Our Services

At Southern Ocean Animal Hospital, we offer a wide variety of treatments for your pet so you won’t have to stress about visiting multiple offices to find the best place for a multitude of procedures and services. From standard wellness exams and proper vaccinations to advanced onsite laboratory testing and therapy options, your Tuckerton and Little Egg Harbor vet has the treatment you need for a healthy and happy pet.
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Pet Wellness Services

Pets benefit greatly from regular wellness examinations. Since our pets age significantly faster than us, we recommend that all pets receive an examination at least once a year. Taking your pet to the veterinarian once a year is the same as if you were to see a doctor for an exam only once every 6 to 8 years. As they get older, more frequent examinations may be necessary.

During our wellness examination, we look at your pet’s heart and lung functions, joints, muscles, hearing, vision, and many other areas. Because so much can change with your pet's physical health, a regular exam is a must to ensure your pet remains happy and healthy.

Your pet's health care needs change as they age. Puppies and kittens have health needs that are different from adult and senior pets.

We provide special Puppy and Kitten Wellness Packages that include nutrition counseling, preventive medicine, and behavioral training advice. These exams include diagnostic tests, nutritional counseling, and client education opportunities.

As puppies and kittens grow older, their health care needs change. Your pet enters their adult lives around the age of 2 and their senior years around the age of 7. Adult and senior pets start developing diseases such as heart disease, cancer, endocrine disease, and diabetes. Preventative healthcare is very important for seniors as many of these diseases can go unrecognized earlier in their life.

You can minimize suffering in your senior pets, avoid unnecessary health risks, and prevent diseases with early detection. We recommend older pets be examined every 6 to eight 8 with complete diagnostic care, including a full laboratory screening.

Your pet's health care needs change as they age. Puppies and kittens have health needs that are different from adult and senior pets.

We provide special Puppy and Kitten Wellness Packages that include nutrition counseling, preventive medicine, and behavioral training advice. These exams include diagnostic tests, nutritional counseling, and client education opportunities.

As puppies and kittens grow older, their health care needs change. Your pet enters their adult lives around the age of 2 and their senior years around the age of 7. Adult and senior pets start developing diseases such as heart disease, cancer, endocrine disease, and diabetes. Preventative healthcare is very important for seniors as many of these diseases can go unrecognized earlier in their life.

You can minimize suffering in your senior pets, avoid unnecessary health risks, and prevent diseases with early detection. We recommend older pets be examined every 6 to eight 8 with complete diagnostic care, including a full laboratory screening.

Vaccinations are an important factor in your pet’s preventative health care plan. We create vaccine protocols for your pet that revolve around their unique lifestyle and risk factors, as well as community regulations.

Puppy

One full year after the puppy vaccination series is completed, we recommend yearly vaccinations of leptospira (a bacterial infection), bordetella (kennel cough), and borrelia (Lyme disease) as needed. We also recommend vaccinations of rabies and DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza) every 3 years.

Kitten

One full year after the kitten vaccination series is completed, we recommend yearly vaccinations of FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) as needed. We recommend vaccinations of rabies and FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis) every 3 years.

If you have any questions about what sort of vaccination protocol is right for your pet, please ask a staff member or veterinarian.

Parasites can go from being an inconvenience to seriously damaging your pet’s health. Internal parasites (hookworms, heartworms, and roundworms) and external parasites (ticks and fleas) are common in pets. Some of these parasites can go from your pet to you or your family (zoonotic).

To stop parasites from harming your pets and family, prevention is necessary. We recommend routine exams and laboratory testing to screen for parasites. We carry many of the leading medications and preventative medicines, on-hand and available at our practice. We will help you determine which product will work best for your pet.

To ensure that your pet returns home safely, you should ask us about microchipping. Microchipping is a safe and effective way to be reunited with your pet if they are lost or leave home.

Microchips are implanted into your pet’s skin during a process similar to vaccination. Each microchip is encoded with information about your pet that is tracked in a national database. Veterinary hospitals, clinics, and shelters across the country have special scanners that can detect and read the microchips. If your pet goes missing, their microchip is scanned and the information is used to return your pet home safely.

Your pet’s medications can be filled right in our office! We carry an extensive inventory of veterinary pharmaceutical items, supplies, and medications. Save a trip and contact us today for your pet’s medication needs.

Are you going away and need a safe, fun place for your pet? We are currently offering boarding for puppies, dogs, kittens, and cats. We treat your pet with the utmost care and compassion, as if they are our own. Our kennel attendants will make your pet’s vacation an enjoyable one, all under the supervision of our doctors. To make sure your pet is comfortable, we provide proper bedding, food, toys, and temperature control. If you want to make it feel more like home, feel free to bring in your very own items and food! Dogs are exercised regularly and receive the full attention of staff members. All boarding guests must be up-to-date on vaccinations and flea and tick treatments. Since our boarding areas fill up quickly, please call ahead and make reservations in advance to secure a spot.

Our Technology

Our veterinary hospital is proud to be one of the few locations that offer laser therapy for cats and dogs in our community. Laser therapy is a non-surgical alternative to traditional surgery. It is a pain-free and drug-free treatment that uses high-powered laser light to penetrate into your pet’s skin. This non-invasive procedure has a faster and easier recovery time than traditional surgery. The laser stimulates the metabolic process and cellular energy, leading to a more effective and successful outcome.
 
Laser therapy can relieve the following symptoms:
 
● Arthritis
● Hip Dysplasia
● Degenerative Joint Disease
● Ligament/Muscle/Tendon Tears
● Fractures
● Anal Glands
● General Pain Management
 
The following skin issues can be treated with the use of laser therapy:
 
● Lick Granulomas
● Hot Spots
● Otitis Externa
● Inflammation
 
Laser therapy requires multiple visits to be successful. After the first session, most cases already see an improvement. As treatment progresses, pain medication is often eliminated from treatment due to the success of therapy. With more sessions, mobility is improved and pain is reduced.
 
Laser therapy is ideal for treating specific ailments but can also help alleviate other conditions. Treatable conditions include:
 
• Wounds
• Bites
• Abrasions
• Burns and Lesions
• Soft Tissue Injuries
• Surgical Procedures
• Dental Procedures
 
Laser treatment is a unique and custom process designed by the unique needs of each animal. Your veterinarian will take the time to get to know your pet personally and understand exactly how your pet can benefit from laser therapy. A laser therapy session is about 20 minutes, but it can vary depending on the needs of the patient. The number of sessions depends on the reason for treatment.
 
Some issues may require daily sessions depending on severity. Chronic issues can benefit from laser treatments in a “3-2-1” sequence. This means that they will receive three sessions in a week, then two, then one. With monitoring, your veterinarian will be able to determine if any additional treatments are required.
 
Consult with your Tuckerton veterinarian to learn if your pet is a candidate for laser therapy. 
Cryosurgery is a non-invasive alternative to a traditional surgical procedure. This is an ideal option for skin lesions such as warts, skin tags, and papillomas that can be removed from your pet. The procedure can be completed in one day and does not require the use of general anesthesia. It causes minimal discomfort and the healing time is very short.
 
The Process
A topical anesthetic is applied to numb the area that will be operated on. During cryosurgery, the area where the cryosurgery is going to be performed will be frozen with the use of non-toxic gas. This gas freezes the area where your pet has a skin lesion. Over the next two weeks, the lesion will scab over and eventually fall off. When the lesion has resolved, new healthy skin cells will regenerate in its place. Medium-sized lesions may require multiple rounds of treatment.
 
Cryosurgery is not the appropriate course of action for large tumors, but it is beneficial for small to medium-sized skin issues. This treatment is ideal for the following skin lesions:
 
● Warts
● Skin tags
● Papillomas
● Superficial tumors
 
This procedure is ideal for older pets or those with skin-related conditions. Consult with your veterinarian in Tuckerton to determine if cryosurgery would be right for your pet.

Radiographs (X-rays) are used to evaluate and diagnose problems within your pet’s organ system, including the heart, lungs, and in the abdomen, as well as orthopedic problems with the bones and spine. These problems can diagnose many conditions, such as fractured bones, cancerous tumors, enlarged heart, stones within the urinary tract, arthritis, pneumonia, and more.

Ultrasound is an advanced, non-invasive diagnostic imaging technique that is painless. A computer image is displayed using sound waves that help us evaluate the liver, spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands, lymph nodes, gall bladder, and urinary bladder. Ultrasound can be used to avoid unnecessary surgery as it allows us to detect the spread of cancer.

Unfortunately, your pet cannot speak to you about discomfort, sickness, or complex matters. This is why it’s important to get regular exams, do routine blood testing, and diagnostic testing. We are equipped with a sophisticated diagnostic testing laboratory. Some of the more common tests that we perform are urinalysis, fecal examinations, blood chemistry panels, and heartworm testing. In case of emergency, additional tests may be required. We have the capabilities to evaluate kidney and liver function, blood sugar, and electrolytes in a matter of minutes.

Dental Care

Dental disease is the most common disease seen by veterinarians. In fact, 70% to 85% of pets over the age of 2 have some form of dental disease.

Poor dental hygiene can be the cause of serious health problems for your pet. If dental problems are left untreated, your pet’s heart, liver, and kidneys are in danger of being infected by bacteria. Unfortunately, these threats are often difficult to identify, so bringing your pet in for a routine check-up is encouraged.

Check your pet for these signs of dental disease:

  • Discolored teeth
  • Red, inflamed gums
  • Bad breath
  • Loose teeth
  • Swollen mouth, jaws, or gums
  • Pain when eating
  • Doesn’t play with chew toys

Periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, is the most common medical condition in dogs and cats. By age three, your pet will very likely have traces or early evidence of gum disease. While you may not see it immediately, nor do you think it's an urgent matter to take care of, it can quickly worsen as they grow older and preventive measures aren't taken. Just like our own smiles, early detection and treatment are critical for better overall health.

Without treatment, periodontal disease can cause severe problems, discomfort, and pain for your pet. They're unable to care for certain areas of their bodies the way we are, so we urge pet owners to bring them in for routine checks and cleanings. If the periodontal disease worsens, your pet's mouth isn't the only area that's affected - other health issues found in relation to this disease include kidney, liver, and heart muscle changes.

Southern Ocean Animal Hospital offers comprehensive dental care for your pets and is equipped with a state-of-the-art dental delivery system and digital dental x-ray.

Check out the before and after photos below from a canine dental visit with Dr. Pascetta. If you believe your pet's checkup is overdue, simply search "pet teeth cleaning near me" and call Southern Ocean Animal Hospital at (609) 296-3655 and our front desk staff will be happy to help schedule the best date and time for your pet's visit. We can't wait to see you and your furry friend!

Full List of Services

Routine and Preventive Care:

  1. Wellness Exams
  2. Lifestage Wellness
  3. Vaccinations
  4. Parasite Prevention
    1. Fecal Testing
    2. Diagnosis & Treatment of Heartworm
  5. Microchipping

Specialized Care & Diagnostics:

  1. Chronic Illness Management
  2. General Dermatology:
    1. Serology Allergy Testing
    2. Fine Needle Aspirate
    3. Flea Combing
    4. Food Elimination Diets
    5. Fungal Cultures
    6. Bacterial Cultures for Ears & Skin
    7. Ear Cytology & Otoscopy
    8. Skin Scraping
    9. Biopsies and Histology
  3. Internal Medicine: Diagnosis & Treatment of Affected Systems & Common Diseases:
    1. Endocrine: Diabetes, Thyroid, Cushing’s Disease
    2. Gastrointestinal: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Pancreatitis
    3. Infectious: Leptospirosis, Tick-Borne Diseases, FIV, Aspergillosis
    4. Kidney and Urinary Tract: UTI & FLUTD
    5. Respiratory: Asthma, Pneumonia
    6. Hematology: Immune-Mediated Diseases, Anemia, Platelet Disorders
  4. Ophthalmology:
    1. Internal and External Examination of the Eye
    2. Measurement of Eye Pressure
    3. Dilation of the Pupils
    4. Schirmer Tear Test
    5. Fluorescein Corneal Stain
  5. Neurology:
    1. Diagnosis & Management of IVDD, DM, Wobblers, Nerve Disorders, Vestibular Disease, Seizures
  6. Interventional Treatments: Removal of Urethra Obstructions, Deobstipation
  7. Veterinary Reproductive Services:
    1. In-House Progesterone Testing
    2. Semen Analysis
    3. Artificial Insemination
  8. Veterinary Diagnostic Services:
    1. Cytology
    2. Endoscopy
    3. Feeding Tube Placement
    4. Foreign Body Removal
    5. Video Otoscopy and Ear Flush
    6. Digital Radiology and Dental Radiology
    7. Ultrasonography
    8. Echocardiography
    9. Emergency Lab Workups
    10. Blood Pressure Monitoring
    11. Oxygen Therapy
    12. Pain Management
    13. Tonometry

Surgery & Procedures:

    1. Soft Tissue Surgery:
      1. Various Surgeries, Including Ovariohysterectomy, Mass Removal, Gastropexy, Etc.
    2. Orthopedic Surgery:
      1. FHO

Other Services:

    1. Dental Care & Oral Surgery
    2. Hospice & End of Life Care
    3. Pharmacy
    4. Boarding
    5. Grooming
    6. Therapeutic Laser (previously Laser Therapy)
    7. Cryosurgery