Once again we would like to extend our heart-felt appreciation to all our clients who voted for us in the 2024 Central Jersey Community’s Choice Awards!
Belle Mead Animal Hospital was selected as a finalist in the contest. We could not have done it without you – all of our valued clients.
We love treating your pets as if they were our own, and will continue to do our best to serve you throughout the coming year.
Belle Mead Animal Hospital, Your Other Family Doctors
A microchip is the size of a tiny piece of rice that can be inserted between the shoulder blades of a dog or a cat within seconds. We just use a special needle with a microchip at your veterinarian’s office.
We can do this on any pet at any age – awake or sedated. It’s no more painful than a shot. We typically recommend doing it young when the pet is around six months old and getting spayed or neutered. However, if that opportunity was missed, it could be done anytime. Just talk to your veterinarian hospital staff.
It’s also very affordable, less than $75, and it’s safe and a necessity for any pet who can’t advocate for themselves, which is all pets. These microchips never cause issues and usually stay under the skin right where they’re placed, between the shoulder blades. They usually work forever, so one and done. However occasionally they can migrate up or down the back or even down the leg, or occasionally they can stop working. This doesn’t cause any issues, but have your pet scanned yearly to be sure placed properly and working.
When lost pets are scanned, the entire body SHOULD be scanned, and if not found between the shoulder blades right away, then scan up and down the front legs to catch any that may have migrated. But, as a pet owner, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AT THEIR YEARLY VET EXAM, to ask for a quick scan to make sure that: (1) the chip is still working, (2) the location of the chip is good, and (3) that the chip information is correct.
Remember, microchips save lives and reunite families with their pets. One pet every 6 minutes is reunited with their owner in America because of a microchip. Chips are inert and safe. There are no electronics, no emitters and no radiation. It’s not a LoJack, just a chip. So when your pet gets lost because someone left the gate/door open accidentally, or the dog ran away or was stolen, it will eventually get picked up and brought to a veterinary clinic or an animal shelter. We will scan for a chip with a hand-held scanner, and within seconds we have the information you want us to know.
For example, your name and your phone number, or your name and your address and your phone number or email. It’s something that can be changed whenever you move at no additional charge just by logging on.
If your pet ever gets lost, you can’t depend on a collar identification only. Most pets lose collars or tags while on the run. They can’t lose a microchip. When a pet is found by a stranger or a Good Samaritan, they will call the police or animal control, and the pet usually ends up in an animal shelter. A shelter that is full could potentially traumatize or euthanize your dog or cat if they are not microchipped. Protect your pets. Microchips save lives.
Joseph Martins, DVM, Belle Mead Animal Hospital
With gorgeous sunny weather, it was another fun-filled family event for pets and people on Saturday, October 26, 2024. The Dog Park at Ann Van Middlesworth Park in Hillsborough, New Jersey was once again the scene for the annual HOWL-O-Ween Dog Costume Parade with local girl scouts as judges for category winners.
Belle Mead Animal Hospital participated with a table full of treats and information. BMAH also donated a Gift Basket for one of the lucky costume winners. Participant check-in began at 8:30 a.m. by the Pavilion. The town Mayor kicked off the parade at 9:00 a.m. with a thank you to the business gift doners, and folks got in line with their costumed dogs, and the parade began by making their way up the path to the dog park.
The costume creativity never disappoints at this event! Dogs of all sizes masqueraded as butterflies, lions, witches, and bats, to name a few!
The raffle winner of the BMAH Gift Basket was fully costumed with her dog, Shayara, a pit and boxer mix. Other category winners named were Best Large Dog, Best Small Dog, and Best Group.
Our patient Jazzy participated with her mom and was so excited to get treats at our table! All the dog participants were dressed to impress, and even if not awarded the best in their category, they were still winners in our opinion for showing up and showing off!
Thanks Hillsborough Department of Parks and Recreation for organizing another successful event. A Howling good time was had by all.
Find more photos on our Facebook page here.
Belle Mead Animal Hospital, Your Other Family Doctors
Handling Every Pet with Love Every Day!
As Certified Fear Free Professionals, our Mission is to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety and stress in pets by inspiring and educating the people who care for them. Visit Fear Free Happy Homes here to learn more!
Dear Friends and Clients,
Once again, it is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my former veterinary school classmate, my best friend of 30 years, my brother from another mother, James Edwin Speir, DVM. Jim was living his life in the Dominican Republic doing what he loved most by serving the community of less fortunate animals, providing compassionate veterinary care through a local Dominican rescue, Cocomutts.
In order to keep his dream regarding animal rescue alive, I am asking for donations for this special cause. Donations made with the reference “In honor of Dr. Jim Speir” will be matched by Shari Shakun of Cocomutts Inc. and her husband through September 30, 2024.
Donations can be made Care Of: Shari Shakun of the US nonprofit organization Cocomutts Inc. in the following ways:
Venmo: @shari-shakun.
Zelle: 508-361-0134.
Checks can be made payable to Cocomutts Inc
Mail: Shari Shakun c/o Cocomutts Inc, 8 Neck Hill Rd, Mendon, MA, 01756
Tax ID of Cocomutts Inc is #99-1883608
Please put James Speir in the memo of any funds sent so that it can be noted and designated as a matched donation.
Jim unfortunately lost his life on February 7, 2024 due to a single motorcycle accident on a rural road in the Dominican Republic.
Two weeks before Jim died, another kind and gentle animal advocate and environmentalist, Michel, who Jim was working with was building a veterinary hospital and animal rescue and sanctuary, suddenly and unexpectedly died at the local gym while working out. This left Jim, Jana, and Shari of Cocomutts, Inc. to continue to care for over sixty dogs. Jim took great pride in going there and getting to know each animal and helping with their feeding and care.
After Jim’s death, we were all grief stricken and paralyzed, and the veterinary clinic remains 80% complete, but construction has halted due to lack of funds.
In honor of Jim Speir and the legacy of his life, donations made to Cocomutts, Inc. will be 100% used for the completion of the veterinary clinic and the continued care of all of these animals and the surrounding pets of the community.
Jim knew that we were all different, but we were all connected. Before he passed, he had finally found his home away from home, living his most ideal, simple life of helping animals in a Spanish speaking community that he loved.
Thank you for your consideration. Your donation big or small will be made with matching funds through September 30, 2024 and will go a long way toward the continued care and survival of animals in need.
In loving memory of Dr. James Edwin Speir, DVM
August 18, 1970 – February 7, 2024
Sincerely,
Dr. Joe Martins, DVM
Belle Mead Animal Hospital
Please make note of our new hours of operation. Belle Mead Animal Hospital will close at 5 pm on Fridays effective September 1st, 2024.
Weekly hours Monday through Thursday are 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Fridays 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturdays 8 a.m. – 12 noon
Sundays we are closed. Be sure to visit our Pet Emergency page on our website to locate a 24/7 clinic near you in case your pet experiences a medical emergency while we are closed: https://www.bellemeadanimalhospital.com/emergency/
We will continue to offer the same level of care and personal attention to your pets as we have done in the past. Please be sure to visit our Services Page on our website to see all that we offer:https://www.bellemeadanimalhospital.com/veterinary-services/
Use the BMAH Website as an Educational Resource!
Did you know you can Search our website for particular topics of information and advice? Visit our Learning Center > Search this Site and enter a word or words of the subject you want to learn more about.
Belle Mead Animal Hospital, Your Other Family Doctors
On August 12th, 2024 the BMAH Team had the benefit of CPR and Recover Training from staff members at the Hickory Veterinary and Specialty Hospital, Plymouth Meeting, PA.
The BMAH doctors and technicians were given direction on how to establish a Team of CPR members who could quickly assemble to save a failing pet. Supplies and drugs were discussed to be at the ready when an animal begins to fail. Discussion also focused on how to even know failure is coming.
Team members were given an opportunity for hands on training with dummy dogs to practice and perfect the procedure. The differences in dog breeds were discussed, as CPR and Recover techniques need to be applied according to the animal’s specific body type.
We’re grateful to those at Hickory Veterinary and Specialty Hospital for this amazing training and contribution to the BMAH team professional development!
Belle Mead Animal Hospital, Your Other Family Doctors
The American Red Cross reports home fires are the most common disaster requiring their response. It follows that Pet Fire Safety Day is July 15, helping to create awareness of house fire dangers. According to the United States Fire Administration, there is an estimated 500,000 pets affected by fires on an annual bas is, while approximately 40,000 pets actually die in house fires annually.
Make sure your emergency disaster plan for your family includes your pets! This means making sure pets should have their own disaster supply kits on hand as well as arranging in advance for a safe place for them to stay if you need to vacate your home. You should even practice evacuation procedures with your pets so in the event of an emergency, everyone knows what to do and how to manage the pets.
Did you know the National Fire Protection Association estimates that nearly 1,000 home fires each year are accidentally started by the homeowners’ pet? Stay safe and keep pets confined and away from potential fire-starting hazards in the home. Remove stove knobs or protect them with covers before leaving the house if the pets are able to get near. Also, don’t allow pets near open flames (candles, burning fireplace). A better choice is using flameless candles, for example, that are pet safe.
It’s also a good idea to affix a pet alert window cling to your front window so that emergency responders know pets might be in the home. Be sure to write down the number of pets inside your house – this critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets.
Recommended Reading:
Most people understand the importance of taking care of their own teeth by brushing and flossing every day along with regular professional cleanings. The honest truth is that pets need more daily care and annual cleanings than most people know. They develop dental disease at early ages and feel dental discomfort and pain just like we do – so much so that February has been deemed National Pet Dental Health Month.
Rabbit Dental
Proactive preventative dental health in the past has been overlooked way too long. Veterinarians, like human doctors, now understand how important oral health is. Veterinary dental care is an essential component of a preventative health care plan.
Periodontal disease
Periodontal disease is the most common disease in pets. Seventy percent of cats and 80 percent of dogs have some form of gum disease by age two-three years old. Overlooked periodontal infection can lead to foul breath, tooth loss, tooth root abscesses, infections, jaw fractures, and even oral cancer.
Bad breath is due to bacteria. Red gums is gingivitis. Flip your pet’s lips and look at their gums and teeth. Bacteria accumulate under the gum. That liquid bacteria dives under the gums and hardens into tartar. This sits and builds on the bone surrounding your pet’s roots. The bacterial infection, if not properly cleaned under the gums, actually eats away at the roots causing bone loss. This causes pain and allows bacteria to continually enter the bloodstream. The longer and more severe the dental disease, the more painful, irreversible, and overwhelming it becomes to a pet’s immune system and organs.
People need to talk to their veterinarian about how regular professional cleanings under anesthesia can help reverse and minimize the impact of dental disease on their pet. It will help pets live years longer and pain free. Shorter, yearly professional care in healthy patients is much safer than delaying treatment requiring longer anesthesia and many extractions at one time.
Proper cleaning of the bone underneath the gum line regularly allows the bone to grow back and improves the dental stage or grade of disease. There are 4 stages or grades of Dental Disease. Periodontal disease progresses from 0 which is normal to Stage 4. The most severe or Grade 4 teeth are the most painful and can no longer be saved. At this point there is usually greater than 50 % bone loss that can never grow back. Stage 4 teeth, however, should not be left to rot. They must be found and removed to save and improve the grade of surrounding teeth and the pet’s health and well- being.
Severe dental disease can actually shorten a pet’s lifespan. Periodontal disease overlooked or left unchecked for years has been linked to many systemic diseases like lung, kidney and liver disease, heart failure and heart attacks. Many dental diseases and conditions like diabetes actually improve with regular proper professional veterinary dental cleanings and treatment.
Professional cleanings are generally recommended annually, but it depends on the pet’s breed and individual health history to determine the exact schedule necessary to maintain healthy teeth.
The importance of proper dental cleanings
Proper dental cleanings require anesthesia which involve ultrasonically scaling, cleaning, and polishing properly above and below the gum line. It also includes probing and rinsing under the gums. Dental X-rays are also the best way to improve the quality of dental care. This is especially true in pets who hide pain from their owners really well. All our lives would be easier if we had X-ray vision or if our pets could just talk. I am sure many more pets would be benefiting from a good dental plan.
Veterinary dentistry, anesthesia, and anesthesia monitoring has tremendously progressed and improved in the past 10-15 years. Anesthesia in pet patients is extremely safe now when performed correctly with all proper safeguards in place.
There are also myths out there that older patients or pets with mild to moderate disease can’t have anesthesia. Don’t allow your pet to develop long term severe disease states. Allow your trusted veterinarian to help you decide what is in your pet’s best interest. There are many health benefits with keeping up with good preventative veterinary healthcare.
What about “anesthesia free” dental cleanings?
You might have seen “anesthesia free” dental cleanings for pets promoted online or elsewhere. Beware and become aware. Anesthesia free teeth cleaning of a pet’s teeth can be a dangerous and and uncomfortable process for the pet. The description of the procedure to the pet parent is often very misleading.
Anesthesia free dentistry sounds great, but unfortunately it can do much more harm than good. A cleaning procedure with dangerous, sharp instruments used on a fully awake pet is ineffective. The procedure is stressful, traumatizing and painful to an innocent pet.
Many pets have painful cavities underneath the gum line that no one can see without proper probing and digital dental X-rays. This is why “anesthesia free” dentistry is illegal in California.
We recommend daily brushing of your pet’s teeth. This coupled with regular dental exams by your veterinarian can ensure proper treatment is given when needed. Professional, consistent deep cleaning under the gums with the use of anesthesia is a solid preventative measure to ward off dental pain and tooth loss.
Recommended Reading:
Anesthesia – is it safe
Pet dental care – case study
Why animals need anesthesia for complete dental cleaning – Ask the Vet
Dr. Joe Martins, DVM, Belle Mead Animal Hospital
Dr Joe Martins, DVM, Belle Mead Animal Hospital
Many of the things that make the holidays enjoyable for people can be harmful to our pets. Data indicates that emergency visits to animal clinics escalate from Thanksgiving through the New Year holiday. Here are some reminders to keep your pets safe and healthy.
Holiday Decorations – Consider pets when decorating. Dogs and cats are attracted to shiny objects like tinsel and glass bulbs and may chew on and swallow objects that require emergency care and surgery. Supervise animals around lighted Christmas trees and secure and inspect electrical wires daily. Avoid using food for decorations. Popcorn and cranberries strung on thread or string, for example, are a choking hazard for dogs and cats and can cause intestinal blockages which can be life-threatening.
Food and Treats – Your dog might find rich, high-fat foods such as turkey skin, butter and other ingredients used in baking are tasty treats, but these same foods can also make your dog very ill. Please be mindful and keep fatty table scraps, human baked goods, and candy away from pets, and discourage house guests from feeding pets as well. Other common offenders are chicken bones, fried chicken, dry brownie mix, and foil-wrapped chocolate. Treat your pet instead to foods and baked goods made especially for them that are pet-safe.
Cold Weather Caution: When temperatures dip below 40 degrees, dog owners should limit outside exposure for puppies, senior pets, and pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and arthritis. Cold weather may worsen some medical conditions, and those pets with hormonal imbalances such as Cushing’s disease may have a harder time regulating their body temperature and may be more susceptible to problems from temperature extremes. Make sure you alert your veterinarian of any unusual or worsening symptoms during the winter. An exam may be in order, and therapy and/or medications may be prescribed to help your pet feel better during the cold winter months.
When walking your dog, remember that rough terrain, snow, ice, and road salt can cause paws to bleed and crack. Be mindful and protect your pets’ paws with boots while keeping them warm with sweaters and jackets. Clean and inspect paws when back inside and make sure no ice or ice melt remains on their paws.
In case of Emergency – Keep details of who to call and where to find help handy so all family members and even guests know what to do in case a pet ingests a foreign object or shows signs of illness. Visit Reasons to Call Your Veterinarian Immediately and find details for the Pet Poison Helpline and nearby Emergency Clinics on our Pet Emergency website page.
Belle Mead Animal Hospital, Your Other Family Doctors
Currently we are seeing our typical cases of seasonal upper respiratory diseases that are more prevalent around the holidays each year. We have had some cases of prolonged coughing despite treatment in dogs that are otherwise normal, and we have had a few cases with pneumonia that required hospitalization. We would like to stress that this is in line with what we have seen in previous years during this season.
At this writing, there have been confirmed outbreaks of respiratory diseases in other states with an unknown cause that seems to be affecting some dogs very rapidly, resulting in severe pneumonia.
We do not know what the cause is of this severe disease, but multiple labs are working on this. We will update you when more information is available, but also would like to remind you that Bordetella and canine influenza, as well as many other common respiratory pathogens are still out there and result in some of these same symptoms.
If your dog is coughing, please contact us. IF we determine that an appointment is necessary, we will ask that you keep your dog in the car. We recommend all dogs be up to date with Bordetella and canine influenza vaccines. IF your dog has been coughing, EVERY dog in your household should stay home and avoid contact with other dogs for at least 10-14 days after the LAST COUGH. We recommend avoiding boarding and day care options if at all possible, and recommend against any public gatherings like dog parks.
In the hospital and when out and about, please do not allow your dogs to greet each other, or share water or toys.
There was an informative Facebook broadcast produced by our friends at Trupanion with lots of current information on the respiratory diseases we are seeing! It’s over an hour long, but worth watching! Visit k9illness.trupanion.com for access.
Belle Mead Animal Hospital, Your Other Family Doctors
