Pet Wellness Services
Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital believes that each and every pet we see is a unique and beloved member of our client’s family and therefore deserving of the best veterinary care possible. We love all animals and are pet owners ourselves, so we really enjoy providing care for your companion from its first wellness exam to its senior years.
Because our greatest hope is that you and your pet are able to enjoy a long, happy and healthy life together, we focus on preventative health care. This includes biannual wellness exams, vaccinations, microchip lost pet ID, heartworm testing, behavior and nutritional counseling, and more. Our medical knowledge and experience tells us that these services are the best means to ensure your pet’s wellbeing, prevent disease, and minimize the lifetime cost of care.
Preventative medicine also means being good at communication. We are good listeners and believe that a thorough wellness exam includes hearing your concerns and answering any questions you may have about your pet’s health. Sharing our medical knowledge with our clients so that you can provide the best care possible for your pet at home is also an important piece of the care we provide.
We also understand that our animal companions may experience a periodic illness or injury, which is why we offer advanced diagnostic services, modern surgical capabilities, and internal medicine expertise. Should your pet require the care of a specialist we work with a network of board certified specialists in order to ensure your pet receives the care he or she needs. Should you need emergency services, we also offer a call-back service and are partners with an after-hours emergency veterinary hospital.
We are happy to prepare an estimate on all surgical and medical procedures and accept a range of payment options, which includes cash, personal checks, Visa, MasterCard and Discover. We also promote pet health insurance so please ask us for more information.
In all, we look forward to helping you care for your companion and would love to hear from you. Please take a look through the services we offer and then feel free to give us a call at (908) 704-6700 to schedule an appointment or ask any questions you may have.
Wellness Exams for Your Pet
You go to the doctor regularly, but has your pet had a recent exam?
Because our pets can’t tell us how they feel, a regular physical examination is a very important piece of your pet’s health care. We recommend a complete nose-to-tail physical examination at least once a year, though more frequent exams are encouraged.
A routine examination provides you and your veterinarian with the opportunity to develop a picture of your pet’s overall health as well as to spot potential medical issues before they become serious health concerns. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask any important questions you may have about your pet’s health, habits and daily care. We also use this time to inform you about home healthcare for your pet and offer important advice and new information on the care of your particular type and breed of animal.
During your pet’s wellness checkup, Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital doctors will individualize our recommendations to the breed, age, health and lifestyle of your pet as well as any health concerns you may have.
Our nose-to-tail exam includes the following:
Listen to your pet’s heart – Early signs of cardiac disease such as heart murmurs and abnormal heart beat patterns known as arrhythmias can be heard through a stethoscope. Discovering these initial indicators of trouble ahead can lead to identifying and treating the underlying condition before it becomes a more serious health threat.
Listen to your pet’s lungs – Health issues such as infections, obstructive diseases and other problems can be detected by listening to your pet's lungs through a stethoscope. The doctor can also assess the overall pulmonary health of your pet.
Check your pet’s teeth and oral cavity – Examining your pet's teeth and mouth is an important part of preventing dental disease, which is one of the most common health concerns in pets. Very young animals, such as kittens and puppies, also need to be checked to ensure they are developing an appropriate bite and that they are losing their baby teeth at the right time. We also take the time to discuss proper home dental care with you.
Evaluate your pet’s vision – All diseases follow relatively predictable processes and if found early can be more easily treated. Ocular conditions, which can also be prevented through regular care and screenings, are no exception.
Look into your pet’s ears – As with dental disease, ear disease is relatively common in many types of pets. Issues such as low-grade allergies, swimming or bathing, reactions to certain foods, mites and other parasites can all cause and contribute to otitis or ear disease. Though you may feel this is an area that can be well-handled at home, the fact is that many ear diseases are difficult to detect and require medical treatment.
Palpate the lymph nodes, abdomen and skin – By feeling the skin, we are looking for unusual lumps or swellings as well as evaluating for skin discolorations, lesions or patterns of hair loss or thinning. These can indicate the presence of more systemic problems, especially metabolic diseases, which most commonly occur in middle-aged animals.
Palpate joints and muscles – By examining the joints, legs and other areas of the body, we are able to evaluate for swollen joints, decreased muscle tone and variations in muscle size between the limbs. We also observe your pet's gait for developmental issues. In puppies, we look for early indications of hip or elbow problems. For older pets, we look for signs of arthritis, which can be well-treated if found early.
Lab work – A complete physical includes a heartworm test, parasite screening, and should include a full blood workup. Not only can a full chemistry panel and complete blood count identify the presence of underlying disease processes, but these tests help create a baseline should your pet become ill between routine examinations. Additionally, blood work is necessary if your veterinarian recommends a dental cleaning, removal of skin masses, or any other procedure that requires anesthesia.