Our general medicine veterinarians are highly skilled and trained to take special care of your pet from birth through their senior years. We perform all levels of service such as preventive medicine, diagnosis of disease, medical treatments and emergencies. Your general medicine veterinarian will work as a team with you and our board certified specialists to provide initial and follow up care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Some of the more common problems our generalists see include diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, skin conditions, ear infections, urinary tract infections, allergic reactions, eye problems, obstetrical problems, cardiac conditions, infectious diseases such as tracheobronchitis or parvovirus infections and common orthopedic problems such as arthritis, ruptured ligaments, and lamenesses.
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If you are referred to Oradell Animal Hospital to see a specialist or come for a second opinion, it is very important that you bring copies of your pet’s medical records and a history of past and current medications. This will avoid any unnecessary tests and expenses. We will accept faxed records, but we encourage you to make sure that they are legible.
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General Medicine Services:
- Wellness and Preventive Medicine
- - Disease Prevention
- - Individualized Vaccination Protocols
- - Parasite Prevention
- - Senior Wellness
- Dermatology
- Pain Management
- Microchip Placement
Wellness and Preventive Medicine
Your pet’s health and well-being is our number one concern. A wellness examination gives us the chance to evaluate your pet’s overall health and to detect problems before they turn into serious illnesses. Because most pets age more quickly than you do, it is essential that your pet’s be examined at least once a year and as your pets get older, twice yearly. Additional testing may be recommended to diagnose a health problem.
As part of the wellness examination a complete physical examination will be performed plus any routine screening tests that may be indicated.
The early signs of heart disease can often be recognized during a routine health exam.
Weight loss or gain since your pet’s last exam could indicate the early stages of a metabolic problem such as diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid disease, or obesity.
Your pet’s ears will be examined since they can harbor parasites, bacteria, fungus and foreign materials.
Your pet’s oral cavity (gums, teeth, tongue and palate) will be checked for tartar buildup, dental abnormalities, fractures, loose teeth, tumors, infections and other problems.
Your pet’s reproductive system will be examined for swellings, discharges, and breast lumps. If your pet has not been spayed or neutered, our veterinarian will explain the health benefits of doing so.
Your pet’s skin and hair will be examined as a means of detecting allergies, infections, warts and tumors, fleas, ticks and other parasites.
Your pet’s abdomen will be palpated to detect abnormalities such as enlarged organs or masses. Other painful areas may indicate problems with the intestines, kidneys, liver or other organs.
Your pet’s joints, muscles and lymph nodes will be examined to detect the possible presence of inflammation, arthritis and tumors.
REMEMBER… DOGS AND CATS CAN AGE MORE THAN SEVEN TIMES FASTER THAN PEOPLE!!!
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Be sure to mention to your veterinarian any unusual behavior or symptoms your pet may be exhibiting.
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Weight Loss
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive panting
- Excessive scratching
- Change in appetite
- Excessive urination
- Excessive thirst
How To Pill Your Dog
Disease Prevention
Vaccination against infectious diseases has tremendous effects on reducing illness in your pet. At Oradell Animal Hospital, we will create a vaccination program based on your pet’s lifestyle and exposure to disease.
Core vaccines are generally recommended for all cats and dogs. For cats, core vaccines include panleukopenia, rabies, calicivirus and herpesvirus. For dogs, core vaccines include distemper, rabies, parvovirus, adenovirus and bordatella.
Certain vaccines or non-core vaccines are administered to your pet depending upon exposure, risk and lifestyle. For cats this includes vaccines that protect against leukemia virus. For dogs, this includes vaccines that protect against Lyme Disease and Leptospirosis.
If you are interested in viewing Oradell Animal Hospital’s Vaccination Protocols and Parasite Prevention Protocol, please click here.
Senior Wellness: Seniors Deserve Special Health Care
When your dog or cat reaches eight years of age (giant breeds five years of age) your pet is entering the “senior years” of his/her life. While the aging process is not a disease in and of itself, the physiological changes that accompany aging may predispose a pet to one or more disease processes. Older animals are more likely to develop multiple health problems.
Twice a year health visits are highly recommended for dogs once they reach eight years of age. Knowing what changes to expect can help you explain the health concerns of your senior pet to your veterinarian which will help the doctor decide on the need for appropriate testing.
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10 Steps Towards Senior Health
- Visit your veterinarian for a senior health care exam at least every six months to monitor your pet’s health.
- As your pet approaches senior status, we recommend basic blood work to serve as a baseline for measuring future changes.
- Note changes in behavior or appearance and see your veterinarian. Get problems under control before they become major problems requiring more extensive treatment.
- Switch to a high quality senior food that provides enhanced levels of key nutrients. If you have specific concerns or your pet has medical issues, nutritional counseling can be arranged.
- Ask your veterinarian to check your dog’s teeth regularly and follow his/her recommendations.
- Provide moderate exercise. This will help with weight control and keep muscles toned.
- Talk with your veterinarian if your dog or cat tires easily or has trouble breathing.
- Groom your pet at least once each week. Check for lumps, sores, parasites or discharges from the eyes, ears and nose.
- Maintain a familiar routine and environment to minimize stress.
- If your pet has not been neutered or spayed, have your veterinarian examine the mammary glands or prostate gland.
If you notice that your pet becomes less active due to aging and decreased muscle tone, Oradell Animal Hospital offers physical rehabilitation services.
Dermatology Services
Skin diseases are common problems in dogs and cats. Some of the most common problems are skin infections, ear infections, allergies, and external parasites.
We offer a wide array of diagnostic procedures such as skin scrapings, fungal and bacterial cultures, cytology, biopsy, and allergy testing (both serum and intradermal).
We stock a wide variety of limited antigen (hypoallergenic) diets for pets with food allergies.
Allergen specific immunotherapy (allergy shots) is often recommended for pets diagnosed with non-seasonal allergies.
Pain Management
Our priority is to enhance the well-being of our patients. It is our goal to recognize, prevent and minimize both physical and emotional pain and to ensure that your pet is comfortable after surgical procedures. We will dispense medication for comfort when your pet is discharged from the hospital as well.
We have a separate area for our feline friends offering them a stress- free environment that is quiet and comfortable.
How can I tell when my pet is in pain? Response to pain varies among individual patients.
Your dog or cat may still wag their tail or purr during human interaction. Be aware of the following behaviors/symptons:
- Slight limping
- Trembling
- Shaking
- Licking or chewing at a painful area
- Sitting or lying in an abnormal position; not curled up looking relaxed or comfortable
- May or may not appear interested in food
- Looks depressed
- Frequent whining
- Eliminates without attempting to move
- Dilated pupils
Microchip Placement
To microchip your pet, simply call to make an appointment. This is a safe, simple and permanent form of pet identification designed to quickly identify lost pets and reunite them with their owners. Similar to administering a routine injection, within seconds a microchip with a unique identification code is implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades of your pet. Once your pet is microchipped, you must fill out the enrollment form enclosed with the microchip. The information will then be stored with a service database and is always available.
If your pet is ever lost, he/she can be scanned at animal shelters or veterinary clinics to reveal their identification number.
Doctors in General Medicine
Rita Angelo, VMD
Dr. Angelo graduated from the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine where she also completed her internship in small animal medicine and surgery. After completion of internship she joined Oradell Animal Hospital as a general practitioner.
Dr. Angelo enjoys general medicine and is a senior staff doctor at our Fort Lee, New Jersey office. She also sees appointments at our hospital in Paramus.Hannah Byrd, DVM
Dr. Hannah Byrd was born in Dallas Texas and grew up in Arlington, Virginia just outside of Washington DC. She completed her bachelors in science at Virginia Tech where she majored in Animal and Poultry Sciences...GO HOKIES!!! Dr. Byrd earned her veterinary degree at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, Tennessee. She is one of four children and is very close with her family. In her free time, Dr. Byrd enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, being outdoors, watching college football, and hanging out with her dogs Dallas and Neptune. Dr. Byrd is a big runner and completed several marathons and half marathons during her veterinary school years. Family and her faith are the two most important things to Dr. Byrd. Her veterinary interests include internal medicine and surgery.Frank C. Boren, DVM
Dr. Boren graduated from the University Of Florida School Of Veterinary Medicine and has remained on the staff of Oradell Animal Hospital since completing an internship here in small animal medicine and surgery.
Dr. Boren has a special interest in exotic and zoo animal medicine. He is the veterinarian for the Bergen County Zoo and is consultant for The James A. McFaul Environmental Center in Wyckoff, New Jersey.
Dr. Boren sees appointments at Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus and at our Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey office.Laura Bucklan, DVM
Dr. Bucklan graduated from The Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine. She is a member of our general practice group of fine veterinarians. Dr. Bucklan has a special interest in dermatology.
Dr. Bucklan enjoys spending time with her family, aerobics and cooking.Elizabeth Dombrowski, DVM
Dr. Elizabeth Dombrowski comes from Highland, Michigan. She did her undergraduate coursework at Michigan State University. After obtaining a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Zoology, she continued her education at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Her professional interests include zoological medicine and emergency and critical care. Outside of veterinary medicine, her interests include traveling, hiking, and camping. She also enjoys spending time with her dog and two rats.Erica Faulhaber, DVM
Dr. Faulhaber was born in Lyndhurst, NJ and grew up in Yorktown, Virginia. She received her Bachelor of Science in biology and animal science from Virgina Tech and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Western University in southern California. Her professional interests are in oncology and cancer research. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, her fiance and their 2 dogs, Gus & Bruin, and 2 cats, Dylan & Piccolo. She also loves hiking, camping, photography, cooking, watching Virginia Tech football and of course rooting for NY Giants!Jamie DeSantis, VMD
Dr. DeSantis graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. He completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at Oradell Animal Hospital.
Dr. DeSantis' special interests are surgery and emergency medicine. He also enjoys skiing, fly fishing and Tae Kwon Do. Dr. DeSantis is a 1st degree black belt.
Dr. DeSantis sees appontments at Oradell Animal Hospital, Paramus and at our Fort Lee, New Jersey office.Joseph DeSanto, DVM
Dr. DeSanto graduated from The Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Oradell Animal Hospital. He then joined the staff upon completion of his internship.
Dr. DeSanto enjoys internal medicine and veterinary dentistry. He is one of the founding veterinarians of Bergen County's Animal Emergency Preparedness Program.
Dr. DeSanto likes to play softball and enjoys woodworking. He sees appointments at Oradell Animal Hospital, Paramus and in our Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey office.John G. DeVries, DVM, Diplomate, ABVP (Canine/Feline)
Dr. DeVries graduated from The University of Illinois, completed an internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York, and is board certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practicitioners.
As Assistant Director of Oradell Animal Hospital, Dr. DeVries sees clients at both Oradell Animal Hospital and our Hasbrouck Heights office. His interests include practicing medicine and surgery and in his spare time he enjoys choral singing, traveling and spending time with his wife Susi, their children, and their grandchildren.
Dr. DeVries and Susi share their home with their Australian Shepherd, Molly and their three cats Indi, Charlotte, and Lily.Jaclyn Holdsworth, DVM
Dr. Holdsworth was born and raised in Bergen County, New Jersey. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Delaware Valley College where she majored in Animal Biotechnology and Conservation with a concentration in Small Animal Science. During her time at Delaware Valley she played on their NCAA Women's volleyball team. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Holdsworth's professional interests include orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, emergency medicine and cardiology. Outside of work Dr. Holdsworth enjoys volleyball, biking, skydiving and spending time with her dog, Harlow and her cats, Lilly and Hailey.Laura Eirmann, DVM, Diplomate ACVN (Nutrition)
Dr. Eirmann graduated from Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed an internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. She then practiced at Cornell University Companion Animal Hospital where she focused on preventative medicine and routine healthcare. She joined the general medicine staff at Oradell Animal Hospital in 1998 and developed a strong interest in veterinary nutrition. She completed a residency in clinical nutrition under the supervision of veterinary nutritionists at University of Pennsylvania, Tufts University, and Angell Memorial Animal Hospital and became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition. She is responsible for overseeing the nutritional support of hospitalized patients at Oradell, consults with Oradell clinicians regarding the nutritional needs of their patients, and provides out patient consultation appointments for clients seeking dietary recommendatons for their healthy or ill pets. Dr. Eirmann also works for Nestle Purina in addition to her part-time clinical appointments at Oradell Animal Hospital.
Dr. Eirmann enjoys cooking, hiking and playing with her golden retriever Sprocket.Tanya Karlecke, DVM
Dr. Karlecke graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She joined the staff of Oradell Animal Hospital with a special interest in emergency and critical care medicine but enjoys all aspects of veterinary care medicine.
Dr. Karlecke enjoys hiking (with her dogs), reading, photography, and actively working with her registered pet therapy dog. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their three dogs and four cats.
Dr. Ania K. Keo was born and raised in Warsaw, Poland. She received her Bachelor of Science in pre-medical studies from Hawaii Pacific University, followed by her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from University of Tennessee. Dr. Keo has a special interest in internal medicine and emergency/critical care medicine. In her free time she enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and traveling.
Dr. Kirby grew up in the small town of Carleton Place, Ontario. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Guelph, followed by a Masters of Science studying zoo animal behavior. She remained in Guelph and completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the Ontario Veterinary College. Her interests include surgery, pain management and rehabilitation. Trish shares her home with her two cats, Monty and Bruce, and enjoys playing soccer, skiing, reading and traveling.
Dr. LaBuda grew up in Buffalo, NY (Go Bills!). She attended the State University of New York College at Geneseo, where she majored in Biology. She went on to earn her DVM from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Professionally, she has a special interest in zoo and conservation medicine in addition to companion animal practice. Dr. LaBuda currently resides in New Jersey and enjoys spending her free time outdoors. Her interests include hiking, camping, running, kayaking, and reading.
Dr. Langlois Levesque received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Montreal located in Saint-Hyanthe, Quebec. She is interested in various veterinary medicine fields but particularly enjoys exotic species practice. She personally owned ferrets, a lovebird and even a rooster! Besides animals, she enjoys hiking and running.
Dr. Hacker graduated from the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine. She completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Oradell Animal Hospital and remained on staff. She enjoys working with exotic animals. She sees appointments at both Oradell Animal Hospital and our Ft. Lee, New Jersey office.
Dr. Hacker's hobbies include reading and bicycling. She enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.
Dr. Lucy received his Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. He then traveled up to Ithaca, NY to complete his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Cornell University. His professional interests include internal medicine, cardiology and avian/exotic animal medicine. Outside of work, he enjoys endurance running, swimming, travel and spending time at the beach. He is originally from Ocean County, and currently resides in Paramus with his two rabbits, Hazel and Clover.
Dr. Julian is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Oradell Animal Hospital. Following her internship she joined our emergency/critical care team.
Dr. Julian has a special interest in handling challenging endocrine and trauma emergencies.
Dr. Koenig graduated from Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine. He completed an internship in small companion medicine at Oradell Animal Hospital and remained on staff.
Dr. Koenig sees appointments at both Oradell Animal Hospital and our Ft. Lee, New Jersey office.
Dr. Ottoson was born and raised in Union County, NJ and received his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Cook College at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. He worked for two years as a veterinary technician at a 4 doctor general practice and an off-hours emergency hospital before attending veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Ottoson's veterinary interests include small animal soft-tissue/orthopedic surgery and emergency/critical care. In his spare time, he is an avid golfer and also enjoys fishing, playing ice/roller hockey, and doing home improvement projects.
Dr. Kroll graduated from Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her residency in behavioral medicine at Cornell University after three years of general practice. Dr. Kroll joined Oradell Animal Hospital where she consults clients and treats pets that have behavioral issues. Dr. Kroll uses an approach that is individualized to the pet and its concerned family. Her philosophy is to use behavior modification techniques that are both realistic and doable.
Dr. Kroll is available for house calls.
Dr. Lucker graduated from the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine in 1966. He completed a fourteen month internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Henry Bergh Memorial Hospital of the ASPCA in New York City. He remained there another year as a resident staff veterinarian. After practicing in the Morristown area for three years, Dr. Lucker joined the staff of Oradell Animal Hospital in 1971.
Dr. Lucker is a general practitioner with special interests in cardiology and obstetrics. He has received numerous continuing education certificates from the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association. He sees appointments at Oradell Animal Hospital as well as our Hasbrouck Heights office. Dr. Lucker enjoys fishing, skiing and photography.
Dr. Porter, originally from a small town in Sullivan County, NY, received her Bachelor of Science from Cornell University, followed by her Master of Arts at SUNY New Paltz and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences. Her veterinary interests include Neurology and ER/Critical Care. Outside of work, Dr. Porter enjoys playing piano, teaching swimming, and getting involved in theater groups. She has two rescue-cats and loves to go hiking with her rescue-Staffordshire Terrier and Border Collie.
Dr. Shah graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Oradell Animal Hospital and since then has remained on staff.
Dr. Shah is involved with Oradell Animal Hospital's radioactive iodine program for the treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats. She likes to cook and spend time with her family.
Dr. Simko received a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences and Criminal Justice from Rutgers University, followed by a dual degree program at the University of Florida where she earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public Health degrees. Her personal interests include kayaking, exercising, boating, and spending time with her pets, family, and friends. Her veterinary interests include small animal emergency medicine and cardiology.
Dr. Lori Siracuse-Parker is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her internship in general medicine at Oradell Animal Hospital.
Dr. Siracuse-Parker is a member of our general medicine service.
Dr. Siracuse-Parker enjoys working with small mammals.
She and her husband have two children and share their home with 3 dogs, 2 cats and 1 bird.
Dr. Troyer graduated from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine after which she completed a one-year internship at the Animal Medical Center in NY, NY. She joined the staff at Oradell Animal Hospital in 2005 as a member of the general medicine and surgery group, but also has a strong interest in pain management and palliative care. In 2009, Dr. Troyer helped to create the Oradell CARES program. Oradell CARES is designed to assist families and patients with hospice and care giver support issues through both in-home evaluation and out-patient management. In addition, Dr. Troyer became certified in veterinary acupuncture by the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine in Reddick, Florida. She uses integrative medicine especially in cases where quality of life issues are paramount, and practices both out-patient and in-home pain management using both eastern and western techniques.
Dr. Troyer has a special interest in international studies and travel, particularly in Central America and Africa. In her spare time, she enjoys her children, yoga, running, and cooking.