FAQs – Animals First + Veterinary Hospital in Haddon Township, NJ
Animals First + Veterinary Hospital provides compassionate veterinary care for dogs, cats, pocket pets, birds, and exotic pets in Haddon Township, NJ, and the surrounding communities. This FAQ provides answers to common questions about our veterinary clinic and the services we provide. It also covers appointments, urgent care, preventive medicine, specialized treatments, and more.
New Clients and General Care
Where is Animals First + Veterinary Hospital located?
Animals First + Veterinary Hospital is located at 7 Cuthbert Blvd, Haddon Township, NJ 08107, near the intersection of White Horse Pike and Cuthbert Blvd. Our location makes us a convenient option for anyone who is looking for a great veterinarian near me in Haddon Township and the surrounding areas.
What are your hours?
Our hospital is open:
- Monday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
If you know or suspect that your pet is having an emergency after hours, call us at 856-946-7788 to hear a recording of recommended urgent care animal clinics in the area.
How do I contact Animals First + Veterinary Hospital?
You can reach our veterinary hospital at 856-946-7788 for appointments and general questions. Our Contact page also has a form you can use to reach us. The page also provides information about emergencies, walk-ins, and after-hours instructions.
How do I become a client of Animals First + Veterinary Hospital?
To become a new client, start by making an appointment. You can call us at 856-946-7788 or fill out our Request an Appointment form to schedule.
Before your first visit, please complete our New Client Form. This gives us key information about your pet so we can understand your animal companion’s care needs from the beginning.
What pets do you treat?
We provide veterinary care for dogs, cats, pocket pets, birds, and exotic pets. Our website also provides educational resources on the nutritional, environmental, behavioral, and preventive-care needs of these species, which is especially important because smaller and exotic animals can hide signs of illness. Read our blog for more care tips and insight.
What makes your veterinary clinic different?
Our approach combines preventive medicine with diagnostic, surgical, critical, and ongoing medical care for a broad range of companion animals. Dr. K Munir has more than 26 years of veterinary experience, holds three doctorate degrees, including a PhD in diagnostic microbiology, and specializes in soft-tissue surgery and diagnostic medicine.
Emergency and Urgent Care
What signs mean my pet needs veterinary care immediately?
Sudden changes in your pet’s breathing, behavior, mobility, appetite, or elimination can signal a medical emergency. Because signs of illness vary among species, watch for the following symptoms:
General Emergency Signs
- Difficulty breathing or severe respiratory distress
- Collapse or loss of consciousness
- Seizures or uncontrolled movements
- Heavy or uncontrolled bleeding
- Sudden abdominal swelling or severe abdominal pain
- Inability to urinate
- Repeated unsuccessful attempts to urinate
- Suspected poisoning or toxin exposure
- Ingestion of a foreign object
- Serious trauma or accident
- Suspected broken bones
- Deep wounds or puncture injuries
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Severe, persistent, or bloody diarrhea
- Sudden confusion or disorientation
- Extreme weakness or inability to stand
- Unresponsiveness or inability to wake normally
- Sudden loss of coordination
- Severe pain or obvious distress
- Pale, blue, gray, or white gums
- Sudden inability to walk
- Severe allergic reaction or facial swelling
- Heatstroke or dangerous overheating
- Sudden vision loss or serious eye injury
Birds
- Open-mouth breathing
- Tail bobbing
- Sitting at the cage bottom
- Inability to perch
- Sudden loss of normal vocalization
- Abrupt changes in droppings
- Sudden refusal to eat
Rabbits
- Refusal to eat
- Few or no fecal pellets
- Severe tooth grinding
- Hunched or unusually still posture
- Sudden changes in normal litter-box habits
Pocket Pets and Small Mammals
- Suddenly becoming unusually withdrawn
- Stopping normal grooming
- Significant change in normal activity
- Unusual vocalization
- Sudden change in eating or drinking habits
Reptiles and Other Exotic Pets
- Inability to right themselves
- Prolapse from the cloaca
- Serious shell damage in turtles or tortoises
- Abnormal shedding with exposed or injured tissue
- Sudden, unexplained changes in coloration
- Persistent difficulty passing stool or urates
If an emergency occurs, we always recommend calling ahead so we can assess the situation and prepare for your pet’s arrival.
Do you provide emergency and urgent veterinary care?
Yes, we welcome emergencies and walk-ins. While we are not a 24/7 urgent care facility, our animal hospital is open seven days a week.
Our critical care service provides urgent medical care for seriously ill or injured pets. If your pet gets sick or injured during business hours, contact us at 856-946-7788 for guidance. For after-hours emergencies, you’ll hear a message that provides information on nearby 24/7 emergency veterinary clinics.
Services and Medical Care
What veterinary services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive veterinary services, which range from routine preventive care to urgent care treatment for illness and injury. We provide wellness and vaccinations, allergy and dermatology care, nutrition and weight management, diagnostics and digital radiology, dentistry, general, oral, and orthopedic surgery, critical care, heartworm testing, laser therapy, and cat boarding.
What types of veterinary diagnostics are available?
Our veterinary diagnostics include an on-site laboratory, digital radiology, and ultrasound. On-site testing can provide quick results in many cases, while imaging helps us investigate problems that a physical exam and lab testing alone may not identify.
What is laser therapy for pets?
Laser therapy is a noninvasive treatment that uses focused light energy to help reduce pain and inflammation and promote healing. We may use it for pets with arthritis, joint and muscle pain, soft-tissue injuries, wounds, or discomfort after surgery. Our veterinarians determine whether laser therapy is appropriate based on your pet’s condition and overall treatment plan.
Does my pet need professional dental care?
Professional veterinary dentistry includes preventive care and treatment for existing oral conditions. We can identify and treat dental disease that may not be obvious at first glance. Signs of dental issues include persistent bad breath, excessive drooling, dropping food, decreased appetite, pawing at the mouth, swelling, loose or missing teeth, and red, swollen, or bleeding gums. If your pet has any of these signs, contact us to schedule a veterinary evaluation.
Good oral health can make a meaningful difference in your pet’s comfort and daily quality of life, so we encourage you to mention changes in eating, chewing, breath, or behavior at your exam.
What types of surgery do you perform?
Our veterinary surgical services include general, oral, and orthopedic procedures. We perform preoperative screening before surgery. We also carefully monitor your pet before, during, and after the procedure. After the operation, we follow up with monitoring and individualized aftercare instructions.
Do you provide nutrition and weight-management guidance?
Yes. We provide individualized nutrition and weight-management plans based on each pet’s needs and life stage. Our nutrition & weight management service addresses appropriate diets, healthy weight ranges, exercise strategies, and adjustments as pets grow older or their needs change.
Can you care for exotic pets and pocket pets?
Yes. In addition to treating dogs and cats, we treat exotic pets, birds, and pocket pets. We always focus on species-appropriate care. Regular examinations are particularly important for birds, reptiles, and small mammals because these animals can conceal illness until a condition becomes more advanced.
Good husbandry is key to keeping many smaller pets happy and healthy. We are always happy to discuss diet, habitat, behavior, and other aspects of daily care that are important to keeping a less traditional companion healthy.
Do you offer cat boarding?
Yes. Our cat boarding service provides kitties with a quiet, comfortable environment that is designed specifically for them. We also monitor our furry guests carefully and observe appetite, hydration, activity, and litter-box habits.
Because boarding takes place within our full-service veterinary hospital, medical oversight is available if a boarding cat develops a health concern. This is particularly useful for senior cats and cats with ongoing medical needs. Please feel free to reach out via our contact form with questions, to schedule a walk-through, or to book a stay.
Preventative Care and Ongoing Support
How often should my pet have a wellness examination?
Most pets benefit from regular wellness examinations at least annually, although the appropriate schedule depends on age, species, health status, and individual risk factors. During a veterinary wellness visit, we perform a nose-to-tail examination and develop a preventive-care plan that may include vaccinations, parasite control, nutrition, weight management, and recommended health screenings.
Regular visits also let us establish a health baseline and notice subtle changes before they become harder to manage.
Does my pet need vaccinations and heartworm prevention?
Vaccinations and parasite prevention are important parts of preventive veterinary care, and we tailor recommendations to your pet’s species, lifestyle, age, and health risks. Our wellness & vaccinations program includes customized preventive-care planning, and our hospital currently offers a heartworm-testing promotion with a 12-month purchase of heartworm preventive; call for current details and eligibility. We also provide free heartworm testing.
Is the Animals First Pet Care membership plan insurance?
No. Our membership plan is preventive care, not pet insurance. The current plan for dogs and cats includes four exams and three free nail trims during the 12-month membership, all at a special discounted rate of $129 per year. The plan also includes discounts on diagnostics, procedures, vaccinations, medications, prevention, and injections. Please visit our Animals First Pet Care membership plan for more details.
What payment options do you accept?
We accept cash, debit cards, major credit cards, Apple Pay, Cherry Payments, CareCredit, and Scratchpay. Our payment options page explains the available financing programs and payment arrangements in greater detail.
We understand that unexpected veterinary care can be difficult both emotionally and financially for families. Knowing your payment options in advance can make treatment decisions easier when you need care.
How can I order my pet’s medication online?
You can submit medication requests through our request a refill page. A veterinarian reviews and authorizes all orders before dispensing. Requests may take up to two business days to review, fill, and prepare for pickup.
Does Animals First have programs for new clients or client referrals?
We offer a new-client nose-to-tail examination promotion and a Care to Share referral program. The new-client offer currently advertises a $29.99 exam for eligible new clients, while the Care to Share program provides a $25 credit to both the referring client and the new client when program requirements are met.
For current pricing, eligibility, and promotional terms, we recommend reviewing the new-client special and Care to Share Program before making plans.
Animals First + Veterinary Hospital serves pet families throughout Haddon Township and surrounding communities, including Cherry Hill. If you are looking for a veterinarian in Haddon Township, a veterinary clinic near Cherry Hill, or an animal hospital near you for wellness care, vaccinations, diagnostics, dentistry, surgery, critical care, laser therapy, nutrition, dermatology, or care for exotic and pocket pets, you’ve found us! We can be reached at 856-946-7788 . Our Contact page provides additional information on how to reach us and plan your pet’s care.
