only has six muscles, a cat's ear has 32
6. A cat ran for mayor of Mexico City back in 2013
7. Cats don't like their food too hot or too cold -- they prefer room temperature
8. The cat flap door was created by Isaac Newton
9. The average cat will sleep for about 70 percent of its life
10. An adult cat will only meow in order to communicate with a human

Did you learn anything new about your furry friend? Happy Fact Friday! Share your cat facts with Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!

To make an appointment with one of our veterinarians, give us a call at 908-464-0023. We treat your sick pets like family!

3 Reasons to Choose Us for Your Pet's Surgery

Whether you're ready to spay your pup or you're looking to declaw your cat, choose Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital for a safe and thorough surgery. Our surgical suite is equipped with state-of-the-art monitoring equipment.

Some of our hospital's more common procedures include:

• Dog and cat spay (ovariohysterectomy)
• Dog and cat neuter (castration)
• Cat declaw, puppy tail dock and dewclaw removal
• Wart/cyst/mass removal
• Suturing lacerations
• Foreign body removal
• Ear hematoma repair
• Hernia repair
• Cherry eye surgery (third eyelid)
• Caesarean section (C-section)
• Exploratory abdominal surgery
• Cystotomy
• Splenectomy
• Gastronomy
• Companion animal laser therapy

Why choose us for your pet's surgery?

1. We require pre-anesthetic blood testing 

Because a physical exam alone may not identify all health problems, Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital requires pre-anesthetic blood tests be performed within 30 days of your pet's procedure. We use this information to tailor an anesthetic protocol especially for your pet, ensuring he's safe and comfortable throughout the surgery.

2. We offer post-procedure assistance

We understand that surgery can be stressful -- for you and your pet. That's why we go the distance to make the surgical procedure as painless as possible. In fact, we'll send pain medication home for your pet if we foresee that she will need them following the procedure. We also encourage you to monitor your pet for signs of pain or discomfort. Don't hesitate to contact us with concerns!

3. We've teamed up with Newton Veterinary Hospital

By joining forces with Newton Veterinary Hospital, clients of the Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital will also benefit from the tremendous resources and services of a 24-hour veterinary hospital. In case of post-surgery emergency, Newton Veterinary Hospital offers the following:

• Intensive care ward
• Animal blood bank
• Specialists
• In-house laboratory

Your pet's surgery -- no matter how big or small -- is important to us here at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital. Call us today to make an appointment​: 908-464-0023.

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The Best Age to Spay or Neuter

Here at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, we recommend spaying or neutering your new furry friend at or around 6 months of age. Some argue that spaying and neutering pets too early can have negative consequences, but no studies prove this to be true.

So what makes 6 months old a good age for spaying and neutering? Proponents assert that performing the surgery earlier in life can help curb obesity, prevent behavioral issues and reduce the risk of cancer in dogs and cats.

If you're considering whether or not to have your cat or dog spayed or neutered, keep the following points in mind:

• Unspayed female pets are at a higher risk for mammary tumors and uterine infection
• Female dogs and cats never completely stop going into heat, so there are potential problems of pregnancy at an advanced age
• Unneutered males can develop behavior problems such as urinating in the house or spraying on the furniture; mounting people or objects; and aggressive tendencies making them less desirable companions
• By spaying and neutering our pets, we can all help to reduce the overpopulation of dogs and cats.

Have additional questions for Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital? Dial 908-464-0023 to make an appointment or speak with a veterinarian.

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When Can I Expect My Puppy to Calm Down?

Anybody who's invited a puppy into their home knows it can be chaotic. You may at first be taken aback by his seemingly boundless energy and keen curiosity. Don't worry! As your new four-legged friend grows and matures, she'll also calm down.

Until your pup is about 16 weeks old, there will be a lot of boundary testing. Don't be alarmed if rules aren't always followed and commands are forgotten. Bear in mind that dogs will also start losing their teeth between 10 and 16 weeks of age.

At 4-6 months, puppies will begin play fighting with one another. This is not a red flag, but rather a way for dogs to establish where they fit in.

From months 6 to 12, your young furry friend might look like a full-grown dog, but he's still a pup! Dogs in this age group require a lot of structured play and exercise. Keep training and socializing to improve your companion's behavior.

Once your puppy has reached 1-2 years of age, she's likely to start calming down. (Congrats!) Sure, she'll still have a playful attitude, but she'll have a better understanding of boundaries and rules.

If you'd like to talk to a veterinarian about your pet's energy levels, give Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital a call today at 908-464-0023. Request an appointment at our website.

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Pets Get Allergies, Too!

Lots of people are allergic to pets. But did you know that our furry friends can have allergies, too?

Pets with allergies can have extreme reactions to everyday substances that probably seem pretty normal to us. As autumn approaches, bear in mid that dogs and cats can have allergic reactions to pollen from trees, grass, weeds, molds and mildews -- just like us!

Our sweet companions can be allergic to a number of other substances as well, including:

• Certain foods
• Fleas and flea-control medications
• Certain prescriptions 
• Fragrances
• Cleaners
• Smoke from cigarettes
• Certain fabrics
• Rubber and plastic

Not sure if your pet has allergies? We advise keeping an eye out for the following symptoms in cats and dogs:

• Sneezing, coughing and wheezing
• Scratching more than usual (skin, eyes, tail, ears)
• Vomiting and diarrhea 
• Snoring (due to irritated throat)
• Swelling of paws

It's important to gain control of your pet's allergies as soon as possible. Contact Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital at 908-464-0023 for more information or to make an appointment. We will treat your sick pets like family!

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