Providing exceptional veterinary primary care in Atlantic County is a privilege we embrace daily at Absecon Veterinary Hospital for your dogs, cats, and exotic pets. Our dedicated team of veterinary professionals is committed to supporting your companions through every phase of their lives, offering routine checkups, diagnostic support, and customized preventative plans. We understand that your pets are cherished members of your family, and we strive to offer the gentle, skilled care they deserve.
Detailed Primary Veterinary Care in Atlantic County for Every Companion
Wellness Exams
Routine wellness exams are critical to your pet's ongoing health and long-term well-being. We offer annual and bi-annual evaluations to assess your pet's physical status, discuss important lifestyle topics, and detect potential health issues before they become serious. During these visits, our veterinarians perform a thorough head-to-tail physical examination, which includes evaluating the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and teeth. We also listen carefully to heart and lung sounds, and check the flexibility of joints and muscles. Our team places great importance on using low-stress handling methods to ensure each visit is a comfortable, reassuring experience for both you and your pet.
Vaccinations & Preventative Veterinary Care
Vaccinations are absolutely critical to defend your dog, cat, or exotic companion from a variety of dangerous and life-threatening diseases. Whether you have an adult pet or have just welcomed a new puppy, kitten, or small mammal into your home, maintaining a proper defense schedule is a crucial part of protecting their health and longevity. By building a shield against highly contagious viruses and bacteria, preventative immunizations help prevent severe illness and stop the spread of dangerous infections within our community.
Canine Core Vaccinations
Rabies, DHPP (Distemper, Adenovirus Type 2 (Hepatitis), Parvovirus, Parainfluenza), Leptospirosis, and Bordetella/Parainfluenza (Kennel Cough)
Rabies
A fatal brain and nervous system disease that is passed from an infected animal to other animals and humans. Rabies is 100% fatal once clinical signs develop, and there is no treatment. Required by law in New Jersey.
Distemper
Highly contagious canine disease that can affect the respiratory tract and nervous system. Mortality rates are about 50% and there is no treatment.
Parvovirus
Extremely contagious disease affecting the canine gastrointestinal tracts. Many young dogs will die within 2-3 days of developing symptoms. Even with days of hospitalization, only about 80% of puppies survive. This virus is common in the United States and South Jersey has hundreds of cases a year.
Kennel Cough
A highly contagious respiratory disease commonly contracted at boarding and daycare facilities, dog parks, dog shows and training groups. Required by most boarding/grooming/training facilities.
Adenovirus
Highly contagious virus that can affect many organ systems and has a 30% mortality rate. Dogs that recover often have long term effects and a decreased life expectancy.​​​
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease. These bacteria can be found worldwide in soil and water. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be spread from animals to people. Infection in people can cause flu-like symptoms and can cause liver or kidney disease in both pets and people.
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Feline Core Vaccinations
Rabies
A fatal brain and nervous system disease that is passed from an infected animal to other animals and humans. Rabies is 100% fatal once clinical signs develop, and there is no treatment. Required by law in New Jersey.
Panleukopenia
Highly contagious feline disease affecting the GI tract and bone marrow. Kittens can die within 12 hours of showing symptoms, and even with aggressive supportive care, fatality rate is about 50-80%.
FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus)
Highly contagious virus spread from cat to cat. About 40% of exposed cats will develop persisting infections and die within 2 years. The virus attacks the immune system in the bone marrow.
Rhinotracheitis (Herpes) and Calicivirus
Respiratory and ocular viral infection causing symptoms including: fever, organ failure, mouth ulcers and often results in death. Once infected, cats never clear these viruses and are chronically infected. Nearly all cats have exposure to Herpes, and about 30% of cats have Calicivirus. This vaccination is not to prevent disease, but to help cats fight these viruses life-long.
Exotic Pet Vaccinations
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV)
A highly contagious and fatal disease affecting rabbits. We offer an annual vaccine that clinical trials have shown to be highly effective against RHDV2, with a booster vaccine required 21 days after the initial dose.
Parasite Prevention
Protecting your companions from internal and external parasites is a vital part of maintaining their daily comfort and long-term health. Parasites like fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms are more than just a nuisance. They can transmit serious, sometimes life-threatening diseases to your pets, and certain parasites can even be passed to human family members.
Establishing a proactive, year-round preventative routine protects your household and ensures your pets can enjoy the outdoors safely. We recommend specific, trusted products that provide broad protection based on your pet's specific lifestyle and exposure risk.
Absecon Veterinary Hospital's Recommended Preventatives:
- Canine heartworm and intestinal parasite protection: Sentinel Spectrum® or ProHeart®
- Feline flea/tick and heartworm/intestinal parasite protection: Bravecto Plus®
- Canine flea & tick prevention: Bravecto® or Bravecto Quantum®
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Microchipping
A lost pet is a frightening situation, oftentimes with devastating consequences. This is why our team at Absecon Veterinary Hospital considers microchips a fundamental way to protect your pet. Classic research found that less than ten percent of un-microchipped pets were returned home, while more than ninety-five percent of microchipped pets were successfully reunited with their families. Having permanent identification is more critical than ever, especially with modern database registries, strict federal travel regulations, and international standardizations requiring verified tracking.
These microchips are the size of a grain of rice and are implanted beneath your pet's skin using a specialized needle. They are completely passive, do not need a battery to work, and do not emit any signal. They work similar to a credit card chip and only contain a unique identification number.
We use only ISO-compliant fifteen-digit chips which can be read anywhere in the world by any microchip reader, keeping your companion secure wherever they roam.
Nutrition
A balanced and complete diet serves as the building block for your pet's lifelong health and vitality. Essential elements such as clean water, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, and carbohydrates must be carefully balanced to support your companion's specific needs. Because dietary requirements change as pets age or develop medical conditions, we work with you to create individualized nutrition plans. Our veterinarians can recommend trusted dietary options and point you toward reliable educational resources to ensure your dog, cat, or exotic pet receives the precise fuel they need to thrive.
Senior Pet Care
Seniorhood represents the last quarter of a pet's expected lifespan, a period that varies significantly by breed and individual health. Thanks to modern medicine, pets are living longer than ever, and we are dedicated to helping you manage your companion's golden years. Our senior pet care is tailored to your animal's lifestyle and risk factors to detect age-related diseases at early, highly treatable stages. We offer detailed laboratory work and diagnostic screening tests to evaluate internal health and monitor organ function, allowing us to keep your aging friend active and comfortable.
Travel Documents
Traveling with your pet requires careful preparation, and our USDA accredited veterinarians are here to help make the process as seamless as possible. Different states and countries maintain unique agricultural and health regulations for incoming animals.
We assist with interstate travel by issuing Certificates of Veterinary Inspection following in-person physical assessments, and we can complete complex international travel paperwork which can take weeks or months to prepare.
Additionally, we help you navigate the strict Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regulations for dogs entering or returning to the United States, ensuring your pet meets all age, microchip, and vaccine requirements.
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Itchy Skin Care
Allergic skin disease and dermatology concerns are the most common non-wellness reasons that cats and dogs visit our facility. Our veterinarians are highly experienced in diagnosing and treating skin conditions, which can cause severe discomfort and lead to secondary infections. We develop immediate comfort plans to soothe active itching and treat active infections, while also designing long-term management strategies. By identifying environmental or dietary triggers, we help restore your pet's coat and skin health for long-term comfort.
Behavioral Consultations
Behavioral challenges and chronic anxieties can significantly impact the bond you share with your pet and disrupt your household. Our veterinarians are familiar with common behavioral issues in dogs and cats, such as separation anxiety, fear, and age-related changes. We offer clinical evaluations to rule out underlying medical causes and design tailored behavioral modification plans. When appropriate, we combine these behavioral therapies with prescribed veterinary medications to help your pet feel calm, secure, and confident.
Exotic Pet Care
Nontraditional pets have highly specialized environmental, dietary, and physical needs, and we are proud to offer expert care for exotic companions. Our team is trained to treat a wide variety of species, including small mammals like rabbits and guinea pigs, reptiles like snakes and turtles, and feathered friends such as parakeets and parrots. Because exotic pets instinctively hide signs of illness until their condition is advanced, routine checkups are vital. We provide wellness exams, dental evaluations, and husbandry consultations to ensure your unique companion receives the dedicated care they need to live a long, healthy life.
Partner with Us for Your Pet's Health
Our clinical team is always here to provide the compassionate support your family needs to enjoy a lifetime of happy memories together. Whether you are welcoming a new puppy or kitten, managing a senior pet's health, or seeking specialized guidance for an exotic companion, we look forward to partnering with you. Please reach out to our team today to schedule an appointment and discuss how we can assist with your companion's wellness needs.
