Preventative Care

Preventive Care in West Windsor: The Key to Your Pets Health

Preventive care services offered at Edinburg Animal Hospital include:

Contact us today and let us help your furry friend stay happy and healthy!

Pet Wellness Exams in West Windsor, NJ

We understand that your pets are a part of your family and that they age faster than you! Medical conditions and illnesses will also progress at a much more rapid pace. With annual or bi-annual exams, we can detect and treat conditions at their earliest stages.

Wellness exams include:

  • A head to tail evaluation; including eyes and ears, a complete dental and oral exam, palpation of lymph nodes, auscultation of heart and lungs, palpation of abdomen, examination of all joints and limbs, skin and coat.
  • Testing for heartworm and tick-borne disease
  • Lab work which may include blood, urine, and fecal analysis
  • X-rays for seniors or as needed
  • Recommendations for vaccinations and parasite prevention.


Puppies, Kittens, and Senior Pet Wellness

Preventive care at every stage is the key to living a long and healthy life. Puppies and kittens are more prone to disease and parasitic infections due to a less developed immune system. During the exam, we will assess their health and check for signs of congenital or inherited diseases. For the first few months, puppies and kittens need to visit us more frequently to complete all their vaccinations.

Senior pets are more likely to develop an age-related illness and can require more frequent care than younger animals. Elderly pets should visit us twice a year and have lab work done during at least one visit.

Wellness Care for Exotic Pets

We love all kinds of pets! We provide quality care for exotic animals ranging from reptiles to birds. We know that finding a veterinarian that treats exotic pets can be a challenge because each pet has its own unique needs. At Edinburg Animal Hospital, Dr. Fanders has the experience and advanced training to address an exotic pet’s wellness and health.

Caring for exotic animals can be tricky because most of them “hide” their illness. If your pet is exhibiting any signs of illness, it is important to bring them in as soon as you can. We are prepared and fully equipped to deal with these emergencies.

For your exotic pet to live a healthy and full life, it is important to schedule a check-up visit at least once a year. Along with this, it is important to maintain a proper diet and clean environment. We can recommend the best products and information you need to keep your exotic pet happy.

Parasite Prevention and Control

Parasites can be a real nuisance for any kind of pet. Almost 90% of newborn pets have intestinal parasites that are passed down through the mother, so it is important to start treatment and prevention at an early age. During a wellness exam, we will discuss potential threats in your geographical area and help you put together a preventive plan. Common internal parasites include roundworm, hookworm, giardia and coccidia. Treatment will be based on your pet's age, medical history, and type of internal parasite.

Common external parasites include fleas, ticks, lice and mites. Like deworming, treatment of external parasites will depend on medical history and age. Prevention is much preferable to treating an existing infestation! Treatment for fleas can take months to treat because the female can lay up to 100 eggs a day that may not hatch for months.

Internal and external parasites can re-contaminate a pet and their environment. Your pet’s environment can be difficult to sanitize, so it’s best to take preventive measures with such products such as Heartguard and Interceptor for internal parasites. For external parasites products, NexGard® and Frontline® can be used monthly. In addition to external treatments, removing pet waste daily is a good way to help prevent reinfection.

Safe and Effective Pet Vaccinations

We vaccinate pets for the same reasons humans are vaccinated, to prevent numerous health risks which can result in serious disease or death. Vaccinations are an important part of a pet’s health and preventive care plan. We will discuss your pet's life style and risk factors to formulate a vaccination plan. Like babies, puppies and kittens will start their vaccine series as early as 7 wks old for optimal protection.

Although some pets might experience adverse effects, most vaccines carry little risk. Some common side effects include muscle soreness or sensitivity at the injection site, decreased appetite, lethargy or fever.

Some pets may have a more significant reaction such as severe pain, swelling, trouble breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, or other symptoms. If any of these symptoms occur your pet should be evaluated immediately.

The Importance of Spaying and Neutering

The choice to spay or neuter your pet is an important decision. When you choose to spay or neuter your pet, it helps reduce the number of animals that end up in shelters.  It also will prevent ovarian cancer, testicular cancer and pyometra (infected uterus). Choosing to spay and neuter your pet can also:

  • Decrease roaming and aggressive behaviors in males
  • Stop heat cycles and bleeding in females
  • Reduce spraying and marking of territories

We recommend that pets are at least six months old before being spayed or neutered. The process to spay female dogs and cats involves the surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries. Neutering for male dogs and cats requires surgical removal of the testicles. Both surgeries are routine procedures that don’t require your pet to stay overnight.

Maintain Your Pets Wellness with Dental Care

Many pet owners understand the importance of regular check-ups, but their dental health is also critical. Your pet’s general health and oral health are connected. Many pets will show early stages of periodontal disease by the age of three.

To prevent oral infections which can lead to life-threatening disease we recommend routine dental exams. Tartar and bacteria can build up on your pet’s teeth leading to gum disease. If not treated the infection can spread to other areas of the body and increase the risk of more serious conditions like heart disease and stroke.

Pets like going to the dentist just about as much as humans do. We make sure your pet stays comfortable and relaxed and we use the most efficient technology to get their dental work done quickly and safely. You will also receive helpful tips that are specific to your pet so that you can maintain their oral health at home.

Exceptional Care at Edinburg Animal Hospital

The veterinarians and our staff provide exceptional and high-quality care for traditional and exotic pets. Contact us today to schedule an exam and give your pet the care they deserve!

Contact Us

We encourage you to contact us with any questions or comments you may have. Please call our office or use the quick contact form below.