Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs – Animal Care of Oradell in Oradell, NJ

Animal Care of Oradell is an award-winning veterinary hospital in Oradell, NJ, that specializes in providing compassionate care for pets throughout Emerson, Bergen County, NJ, and the surrounding communities. This FAQ page answers common questions about our veterinary services, appointments, emergency care, and preventive medicine, as well as what to expect when visiting our animal hospital in Oradell, NJ.

New Clients and General Care

Where is your veterinary hospital located?

Animal Care of Oradell is conveniently located in Oradell, NJ, making quality veterinary care easily accessible for families throughout Bergen County. Many of our clients also visit us from Emerson and neighboring communities because of our compassionate approach and comprehensive services. If you’re searching for a veterinarian in Oradell or a vet near Emerson, our hospital offers preventive, diagnostic, surgical, and wellness care in one convenient location.

What are your hours?

Animal Care of Oradell is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. We are closed on Sundays. Holiday hours may vary throughout the year. Updated office hours and contact information are always available on our Contact Page.

How Do I Make An Appointment?

You can request an appointment through our Online Booking page or on our Contact Page, or by calling us at 201-483-9900. We’ll guide you through the new client process before your first visit.

What makes Animal Care of Oradell different from other veterinary clinics?

Animal Care of Oradell combines modern veterinary medicine with a compassionate, low-stress approach to help pets feel more comfortable at every visit. Our motto, “A Hospital with a Heart,” says it all! We emphasize treating every pet as an individual while building lasting relationships with the families who trust us with their care. From preventive wellness to advanced diagnostics and surgery, we focus on personalized recommendations that support your pet’s long-term health.

Who will be caring for my pet?

Your pet will be cared for by experienced veterinarians supported by knowledgeable veterinary technicians and compassionate support staff. Every member of our team shares a commitment to gentle handling, clear communication, and individualized care for every patient. You can learn more about our doctors and staff on the Our Vets and Our Careteam pages.

Emergency and Urgent Care

What signs mean my pet should see a veterinarian immediately?

Signs that a pet needs immediate veterinary attention include difficulty breathing, repeated or intense vomiting or diarrhea, seizures, collapse, pale gums, severe bleeding, inability to urinate, swelling, trembling, fever, lethargy, known or suspected poisoning, major injuries, eye trauma, heatstroke, and sudden weakness. Contact Animal Care of Oradell right away during business hours so our team can advise you on the next steps and determine whether your pet should be seen immediately. Early treatment often improves outcomes for many medical emergencies.

Do you provide emergency veterinary care in Oradell, NJ?

Animal Care of Oradell provides urgent veterinary care during our regular business hours whenever possible. If you aren’t sure whether your pet needs emergency care, contact us at 201-483-9900. 

If your pet experiences a medical emergency after hours, we recommend seeking care from a nearby emergency veterinary hospital such as BluePearl, Veterinary Emergency Group, or Oradell Animal Hospital. Calling ahead allows the emergency team to prepare for your arrival and provide first aid guidance if needed.

What should I do if my pet becomes sick after hours?

A pet that develops severe illness or injury after hours should be evaluated by an emergency veterinarian without delay. If Animal Care of Oradell is closed, contact the nearest emergency veterinary hospital immediately for instructions and care. Signs such as difficulty breathing, seizures, collapse, severe trauma, or suspected toxin exposure should never wait until the next business day.

We partner with the following clinics for after-hours emergency care:

BluePearl Veterinary Partners
545 NJ-17,
Paramus, NJ 07652
(201) 527-6699

Veterinary Emergency Group
141 State Route 17
Paramus, NJ 07652
(551) 258-1998

Services and Medical Care

What veterinary services do you offer?

Animal Care of Oradell provides comprehensive veterinary care for dogs and cats, including wellness exams, vaccinations, allergy management, nutrition and weight management, behavioral counseling, dentistry, laboratory testing, ultrasound, digital radiology, laser therapy, general surgery, microchipping, and compassionate end-of-life care. Our goal is to provide complete care throughout every stage of your pet’s life. You can explore our full range of services on our Services Page.

Does my pet need professional dental cleanings?

Possibly. Professional dental cleanings are one of the most important ways to protect your pet’s long-term health. While brushing at home is valuable, plaque and tartar below the gumline can only be safely removed with a professional dental procedure performed under anesthesia. Regular dental care helps reduce the risk of periodontal disease, tooth loss, chronic pain, and the spread of bacteria that may affect other organs. Learn more on our Dentistry Page.

What diagnostic testing is available at your hospital?

Animal Care of Oradell offers advanced diagnostic tools that help identify illnesses quickly and accurately. Our hospital provides in-house laboratory testing, access to specialized reference laboratory services, digital radiology, and ultrasound, allowing our veterinarians to evaluate many conditions without unnecessary delays. Additional information is available on our Diagnostics Page.

Why might my pet need bloodwork or other laboratory testing?

Bloodwork, urinalysis, and other diagnostic tests help detect infections, organ disease, hormonal disorders, anemia, and many other conditions, often before pets begin showing obvious symptoms. Animal Care of Oradell may also recommend laboratory testing before anesthesia or to monitor ongoing medical conditions. Laboratory tests provide valuable information that cannot be seen during a physical examination alone.

How can laser therapy help my pet?

Laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment that can support the body’s natural healing process by reducing pain, decreasing inflammation, and facilitating tissue regeneration and repair. Many pets benefit from laser therapy following surgery. It is also commonly used for managing arthritis, soft tissue injuries, and/or other painful conditions. Treatment plans are customized based on your pet’s diagnosis, comfort level, and overall health. Learn more on our Laser Therapy Page.

Do you perform surgery?

Yes. Animal Care of Oradell performs many routine and medically necessary surgical procedures for dogs and cats. Examples of the surgeries we perform include spays and neuters, mass removals, and other soft tissue procedures. Pets are always carefully monitored before, during, and after the procedure, with extra care provided around the administration of anesthesia. Our team will explain the procedure, recovery expectations, and home-care instructions before your pet returns home. Visit our Surgery Page for additional information.

Can you help pets with allergies?

Many pets with chronic itching, ear infections, skin irritation, or excessive licking are suffering from underlying allergies. When treating allergies, we start by focusing on identifying the cause of your pet’s symptoms. Then, we develop an individualized management plan. This may include diagnostics, nutritional recommendations, environmental changes, or other therapies to improve long-term comfort.

What is HT Vista, and how can it help evaluate my dog’s skin lump?

HT Vista is an AI-powered, non-invasive screening technology that helps veterinarians evaluate certain skin lumps in dogs in just a few minutes without using needles. Animal Care of Oradell uses HT Vista’s heat diffusion imaging (HDI) technology to quickly analyze how a lump responds to gentle warming, providing an immediate assessment of whether the mass is likely benign or should undergo additional testing. While HT Vista does not diagnose cancer, it helps our veterinarians determine when procedures such as a fine needle aspirate, biopsy, or surgical removal may be recommended for a more definitive diagnosis. Learn more about this innovative technology on our HT Vista Page.

Preventative Care and Ongoing Support

Does my indoor pet still need vaccinations?

Yes. Indoor pets still benefit from vaccinations because certain infectious diseases can be carried into the home by people, other animals, or contaminated objects. Vaccine recommendations should always be based on your pet’s age, lifestyle, health, and individual risk factors rather than whether they spend time outdoors. Our veterinarians discuss these recommendations during appointments. Visit our Wellness Care page for more information.

How often should my pet have a wellness examination?

Most healthy adult pets should have a wellness examination at least once each year. However, puppies, kittens, senior pets, and pets with chronic medical conditions generally benefit from more frequent visits. Regular examinations allow Animal Care of Oradell to monitor your pet for subtle health changes, update vaccinations, and evaluate weight and nutrition. They also greatly increase the chances of developing diseases being detected before they become serious.

Can you help my pet maintain a healthy weight?

Maintaining a healthy weight is extremely beneficial for supporting your pet’s long-term health and quality of life. Excess weight increases the risk of arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and many other medical conditions. It also makes it harder for pets to run, play, and just enjoy being pets! Animal Care of Oradell creates individualized nutrition and weight-management plans that fit your pet’s age, activity level, and medical history.

Do you offer microchipping?

Microchipping provides permanent identification that greatly increases the chances of a lost pet being reunited with its family. The procedure is quick and safe, and only takes a moment. It can be performed during a routine wellness visit or while your pet is already under anesthesia for another procedure. We also encourage owners to keep their contact information up to date with the microchip registry.

How can I conveniently order my pet’s medications?

You can order your pet’s medication online through our secure online service. Products such as parasite control and prescription pet food may also be ordered through our online store. Our veterinary team reviews medication requests to ensure they remain appropriate for your pet’s current health needs and treatment plan. This provides a convenient way to keep ongoing treatments on schedule with veterinary oversight.

Animal Care of Oradell is proud to provide compassionate veterinary care for pets throughout Oradell, NJ, Emerson, NJ, Bergen County, NJ, and the surrounding communities. Whether your pet needs preventive wellness care, diagnostics, dentistry, surgery, laser therapy, behavioral counseling, or compassionate end-of-life support, our experienced team is here to help. If you’re looking for a veterinarian in Oradell or an animal hospital near you, call (201) 483-9900 or visit our [Contact Page] to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.