Dog & Cat Wellness Exams in Lake Hopatcong, NJ

A wellness exam is the single most useful appointment your pet will have all year. It is the visit where a veterinarian checks a dog or cat that seems fine for the early, quiet signs of trouble, a heart murmur, a dental problem, weight creeping up, a lump that wasn’t there last spring. At Lake Hopatcong Animal Hospital in Lake Hopatcong, NJ, our wellness exams are built to catch those things while they are still small and manageable, because animals instinctively hide illness until it is advanced.

Pets age far faster than we do, so a once-a-year exam for an adult dog or cat is roughly the equivalent of a person seeing their doctor only once every four to five years. That cadence is exactly why preventive visits matter, and why we tailor them to your pet’s stage of life.

Wellness Care by Life Stage

Puppies & Kittens

Young pets need frequent visits during their first months, typically every three to four weeks until about 16 weeks of age, to complete their core vaccine series, check for intestinal parasites, start parasite prevention, and discuss spay or neuter timing. These early exams also set the foundation for a calm, positive relationship with the vet.

Adult Dogs & Cats

Healthy adult pets generally do well with an annual wellness exam. We perform a nose-to-tail physical, review diet and weight, update vaccines as needed, and recommend screening bloodwork so we have a baseline to compare against in future years.

Senior Pets (Roughly Age 7+)

For senior dogs and cats we often recommend a wellness check every six months, because half a year is a meaningful span of a senior pet’s life. These visits focus on early detection of arthritis, kidney and thyroid changes, dental disease, and other age-related conditions. Learn more about our in-house diagnostics that support senior screening.

What’s Included in a Wellness Exam at Our Hospital

A wellness visit at Lake Hopatcong Animal Hospital is hands-on and unhurried. A typical exam includes:

A full physical, eyes, ears, mouth, skin and coat, heart and lungs, abdomen, joints, and lymph nodes
Weight and body-condition assessment, with practical advice on diet and exercise
A dental check for tartar, gum disease, and problem teeth
Review and updating of vaccinations appropriate to your pet’s lifestyle
Parasite screening, including fecal testing and heartworm/tick-borne disease checks through our in-house lab
Time to talk through any changes you’ve noticed at home

Watch for these signs that your pet may be due for a visit sooner rather than later: changes in eating or drinking, unexplained weight loss or gain, behavioral changes, difficulty moving or lethargy, or any visible discomfort. If you notice any of these, please call us.

Why Families Choose Lake Hopatcong Animal Hospital

Lake Hopatcong Animal Hospital has cared for the pets of Morris and Sussex County for more than 40 years. We are a family-owned, woman-led practice that treats dogs and cats only, so every protocol, every piece of equipment, and every conversation is built around companion-animal medicine.

Our veterinary team carries decades of New Jersey practice experience. Dr. Jose A. Navarro, D.V.M. has practiced in New Jersey since 1975, and Dr. Elizabeth Z. Navarro, D.V.M. since 1976; both focus on general medicine, surgery, and dentistry. Dr. Shelli Skeels, D.V.M., licensed in New Jersey and Florida, rounds out the team. You can read what local pet owners say on our reviews page, or meet the full team here.

40+ years serving Lake Hopatcong and the surrounding towns
Family-owned and woman-led, not a corporate chain
Dogs and cats only, with an in-house lab, digital X-ray, and ultrasound
An on-site pharmacy so most prescriptions are filled before you leave
Same-day sick visits can usually be accommodated, just call ahead
10% off your first visit as a new client

Areas We Serve

We welcome dog and cat owners from Lake Hopatcong and the neighboring communities of Sparta, Netcong, Byram, Wharton, and Mine Hill, across Morris and Sussex County, NJ.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should my dog or cat have a wellness exam?

As a general guide: puppies and kittens are seen every three to four weeks until about 16 weeks old, healthy adult dogs and cats benefit from an annual exam, and senior pets (around age 7 and up) are best seen every six months so age-related changes are caught early.

What is the difference between a wellness exam and a sick visit?

A wellness exam is a planned, preventive checkup for a pet that appears healthy, designed to catch problems early and keep vaccines and screening up to date. A sick visit addresses a specific problem you’ve already noticed, such as vomiting, limping, or not eating.

What tests are done at a wellness visit?

Beyond the physical exam, we commonly recommend a fecal test for intestinal parasites, a heartworm and tick-borne disease screen, and baseline bloodwork, especially for adult and senior pets. Because we have an in-house lab, many results are available quickly.

Do you see both dogs and cats for wellness care?

Yes. Lake Hopatcong Animal Hospital is a dog-and-cat practice, so our team, equipment, and protocols are focused entirely on companion-animal wellness.

Do you offer a discount for new clients?

Yes, new clients receive 10% off their first visit. Call (973) 663-0889 or request a call back to schedule.

Keep your dog or cat healthy with a wellness exam. Same-day sick visits can usually be accommodated too, just call ahead.

Call (973) 663-0889 Request a Call Back

New clients save 10% off the first visit at Lake Hopatcong Animal Hospital. We care for dogs and cats across Morris and Sussex County, New Jersey.