Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs – Animal Health Center in Watertown, WI

Animal Health Center, your Watertown, WI, animal clinic, offers comprehensive veterinary services for the cats and dogs of Watertown and Oconomowoc. Our animal hospital delivers a wide range of veterinary care services for companion animals, including wellness and preventive exams, vaccinations, dermatology, diagnostics, dental care, surgical procedures, laser therapy, chiropractic care, and pet boarding. Here you will find answers to common questions regarding our hospital, medical offerings, client onboarding, payment options, and routine care.

New Clients and General Care

Where is Animal Health Center located?

Animal Health Center is located at 1147 Boughton St. in Watertown, WI 53094. We serve pet families in Watertown and Oconomowoc, as well as the surrounding communities. Our veterinary clinic is a convenient option for local dog and cat owners seeking a nearby veterinarian.

What are Animal Health Center’s hours?

Our regular hours are Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon, Thursday from noon to 8 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. We are closed Saturday and Sunday.

How do I contact Animal Health Center or request an appointment?

You can contact our Watertown veterinary clinic at (920) 261-4020 or use our online form to request an appointment. New clients are asked to complete our patient history form before their first visit, which includes important information about you and your pet.

How do I become a client of Animal Health Center?

Becoming a client starts with contacting our veterinary clinic to request an appointment and providing information about your pet. New canine and feline patients may also qualify for our $1 New Client Wellness Exam, subject to availability and the offer’s terms. Choosing a veterinarian is an important decision, and we want your first experience with our team to feel comfortable and straightforward for both you and your pet.

Emergency and Urgent Care

What signs mean my pet needs veterinary care immediately?

Sudden or severe changes in your pet’s health can require prompt veterinary attention rather than waiting for a routine appointment. Seek urgent veterinary care for signs such as:

• Collapse or inability to stand
• Sudden severe weakness
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Serious injury or trauma
• Sudden severe pain
• Sudden loss of coordination
• Sudden vision changes
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Repeated diarrhea, especially with blood
• Blood in vomit or stool
• Distended or painful abdomen
• Repeated unproductive retching
• Inability to urinate
• Bloody or painful urination
• Known or suspected toxic ingestion
• Suspected foreign-body ingestion
• Sudden facial swelling
• Severe allergic reaction
• Difficulty breathing or severe respiratory distress
• Pale, blue, gray, or white gums
• High body temperature or suspected heatstroke
• Severe dehydration
• Sudden loss of appetite with marked weakness
• Extreme lethargy or unresponsiveness
• Sudden severe behavioral changes
• Persistent disorientation or confusion
• Difficulty walking or sudden paralysis
• Sudden head tilt or loss of balance
• Eye injury or sudden eye changes
• Severe swelling or infection
• Wounds from a serious animal fight
• Significant burns or electrical injuries
• Exposure to a potentially dangerous substance

If you are uncertain about the seriousness of your dog or cat’s symptoms, call our veterinary team during regular business hours for guidance.

What should I do if my pet has an emergency after Animal Health Center closes?

For emergencies outside our regular business hours, we recommend contacting WVRC in Waukesha for emergency veterinary care. Animal Health Center is not a 24-hour emergency hospital. However, pets that are experiencing a medical emergency need veterinary care immediately. Don’t wait!

Can Animal Health Center help with urgent problems during regular business hours?

We can evaluate sick or injured pets during our regular hours. If your pet suddenly develops signs of sickness or injury, such as vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulty, limping, urinary problems, loss of appetite, or a significant change in behavior or activity, contact us right away. 

Services and Medical Care

What veterinary services does Animal Health Center provide for dogs and cats?

Our veterinary services include wellness examinations and vaccinations, allergy and dermatology care, nutrition and weight management, diagnostics and digital radiology, dentistry, general and specialized surgery, laser therapy, chiropractic care, and boarding. We combine preventive, medical, diagnostic, surgical, and wellness care to address your pet’s needs at every stage of life.

Can you help with pet allergies and skin problems?

Yes, our veterinary dermatology services address conditions affecting the skin and coat of dogs and cats. Depending on your pet’s symptoms, our veterinarians may use an examination, diagnostic testing, or other appropriate evaluation to investigate problems such as allergies, infections, parasites, dermatitis, hormonal disorders, autoimmune conditions, or growths. If you notice persistent scratching, hot spots, scabbing, excessive licking, or repeated chewing of the skin, schedule an examination right away.

What diagnostic testing is available for pets?

Our veterinary diagnostics include an on-site laboratory and digital imaging, including X-rays. In many cases, laboratory results can be available within minutes, allowing our veterinarians to begin developing a treatment strategy during your pet’s visit. Our doctors can assess digital images in real time or share them electronically with specialists when needed.

What types of veterinary surgery does Animal Health Center perform?

Our veterinary surgery services include general, oral, orthopedic, and ophthalmic procedures. Depending on the patient’s needs, procedures may include fracture repair, patella repair, dislocation repair, cystotomy, pyometra surgery, urethrostomy, entropion repair, cherry eye treatment, exploratory surgery, splenectomy, foreign-body removal, and growth removal. We also perform preoperative screening before administering anesthesia. During the procedure, we closely monitor the patient, focusing on comfort and postoperative pain management.

How can laser therapy help my pet?

Laser therapy is a painless, non-invasive treatment that can help reduce pain and inflammation, improve circulation, and promote tissue repair and healing. We may consider laser therapy for conditions including arthritis, disc disease, hip dysplasia, degenerative joint disease, sprains and strains, cranial cruciate ligament problems, dental problems, chronic pain and inflammation, dermatological conditions, and lick granulomas. 

Each pet and condition is different, so our veterinarians will determine whether laser therapy is an appropriate part of the treatment plan before offering it as an option.

Does Animal Health Center offer veterinary chiropractic care?

Yes, our clinic offers veterinary chiropractic care for dogs and cats with appropriate pain or mobility concerns. Dr. Brad Wehking is our veterinary chiropractor and has specialized training in veterinary chiropractic care, chiropractic orthopedics, and nutritional counseling. Chiropractic care may be considered for selected pets with mobility concerns, joint problems, or certain postoperative recovery needs.

Does my pet need professional veterinary dental care?

Professional veterinary dental care can help identify and treat dental disease before oral problems become more advanced. Signs that may indicate a dental problem include bad breath, excessive drooling, dropping food, reduced interest in chew toys, appetite changes, facial swelling or pain, pawing at the mouth, abnormal or missing teeth, and red, swollen, or bleeding gums. Our dental services include preventive care and treatment for existing oral conditions.

Preventive Care and Ongoing Support

How does Animal Health Center approach veterinary wellness and vaccinations?

Our wellness and vaccination care combines regular physical examinations with individualized preventative care. During wellness visits, we examine your pet from nose to tail. After evaluating your pet, we will develop a specific care plan. This may include dog or cat vaccinations, parasite control, nutrition and weight management, and appropriate health screening. 

Regular examinations also help us identify subtle changes early, which can be especially valuable because pets may not show obvious signs when a health problem first develops. Contact us today to schedule. 

Does Animal Health Center offer care plans for dogs and cats?

Yes, we offer care plans for puppies, adult dogs, senior dogs, kittens, adult cats, and senior cats. These subscription plans are designed around expected preventive care and make it easier to budget for your pet’s care. Our plans include a Pet Flexible Spend Allowance you can use for additional needs such as dental cleanings and sick visits. The plans are not pet insurance, and 75% of unused Flexible Spend Allowance rolls over to the next plan year.

Does Animal Health Center offer boarding for dogs and cats?

Yes, our veterinary hospital provides boarding services. We provide individual housing, regular exercise, fresh water, clean bedding, and daily cage cleaning. We also offer a cats-only area to keep kitties away from canine guests. We can also administer medication and provide care for pets with special needs during their stay. 

Use our boarding registration form to get started. Boarded pets must be current on required vaccinations and free of parasites. Please contact us in advance if your pet needs preventive care before boarding.

What are Animal Health Center’s payment options?

We offer several payment options. For financing, we offer Cherry and CareCredit. You can review our payment options before your visit. We recommend contacting our staff if you have questions about available payment arrangements or how a particular payment option works.

Animal Health Center is a Watertown, WI veterinary clinic serving dogs and cats in Watertown and Oconomowoc, WI, and the surrounding communities. We provide veterinary wellness, dog vaccination, cat vaccination, pet allergies and dermatology care, diagnostics, veterinary dentistry, veterinary surgery, laser therapy, chiropractic care, nutrition and weight management, and boarding. If you are looking for a veterinarian in Watertown or an animal hospital nearby, call (920) 261-4020 or visit our Contact page to reach our veterinary team.