Wellness Services

Wellness Exams

Regular check-ups are an important part of keeping your pet healthy. Valley Cottage Animal Hospital recommends all pets receive a yearly comprehensive physical examination, though more frequent exams are encouraged. Physical exams give our veterinarians a chance to develop an overall picture of your pet's health. During an exam we check your pet's lungs and heart, testing his or her vision and hearing, examining your pet's teeth and oral cavity, look for any unusual lumps or cysts and test his or her joints and muscles for arthritis and swelling.

Veterinary exams are also a good time for our veterinarians to learn more about your pet's behavior, eating habits and other information. We welcome you to discuss with our veterinarians any concerns you may have about your pet. We believe that working closely with clients results in better health and quality of life for every pet.

Exotic Pet Care

Valley Cottage Animal Hospital provides comprehensive medical care to many exotic pet species, including reptiles, birds, rodents and other small mammals. We are one of the few hospitals in the White Plains and Upstate NY area that cares for birds and exotic pets. Dr. Linda Atkins is in charge of exotic pet care at our hospital and Dr. Laura Murphy treats pocket pets and birds. Both Dr. Atkins and Dr. Murphy have many years experience providing high-quality medical care for birds, pocket pets, reptiles and other exotic companion animals.

Vaccinations

Along with regular physical exams, vaccinations are the cornerstone of preventive health care for your pet. Thanks to recent advances in veterinary medicine, many common diseases that affect cats and dogs are now preventable through the use of vaccinations. Rabies, bordetella (kennel cough), feline leukemia and other diseases can all be prevented through vaccination. We administer vaccines based on American Animal Hospital Association guidelines and your pet's individual lifestyle and needs. We recognize that every pet is different and not every animal requires the same sort of vaccination schedule. Our veterinarians work with you to develop a vaccine protocol for your pet that is individually tailored to his or her needs.

Pet Identification - Microchipping and Tattooing

Each year, millions of pets go missing and many never return home. Though a collar and ID tag are a must when it comes to pet identification, additional methods of identification, such as microchipping and tattoos, can help your pet return home safely if he or she gets lost.

Microchips are about the size and shape of a grain of rice and are implanted between your pet's shoulder blades in a process similar to a routine vaccination. Each microchip contains a unique number that corresponds to a national pet database. Vital information about your pet, including your name, address and contact information, is stored in that database. Most veterinary hospitals and animal shelters have electronic scanners capable of reading these microchips. If your lost pet is found, his or her microchip can be scanned and you will be contacted. We use the HomeAgain microchip system.

Pet tattoos work in a similar way. An identification number is tattooed on your pet's body. This number, along with identifying information about your and your pet, is stored in a national database. If your pet is found, his or her tattoo can help animal shelters and veterinary hospitals contact you and return your pet home. Please ask a member of our staff about identification options for your pet.

Nutritional and Behavioral Counseling

Nutritional counseling can aid pets with special dietary requirements, as well as animals that are overweight or obese. Lack of exercise, coupled with improper diet (too many treats, table scraps, etc.) can cause your faithful pet to become overweight or obese. Obesity can result in a number of health problems for your pet, including heart and liver disease. In other cases, a pet may require a specially-formulated diet because of digestive health issues. Our staff and veterinarians can work with you to develop a nutritional plan that is specific for your pet.

Our veterinarians are also available to assist with any behavior problems your pet may have. Inappropriate elimination, separation anxiety, phobias and other problems can all be addressed through behavior counseling. Behavioral medicine is one of Dr. Philip Meltzer's special interests and he is available to work with clients and their pets on behavioral issues.

DNA Testing

Curious about your mixed-breed dog's background? Valley Cottage Animal Hospital now offers DNA testing for mixed-breed dogs. Our veterinary hospital uses the Wisdom Panel MX test. This genetic test can identify your dog's breed mix from more than 130 AKC-recognized breeds. Knowing the breed make-up of your dog can provide insight into your pet's behavior and appearance, as well as help identify potential health problems associated with your dog's background.