Veterinarian Serving Wharton, NJ
There’s no vet right in Wharton, so most owners here are driving somewhere for care anyway — and Lake Hopatcong Animal Hospital is a sensible, short trip of about 15 minutes up US-46 from the borough. We’ve cared for dogs and cats from this stretch of Morris County for more than 40 years, and we’re a woman-owned, family-operated practice — a smaller, steadier alternative to the big chains over toward Rockaway. We focus on dogs and cats only. It keeps us good at what matters to your pet.
Why Wharton pet owners choose us
Since Wharton has no clinic of its own, the real question is which nearby vet is worth the drive. Wharton owners pick us for the in-house diagnostics — digital X-ray, ultrasound, and our own lab — so you usually get answers and a treatment plan in the same visit, plus an on-site pharmacy so you can leave with the medication. Add 40-plus years of experience, a team that remembers you, and 10% off the first visit for new clients, and the short hop up Route 46 is an easy call. Wharton sits in the Morris highlands along the old Morris Canal corridor, so we also talk through seasonal tick and heartworm prevention with owners whose pets spend time outdoors.
Getting here from Wharton
The drive is straightforward. From central Wharton near Hugh Force Canal Park and West Central Avenue, pick up US-46 West and follow it toward Lake Hopatcong for roughly eight miles, then connect to NJ-181 toward the lake — we’re at 14 NJ-181 with parking out front. From the Route 15 side of the borough it’s an easy connection over to 181 as well. Plan on about 15 minutes in normal traffic.
Veterinary care for every stage of your pet’s life
From a brand-new puppy’s first checkup to a senior cat’s comfort care, we adjust everything to where your pet is in life.
Puppy & kitten care
Got a new puppy or kitten? The first visit covers a full physical, a stool check for parasites, deworming, and the start of a staged vaccine series — usually every three to four weeks from about 6–8 weeks until 16 weeks. Bring any paperwork from the breeder or shelter and a list of questions; we’ll also cover spay/neuter timing, microchipping, food, and house-training. It’s the visit that sets your pet up for a healthy life.
Adult dogs & cats
Adult pets thrive on an annual wellness exam: a head-to-tail physical, a parasite plan for Wharton’s wooded highlands, dental monitoring, and boosters as needed. It’s far cheaper to prevent than to treat — the yearly visit is where we catch the early signals.
Senior pets
Older dogs and cats benefit from a checkup every six months, often paired with in-house bloodwork to monitor kidneys, thyroid, and heart, along with mobility and weight support. When the time comes, we offer gentle end-of-life care with compassion.
Services for Wharton dogs and cats
Everything your dog or cat needs, in one nearby place:
- Wellness exams — annual checkups that catch issues early.
- Vaccinations — puppy, kitten, and adult vaccines, including rabies.
- Spay & neuter — safe, monitored surgery.
- Dental cleaning — professional cleanings for long-term health.
- Diagnostics — on-site lab, X-ray, and ultrasound.
- Soft-tissue surgery — experienced surgical care.
- Same-day sick visits — call early when your pet’s unwell and we’ll try to fit you in.
- Nutrition consultations — tailored diet and weight plans, including Hill’s and Royal Canin prescription foods.
- On-site & online pharmacy — fast refills.
- Compassionate euthanasia — gentle end-of-life support.
The team caring for Wharton’s pets
If you’re going to drive for care, it should be to people you trust. Ours have practiced in New Jersey for decades:
- Jose A. Navarro, D.V.M. — licensed in New Jersey since 1975; general veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry.
- Elizabeth Z. Navarro, D.V.M. — licensed in New Jersey since 1976; general medicine, surgery, and dentistry.
- Dr. Shelli Skeels, D.V.M. — licensed in New Jersey and Florida; owned and operated Montville Animal Hospital for 28 years.
They’re backed by long-tenured support staff who know our patients well. Meet the team before your first visit.
A bit about the area we share
Wharton sits in the Morris County highlands, and a piece of local history runs right through it: the Morris Canal, with one of its best-preserved sections — Lock 2 East — still watered at Hugh Force Canal Park. That same canal once climbed all the way up to Lake Hopatcong, so the two towns have been connected for nearly two centuries. For pets today, the wooded highlands setting means tick exposure is real from spring into fall — worth a quick conversation at your next visit.
New clients save 10% — and here are our hours
First visit with us? Save 10% — just mention it when you book.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
We work by appointment for routine and non-urgent care. We are not a 24-hour or emergency hospital, so for a sick pet please call as early in the day as you can. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, cash, and check.
Wharton veterinarian FAQ
How far is Lake Hopatcong Animal Hospital from Wharton?
About 15 minutes — roughly eight miles up US-46, then over to NJ-181 at 14 NJ-181.
Is there a vet actually in Wharton?
There isn’t a clinic in the borough itself, so Wharton owners drive to nearby towns regardless. We’re a short trip up Route 46 with full in-house diagnostics, surgery, and a pharmacy — and new clients save 10%.
When should I bring a new puppy in for its first visit?
Within the first week of bringing your puppy home is ideal, and before then if it seems unwell. Early visits let us start the vaccine series on time, check for parasites, and get ahead of any health issues. The same applies to new kittens.
What should I bring to my puppy’s first vet visit?
Bring a few things to make the visit count:
- Any health or vaccine records from the breeder or shelter
- A recent stool sample, if you can collect one
- The food your puppy is currently eating (or the label)
- A leash for dogs or a secure carrier for kittens
- A written list of your questions
What happens at the first visit?
We take a full history, weigh your pet, and do a nose-to-tail physical — eyes, ears, teeth, heart, lungs, skin, and joints. We check the stool sample for parasites, deworm if needed, start the appropriate vaccines, and talk through nutrition, spay/neuter timing, and what to expect next.
What animals do you treat?
Dogs and cats, exclusively — wellness, vaccines, dental, surgery, diagnostics, and nutrition. Call (973) 663-0889 to book.
Ready when you are
Call (973) 663-0889 or request a call back to schedule your dog or cat’s appointment. See what local owners say in our reviews, meet our team, or explore nearby Mine Hill and Netcong.