Our Services
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.
Our Technology
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.
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:
- Wellness Exams
- Lifestage Wellness
- Vaccinations
- Parasite Prevention
- Fecal Testing
- Diagnosis & Treatment of Heartworm
- Microchipping
Specialized Care & Diagnostics:
- Chronic Illness Management
- General Dermatology:
- Serology Allergy Testing
- Fine Needle Aspirate
- Flea Combing
- Food Elimination Diets
- Fungal Cultures
- Bacterial Cultures for Ears & Skin
- Ear Cytology & Otoscopy
- Skin Scraping
- Biopsies and Histology
- Internal Medicine: Diagnosis & Treatment of Affected Systems & Common Diseases:
- Endocrine: Diabetes, Thyroid, Cushing’s Disease
- Gastrointestinal: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Pancreatitis
- Infectious: Leptospirosis, Tick-Borne Diseases, FIV, Aspergillosis
- Kidney and Urinary Tract: UTI & FLUTD
- Respiratory: Asthma, Pneumonia
- Hematology: Immune-Mediated Diseases, Anemia, Platelet Disorders
- Ophthalmology:
- Internal and External Examination of the Eye
- Measurement of Eye Pressure
- Dilation of the Pupils
- Schirmer Tear Test
- Fluorescein Corneal Stain
- Neurology:
- Diagnosis & Management of IVDD, DM, Wobblers, Nerve Disorders, Vestibular Disease, Seizures
- Interventional Treatments: Removal of Urethra Obstructions, Deobstipation
- Veterinary Reproductive Services:
- In-House Progesterone Testing
- Semen Analysis
- Artificial Insemination
- Veterinary Diagnostic Services:
- Cytology
- Endoscopy
- Feeding Tube Placement
- Foreign Body Removal
- Video Otoscopy and Ear Flush
- Digital Radiology and Dental Radiology
- Ultrasonography
- Echocardiography
- Emergency Lab Workups
- Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Oxygen Therapy
- Pain Management
- Tonometry
Surgery & Procedures:
- Soft Tissue Surgery:
- Various Surgeries, Including Ovariohysterectomy, Mass Removal, Gastropexy, Etc.
- Orthopedic Surgery:
- FHO
- Soft Tissue Surgery:
Other Services:
- Dental Care & Oral Surgery
- Hospice & End of Life Care
- Pharmacy
- Boarding
- Grooming
- Therapeutic Laser (previously Laser Therapy)
- Cryosurgery