534 2nd Street Pike, Southampton, PA 18966
Comprehensive Pet Care at Family Pet Clinic
At Family Pet Clinic, we are committed to keeping your pet healthy, happy, and living their best life with you. Our preventive care includes comprehensive exams, vaccinations, and parasite control tailored to your pet’s age and health. To support their well-being, we provide nutrition and weight management guidance. We also recommend microchipping as the most effective way to reunite you with your pet if they ever go missing.
Examinations
No matter how healthy your pet appears, regular checkups are essential. At least once a year, a thorough examination can help detect underlying health issues that may not be obvious. Pets often hide symptoms of illness, making routine checkups crucial for early detection and treatment.
For kittens, puppies, senior pets, or pets with existing health conditions, more frequent visits are advised. Younger pets need regular monitoring to ensure proper growth and vaccinations, while older pets and those with medical concerns require closer observation to maintain their well-being.
At Family Pet Clinic, our experienced team is dedicated to keeping your pet healthy and happy. During a routine exam, we assess their overall condition from nose to tail and discuss any concerns, offering personalized care recommendations.
A full physical examination includes:
- Heartbeat and respiratory rate
- Teeth and gums
- Joints and muscles
- Abdominal region
- Eyes, ears, and nose
- Weight and body composition
- Skin and coat
- Temperature
To help us better evaluate your pet’s health, we request you bring a fresh stool sample for analysis. If parasites are detected, we will discuss appropriate treatment options.
Have questions? Bring them to your visit! Some common concerns include:
Some things that are frequent concerns of clients:
- How long can I leave my pet alone?
- What can I do to reduce my pet’s anxiety?
- How can I create a comfortable sleeping space for my pet?
- Why is my pet avoiding people or other animals?
- What can I do if my pet isn’t interested in playtime?
If your pet requires specialized care, we are happy to refer you to trusted specialists in Southampton, PA.
Vaccinations
Protecting your pet from harmful diseases is crucial, and vaccinations serve as a reliable defense. At Family Pet Clinic, we provide both core and non-core vaccines to ensure your pet stays healthy while also protecting the surrounding pet and human community.
Since every pet has unique needs, we offer personalized vaccination plans tailored to their species, age, lifestyle, and health conditions. Our team specializes in preventive care and will recommend the best protection for your pet.
Core Vaccines are essential for all pets, and the rabies vaccine is required by law in PA.
Core Vaccines Are Highly Recommended for All Pets. Rabies is Required by PA Law.
Core Canine Vaccines
- DHPP: Protects against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza—four common and serious diseases.
- Rabies: A legally required vaccine that prevents this fatal disease in both animals and humans.
Core Feline Vaccines
- FVRCP: Shields against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia—airborne viruses that can be severe.
- Rabies: Mandatory by law to prevent the spread of this deadly virus.
Non-core Vaccines Are Based on Your Pet’s Age, Lifestyle, Health, and Risk of Exposure.
Non-core Canine Vaccines
- Bordetella: Helps prevent kennel cough, especially for social pets visiting dog parks, boarding facilities, or pet-friendly spaces.
- Leptospirosis: Protects against a bacterial infection that spreads through contaminated water or soil and can also affect humans.
- Lyme Disease: Recommended for dogs at risk of tick exposure.
- Canine Influenza Virus (CIV): Helps prevent flu outbreaks among dogs.
Non-core Feline Vaccines
- FeLV/FIV: Protects against feline leukemia and immunodeficiency virus, particularly for outdoor or multi-cat households.
Vaccines stimulate the immune system by introducing controlled, safe exposure to disease organisms. This process allows pets to build immunity so they can fight off infections more effectively.
Have questions about your pet’s vaccinations? Contact Family Pet Clinic today!
Parasite Control
Parasites such as fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and intestinal worms are more common than many pet owners realize. Fortunately, year-round prevention can help keep your pet safe.
At Family Pet Clinic, we take a proactive approach by offering continuous preventative medication and annual parasite screenings. Our team will assess your pet’s lifestyle and risk factors to recommend the best parasite control plan.
Fleas
Fleas are most active in warmer months but exist year-round. They reproduce rapidly and can spread from animals to humans. Flea bites can cause health issues like tapeworms, allergic reactions, and bacterial infections. In severe cases, flea bites can even lead to fatal complications.
Ticks
Ticks can transmit serious illnesses such as ehrlichiosis, Bartonella, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, tick paralysis, and Lyme disease. Always check your pet (and yourself) for ticks after spending time outdoors. Ticks thrive in grassy fields and wooded regions.
Mosquitoes
Mosquito bites may seem minor, causing only itchiness and discomfort, but they can transmit heartworm larvae, which pose life-threatening risks to pets. Dogs are particularly vulnerable, though cats can also be affected.
Heartworms
Heartworms are among the most dangerous parasites, residing in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. They cause severe, often irreversible damage, potentially leading to a slow and painful decline. Protect your pet with monthly preventative treatments.
Intestinal Parasites
Intestinal parasites are common in pets and can lead to severe illness if untreated. These include hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, roundworms, giardia, and coccidia. They spread through contaminated soil and animal waste, making outdoor exposure a risk.
Young pets, with their developing immune systems, are especially at risk. Early testing and treatment are essential to ensure their health. Preventative measures not only protect your pet but also safeguard your family from potential infections. Practicing good pet hygiene and washing hands after handling pets that have been outside is highly recommended.
- Roundworms resemble angel hair pasta and may be visible in pet stool.
- Hookworms, about an inch long, have a curved shape and attach to the stomach lining, causing ulcers.
- Whipworms are curled, measuring around 2-3 inches.
- Tapeworms are common and can cause digestive blockages.
- Giardia and coccidia, often affecting young pets, are microscopic and may cause vomiting or diarrhea.
Microchipping
At Family Pet Clinic, we understand that pets can get lost. Each year, one in three pets goes missing, accounting for nearly ten million lost or stolen pets annually. To enhance pet safety, we strongly recommend microchipping. This advanced identification method greatly improves the likelihood of reuniting with lost pets. Microchips can be inserted at any age, with earlier placement being ideal.
The process is quick, easy, and painless. It can be performed alongside routine wellness exams or dental cleanings. After insertion, owners must register their contact details in the national database. If you relocate or change numbers, updating this information is simple.
Each microchip carries a unique serial number. Shelters and veterinary clinics use scanners to retrieve pet owner information, ensuring lost pets can be identified and returned home.
While microchips are highly reliable, we also suggest using collars and ID tags as additional precautions.
Nutrition & Weight Management
Nutrition & Weight Management
Pet obesity is a growing concern. According to a 2017 clinical study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, approximately 56% of dogs and 60% of cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese.
Obesity increases the risk of various health problems, including kidney disease, liver complications, respiratory disorders, chronic inflammation, metabolic imbalances, endocrine disorders, high blood pressure, cancer, and reduced quality of life.
To promote optimal health, our team at Family Pet Clinic closely monitors pet weight and provides guidance for maintaining a healthy body condition.
Common obesity factors include:
- Food. Extra food from the table or excessive treats may seem harmless, but those additional calories contribute significantly to weight gain.
- Lack of exercise. Even pets that spend time outdoors may not be getting adequate activity. Dogs benefit from daily walks, while cats should be encouraged to play with interactive toys that promote movement.
- Medications. Some medications can cause weight gain by increasing appetite or affecting metabolism.