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113 Walt Whitman Rd.
Huntington Station, N.Y. 11746

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Veterinary Care for Dogs & Puppies

Loving Care for Your Dog, Every Step of the Way

At Huntington Animal Hospital, we know your dog isn’t just a pet—they’re family. That’s why we’re here to offer compassionate, personalized care that helps your best friend live a long, happy, and healthy life. Whether it’s time for a checkup or your pup needs a little extra TLC, our friendly team is here for you both.

Keeping Tails Wagging with Preventive Care

Regular annual or bi-annual wellness exams are a simple and important way to keep your dog feeling their best. During your visit, we’ll take the time to get to know your pet and check:

  • Physical exam to assess your dog’s overall health from nose to tail
  • Vaccinations to guard against illness
  • Flea, tick, and parasite protection
  • Nutrition advice tailored to your dog’s needs
  • Dental exam to keep their smile shining and ensure good oral health
Canine Health Care in Huntington, NY

Puppy Love Starts Here

Our canine wellness exams are more than just a checkup—they’re a head-to-tail health screening designed to catch issues early and keep your dog thriving.

Welcoming a new puppy? We’re just as excited as you are! Let us help you get them off to a healthy start with:

  • First exam-health checkups
  • Puppy vaccines for protection from common illnesses
  • Microchipping to help them find their way home if ever lost
  • Deworming and parasite screening and prevention for a safe start
  • Behavioral assesment and recommendations

We are Here When You Need Us Most

If your dog isn’t feeling well, we’re ready to find out why. Our clinic is fully equipped to help us quickly find our why, including:  

  • Digital X-rays and ultrasounds
  • Fast, in-house laboratory results
  • Emergency care when the unexpected happens

Expert Surgical & Specialty Services

When your dog needs surgery, you can count on us to provide safe, skilled care with lots of love. We offer:

  • Spay and neuter procedures
  • Some orthopedic surgery for bone and joint issues
  • Soft tissue surgery for growths, wounds, and more
  • Careful anesthesia monitoring every step of the way

Supporting Senior Dogs with Gentle Care

As your dog grows older, their needs may change—and we’re here to help every step of the way. Our senior canine care services include:

  • Arthritis and pain management
  • Chronic disease management, including heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions
  • Senior nutrition plans
  • Senior dog mobility and physical therapy support
  • Cognitive health care
  • Healthy weight guidance and maintenance
  • Prescription medications when needed

Tender End-of-Life Care

When it’s time to say goodbye, we offer kind, respectful support for both you and your pet. Our hospice and euthanasia services are designed to make your dog’s final moments as peaceful and loving as possible.

Let’s Keep Your Best Friend Happy and Healthy

Your dog gives you their unconditional love every day—and we’re here to help you give them the best care in return. Call Huntington Animal Hospital to book an appointment. We can’t wait to meet your four-legged family member!

FAQ's for our Canine Care

Your dog should see the vet at least once a year for a routine wellness exam. However, the frequency depends on their age, lifestyle, and health status:

Puppies (Under 1 Year)

  • Every 3–4 weeks until they’re about 16 weeks old
  • Visits include vaccinations, deworming, parasite prevention, and wellness exams
  • Discuss spaying/neutering and microchipping with your vet

Adult Dog (1–6 years):

Annually for:

  • Physical exam
  • Vaccines
  • Heartworm and fecal testing
  • Parasite prevention
  • Dental check
  • Lab work as needed

Senior Dog (7+ years):

Every 6 months is recommended.  Older dogs are more prone to chronic issues, so more frequent checkups help detect problems early.  Exams often include bloodwork, urinalysis, and screening for arthritis, organ function, or cognitive decline

Dogs with Health Issues:

Follow-up visits may be needed every few months, depending on the condition.

Other Reasons to See the Vet Anytime

  • Sudden behavior changes
  • Vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of appetite
  • Limping or signs of pain
  • Itching, skin changes, or ear issues
  • Dental problems like bad breath or bleeding gums
  • Coughing
  • Weight changes

A canine wellness exam is a comprehensive check-up to monitor your dog’s health and catch any issues early. Here’s what typically happens during the visit:

Physical Examination

  • Eyes, ears, nose, and mouth – for signs of infection, dental disease, or discharge
  • Teeth and gums – to assess for tartar, gingivitis, or other dental concerns
  • Skin and coat – for fleas, ticks, lumps, dryness, or hair loss
  • Weight and body condition – to track changes and assess nutrition
  • Heart and lungs – listened to with a stethoscope for abnormal sounds
  • Abdomen – gently palpated to feel organs or detect abnormalities
  • Joints and muscles – checked for stiffness, pain, or arthritis

Vaccinations

  • Core vaccines (e.g., rabies, distemper, leptospirosis, parvovirus, adenovirus) are updated as needed.  
  • Lifestyle-based vaccines (e.g., Bordetella, Lyme) may be recommended depending on exposure risk

Parasite Prevention & Testing

  • Fecal exam to check for intestinal parasites
  • Heartworm test
  • Review or prescribe year-round flea, tick, and heartworm preventives

Dental Health Assessment

  • Examine your dog’s teeth and gums for plaque, tartar, gingivitis, or broken teeth
  • Discussion about professional dental cleaning if needed

Lab Work

  • CBC, chemistry panel for all dogs, thyroid screening and urinalysis for seniors to assess organ function and detect early disease

Nutrition & Behavior Discussion

  • Review your dog’s diet and nutritional needs based on your dog’s age, weight, lifestyle, or any medical needs
  • We will address behavior changes or training challenges

Recommendations

Any concerns found during the exam will be explained

Yes, indoor dogs still need parasite prevention, although their risk may be lower than outdoor dogs. Year-round parasite prevention is safer, more affordable, and easier than treating a full-blown infestation or illness.  Here’s why:

Fleas

Fleas can enter your home on people, clothing, or other pets.  Just one flea can lead to a full-blown infestation—and indoor dogs can suffer from flea allergies or tapeworms (which fleas carry).

Intestinal Parasites (like roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms)

Eggs or larvae can be brought indoors via shoes, potted plants, or bugs.  

Heartworms

Spread by mosquitoes, which can get indoors, especially in warm climates.  

Other Pests

Cockroaches, rodents, or even flies can transmit parasite eggs or disease.

Dogs are masters at hiding illness, so even subtle changes in behavior or appearance can be signs that something’s wrong. Here are common signs your dog may be sick—many of which warrant a vet visit:

Changes in Behavior

  • Lethargy or low energy
  • Hiding or avoiding interaction
  • Aggression or irritability
  • Restlessness or inability to get comfortable

Changes in Appetite or Drinking

  • Loss of appetite or refusal to eat
  • Excessive thirst or urination
  • Sudden weight loss or gain
  • Vomiting or diarrhea

Physical Symptoms

  • Respiratory Symptoms
    • Coughing, sneezing, or wheezing
    • Labored or noisy breathing
    • Nasal discharge
  • Digestive Issues
    • Vomiting (especially repeated or with blood)
    • Diarrhea or constipation
    • Bloating or a distended abdomen
  • Mobility or Posture Changes
    • Limping or favoring a limb
    • Difficulty getting up, climbing stairs, or walking
    • Stiffness, especially after rest
    • Hunched back or abnormal posture
  • Skin & Coat Changes
  • Itching, redness, or hair loss
  • New lumps, bumps, or rashes
  • Unusual odor
  • Other Physical Changes:
  • Red, cloudy, or discharging eyes
  • Head shaking or ear scratching
  • Bad breath, drooling, or difficulty chewing

When to Call Us Immediately

  • Trouble breathing
  • Collapse or seizures
  • Inability to urinate or defecate
  • Pale gums
  • Signs of pain or distress

If your dog is showing any of these signs, it’s best to contact us. Catching problems early often leads to better outcomes and lower treatment cost

Depending on several factors, your dog may need bloodwork and other diagnostic tests—and in many cases, it’s one of the best ways to detect hidden illness early. Whether your dog needs these tests depends on their age, health status, and symptoms.

When Bloodwork Is Recommended:

  • Routine Wellness Screening
  • Before surgery (like spay/neuter or dental procedures).
  • Annual bloodwork for baseline values is always recommended
  • Senior dogs (7+ years), highly recommended every 6 months.

Routine bloodwork helps us detect kidney disease, thyroid issues, diabetes, liver problems, and more—often before symptoms appear.

When Your Dog Is Sick or Acting Unusual

Bloodwork helps find the cause of:

  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Lethargy or weight loss
  • Appetite changes
  • Drinking/urinating more
  • Behavior changes

Before Surgery or Anesthesia

Ensures your dog’s organs can safely process anesthesia and recover.

To Monitor Chronic Conditions

Ongoing testing is crucial for pets with kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid issues, or on long-term medications.

Yes—dental care is absolutely necessary for dogs. Just like people, dogs can develop serious dental problems if their teeth and gums aren’t properly cared for.

Why Dental Care For Your Dog Matters

  • Over 80% of dogs show signs of dental disease by age 3
  • Poor oral hygiene can lead to painful infections, tooth loss, and bad breath
  • Bacteria from gum disease can enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, kidneys, and liver

Prevent pain and Improve Quality of Life

Dogs with dental pain may eat less, lose weight, or seem grumpy—treating dental issues often makes them feel noticeably better.

Breeds Prone to Dental Disease

Small dogs (like Chihuahuas, Yorkies, and Dachshunds) and brachycephalic breeds (like Bulldogs and Pugs) are especially at risk and may need more frequent dental care.

For more information on the canine dental care offered at Huntington Animal Hospital, please visit our dental care page.

Serving Canine Owners in Huntington and Across Long Island

Our experienced team is here to help you navigate the complex world of canine care with confidence. If you have questions, need help setting up a habitat, or want to schedule your dog’s wellness exam, we’re just a call away.

Conveniently located in Huntington, NY, Huntington Animal Hospital proudly serves pet owners across Long Island, including pets and pet owners in Huntington Station, Huntington Bay, Dix Hills, Melville, Greenlawn, Centerport, West Hills, Cold Spring Harbor, Loyd Harbor, Laurel Hollow, Woodbury, Plainview, and Syosset.