About Veterinary Health Care

• Is there any type of payment plan available if I do not have enough money to pay for my veterinary bill?
• Veterinary care seems expensive, are the fees unreasonable?
• Why should I spay or neuter my pet?
• Can my veterinarian advise, diagnose and/or prescribe over the phone?
• Why is there such a wide range of prices for the same procedure(s) among veterinarians?
• How much should I anticipate spending for veterinary care for a new puppy or kitten? On an annual basis thereafter?
• Does my pet have to get a full set of vaccinations to get a rabies certificate? What vaccinations are absolutely necessary for my dog/cat and how much do they cost?
• Why is veterinary care for my pet(s) so expensive? Sometimes I believe I'm spending more on my pet's health care than on my own!
• I've heard that there may be pet health insurance available. Is my pet eligible and what is covered?
• Should I be wary of 'bargain basement' veterinary care? If so, why?
• What is a veterinarian? What sort of education must a veterinarian have?
• Is it difficult to get into a veterinarian program?
• What is a registered veterinary nurse? What type of education is required to become one?

Like most other professional offices you visit (your dentist, chiropractor, lawyer, etc.) fees are payable at the time service is rendered. Owning a pet can be expensive. We recommend you try to budget for veterinary care in your household budget.

In the event of an emergency we will work with owners on ways to come up with the money for services. If necessary there are companies that can supply you with a veterinary credit card to allow you to pay for your animal's health care.

Many veterinary preventive health care services can be staggered over a period of time, rather than doing "everything" in one visit. Your veterinarian can best advise you which procedures can be deferred if necessary.

We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Debit and cash.

The extent of care given to any animal is ultimately determined by its owner. Every pet owner has different ideas as to what is acceptable pet care. Veterinarians can only make their clients aware of the medical options that are available. Then, they guide owners in their choices regarding the most important health care options for their pets. The final decision and choices rest with the owner.

Veterinarians are willing and do go the extra mile for pet owners, but owners should be prepared for the associated expenses and understand that the veterinarian should be compensated for his/her professional services and related expenses. 

There are long term health benefits to your pet when it is spayed or neutered. There are a number of cancers, diseases and health problems associated with unspayed and unneutered animals. It is also important to control the pet population and reduce the numbers of unplanned, unwanted pets. Every year in Calgary there are thousands of abandoned animals in animal shelters due to unplanned pregnancies. Please help decrease this number by spaying or neutering your pet.

Spay and neuter procedures are major surgery for your pet. The average spay or neuter costs less than an automobile tune-up. The procedure requires the time of a veterinarian and a surgical technician, newly-sterilized surgical instruments, general anesthesia, drapes, suture material, and hospitalization. When measured against the cost of feeding and nurturing unwanted kittens or puppies, spaying/neutering is much more cost-effective.

Not only is it unethical and illegal to prescribe for an animal that hasn't been physically examined by a veterinarian, it is also impossible to come up with an accurate diagnosis and rational plan of treatment.

A veterinarian can't make a diagnoses based on symptoms only as observed by an owner. The outward signs may be an indication of any number of internal causes with a wide variety of clinical treatments. A complete physical examination and other diagnostic tests are required to determine the cause of the symptoms and best course of treatment.

Fees are set by each individual veterinary practice and each has different expenses that are covered by the fees charged (i.e., salaries, rent, utilities). Often, the different fees do not reflect the same set of services, although there may be certain basic procedures in common.

Each veterinarian sets the fees for services based on varying criteria, such as different drugs, anesthetics, antibiotics, medical techniques and products, which may have a bearing on the cost of the services.

Puppies and kittens need basic health examinations and vaccinations. They will also need to be spayed or neutered within the six months, typically around one month after the last set of puppy/kitten vaccinations. Please call us to get a general estimate for those services. It is also very important that your new pet receives good nutrition; we sell a wide range of product choices for all life stages.

Following the first year your pet will need to have an annual check up, possibly with vaccinations, to ensure that he or she is healthy. Most animals also receive one or more dental cleanings in their lifetime to keep there mouths healthy. It is hard to predict what other veterinary care may be required in an animals lifetime.

We believe that preventive medicine and nutrition go a long way in keeping your pet healthier just as it does with humans.

To get a rabies certificate, only a rabies vaccination is needed. This law is in place to protect humans and animals from the spread of rabies. However, the vaccine cannot be administered without the animal * first having received a physical examination. It is in the best interest of your pet to get a routine check-up plus all the necessary vaccines as determined by your veterinarian to maintain your pet's good health. There are many infectious diseases of animals, many of them fatal to your pet. The additional cost of the vaccines which prevent these diseases is often quite minimal. Administering vaccines is a safe, easy and cost effective way to prevent disease. Many veterinarians have written material on the recommended vaccinations your pet needs, and would be happy to provide this to you.

* Except where exemptions have been granted.

Relatively speaking, veterinary care is a great value! The cost of veterinary care has risen very little over the last 20 to 30 years, especially when compared to the cost of human health care or almost any other services.

Veterinary fees are a reflection of the costs of maintaining suitable facilities, equipment and support personnel to provide the level of care that is expected in animal medicine today. Remember, too, the original cost of the animal has no bearing on the cost of services delivered. Annual veterinary care is a cost that should be factored in to the decision to own a pet.

Third party health insurance is available for pets. As with human health insurance, different companies offer various levels of coverage which have a wide range of deductibles and premiums. 

It is a good idea to enroll with an insurance program early in your pet's life in order to receive the highest benefit availability.  

Please contact your veterinary facility which may have more information on this type of insurance.

There are minimum standards for veterinary care that are overseen by veterinary regulatory bodies. Generally, the level of fees does not relate to "quality of care" provided. However, when you notice significant differences in fees, it is logical to ask detailed questions about the course of treatment proposed. If fees seem too low compared to other estimates you have received, your expectations for care may not be met. 

Veterinarians are dedicated to protecting the health and welfare of both animals and people. Veterinarians are highly educated and skilled in preventing, diagnosing and treating animal health problems. They provide a wide variety of services in private practice, teaching and research, regulatory veterinary medicine, public health, private industry and other specialized services.

In order to earn a veterinary medical degree, you must generally complete at least six years of university education. This includes a minimum of two years pre-veterinary university education and four years in a program of veterinary medicine.

A typical veterinary medical student spends about 4,000 hours in classroom, laboratory and clinical study. In many ways, a veterinarian's education only begins with a degree. New scientific knowledge and techniques are constantly being developed and a veterinarian must keep his/her knowledge current by reading scientific journals and attending professional meetings. courses and seminars.

Yes. For many years, the number of students applying to veterinary school has exceeded the number of available positions.

Men and women who hope to get into a veterinary medical program must complete their pre-veterinary study with high grades. Practical experience with animals or extra years of college can help.

An RVN is comparable to a human nurse. They take samples (blood, urine etc.), do x-rays, anesthesia, place IV catheters, take care of hospitalized patients, do laboratory work and so much more.

In Alberta an RVN is required to complete a two year course in Animal Health Technology, at the end of the two years they are required to write the Veterinary Technologist National Exam, in order to practice in Alberta.