FAQ

Most Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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Questions about Meadowlands Vet Hospital

How do I make an appointment?

Call us at 201-646-2008, and one of our client care representatives will schedule your appointment.

What are your hours?

We're open Mon-Fri 9 am - 7 pm; Saturday 9 am - 6 pm; Sunday 10am - 6 pm.

Do you take walk-in appointments?

We suggest you call us at 201-646-2008 to schedule an appointment; if your pet is sick, we'll do our very best to get you in quickly.

How do I get my pet's medical records from my previous vet?

Simply call your previous vet and have medical records emailed to us at "info @ meadowlandsvet.com" (spaces added to avoid spammers!). You can also tell our front desk staff the name of your old vet, and we'll gladly call for you.

Do you accept pet insurance?

Yes, we sure do! We can work with practically any pet insurance company, so whether you have Trupanion, Nationwide, Embrace, or whatever else, we got you.

Medical Questions

Why do I have to test my dog for heartworms if I give a preventative every month?

Heartworm preventatives are not 100% effective.  Sometimes a dose gets missed, spit out, vomited or is just not adequately absorbed, resulting in inadequate protection.  Heartworm testing is a safeguard against your pet suffering from heartworm disease without your knowledge.  Furthermore, giving some types of heartworm preventative to a dog that has heartworm infection may actually result in a shock-like reaction due to the rapid death of immature heartworms.

What vaccines does my pet need?

Your veterinarian will determine which vaccinations are appropriate for your pet based on individual factors such as lifestyle and health status. It is commonly recommend that dogs be vaccinated against rabies, distemper, Lyme, and Leptospirosis parvovirus and that cats be vaccinated against rabies and panleukopenia (feline distemper). Additional vaccines, such as feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and Bordetella (kennel cough), Lyme, and Leptospirosis may be recommended.

When do you need fecal samples, and why?

It is recommended that a fecal sample be provided at annual/wellness visits, new puppy/kitten exams, and when GI symptoms are present. Only tapeworms and roundworms are visible to the naked eye. On some occasions diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss are symptoms of intestinal worms but many intestinal parasites go undetected without running intestinal parasite tests. Some intestinal parasites are zoonotic, meaning they are transmittable to humans making routine intestinal parasite testing important to the health of pets AND humans.

How often can I bathe my dog?

If no skin condition is present, you can bathe your dog every 4-6 weeks.

Why do you require blood tests prior to procedures requiring anesthesia?

Pre-anesthetic blood testing allows us to evaluate your pet’s basic organ function.  The testing could warn us of a condition not obvious on physical exam.  It may indicate that we should take extra precautions with your pet’s anesthesia or surgery, or avoid a procedure altogether until the discovered problem can be corrected.

Can I describe my pet's problem over the phone, so we don't have to come in?

It is unethical and illegal to diagnose by phone -- our veterinarians must physically examine a your pet. A physical exam is necessary so your veterinarian can provide an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. Treating a pet for the wrong disease or condition will cost more in the end and could be harmful or even deadly to your pet.

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