How to Find the Right Vet for Your Pet

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

Your pets are an extremely important part of your family, so we're sure that you wouldn't put them in the hands of just anyone when it comes to their medical needs. When you're ready to choose a veterinarian for your furry friends, remember that you're looking for someone who can do more than just address an animal's health and well-being - you're really looking for someone who can provide the loving care and attention that your pets need and deserve.

That said, whether you're looking for a veterinarian to care for your first pet or are looking for a new veterinarian to take over your current pets' needs, here are a few things to keep an eye out for:

Scope of services.
You'll want your veterinarian to be well-rounded in the services they provide, as your pet may have various needs throughout their lifetime. Here at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital we offer everything from wellness exams to animal dentistry, spays and neuters, surgery, preventative care, microchipping and more!

Emergency services.
Sometimes medical attention will be needed after normal business hours, so it's important for you to find a veterinarian that continues to provide care after a regular work day is over. We at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital have joined forces with 24-hour Newton Veterinary Hospital, so all of our clients can rest assured knowing that an expert is on staff at all times to aid with emergencies.

Affordability.
Medical expenses can add up, so you'll want to find a veterinarian that offers top-of-the-line services at a fair price - this is something we at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital pride ourselves on! Not only is the first exam FREE for our new clients, but we also offer specials (such as our $299 dental special) and we also offer one-year unlimited canine and feline well-care plans.

Experience.
It's very important for you to feel comfortable with the doctors and staff at the practice you choose, and years of experience can help with that! Did you know that we've been caring for people's pets since 1976? We've been working in this field for quite some time, so we know all of the best practices to follow when providing care!

For those of you in Berkeley Heights, Summit, New Providence, Murray Hill, Plainfield or Westfield, New Jersey, we would love to be the veterinarian you choose to care for your pets. All of our doctors and staff are committed to treating your pets as if they were their own, and we're confident that both you and your pets will love us!

To learn more about us or to make an appointment, please give us a call at (908) 464-0023 today.

Tips for Puppies Who Are Teething

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

If you've ever had a puppy before, then you know that biting and chewing are natural behaviors, especially at a young age. However, if you haven't gone through this experience but plan to bring a new puppy home, then this type of behavior is something you'll have to get used to! 

Now we know what you may be thinking - will my puppy ruin my furniture, shoes and other household items during his or her teething phase? While they may resort to chewing anything they can get their little teeth on, the good news is that there are ways to help them develop better teething habits. Here's how:

1. Use taste deterrents to direct your puppy away from items that you don't want them to chew, such as couches, tables, chairs, dressers and more. Puppies are smart enough to recognize when they don't like the taste of something, so applying deterrents around your home can help send them elsewhere for relief.
2. Block off areas that you don't want your puppy to access, such as your closet if you don't want them to chew at your shoes. While this may require you to do some rearranging with your furniture for the time being, you'll be grateful once the teething phase is over and your personal belongings are still intact!
3. Provide your puppy with chew toys that can keep them busy. When purchasing toys for your pup, keep in mind that their teeth are not as strong as adult dog teeth, so you'll want to choose products that are on the softer side.

Speaking of your puppy's teeth, don't forget about how important it is to care for them all throughout their life - taking care of their teeth is actually one of the best ways to extend the life of your pet! 

Our veterinarians recommend an annual dental exam and teeth cleaning for your dog so that their teeth and gums stay healthy for years to come, and we're available to perform various dentistry services such as these exams, oral surgery, dental extractions, ultrasonic scaling of the teeth, ultrasonic polishing of the teeth and more!

To learn more about our dentistry services, please call (908) 464-0023 today!

How to Tell if a Stray Cat is Spayed or Neutered

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

Spaying and neutering is so important for cats and dogs for a number of reasons:

1. Females that are not spayed have a higher risk of developing mammary tumors and uterine infections.
2. Female dogs and cats never stop going into heat completely, so there is a risk of potential pregnancy problems at an advanced age.
3. Males that are not neutered can develop behavioral problems, such as urinating in the house and being aggressive.
4. It helps to reduce the overpopulation of dogs and cats.

All that said, if you've gone out intentionally to bring an animal home, then you were probably given all of the information you need about when it would be time to spay or neuter them if the procedure wasn't done already. But what about those stray animals that you see sitting on your front porch sometimes or soaking up some sun in your driveway? 

If you come across a stray cat and are considering rescuing it, here's how you can tell if it was already spayed or neutered:

Inspect the cat's abdomen.
If the cat is cooperative and will let you hold and handle them, flip it onto its back and look at its abdomen area. The fur on this part of the cat is typically shaven before a spay or neuter procedure, so if the fur here is mostly missing or looks shorter than the rest of the cat's body, that could mean they were recently spayed or neutered. However - keep in mind that this isn't the only surgical procedure that requires fur to be shaved, so you'll want to check the cat in some other ways too in order to confirm what has actually been done.

Look for a scar.
Particularly in female cats, a scar should be visible in their lower abdomen if they were spayed recently. You may have to move some of the fur on the cat's abdomen to get a good look if it's already started to grow back, and you should be looking for a straight, thin line that runs down the center of the cat's lower abdomen.

Compare the cat's ears.
A rather obvious way to tell if a cat has been spayed or neutered is to check their ear - if one of the ears looks like it's been clipped, that's a sign that the procedure was most likely already taken care of. You may also find a tattoo within the cats inner ear, or for females, a tattoo marking may be near the scar. Tip - if you find an "M" tattoo, this does not give insight into spaying and neutering, and rather means that the cat has been microchipped.

Aside from all of the self-checks you can do, one surefire way to figure out if a cat has been spayed or neutered is to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. They certainly know everything to look for and can give you their professional insight on the situation!

For those of you in Summit, Berkeley Heights, Murray Hill, New Providence, Plainfield or Westfield, New Jersey, you can always count on the team here at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital to help with spays and neuters. 

To learn more about our spay and neuter services, as well as our other veterinary care services, please call (908) 464-0023 or visit our website today.

5 Signs That Your Cat Needs a Trip to the Vet

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

Whether it be for a routine check-up or to obtain medical attention for a problem or illness, part of being a pet owner means knowing when it's time to take your furry friend to the vet. Today, we're going to focus on cats - for all of you with a feline at home, would you know when a trip to the veterinarian's office is necessary?

Below, take a look at a few signs that suggest it's time to go:

1. They are making more noise than usual.

Some cats like to talk and some do not - here's where you need to know what type of personality yours has. If your cat tends to be on the quiet side, any time that they begin being more vocal than normal could indicate that they are in pain or distress. 

2. They are sleeping for too long.

Yes, cats can sleep for about 16 hours a day, but if they are sleeping for too long and/or are ignoring meal and playtime to get some more shut eye, it could mean that they aren't feeling their best. While they may just be experiencing a common cold, you'll want to have them checked out.

3. They aren't eating.

Cats that don't eat could experience extremely negative effects - for example, if they go two or more days without any food, they might develop hepatic lipidosis, which is fatty liver disease. Since this could go so far as to be fatal, it's crucial that you contact your veterinarian the moment you notice your cat hasn't touched his or her food.

4. They aren't using their litter box.

Cats will occasionally avoid their litter box if they feel it's not clean enough, however, if they continue to not use it, it could be a sign of something more serious. For example, your cat could have some type of infection or parasite that is preventing him or her from getting to the box on time.

5. They are losing a ton of fur.

Noticing some loss of fur on your cat is usually normal, but if you start seeing patches of fur fall off your cat in excess, it's time to get help. In some cases, this could be a sign of ringworm - cats with ringworm often lose fur in circular patches, which later reveals that they have scaly skin. On the other hand, this could have to do with fleas - losing fur could be an allergic reaction. Last but not least, the loss of fur could also be a sign of internal problems such as thyroid disease.

In addition to the above, it's also important for you to keep track of when your cat was last at the vet for a wellness visit - even if nothing is medically wrong, you should keep your cat up-to-date with their exams!

At Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, we specialize in various veterinary care services, including vaccines, surgical procedures, spays/neuters, dentistry and microchips! So, whether your cat requires immediate medical attention (we are proud to offer emergency and advanced care!) or is ready for their next wellness visit, know that we are always available to help!

For more information about our services or to schedule an appointment, please call (908) 464-0023. If your cat will be a new patient of ours, their first exam is FREE!

The Importance of Microchipping Your Pet

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

Did you know that today is Check the Chip Day? For those of you who might be unfamiliar with them, microchips are small, electronic chips that help with the identification of pets. They are about as small as a grain of rice, and they are injected under an animal's skin through the use of a hypodermic needle (don't worry, it's not that painful for pets, and for the most part it feels like a standard injection!).

Although pet owners never want or dream of having their pet be lost or stolen, microchips can help in the event that this does happen. How? Microchips are programmed with identification numbers that can be read by a microchip scanner - so long as the number is registered with the microchip company, anyone who scans your pet's chip can get information that is associated with it, such as your contact information. Once they have that, they can then get in touch with you and work on reuniting you with your pet!

According to Petfinder, the American Humane Association estimates that over 10 million cats and dogs are lost or stolen in the U.S every year - that's an extremely high number! Should your pet ever become one of the 10 million that are lost or stolen, a microchip can be the answer the finder needs to ensure your pet finds its way back home.

Things to keep in mind...

Since microchips help the finder get vital information about you, the animal's owner, you want to make sure that the information you have registered with the microchip company is accurate and up-to-date. So, for example, if you are moving, make sure that the company knows your new address and how they can reach you should your phone number be changing - if the information associated with the microchip is not correct, it'll be much harder to find you.

Also, keep in mind that microchips do not act as a GPS and cannot be used to help you pinpoint the exact location of your pet - they only contain the identification number your pet is assigned. Once the chip is scanned and the number is received, the finder can then get your information from the microchip company and let you know where your pet has been found.

While a collar is a must to help with the identification of your pet, a microchip is something that you must not overlook either. Here at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, we recognize just how valuable a microchip can be, which is why we can help with having one put in your pet!

To learn more about our microchipping services or to make an appointment for one, please give us a call at (908) 464-0023.

Post-operative Care Tips for Pet Owners

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

After a surgical procedure, your pets need all of the TLC they can get. Even if the procedure was not too extensive and was just routine (such as spaying or neutering), your pets need to know that they can rely on you, their owner and ultimately best friend, to help them through the recovery process.

If you have a pet that will be undergoing surgery soon, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Follow the discharge instructions. Your veterinarian provides you with post-operative instructions for a reason - follow them! From how much rest your pet needs to the food they should be eating, medications they may need and more, you should have a clear understanding of what is required of you to keep your pet happy and healthy following the procedure. Before you leave your vet's office, do not hesitate to ask any questions about anything you are uncertain of.
2. Be gentle with them. It's no doubt that everyone at home will be excited to have their pet back, and we're sure your pet will be just as excited to be home too. However, your pet is going to need some time to heal, which means they likely won't be able to play and run around the same way they used to for a little bit. That said, remind all family members to be extra gentle when approaching your pet and when touching your pet.
3. Make them comfortable. If your pet has a bed that they love to sleep in or a blanket that they love to rest on, prepare a spot for them with their favorite toys and accessories nearby so that they can rest and relax comfortably. Before they come home, you may even want to wash their blanket/bed so that everything is nice and fresh and fluffy for them upon their arrival!

Most importantly, don't forget to make time to cuddle and comfort your pet - your love and attention is extremely important to them! Whether you sit with them on the floor or have them set up nearby as you take care of household chores, what matters most is that you're there for them and providing the companionship they need to recover.

At Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, some of the surgical procedures we provide are dog and cat spays and neuters, cat declaws, suturing lacerations, foreign body removal, hernia repair, cystotomy, and gastronomy. Before any procedure our veterinarians will always perform a physical exam on your pet as well as a pre-anesthetic blood test to ensure that they are in good health and to create an anesthetic protocol specifically for them to keep them safe and comfortable.

Some of our post-operative instructions include:

• Check your pet's suture area for signs of swelling, irritation or redness.
• Monitor your pet to make sure they are not chewing or licking their stitches - an E-collar can be sent home with you if needed.
• If your pet requires pain medication, follow the instructions provided and continue to monitor them for any signs of discomfort.

Of course, if you have any questions following your pet's discharge, please contact us so that we can help!

For more information about the surgical procedures we offer or to learn more about our post-operative care recommendations, please give us a call at (908) 464-0023.

Tips for Traveling With Your Pet

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

There are still a few weeks of summer left, which means there is plenty of time available for you and your family to head out on a vacation before the back-to-school season starts. For some, that may mean packing up just the humans in the house, but for others, that may also mean packing up the family pet to bring them along too.

If you have a summer vacation planned and know that you'll be bringing your furry friend(s) with you, here are some tips to help keep them happy and safe:

1. If your pet isn't microchipped, they need to be for identification purposes. In addition to this, they should also have a collar on that clearly identifies their name, your name and your phone number so that someone can get in touch with you should your pet get loose during the trip. Bonus tip: you should also include where you're traveling to and from on your pet's collar.
2. Aside from your pet having the proper identification on them, also make sure that their travel crate has identification information on it. Again, you should include their name, your name and your phone number, and it also wouldn't hurt to have information such as your address on it or a picture of your pet attached either. 
3. Regarding the specifics of your pet's carrier, make sure it is large enough for your pet to be able to stand, sit, lie down and turn around. If you'll be taking your pet along with you on a road trip, make sure that the carrier is securely fastened within the car so that it doesn't move or slide back and forth, especially in instances where you may have to hit your brakes a little harder.
4. Always prepare a travel kit specifically for your pet. That means packing items such as a water bowl (and water), extra food, a leash, some plastic bags, their favorite toy or two, and anything else that will help make your pet feel comfortable. 
5. If you are driving to your destination, never ever leave your pets alone in a parked car. Even if you leave the windows open, a parked car can become extremely hot, extremely fast, and as you probably know this is extremely dangerous for animals. If you know you'll have to stop, make sure you're choosing places that are pet-friendly so your pets can go with you.

For additional travel tips, check out this article from The Humane Society of the United States.

Prior to leaving for vacation, it's also a good idea to have your pet seen by their veterinarian to ensure that they are in good health and ready for travel. For the best veterinary care in Berkeley Heights, Murray Hill, Summit, New Providence, Plainfield and Westfield, NJ, visit Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital. If your pet will be a new patient with us, your first exam is free!

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call (908) 464-0023.