Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions/answers that we are frequently asked. If you have additional questions that aren't covered here, please feel free to give us a call at 250-746-7700.

1. What are the Hospital hours?

   Our hospital is open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm, with surgical drop-offs for 8:00am. On Saturdays we are open from 8:30am until 5:00pm. The clinic is closed on Sundays and all Statutory Holidays.  

2. Do I need to have an appointment?

    Yes, all our patients are seen by scheduled appointment.

3. What forms of payment do you accept?

     Cash, Debit, Mastercard and Visa.  

4. Can I make payments?

    No.  All payment is required at the time of service.  If financing is required, we recommend contacting iFinance Pet.

5. At what age can I have my pet spayed or neutered?

   Spaying or neutering can be done at approximately 6 months of age.  We recommend that all female dogs be done prior to their first heat cycle, due to the medical benefits.  We also can not spay your female dog while she is in heat.  

6.  What is pre-anesthetic blood screening?

   There are blood tests that we can have run prior to surgery which the veterinarian can discuss with you. The pre-anesthetic blood screening is done to help assure safety during surgery and the ability to heal following surgery.  They test your pet's organ functions, blood counts and clotting function of your pet. 

7. How long do the sutures stay in after my pet's surgery?

   Procedures involving external sutures require them to be removed in 14 days following the surgery.  Some of our surgical procedures we bury the sutures in the skin, and they will dissolve on their own.  Generally your pet will heal from a routine surgery in 10-14 days but the sutures will not completely dissolve for several months.

8.  Is it a good idea to let my pet have at least one litter?

    No, there is no advantage to letting your pet have one litter. However there are plenty of advantages to having your pet spayed or neutered. These advantages include decreasing the chances of mammary tumors later in life, decreasing the chance of cystic ovaries and uterine infections later in life, decreasing the desire to roam the neighborhood, decreasing aggression, decreasing the incidence of prostate cancer and eliminating testicular cancer later in life, helping to prevent spraying and marking, and also decreases the surplus of unwanted puppies and kittens.  

9.  Do you board pets?

   No we do not offer boarding for healthy pets.  There are several boarding facilities in the Cowichan Valley that we do recommend though.  If you have any questions, please contact the clinic. If your pet is ill however; we are set up to hospitalize your pet overnight in our kennels. 

10.  What are your kennels like?

   We have three large dog runs, three large kennels, eight medium sized kennels and three small kennels.  All of our kennels are made from stainless steel and our three runs are tiled with heated floors.