Yes, appointments are required to see the veterinarian unless it is an absolute emergency. Contact our receptionist to schedule.

Yes. You will need to pay us for our services up front and then seek reimbursement from your pet health insurance company. We are more than happy to fill out the claim form provided by your insurance company and then you can take the completed form home and submit the claim at your convenience.

Visa, MasterCard, Interac (Debit), Cash.

The Steveston Veterinary Clinic and its veterinarians are licensed through the College of Veterinarians of British Columbia. Without that license we are not permitted to practice veterinary medicine. In addition to this provincial accreditation, we also have to follow the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act. This means that as veterinarians we have a legal responsibility when selling or dispensing medications. We are potentially liable for any adverse reactions or drug interactions that may occur as a result of dispensing any product. If we have not seen your pet recently, we can’t be sure the medication is appropriate for the condition.

These rules can often be difficult for our staff to explain to clients who come to the clinic to purchase a product assuming they can do so without having a veterinarian examine their animal. We understand that this may be inconvenient, but regulations exist to protect the well-being of your pet and we are duty-bound to abide by them.

Any new pet we see is required to have a complete health assessment, even if your intended plan is euthanasia. We may be able to offer a treatment option you aren't aware of, or the Doctor may agree euthanasia is one of the choices in the best interest of your pet. Either way, the Doctor needs to complete an exam by law before any procedure or medication is offered.

Yes, we can board cats at our facility. Our space is somewhat limited with our surgery patients often staying overnight, so please call in advance to see if we are able to accommodate you. We may be able to recommend a reputable boarding facility or pet sitter as well (see our Trusted Partners page).

Unless it is an absolute emergency, all of our surgeries are booked Monday - Friday.

We provide food and blankets but you are welcome to bring your own from home if you wish. It is recommended that you bring a leash for your dog or a carrying cage for your cat to facilitate transport after surgery.

If your pet requires general anesthetic, it is important that you follow our fasting instructions to reduce the likelihood of intestinal disturbances or other complications after surgery.

1. No food after midnight on the night before your pet’s surgery appointment.

2. No water after 7AM on the morning of the appointment

(download)

10 to 14 days. Please book an appointment with one of our veterinarians to have them removed. Some sutures are dissolvable or subcutaneous and do not need to be removed. Our veterinarian will inform you if a suture removal is required at the time of discharge.

We usually recommend getting your pet spayed or neutered after 6 months of age. For dogs that have recently had a heat cycle, we recommend waiting 2 months from the end of the heat before having them spayed. If you have questions regarding this procedure please contact the clinic and we would be happy to answer them, or read our handout here.

The most common signs of dental disease in pets are bad breath, inflamed gums, plaque or tartar buildup, and loose teeth. Most pets will NOT stop eating even if their mouths are terribly painful. If you notice any of these signs, please bring your pet in for a dental checkup or schedule a dental cleaning. If your pet’s teeth are not in need of a cleaning at the time of the checkup, we can give you recommendations to help maintain your pet’s overall mouth health such as helpful treats/toys, teeth brushing, and other pet safe dental products

We recommend using anti-flea products from March to November at a minimum, as these months are considered higher risk. However, most people use them all year to ensure their pets do not get fleas. Please discuss this matter with one of our staff members or veterinarians.

There could be several reasons that your pet is dragging their bum (scooting) on the ground. They may require the anal sacs to be evacuated, may need to be de-wormed, or have other issues. Please call us to make an appointment. It is always helpful to bring a fresh fecal sample to your appointment to check for the presence of intestinal parasites.

When you bring in your pet for annual booster vaccinations, the veterinarian will conduct a full examination. We recommend that your pet be seen for a complete health examination at least once per year to check for any potential health problems or diseases. Early detection is crucial in allowing us to treat many diseases before they become a serious issue.

We follow the World Small Animal Veterinary Association guidelines for the vaccination of dogs and cats. Dogs and cats should be vaccinated according to the vaccination schedule, found here: Dog Vaccination Schedule & Cat Vaccination Schedule. We recommend a yearly visit with a thorough physical exam, even if they are not due for any vaccines to ensure any illnesses are caught early, and to monitor weight.