Medford Animal Hospital

05/27/2026

Mid-week puppy photo dump! Lots of new faces and new cuddles this year! 💚💚

05/26/2026

On Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives for this country. It is a debt we can never fully repay, but we must never stop trying. Thank you so much to those that allow us to live the free lives that we live today. ❤️

05/13/2026

Kidney disease is one of the most common health conditions we see in older dogs and cats — especially cats — and unfortunately, many pets don’t show obvious signs until the disease has already progressed.

Your pet’s kidneys help:
• Filter waste from the body
• Maintain hydration and electrolytes
• Support healthy blood pressure
• Keep the body functioning properly
When the kidneys begin to struggle, signs can include:
• Increased thirst or urination
• Weight loss
• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting or nausea
• Bad breath
• Lethargy or weakness

These changes can happen very gradually and are often mistaken for “just getting older.” That’s why routine exams and lab work are so important — especially for senior pets.

Bloodwork and urine testing can help us detect kidney changes early, sometimes before your pet appears sick at home.

While kidney disease often can’t be cured, early detection and supportive care can help pets live happier, more comfortable lives for much longer. 💚

If your pet is entering their senior years or showing any of these signs, we’re always happy to help answer questions and discuss screening options with you.

05/09/2026

Did you know that pets are generally considered “senior” around 7–8 years old? While many dogs and cats still act young at heart, their bodies can begin changing much sooner than we realize.

As pets age, they become more prone to conditions like:
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Arthritis
• Thyroid disease
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Dental disease
• Cancer

The tricky part is that many of these conditions develop slowly and may not show obvious signs early on. That’s why regular senior checkups and lab work are so important. Routine bloodwork and urine testing help us monitor your pet internally — often allowing us to catch changes before your pet even appears sick at home.

We typically recommend senior pets have exams and lab work more frequently than younger pets, because one year for them is a lot more than one year for us.
Even subtle changes matter:
-Drinking more water
-Sleeping more
-Weight loss or gain
-Stiffness or slowing down
-Changes in appetite or behavior

Aging is not a disease — but senior pets benefit greatly from proactive care and monitoring.
Our goal is to help your pets stay comfortable, healthy, and happy through every stage of life 💚

05/03/2026

05/03/2026

Come see us at Medford Lakes Day!

05/02/2026

Come see us Sunday for a chance to win a very nice gift basket and for some freebie items!

04/23/2026

30 years. 🤍

Today we’re celebrating Nancy—someone who has truly shaped the heart of our hospital.

For 30 years, Nancy has been the steady presence behind it all—the woman who keeps everything moving, holds everyone together, and shows up day after day with dedication, strength, and care. She is the backbone of this hospital in every sense of the word.

So much of what we are today exists because of her—her leadership, her commitment, her knowledge base, and the way she has always put this team, our patients, and our clients first.

There aren’t enough words to fully capture what she means to all of us, but we hope she knows how deeply appreciated, respected, and loved she is (by us and by our extended client family).

Thank you, Nancy, for 30 incredible years. We are so lucky to have you.

04/15/2026

Leptospirosis in Dogs

As the weather warms up here in South Jersey, we start seeing more outdoor activity—for both pets and wildlife. With that comes an increased risk of leptospirosis, a serious bacterial infection we’re diagnosing more frequently in our area.

What is leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis (or “lepto”) is a bacteria spread through the urine of infected wildlife—most commonly raccoons, skunks, foxes, and rodents. It can survive in wet environments like puddles, standing water, mud, and even damp soil.

How do dogs get it?
Dogs don’t need to be deep in the woods to be exposed. Infection can happen by:
• Drinking from puddles or standing water
• Walking through contaminated soil or mud
• Contact with wildlife urine (even in your backyard)
• Licking paws after being outside

Why we consider it a core vaccine now
Lepto used to be considered a “lifestyle” vaccine—but not anymore. In our area, exposure risk is everywhere, including suburban neighborhoods like ours. Because of how easily dogs can come into contact with this bacteria, we now strongly recommend the leptospirosis vaccine as part of routine (core) protection. Especially after the winter we had, the standing water from the melted snow is everywhere.

Why it’s serious
Leptospirosis can cause:
• Kidney failure
• Liver disease
• Fever, vomiting, and lethargy
• In severe cases, it can be life-threatening
It’s also zoonotic, meaning it can spread to people—especially through contact with infected urine.

Treatment
Leptospirosis can be treated, especially when caught early, but it often requires:
• Hospitalization
• IV fluids
• Antibiotics
• Close monitoring of kidney and liver function
Even with treatment, some dogs can have lasting organ damage—which is why prevention is so important. Vaccination is the best way to protect your dog. Avoiding standing water and limiting wildlife exposure helps—but realistically, we can’t eliminate all risk.

If you have questions about whether your dog is protected, we’re always happy to talk. Keeping our pets (and families) safe is what we’re here for 💚

04/08/2026

🌼 Allergy Season is Here… and Your Pet Feels It Too! 🐾

As the weather starts to warm up in our area, we’re seeing a big increase in itchy pets—and allergy season is just getting started.

Just like people, dogs and cats can be sensitive to environmental allergens like pollen, grass, mold, and dust. We can see them show their discomfort through upper respiratory issues like eye redness and discharge like us, but pets also tend to show their allergies through their skin.

Common signs to watch for:
• Excessive itching or scratching
• Licking or chewing paws
• Red, inflamed skin or ears
• Hair loss or hot spots
• Recurrent ear infections
Left untreated, allergies can quickly turn into skin infections and ongoing discomfort—so the earlier we step in, the better.

What you can do:
- Wipe paws after being outside
- Keep up with regular baths (we can recommend the right products!)
- Stay consistent with flea/tick prevention
- Schedule an exam if you’re noticing early signs

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for allergies, but we have lots of options to help keep your pet comfortable—from medications to long-term management plans.
If your pet is already starting to itch, let us know!