Health & Wellness Animal Hospital provides a full range of preventive care services to help your dog live a longer, happier life and to increase the odds of detecting problems early, before they become severe and costly.
Our veterinarians make their annual preventive care recommendations based on the guidelines established by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). We then customize our recommendations based on your dog's hereditary factors, age, medical history and lifestyle.
Annual preventive care for dogs typically includes:
At least one annual annual Physical Examination at which time our veterinarians will take a complete medical history, make nutrition recommendations, assess behavior, and review any known medical conditions.
During the exam our doctors will perform a:
Ear and Eye Examination
Cardiopulmonary (Heart and Lung) analysis
Temperature Reading
Abdominal Palpation
Dental Exam
Dermatological Exam
Musculoskeletal Evaluation
Attitude / Behavior
Vaccines based on your dog's lifestyle and/or breed. Core Vaccines include Rabies and Distemper. Our veterinarians may also recommend additional vaccines such as Lyme, Bordetella (Kennel Cough), Leptospirosis and Canine Influenza.
Parasite Control Products to control parasites such as heartworms, intestinal parasites (such as round worms), fleas and ticks. Controlling these parasites helps protect your dog and your family members from easily transmitted parasites.
Diagnostic Testing to confirm the absence of heartworms or other internal parasites and early disease screening tests to help identify any internal issues which cannot be detected during a thorough physical exam.
Your veterinarian will also discuss other services, such as dental care or microchipping that will benefit your dog's overall health and wellbeing and advise you on any questions you might have regarding your dog's health.
Our Services:Preventive Care for Cats
Prolong Your Cat's Life
Health & Wellness Animal Hospital provides a full range of preventive care services to help your cat live a longer, happier life and to increase the odds of detecting problems early, before they become severe and costly.
Our veterinarians make their annual preventive care recommendations based on the guidelines established by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and take into consideration your cat's hereditary factors, age, medical history and lifestyle.
Annual preventive care for cats typically includes:
At least one annual Physical Examination at which time our veterinarians will take a complete medical history, make nutrition recommendations, assess behavior, and review any known medical conditions.
During the exam our doctors will perform a:
Ear and Eye Examination
Cardiopulmonary (Heart and Lung) analysis
Temperature Reading
Abdominal Palpation
Dental Exam
Dermatological Exam
Musculoskeletal Evaluation
Vaccination recommendations include core vaccines Rabies and Feline Distemper. Your veterinarian may also suggest the Feline Leukemia vaccine for outdoor cats.
Parasite Control Products to prevent and repel heartworms, intestinal parasites, fleas and ticks. Round worms can be transmitted to humans, so controlling these parasites protects your cat and also your family.
Diagnostic Testing to check for Feline Leukemia and/or Feline AIDS (FeLV/FIV), heartworms or other internal parasites and early stages of diseases which cannot be detected during a physical exam.
Your veterinarian will also discuss other services, such as dental care or microchipping, that can lead to a longer and healthier life for your cat.
Our Services:Puppy and Kitten Care
Give Your Puppy or Kitten the Right Start in Life
At Health & Wellness Animal Hospital, each pet's first year of care is customized based on its specific needs. Just like human children, puppies and kittens require additional physical exams and vaccine boosters to ensure that they get the very best start in life.
Below are our recommendations for your puppy's or kitten's first year.
Physical Exams: Your puppy's or kitten'2015-06-05s lifetime of wellness starts with its first comprehensive physical exam. Puppies and kittens should have 3-4 exams between the ages of 8-16 weeks. These visits are important because they give our veterinarians an opportunity to assess your pet's overall health and to administer vaccines.
Vaccinations: Due to their immature immune systems puppies and kittens must receive a series of properly staged vaccines. Since every puppy and kitten is unique, we tailor our vaccination recommendations based on their lifestyle and/or breed and according to the suggested guidelines.
Diagnostic Testing: We recommend that puppies are tested for Heartworm at 6 months of age if not done previously and that kittens are tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline AIDS at their first visit if not done previously.
Additional Recommendations: Your veterinarian will also discuss and recommend other services, such as spaying, neutering or microchipping that can lead to a longer and healthier life for your dog or cat.
Our Services:Integrative Therapy
Curing Canine Cancer with a New Veterinary Diet and Herbal Medicine Hunter beat canine cancer when his owner, Paul Gallant (shown above with Dr. Wells), started making a special pet food at Dr. Wells' suggestion. Now Gallant has started his own organic pet food business.
We strive to enhance the quality of life of our pet patients through a comprehensive approach to veterinary medicine. We understand the importance of preventive care as well as the need to treat disease when needed. We focus on all aspects of patient care in all life stages.
We believe the best approach to patient care is achieving good health through:
Proper Nutrition
Preventive Care
Health Monitoring
Life Balance
However, when illness is present, the most effective therapy is integrative care: combining the best treatment options available, traditional and alternative, to provide optimum patient wellness.
We firmly believe in frequent examinations of your pet to not only find disease when present, but to also provide insight into healthy living for your pet to help prevent disease.
Not only do we have the expertise in traditional Western veterinary medicine, but also the ability to offer Eastern medicine modalities to complement or replace traditional medical treatments.
Our alternative veterinary medical therapies include:
The goal is to use any and all treatment options available, either traditional, holistic, or a combination of both to find the most effective treatment for your pet's current condition.
Our ultimate passion is to provide comprehensive, progressive, effective, and compassionate care for your pets through all life stages.
To learn more about Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), watch this PBS video, Spotlight On: TCVM.
Our Services:Veterinary Acupuncture
What Conditions Respond to Acupuncture?
Quite simply, acupuncture is used to treat disease. Specifically, acupuncture is used to treat any condition that involves inflammation, immune system dysfunction, neurologic disease, or hormone imbalance.
If your pet has an illness, it can likely be treated with veterinary acupuncture. Also, if your pet is taking a medication for an illness or condition, then acupuncture can be used to treat the same medical problem and may allow your pet to stop taking medication. However, many medical conditions require treatment with both acupuncture and medication for the best outcome.
The following is a short list of some of the most common conditions that are commonly treated in our hospital with acupuncture:
Bone/Joint Diseases such as Arthritis, Muscle injuries, Hip Dysplasia and Luxating Patella.
Respiratory Diseases such as Bronchitis, Feline Asthma, Nasal Infections and Chronic Coughing.
Digestive Diseases such as Diarrhea, Vomiting, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Pancreatitis and Poor Appetite.
Skin Diseases such as Skin Infections, Itching, Allergies and Ear Infections.
Behavior Disorders such as Separation Anxiety, Thunderstorm Phobia and Aggression.C
Cancer such as Lymphoma, Mast Cell Tumor and Hemangiosarcoma.
Neurologic Diseases such as Intervertebral Disc Disease, Paralysis and Seizures
To learn more about Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), watch this PBS video, Spotlight On: TCVM.
Frequently Asked Questions on Veterinary Acupuncture
What happens during an acupuncture treatment session?
The first treatment session will be scheduled once your pet has been seen for a holistic consultation and evaluated by Dr. Wells.
Acupuncture treatments last about 30 to 60 minutes.
The treatments are not painful and your pet will often be more relaxed than at a regular veterinary appointment.
Your pet will not need to be sedated or restrained but will often need to remain in one spot, on a bed or blanket, if possible. Owners are free to hold their pets or sit with their pets during the treatments and will often participate in the treatment process.
How Do I Setup an Appointment?
In order to receive acupuncture, your pet must first be examined to determine if your pet will benefit from this treatment. Please call us to schedule a holistic consultation (1 hour in duration). During this first appointment, your pet will be examined, its medical history will be reviewed, and a treatment plan will be discussed that may include acupuncture, herbal therapy, and/or a combination of any medications your pet is currently taking. Your pet's treatment plan could also include herbal supplements, herbal medications, chiropractic care or physical therapy.
Our Services:Sick and Injured Care:
Care for Sick and Injured Pets
At Health & Wellness Animal Hospital, we focus on keeping your pet happy and healthy. Unfortunately, some pets occasionally experience illnesses or injuries that require a veterinarian's care and attention.
Health & Wellness Animal Hospital offers high-quality diagnostic and medical treatments for sick and injured pets. We provide a safe and comfortable atmosphere to diagnose and treat your pet.
A successful recuperation is our goal and our experienced and caring team of veterinarians is supported by our:
The benefits of an in-house laboratory include the ability to receive immediate test results to quickly determine your pet's health care needs. Our laboratory features diagnostic testing for the following:
Fine needle aspirate testing of skin tumors with in-house evaluation
Fecal testing for intestinal parasites
Heartworm, Lyme, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma testing
Parvovirus test
We use Idexx Laboratories to provide us with fast and accurate results for more complicated tests that cannot be performed in our hospital, such as:
Distemper and Parvo titer testing (used to check vaccine blood levels to determine the need for vaccines for dogs)
Calicivirus, Herpesvirus, and Panleukopenia virus titer testing (used to check vaccine blood levels to determine the need for vaccines for cats)
Cancer testing
Feline heartworm testing
Skin and Food allergy testing
If your pet is experiencing an illness including, but not limited to, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, loss of appetite or lower energy level, our team and facility are here to diagnose and treat your pet. We are also equipped to help your pet recover if it has sustained an injury such as a bite wound, lameness or trauma from an accident (including if your pet is hit by a car).
We see emergencies during our normal hospital hours. If you have an after-hours emergency, we will refer your pet to the appropriate critical care or specialty hospital.
Our Services:Sick and Injured Care:Digital Radiology
Health & Wellness Animal Hospital offers digital x-rays to better diagnose and treat sick or injured pets.
Digital radiography provides x-ray images without the use of conventional film. This allows for the highest-quality images, while providing the lowest possible exposure of radiation to your pet.
Digital images can be computer enhanced to increase detail allowing our veterinarians to see fine detail and subtle changes.
Benefits of Digital X-ray over Traditional Film X-ray
Images are obtained much more quickly and with greater accuracy.
Fewer retakes are required, resulting in less radiation exposure for both the patient as well as the staff.
Images can be easily and quickly sent to other veterinarians, including board-certified veterinary radiologists, allowing us to get results in a matter of hours rather than days.
Records can be stored electronically and are protected from damage or loss.
The chemical processing step required to develop traditional film x-rays is eliminated, creating a huge reduction in chemical usage and hazardous waste.
Digital x-ray allows us to provide superior care to our patients and supports our goal of progressive, high-quality medicine.
Our Services:Sick and Injured Care:Ultrasonography
Health & Wellness Animal Hospital offers ultrasonography, a safe and non-invasive imaging technique for diagnosing and treating sick or injured pets.
An ultrasound uses sound waves, rather than radiation, to penetrate internal organs. X-ray images use radioactive light and can only pick up dense body parts (such as bone and cartilage), but cannot show detail of tissues. Small, fine details that cannot be seen on x-rays may be easily seen on ultrasound.
Similar to sonar technology, an ultrasound transmits high-frequency sound waves into the body. Various tissues "bounce" the waves back toward the ultrasound. The ultrasound then measures the distance for each area that this happens, and uses algorithms to display the "echoes" as an image on the screen.
This diagnostic imaging method enables virtually anything internal to be visible, allowing veterinarians to detect:
bladder stones
kidney stones
obstructions
cysts
pregnancy
tumors
heart problems
abnormal growth
and more
Guided by the ultrasound images, biopsy and fluid samples can be safely and easily obtained from your pet without performing invasive and costly surgery.
If your pet is experiencing illness or injury, we are here to help. Please call us today at (603) 926-5500.
Our Services:Spay and Neuter Procedures
Spayed and Neutered Pets live a healthier and longer life!
At Health & Wellness Animal Hospital, we believe in the importance of spaying/neutering puppies and kittens to provide them with a long and healthy life.
Spaying or neutering your dog or cat will reduce common problems such as:
A pyometra, or uterine infection, is a potentially life-threatening condition which can cost thousands of dollars to treat. Occurrence is 100% preventable if your pet is spayed.
Over one half of all mammary tumors are malignant and can spread to other areas of the body. Early spaying, prior to your pet beginning its heat cycles, significantly reduces the incidence of tumor formation.
There are more puppies and kittens overpopulating shelters than there are people willing to provide them with love and care. Sadly, many are euthanized.
Testicular cancer can be eliminated and prostatitis, an infection causing malignant or benign swelling of the prostate, can be greatly reduced with early neutering.
Unwanted behavioral problems such as dominance aggression, marking territory and wandering can be avoided with early spaying/neutering.
Our Services:Surgical Care and Services
Why we are the best choice for your pet's surgical needs
Many pet owners are curious about what is involved when their pet is placed under anesthesia. At Health & Wellness Animal Hospital, your pet's safety and comfort are our top priority, so you can be sure that your pet will receive only the best and safest anesthetic and surgical care.
Our procedures include the following:
Safe Anesthesia—a very safe anesthetic gas which is also used in human pediatric medicine.
Experienced Monitoring Support—our trained technicians use state-of-the-art anesthetic monitors to continuously monitor your pet's pulse rate, oxygen levels and blood pressure. We also use an electrocardiogram (ECG) machine and a pulse oximeter to monitor their heart rate and blood oxygen levels.
IV Catheter Placement—fluids are given during surgery to maintain blood pressure and to help your pet recover quickly from the anesthesia.
Pain Medication—is administered prior to and after surgery to ensure your pet's comfort.
Pre-Anesthetic Blood Work—ensures your pet is healthy enough to undergo a surgical procedure and that its internal organs can safely process the anesthesia.
Veterinary Surgical Services
Health & Wellness Animal Hospital provides surgical services for dogs and cats. We offer a clean and well-equipped facility and experienced team to provide your pet with high quality surgical care in a stress-free and relaxing environment.
Our team of veterinarians and technicians are experienced with a range of surgeries, including spaying and neutering. All of our procedures include a thorough pre-surgical physical examination by a veterinarian, surgical monitoring and lots of care and attention throughout the day.
There is also a board-certified surgeon available for most orthopedic surgeries.
Our Services:Pet Dental Cleanings & Procedures
Our veterinarians provide dental services including routine cleaning and polishing (dental prophylaxis) and surgical extractions to manage and treat severe oral disease conditions.
When dental problems and oral diseases are diagnosed, sometimes a dental procedure may be necessary. Health & Wellness Animal Hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art oral surgical equipment and the latest technology to provide your pet with a safe and advanced dental procedure.
Routine Pet Dental Care
Routine and preventive dental care is vital to your pet's long term health. Pets with poor oral hygiene can develop periodontal disease, which can often lead to heart, lung, and kidney disease. Health & Wellness Animal Hospital offers a full range of dental services for cats and dogs including dental examinations, dental extractions, and oral surgery as well as home care instructions for keeping your dog's or cat's teeth clean and healthy.
Oral Examinations
Our veterinarians perform basic oral exams on all our patients during their comprehensive physical exam. Puppies and kittens will be examined to detect any problems related to the deciduous (baby) teeth, missing or extra teeth, swellings, and oral development. Senior pets will be evaluated for developmental anomalies, the accumulation of plaque and tartar, periodontal disease, and oral tumors. We also check for lesions or abnormalities, remove tartar and plaque, and polish their teeth.
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning
Prior to the dental cleaning, your pet will be put under anesthesia to prevent them from moving around and to allow the veterinarian to perform a full examination and cleaning. We make sure that your pet is comfortable and perfectly safe during the entire process.
While your pet is under anesthesia, the vet examines the mouth, gums, tongue, cheeks, and teeth. This can reveal any cases of lesions, gum disease, tooth decay, or other problems. When these are discovered, they can usually be handled during the treatment.
After examining the mouth, the vet will complete a full cleaning of the teeth and polish them thoroughly to give your pet a healthy, attractive set of teeth.
After the anesthesia wears off, your pet is usually back to normal within minutes.
Call us today to schedule a dental cleaning for your pet.
Good Oral Hygiene for Pets
Dental Care Tips for Dogs and Cats
Schedule a dental oral exam for your dog or cat every year
Schedule regular dental cleanings as recommended by your veterinarian
Brush your pet's teeth daily, or give your pet a dental hygiene chew every other day
Serve dog or cat food and treats that control tarter and plaque and promote good dental health
Our Services:Laser Therapy for Pets
Health & Wellness Animal Hospital is now offering the latest technology in health care for your pet – therapeutic laser. Our therapy laser provides a deep-penetrating light that allows relief of pain by releasing endorphins and stimulation cells to heal faster. Your pet will relax and enjoy the pain-free treatments.
Common problems that respond to therapy laser treatments include:
Arthritis
Otitis (ear infections)
Wound healing
Lacerations
Gingivitis
Burns
Skin conditions
If you think that your dog or cat would benefit from laser therapy, please call us at (603) 926-5500 to schedule a consultation.
Our Services:Pet Microchipping
Pet Microchipping
Health & Wellness Animal Hospital offers microchip identification for pets. We use PetLink Companion Animal IDs. You can rest easy knowing your pet is protected – whether you are at home or you take them out of town.
What is microchipping?
A microchip is a tiny electronic device, about the size and shape of a grain of rice. It is implanted beneath your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades, and stays there for the pet's entire life. This procedure is as easy and as painless as a vaccination.
How does microchip identification work?
Each microchip has a unique number. This number, along with information about the owner and pet, are added to a national registry. Most veterinarians and animal shelters have electronic scanners for detecting and reading these implanted microchips. If a lost pet is found, and the microchip is scanned, the registry is called and the owner is contacted.
Please call us at 603-926-5500 to make an appointment.
One in Three Pets Will Become Lost in Their Lifetime
Without identification, 90 percent of lost pets never return home. Microchip implantation causes no more discomfort than a vaccination and is a simple one-time insertion with a syringe. Almost all humane organizations have scanners that read microchip IDs.
Health & Wellness Animal Hospital offers an array of both prescription and over the counter products to keep your pet happy and healthy. Our in-house pharmacy is stocked with prescription medications to provide preventive care, treat illnesses and ensure that your pet’s medication is always available.
Other products available include:
All Natural Supplements
Lupine Collars and Leads
Our Services:Emergency Care
We see emergencies during our normal hospital hours. Please call us at 603-926-5500 for immediate assistance. If your pet has an after-hours emergency or if we determine that your pet requires overnight nursing care or a level of specialty we cannot provide here, we will co-ordinate your pet’s referral to the appropriate critical care or specialty hospital.
We refer after-hours emergencies to the following critical care facilities:
Veterinary Emergency, Critical Care, and Cancer Treatment Center of NH (VECCNH) 15 Piscataqua Drive, Portsmouth, NH 03801 (P) 603-431-3600
Port City Veterinary Referral Hospital 215 Commerce Way #100, Portsmouth, NH 03801 (P) 603-433-0056
Veterinary Emergency & Surgery Hospital of Brentwood 175 Route 125, Brentwood, NH 03833 (P) 603-642-9111
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About Us:Promotions & Discounts
Senior Citizen Discount
Senior Citizens receive 10% off all services, excluding medications, food, and retail items. (Proper identification required.)
Send-A-Friend Discount
Get a $10.00 credit on your account for the referral of a friend or family member!
Annual veterinary care is crucial to keeping your pet happy and healthy. Click the icons below to learn more about what your veterinarian can do for your pet.
Exams check overall health and detect problems before they become severe or costly.
Vaccines protect against common and fatal diseases based on your pet's age and lifestyle.
Dental and oral care prevents bad breath and diseases that could become life-threatening.
Lab tests diagnose and prevent sickness or injury in safe and non-invasive ways.
Parasite prevention treats and protects against deadly heartworms, parasites, and flea/tick infestations.
Nutrition ensures your pet gets the balanced diet it needs and maintains a healthy weight.
Spaying and neutering protects pets from serious health and behavioral problems.
Care Guides for Pet Owners
Your pet's health also depends on you. Click on the icons below to learn more about what pet owners can do at home to keep their pets living a long, healthy life.
Home care is just as important as veterinary care in keeping your pet happy and healthy.
Care for all ages includes veterinary care and home care tips for your pet at every age.
Ages and stages is our chart to help you find out your pet's age in "human years."
Contact Us:Appointment Request
Pet Wellness:Pet Exams
Bringing your pets to the veterinarian for a physical exam every year is the smartest and easiest way to keep them healthy. Exams allow your veterinarian to detect any problems before they become severe or costly.
Your Veterinarian Will Check...
muscular and skeletal health by feeling for healthy muscle mass and joint pain.
neurologic system – it could indicate birth defects in younger pets, and cognitive issues in older pets.
appropriate weight and lifestyle for your pet's age.
lymph nodes – swollen nodes can indicate a wound, virus, infection or some other illness.
vital signs (temperature, pulse and respiration) – an abnormal reading could indicate illness.
skin and coat condition for growths, infection wounds and overall skin health.
Bring Your Pet to the Veterinarian Every Year for a Clean Bill of Health and Peace of Mind
Your pet can't tell us what's wrong. But routine physical exams can help your veterinarian detect any problems or diseases you might not have otherwise picked up on, including heart murmurs, tumors, enlarged organs, cataracts, ear infections, ear mites, dental and gum disease, skin issues and allergies.
Vaccines protect against common diseases that your pets may become exposed to.
Did You Know?
Vaccines have about a 95% success rate for preventing infections and fatal diseases.
Rabies
The rabies vaccine is required by law and protects against the fatal illness. Rabies can be transmitted to other pets and people through the bite of an infected animal.
Distemper (DHPP)
This combination vaccine protects against viruses that cause life-threatening neurologic, respiratory and gastrointestinal issues.
Leptospirosis
This vaccine protects against a bacteria that can cause deadly kidney or liver disease. Leptospirosis is also transmissible to people.
Lyme
This vaccine helps prevent Lyme disease, which is easily transmitted through the bite of an infected tick.
Lifestyle Vaccines
These might be recommended if your dog visits boarding facilities, groomers, training classes, dog parks, and other social settings.
Bordetella
This vaccine protects against an airborne respiratory virus known as "Kennel Cough."
Canine Influenza
The canine influenza vaccine protects against a contagious respiratory infection.
Rabies
The rabies vaccine is required by law and protects against the fatal illness. Rabies can be transmitted to other pets and people through the bite of an infected animal.
Distemper (FVRCP)
This combination vaccine protects against viruses that cause life-threatening respiratory and gastrointestinal issues.
Lifestyle Vaccine
This is given to all outdoor cats, including those who go out occasionally -even if it's just on an open porch.
Feline Leukemia
This vaccine protects against the contagious and often fatal disease, which is easily spread between cats.
Vaccines are the key to a long and healthy life. Your veterinarian will suggest the best vaccines for your pet based on age, medical history and lifestyle.
Contact Us:Client Forms
New Clients
Thank you for choosing Health & Wellness Aniimal Hospital to care for your pet. Downloading and filling out the New Client Form prior to your first appointment will greatly assist us in adding you and your pet to our system. Please feel free to fax it to us at 603-926-9936 or to bring it with you to your pet's first appointment. We will be happy to contact your previous veterinarian to obtain any necessary information or documentation regarding your pet's medical history.
Pet Wellness:Dental & Oral Care
Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets. Without proper preventive or home care, plaque and tartar can build up, which may cause oral infections, bad breath, infected gum tissues (gingivitis) or even bone loss (periodontitis).
Did You Know?
It's not normal for your pet to have bad breath – it can be a sign of serious dental or gum issues.
Sixty percent of dental disease is hidden below the gum line, and can only be found with x-rays. Brush your pet's teeth regularly and check with your veterinarian about screenings, cleanings and products available to help keep those pearly whites clean.
Pet Wellness:Lab Tests
Yearly lab tests are safe and non-invasive ways to diagnose and prevent sickness or injuries in pets that a physical exam cannot detect.
Blood Screening
A blood screening checks for anemia, parasites, infections, organ function and sugar levels. It is important to get a blood test annually for your pet, to help your veterinarian establish a benchmark for normal values and easily see any changes that may point to problems.
Urinalysis
This test has the ability to screen for diabetes, urinary tract infections, bladder/kidney stones, as well as dehydration and early kidney disease.
Intestinal Parasite Check
Using a stool sample, your veterinarian can check to see if your pet has parasites. Many parasites can be passed on to humans, so it is important to complete this screening annually, especially if your pet has any symptoms including upset stomach, loss of appetite and weight loss.
Routine testing can add years to your pet's life. Your veterinarian will recommend lab tests appropriate for your pet based on age and lifestyle.
Canine Tests
Your veterinarian may check for the presence of heartworms in your dog, as well as the three common tick-borne diseases – Lyme, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia Canis.
Feline Tests
A combination test checks for heartworm, Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). FeLV and FIV are serious diseases that weaken the immune system, making cats susceptible to a variety of infections and other diseases. FeLV is spread through casual contact, and FIV is transmitted primarily through bite wounds. They can also be transferred to cats by their mothers. Any new pets, or sick/stray cats entering a household, should be tested.
Blood Pressure Testing
Senior cats are routinely tested for high blood pressure. It may occur as a secondary disease to another illness and is commonly seen in older cats. But it can affect a cat at any age and cause damage to the eyes, heart, brain and kidneys. A new heart murmur or alterations in your cat's eyes during a routine exam may prompt your veterinarian to take a blood pressure reading.
Pet Wellness:Parasite Prevention
Prevention is the best approach in protecting your pet against deadly heartworms, intestinal parasites, and flea and tick infestations. Your veterinarian will help you find the product that is right for your pet based on his or her needs.
EXTERNAL PARASITES are assessed visually by your veterinarian.
Fleas
Fleas thrive when the weather is warm and humid. All cats and dogs are susceptible to flea infestations. Beyond the skin irritation and discomfort, flea infestations can also cause deadly infections, flea-allergy dermatitis (OUCH!) and the transmission of tapeworm parasites if ingested.
Ticks
Ticks can spread serious infectious diseases such as Lyme, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis and Babesiosis to pets and people. Pet owners should inspect their pets regularly for ticks, large and small, especially after being outside in a wooded or grassy area.
INTERNAL PARASITES are assessed by blood tests and fecal exams.
Intestinal Parasites
Roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm, whipworm, Coccidia, Giardia and Cryptosporidium are all common in cats and dogs. Many of these parasites can be transmitted to you and your family if your pet becomes infected.
Heartworm
Mosquitoes can spread heartworm, a harmful disease that affects both dogs and cats. As its name implies, heartworm lives in the blood of a pet's heart and blood vessels. We recommend annual screenings for both dogs and cats, even if they are already on heartworm preventatives.
Life is better for your pet and family without parasites. Let us help you choose your flea, tick, heartworm and intestinal parasite preventatives today!
Pet Wellness:Nutrition
Just like humans, an animal's diet directly affects its overall health and well-being. Allowing a pet to overeat, or to consume the wrong foods, may lead to a wide variety of ailments including obesity, diabetes and arthritis.
Did You Know?
Over 50% of dogs and cats in the United States are obese or overweight.
Proper Nutrition
Although we think of our pets as family members, they shouldn’t be allowed to eat like us. Maintaining a proper diet will help keep your pet at a healthy weight. Be sure not to overfeed, and that you are providing a diet tailored to your pet's breed, age, weight and medical history.
Common Foods To Avoid
Think twice about feeding your pet table scraps. Common foods such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions and garlic could be dangerous to an animal. Some non-food items like lily plants and antifreeze are also toxic to pets. Check with your veterinarian if your pet has ingested anything questionable.
Growth Diet
Growing puppies and kittens need more nutrient-dense food than adults. Ask your veterinarian which food is right for this stage of life. Cats switch to an adult diet right after being spayed or neutered, no matter what the age, to decrease the likelihood of obesity and related conditions.
Adult Diet
Selecting an adult dog or cat food that will keep your pet healthy and energetic starts with knowing your pet's lifestyle. Does your dog weigh just the right amount and go for long walks daily? Or is it a lap dog that loves nothing more than to snooze the day away? Talk to your veterinarian about these issues to help guide you in choosing the best food for your pet.
Senior Diet
Your senior dog or cat may need fewer calories, less fat, and more fiber as he or she ages. Many older pets can continue eating the food they always have – just a little less to compensate for not being as active. Check with your veterinarian which food and amount is best for your pet.
Every pet ages differently. Your veterinarian can help you determine the best diet for your pet's needs.
Pet Wellness:Spaying & Neutering
Spaying or neutering can protect your pet from serious health and behavioral problems later in life. It also helps control the stray animal population.
Spaying or Neutering Reduces the Risk of...
Uterine Disease
Known as a pyometra, this is a potentially life-threatening condition which can be very expensive to treat. It is 100% preventable if your pet is spayed.
Mammary Tumors (Breast Cancer)
Over one-half of all mammary tumors are malignant and can spread to other areas of the body. Early spaying, prior to your pet beginning its heat cycles, significantly reduces the incidence of tumor formation.
Testicular Cancer
This cancer, as well as prostatitis (an infection causing malignant or benign swelling of the prostate), can be greatly reduced with early neutering.
Behavioral Problems
Unwanted behaviors such as dominance aggression, marking territory and wandering can be avoided with spaying or neutering.
Overpopulation
There are more puppies and kittens in shelters than there are people willing to provide them with love and care. Sadly, many are euthanized. Spaying or neutering can help reduce the number of animals in need of homes.
Spayed and neutered pets live healthier and longer lives! Consider the benefits to your pet and the community, and ask us when is the best time to spay or neuter your pet.
Pet Wellness:Home Care
Make your pet's well-being a priority. See your veterinarian regularly and follow these tips to keep your pet happy and healthy.
Nutrition
Your veterinarian will give you a recommendation for a high quality and nutritious diet for your pet, and advise you on how much and how often to feed him or her. Diets may vary by species, breed and age.
Identification
Microchipping is a safe and permanent identification option to ensure your pet's return should he or she get lost. Ask us about the process and get your pet protected.
Safety
Always keep your dog on a leash in public, and your cat indoors to protect them from common hazards such as cars and other animals.
Grooming
Frequent brushing keeps your pet's coat clean and reduces the occurrence of shedding, matting and hairballs. Depending on the breed, your pet may also need professional groomings.
Dental and Oral Health
Brush your pet's teeth regularly and check with your veterinarian about professional cleanings as well as dental treats and products available to help prevent bad breath, gingivitis, periodontitis and underlying disease. Although your pet's teeth may look healthy, significant disease could be hidden below the gum line.
Exercise
Be sure to spend at least 15 minutes a day playing with your cat to keep him or her active and at a healthy weight. All dogs need routine exercise to stay fit, but the requirements vary by breed and age. Ask us what's best for your dog. Doggy daycares and boarding facilities are other ways to help to burn off some energy and socialize your pets.
Training
Enroll your dog in training classes to improve his or her behavior with pets and people. Cats need minimal training. Be sure to provide them with a litter box beginning at four weeks of age.
Environmental Enrichment
Entertain your pet's natural instincts by using toys that encourage them to jump and run. Cats especially need to fulfill their instinct to hunt – provide interactive toys that mimic prey like a laser pointer or feathers on a wand. You can also hide treats in your pet's toys or around the house to decrease boredom while you're away.
Be Your Pet's Guardian Angel
Call us if your pet experiences vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, lethargy, trouble breathing, excessive drinking or urinating, wheezing or coughing, pale gums, discharge from nose, swollen eye or discharge, limping, and/or difficulty passing urine or stool as these may be signs of illness.
Pet Wellness:Care for All Ages
Every animal is unique, and the start of each stage of life calls for different home and veterinary care. Check with your veterinarian to establish a proactive wellness plan to keep your pet happy and healthy throughout its life.
Annual Wellness
Puppies and kittens must receive a series of properly staged vaccines and physical exams. During these exams, your veterinarian may also recommend parasite preventatives or lab tests.
Adult pets will need to continue visiting the veterinarian annually for physical exams, recommended vaccines and routine testing.
Senior pets can develop similar problems seen in older people, including heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and arthritis. Your veterinarian may recommend biannual visits to ensure your pet's quality of life.
Spay/Neuter
Females spayed before their first heat cycle will be less likely to get uterine infections, ovarian cancer and breast cancer. Males neutered at any age will be less likely to get prostate disease. Spaying or neutering also helps prevent behavioral problems like marking and escaping. Talk to your veterinarian about spaying or neutering your pet.
Nutrition
Pets require different types of food to support each life stage. Growing puppies and kittens need more nutrient-dense food than adults while adult dogs and cats need food that will keep them healthy and energetic. Your senior dog or cat may need fewer calories, less fat, and more fiber as he or she ages. Talk to your veterinarian to determine what's appropriate for your pet.
Exercise
Adult dogs should stay active with daily walks and one-on-one training. Keep your adult cats fit by using toys that encourage them to run and jump, and be sure to give them at least 15 minutes of playtime a day.
Weight management of your senior dog or cat is extremely important to ensure they are at an ideal body weight and able to move around comfortably.
Training
Behavioral issues are a major cause of pet abandonment. Begin training your puppy or kitten right away to prevent bad habits and establish good ones.
Start house training your puppy as soon as you get home. Keep your puppy supplied with plenty of chew toys so he or she gets used to gnawing on those and not your belongings.
All cats need a litter box, which should be in a quiet, accessible room. Place your kitten in the box after a meal or whenever it appears he or she needs to go. Be sure to scoop out solids daily and empty it out completely once a week. The number of boxes in your household should be the total of number of cats plus one.
Pet Wellness:Ages & Stages
Animals age at a faster rate than humans do, and your pet's health needs will evolve over time. Use this chart to figure out your pet's age in human years, and check with your veterinarian to establish a wellness plan specific to your young, adult or senior pet.
Pet Wellness:More Resources & Links
The veterinary resources featured on this page provide useful information to pet owners on a variety of topics related to veterinary medicine and pet health care.
Please call us at (603) 926-5500 if you want to discuss possible signs of pain, prevention and treatment options for your pet. Please review the following links for more information.
My Dog’s Mind: Head trainer Terence Kirby has been helping dogs and their owners overcome behavioral issues for nearly a decade.
Tails of Rye: This canine rehabilitation center offers an underwater treadmill, manual therapy, hydrotherapy, as well as many other therapeutic modalities to get your beloved dog back on its feet… or paws!
This March, save on your pet's wellness fecal test.
Throughout the month of March we're offering wellness fecal tests for $38 (usually $46).
Unlike fleas and ticks, internal parasites live in your pet’s gastrointestinal track. Most are never seen, but they can cause weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy.
Humans can become infected the same way pets do – by having contact with stool or soil containing eggs or larvae. Fecal tests allow your doctor to check your pet for internal parasites, like roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, giardia, and coccidia.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition recently put out a voluntary recall on their canned food products due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D. Although animals benefit from vitamin D, ingesting too much of it can lead to potential health issues. Luckily, in most cases, complete recovery is expected after discontinuation of the canned food.
Hill’s is working in coordination with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to get the affected products recalled. As of right now, the recall only extends to canned food and does not apply to dry food, cat food, or other treats.
Dr. Shawna Chag, our Chief of Staff, grew up in Texas and attended the Texas A&M University for both her undergraduate degree and her DVM. She boasts years of experience working in many general and emergency veterinary hospitals in the area, including the Bridgton Veterinary Hospital in ME, Greenland Animal Hospital in NH, Fremont Animal Hospital in NH, Hampstead Animal Hospital in NH, and the Veterinary Emergency Critical Care & Referral Center (VECC) in Newington, NH. She even filled in here at Health & Wellness Animal Hospital while she was working at VECC, before joining our team full-time.
Dr. Chag's special interests include emergency and critical care, preventive medicine, senior pet care, ophthalmology, and internal medicine. Outside of work she enjoys running and spending time with family. Her furry (and scaly) family consists of three cats, LMM, Kona and Hilo; a beta fish named Emm; and two Guinea pigs, Gus and Mia.
Emily Casey, DVM
Dr. Emily Casey studied agriculture and animal health at Clemson University in South Carolina prior to attending the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. While in vet school, she gravitated toward large animal medicine, particularly equine health. This fondness compelled her to accept a position of employment at a rural, mixed animal practice upon completion of her DVM degree. Two years there incorporated a phenomenal diversity of patients and cases into her job experience; overnight on-call duty, emergency care, farm visits, exotic pets and wildlife patients seasoned the day-to-day clinic cases with great variety. Because this type of schedule proved to be all-consuming, Dr. Casey transferred to a suburban Atlanta dog/cat only clinic with a more predictable schedule. This shift in hours allowed her the flexibility to enjoy her growing family.
Health & Wellness Animal Hospital's Dedicated Team
Pain Management and Healing With Laser Therapy
Health and Wellness Animal Hospital provides both traditional and alternative treatment options to provide the best care for your pets. One of our specialties is pain management using laser therapy.
Laser therapy utilizes a beam of light, which penetrates deeply into tissues to produce physiologic positive changes that both modify pain neurochemicals and reduces inflammation in the tissues.
In other words, laser therapy treatment reduces pain, decreases inflammation, and accelerates healing in pets. It's a pain free-treatment that feels like a warm massage!
Therapeutic laser can be used to treat acute and chronic ear infections, arthritis, hot spots, fractures, and a variety of other conditions in pets. Protocols vary from a single treatment to a series of treatments spaced accordingly, depending on the severity of the symptoms and how chronic the condition is.
Here are 5 things you need to know about laser therapy and how it’ll help your pet feel better and heal quicker:
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol sweetener that has become increasingly popular in dental products and chewing gum over the past few years. It's loved for human consumption because of its low glycemic index and because it is not an "artificial" sweetener.
Recently, peanut butter and other nut butter companies have begun to add this ingredient to their products. The three brands that currently have xylitol in them are Nuts 'n More, Krush Nutrition and P-28 Foods, but there is concern that the ingredient's use in foods may become more widespread.
Xylitol is extremely dangerous to dogs, so please check the label before making treats for your pooch or indulging them in your breakfast favorite. Just 2 ounces of a product sweetened with xylitol is enough to be a toxic dose for a 25-pound dog!
Experts warn that pet owners should always check food labels before feeding something to their pet, especially if the food is marked as "sugar free" or "no sugar added" as these goods may also have harmful effects on your pet.
Annual preventive care for dogs typically includes:
Annual preventive care for cats typically includes:
Below are our recommendations for your puppy's or kitten's first year.
Our alternative veterinary medical therapies include:
A successful recuperation is our goal and our experienced and caring team of veterinarians is supported by our:
An ultrasound uses sound waves, rather than radiation, to penetrate internal organs. X-ray images use radioactive light and can only pick up dense body parts (such as bone and cartilage), but cannot show detail of tissues. Small, fine details that cannot be seen on x-rays may be easily seen on ultrasound.
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When dental problems and oral diseases are diagnosed, sometimes a dental procedure may be necessary. Health & Wellness Animal Hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art oral surgical equipment and the latest technology to provide your pet with a safe and advanced dental procedure.
Arthritis 
What is microchipping?
Veterinary Emergency, Critical Care, and Cancer Treatment Center of NH (VECCNH) 
Your Veterinarian Will Check...
This March, save on your pet's wellness fecal test.
Dr. Shawna Chag, our Chief of Staff, grew up in Texas and attended the Texas A&M University for both her undergraduate degree and her DVM. She boasts years of experience working in many general and emergency veterinary hospitals in the area, including the Bridgton Veterinary Hospital in ME, Greenland Animal Hospital in NH, Fremont Animal Hospital in NH, Hampstead Animal Hospital in NH, and the Veterinary Emergency Critical Care & Referral Center (VECC) in Newington, NH. She even filled in here at Health & Wellness Animal Hospital while she was working at VECC, before joining our team full-time.
Dr. Emily Casey studied agriculture and animal health at Clemson University in South Carolina prior to attending the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. While in vet school, she gravitated toward large animal medicine, particularly equine health. This fondness compelled her to accept a position of employment at a rural, mixed animal practice upon completion of her DVM degree. Two years there incorporated a phenomenal diversity of patients and cases into her job experience; overnight on-call duty, emergency care, farm visits, exotic pets and wildlife patients seasoned the day-to-day clinic cases with great variety. Because this type of schedule proved to be all-consuming, Dr. Casey transferred to a suburban Atlanta dog/cat only clinic with a more predictable schedule. This shift in hours allowed her the flexibility to enjoy her growing family.
Health and Wellness Animal Hospital provides both traditional and alternative treatment options to provide the best care for your pets. One of our specialties is pain management using laser therapy.
Recently, peanut butter and other nut butter companies have begun to add this ingredient to their products. The three brands that currently have xylitol in them are Nuts 'n More, Krush Nutrition and P-28 Foods, but there is concern that the ingredient's use in foods may become more widespread.