Care with Empathy and Compassion

Pediatric physical examinations are an important period for both the pets and their owners. 
We want to ensure your newest addition to the family is developing in the healthiest way 
possible and to answer all questions that come with adopting a new pet!

• Thorough physical exam, including screening for any congenital disorders

• Discussion on pediatric vaccination schedule, what we always vaccinate for and why, 
risk assessment for other vaccines

• Nutrition discussion

• Desensitization and socialization

• Deworming and parasite control

• Discussion on spaying and neutering

• First time pet owner, or have lots of questions? We always allow 40 minutes for our pediatric appointments and our vets and technicians are happy to discuss anything related to the care 
of your pet, including puppy- or kitten-proofing your house, appropriate toys and enrichment, demonstrating nail trims, teeth brushing, ear cleaning, and insurance decisions

As your pet reaches adulthood, their annual physical examinations allow us to help in 
maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Many of the topics we discuss are oral health, coat and 
skin maintenance, nutrition and diet, vaccines against diseases, parasite prevention, 
and behaviour.

• Thorough physical exam, including oral health assessment

• Yearly vaccinations

• Nutrition discussion

• Parasite screening and preventative medication discussion

• Behaviour consultation, discussing any signs of anxiety, stress, or any concerns

• Evaluation for signs of early disease of any body system (breed, size, and age-specific)

As your pet becomes a mature adult, we will begin looking for more specific age-related conditions. In addition to their full physical examination, we will focus on orthopaedic or mobility issues, signs of pain or discomfort, and wellness screening bloodwork or urinalysis testing.

• Thorough physical exam, including oral health assessment, any orthopaedic or mobility issues, any signs of pain or discomfort

• Wellness screening bloodwork and/or urinalysis

• Yearly vaccinations

• Nutrition discussion

• Parasite screening and preventative medication

• Behaviour consultation, discussing any signs of anxiety, stress, or any concerns

• Discussion about any diagnosed conditions or illnesses, and any medications needed

• Evaluation for signs of disease of any body system (breed, size, and age-specific)

Everyone has different opinions about when their pet reaches “seniority.” Truthfully, age is just a number, and our primary goal is to ensure your pet remains comfortable and happy! Animals are amazing at hiding pain, and these appointments will ensure we are able to detect any early signs of disease or discomfort. In addition, we will discuss environmental adaptations for mobility, sight, and hearing changes to increase your pet’s longevity and comfort!

• Thorough physical exam, including oral health assessment, any orthopedic or mobility issues, 
any signs of pain or discomfort

• Wellness screening bloodwork and/or urinalysis

• Yearly vaccinations

• Nutrition discussion

• Parasite screening and preventative medication

• Behaviour consultation, discussing any age-related behavioral changes, and any concerns

• Discussion about any diagnosed conditions or illnesses, and any medications needed

• Evaluation for signs of disease or discomfort

• Environmental adaptations for mobility, sight, and hearing changes

• Quality of life discussion and assessment

If your critter is not feeling well, our doctor will conduct a thorough physical examination and review your pet's medical history. Based on the symptoms and signs, they may suggest additional testing to accurately diagnose the condition, such as blood tests, urinalysis, fecal exams, cytology, x-rays, ultrasounds, and more. Many of these can be performed at our hospital, which helps tremendously.

Upon diagnosing the problem, we will provide a treatment plan to help your pet recover as quickly as possible and prevent the issue from recurring. This treatment might be at the hospital (with patients who require IV fluids, close monitoring and care, injectable medications and other therapies or surgical procedures), or at home, using medications we can dispense, following dietary recommendations etc. Before proceeding with any tests or treatments, we will thoroughly explain all options and associated costs. Additionally, we will provide comprehensive discharge notes following the exam, summarizing all the important details discussed and outlining your pet's treatment plan.

Although very difficult, our end-of-life appointments are a way for our staff to show their final moments of compassion and support to a pet that has become one of our own. We will provide guidance on quality of life, decision-making, and discuss everything that will be involved during the appointment.

• Quality of life discussion and assessment tool — The HHHHHMM Scale

• Full discussion on decision-making, what’s involved, and support