Below are some questions that we’re often asked. If you’d like to have your question addressed here for everyone, please email it us at bridgewatervet1740@gmail.com and let us know that you’d like it to appear on the website.
If you need an immediate answer, please contact the office at 215-638-9275.
Pet insurance works a little differently than people insurance. With human insurance, you’ll normally pay a co-pay when you go to your doctor. The doctor’s office then bills your insurance company and you receive a bill for whatever portion you are responsible for. With pet insurance, you pay the veterinarian in full at the time of your visit. You then submit your bill to your insurance company for a direct reimbursement. Just as with human health insurance, there are dozens of pet insurance companies out there, each with many different plans. With some plans, you have a low monthly premium but you may pay more out-of-pocket when expenses arise. Conversely, others have higher premiums but more things are covered. There really is no “one size fits all” so you’ll need to do some research before picking a plan. The absolute best place to start is a website called Pet Insurance Review. As the name implies, it reviews all the pet insurance companies and shows you a side-by-side comparison. From there, you can narrow down your choices and look further into the companies that interest you.
A. For a great gift any time of the year, why not give a Gift Certificate? We have them for $25, $50, $75 and $100.
All 4 Paws Dog Training We don’t Whisper, We Reward! Donna Meszaros Owner/Instructor 215-901-4405 all4paws@comcast.net www.all4paws.info
Yes. At Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital, we recommend year-round heartworm, flea, and tick prevention for dogs and cats. Mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks can still be active during warmer winter days, and some can survive indoors or in protected outdoor areas. Giving prevention consistently every month helps keep your pet protected without gaps in coverage.
Year-round prevention is the safest and most effective way to help protect your pet from heartworm disease, fleas, ticks, and the diseases these parasites can carry.
A: How often your dog needs a bath depend on their coat, skin, lifestyle, and overall health. Some dogs only need an occasional bath, while others may need bathing more often, especially if they get dirty outside, roll in something, swim, or develop an odor.
In general, bathe your dog as needed using a dog-safe shampoo. Avoid over-bathing, as it can dry out the skin. If your dog has itching, flaking, redness, odor, or frequent skin issues, please contact Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital so we can help determine the best bathing routine and products for your pet.
A: Yes. We recommend a yearly comprehensive exam for both dogs and cats, even if they seem healthy. Pets can hide signs of illness, and a routine exam helps us monitor their overall health, track changes over time, and catch potential medical concerns before they become more serious.
Annual exams are also a good time to discuss vaccines, parasite prevention, dental health, weight, diet, behavior changes, and any concerns you may have at home.
A: The best minds in veterinary behavior medicine struggle with this problem in cats. We’ll start off by saying that it is far more likely to be rooted in stress/change/anxiety than in your cat deliberately engaging in vendetta. Furthermore, there may be physical causes, too. Or, it might have started with stress or a physical problem, and now he is learning to enjoy the place behind your sofa as his latrine. Once discovered, this habit should be vigorously investigated and treated, as each episode outside the box reinforces the habit. We successfully treat many of these, but also rely on the services of behavior specialists for some patients.
Ear infections can have different causes, including yeast, bacteria, ear mites, allergies, inflammation, or other underlying skin conditions. Because the correct medication depends on what is causing the problem, we may need to examine your pet and/or check an ear cytology before dispensing medication.
If your pet has been examined recently for the same ear issue and the doctor feels a refill is medically appropriate, we may be able to provide medication. However, if the infection is recurring, not improving, has changed, has a strong odor or discharge, your pet is painful, or it has been several months since we last evaluated the ears, an appointment will be needed.
This helps us make sure your pet receives the right treatment and prevents using medication that may not work or could make the problem worse.
Skunk spray can be very strong, but this mixture is one of the best options we’ve found for helping remove the odor.
Skunk Odor Removal Mixture:
Mix together:
1 quart hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon Dawn dish soap
Apply the mixture to your dog’s coat, avoiding the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. You may need to repeat if the smell is still strong.
Important safety notes:
Do not store this mixture in a closed container, as it can build pressure. Mix it fresh and use it right away. Avoid getting it in your pet’s eyes or mouth. If your pet was sprayed in the face, is squinting, drooling, vomiting, coughing, or seems uncomfortable, please call Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital for guidance.
A: If your dog is vomiting, please call Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital so we can help determine how urgent the situation is.
While waiting for guidance, you can withhold solid food, including meals, treats, biscuits, table scraps, and chews. Offer only small amounts of water at a time, or a few ice chips periodically, to help prevent more vomiting. Do not give any over-the-counter medications unless directed by a veterinarian.
Vomiting can happen for many reasons, including eating something they shouldn’t, sudden diet changes, stomach upset, pancreatitis, infection, toxins, or a foreign object stuck in the stomach or intestines.
Please seek urgent veterinary care right away if your dog is vomiting repeatedly, cannot keep water down, is very tired or weak, has a bloated abdomen, has blood in the vomit, has diarrhea, may have eaten a toxin or foreign object, or is a puppy, senior, or has an existing medical condition.
A: We generally recommend choosing well-known, established pet food brands that have strong quality control, veterinary nutrition research, and a long history of feeding dogs and cats safely.
Some commonly recommended brands include:
Purina Pro Plan
Purina ONE and other Purina veterinary-backed formulas
Royal Canin
Hill’s Science Diet
Iams
Eukanuba
The best food for your pet depends on their age, breed, weight, lifestyle, medical history, and any special dietary needs. Puppies, kittens, senior pets, pets with allergies, urinary issues, kidney disease, digestive problems, or weight concerns may need a more specific diet.
We do not recommend changing foods frequently or choosing a diet based only on trends or marketing. If you are unsure what food is best for your dog or cat, we are happy to help you choose an appropriate option.
A: An annual exam is your pet’s once-a-year comprehensive physical exam. During this visit, the doctor checks your pet from nose to tail, reviews their overall health, discusses any concerns, updates recommended vaccines, and talks about prevention, diet, dental health, weight, behavior, and lifestyle.
A bi-annual wellness visit means your pet is seen twice a year, usually about every 6 months. These visits are helpful because pets can age and develop health changes much faster than people. Seeing them every 6 months allows us to monitor changes more closely and catch medical concerns earlier.
Bi-annual wellness visits are especially recommended for senior pets, pets on long-term medications, and pets with ongoing medical conditions. Annual exams are important for all pets, but bi-annual visits give us an extra opportunity to help keep your pet healthy and comfortable throughout the year.
A: Most puppies and kittens should stay on a puppy or kitten formula until they are close to fully grown, since growing pets need extra calories and nutrients to support healthy development.
For most pets, the switch to adult food happens around:
Cats: around 12 months of age
Small to medium breed dogs: around 12 months of age
Large breed dogs: around 12–18 months of age
Giant breed dogs: sometimes closer to 18–24 months of age
When it is time to switch, transition slowly over about 7–10 days by mixing the new adult food with the current puppy or kitten food. This helps reduce the chance of stomach upset.
Because every pet is different, we recommend asking your veterinarian at your pet’s wellness visit when the right time is to switch based on your pet’s breed, size, weight, and overall health.
A: If your pet is having a medical emergency and Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital is closed or unable to accommodate the emergency, we recommend contacting:
BluePearl Pet Hospital – Levittown
301 Veterans Highway
Levittown, PA 19056
215-750-7884
Please call the emergency hospital before heading over whenever possible so they can advise you and prepare for your pet’s arrival.
If your pet is having trouble breathing, is actively bleeding, collapsed, having seizures, unable to stand, may have eaten something toxic, or is in severe pain, seek emergency care right away.
At this time, we do not offer a senior citizen discount. We do our best to keep our pricing fair while providing high-quality care for every patient. If cost is a concern, please let our team know so we can discuss available options and help prioritize your pet’s care.
A: Yes. Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital sees patients by appointment so we can give each pet the time and care they need.
That being said, we do our best to accommodate last-minute appointments when your pet is sick or needs to be seen quickly. If your pet is not feeling well, please call us and we will do our best to find the soonest available appointment.
A: You can have your previous veterinarian send your pet’s medical records directly to Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital, or we can request them for you.
If you would like us to request the records, please provide us with your previous veterinary hospital’s name, phone number, and your pet’s information. Having your pet’s records helps our doctors review vaccine history, past medical concerns, medications, lab work, and any previous treatments so we can provide the best care possible.
A: We recommend routine fecal testing because intestinal parasites are not always visible in your pet’s stool. Some pets can have parasites and still have normal-looking bowel movements.
A fecal sample helps us check for common intestinal parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, giardia, and other organisms that can affect your pet’s health. Some parasites can also be contagious to other pets, and a few can be transmitted to people.
We may ask for a fecal sample during your pet’s annual wellness exam, if your pet has diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, scooting, a change in appetite, or if a new puppy, kitten, or newly adopted pet is coming in for care.
Fresh samples are best. If possible, please bring a small amount of stool collected the same day as your appointment.
A: If you found a stray pet, the first step is to check if the pet has any identification, such as a collar, tag, or microchip.
You are welcome to bring the pet to Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital so we can scan for a microchip. A microchip may help identify the owner and reunite the pet with their family.
However, the best place to take a stray pet is usually Women’s Animal Center in Bensalem, as they are better equipped to handle lost and found pets, help with stray intake, and assist with reuniting pets with their owners.
If the pet appears injured, sick, aggressive, or in distress, please use caution and contact animal control or an emergency veterinary hospital for guidance.
A: Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital does not perform declaw procedures.
Declawing is not just a nail trim. It is a surgical procedure that removes part of the cat’s toe, and it can lead to pain, behavior changes, litter box issues, and long-term discomfort for some cats.
Instead, we recommend humane alternatives such as regular nail trims, scratching posts, scratch pads, nail caps, and helping redirect scratching behavior to appropriate surfaces. If your cat is scratching furniture or you are having trouble trimming nails at home, please contact us. We are happy to help you find safer options for your cat.