Vet services in Fort McMurray

Veterinary care for dogs and cats

From first puppy and kitten visits to senior care, dentals and surgery, most of what your pet needs happens here, with the same team who knows them.

Hours

Monday to Friday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat, Sun and holidays: Closed

Call or text

Call (780) 715-9369
Text (587) 674-1905

Wellness exams and vaccinations

How often does my pet need a wellness exam?

Most adult dogs and cats should have a wellness exam once a year. Puppies, kittens, seniors and pets with ongoing health concerns usually need to come in more often, and your vet will suggest a schedule that fits your pet.

Pets are good at hiding illness. A yearly exam lets us catch changes early, when they are easier and less costly to treat, and gives us a baseline to compare against as your pet gets older.

What we check

  • Eyes and ears
  • Skin, coat and any new lumps
  • Heart and lungs
  • Teeth and gums
  • Weight and body condition
  • Joints, gait and mobility
  • Digestion, bathroom habits and parasites
  • Behaviour changes

Vaccines

We tailor vaccines to your pet’s age and lifestyle. Core vaccines protect against serious diseases every pet can be exposed to, such as rabies and distemper in dogs and panleukopenia in cats. Lifestyle vaccines, such as kennel cough or leptospirosis, depend on things like boarding, daycare and time spent outdoors.

Common questions

Does my indoor cat need vaccines?

Yes. Indoor cats can still be exposed to disease through open doors, other pets or an unexpected escape. Your vet will recommend a schedule based on your cat’s real risk.

Can my pet get vaccines without an exam?

Vaccines are given during an exam visit. The vet needs to check that your pet is healthy enough to be vaccinated, and it is a good chance to talk about anything you have noticed at home.

Puppy and kitten care

When should I bring in my new puppy or kitten?

Book a first visit within a week or two of bringing your new pet home, ideally around 8 weeks of age. Young pets need a series of visits every 3 to 4 weeks until about 16 weeks old to complete their vaccines.

These early visits set your pet up for a healthy life, and they are a good time to ask all your new-owner questions.

What the first visits cover

  • A full exam and the vaccine series
  • Deworming and parasite prevention
  • Microchipping
  • Food, growth and healthy weight
  • House training, socialization and handling tips
  • Planning the right time to spay or neuter

Common questions

When should I spay or neuter my pet?

It depends on species, breed and size. Most cats are spayed or neutered around 5 to 6 months of age. For dogs, especially larger breeds, the best timing varies, and your vet will talk it through with you.

Senior pet care

When is my pet considered a senior?

Most cats and small dogs are considered seniors at around 7 years old, and large breed dogs a little earlier. We recommend exams every 6 months for senior pets, since changes in weight, kidneys, joints and teeth can develop quickly.

Senior visits often include bloodwork and a urine test so we can spot problems such as kidney disease, diabetes or thyroid conditions before your pet feels unwell. We also look closely at comfort and mobility, because arthritis pain is common and very treatable.

Signs worth booking a visit for

  • Drinking or urinating more
  • Weight loss or gain
  • Stiffness or trouble with stairs
  • Accidents in the house
  • Bad breath or dropping food
  • Confusion or changes in sleep

Pet dental care

How do I know if my pet needs a dental cleaning?

Bad breath, tartar on the teeth, red or bleeding gums, dropping food or chewing on one side are common signs. Your vet checks your pet’s mouth at every exam and will let you know when a cleaning is needed.

Dental disease is painful, and pets rarely show it. Treating it early keeps your pet eating comfortably and can prevent infection and tooth loss.

What a dental procedure includes

  • A pre-anesthetic exam, plus bloodwork if your vet recommends it
  • General anesthesia with monitoring throughout
  • Dental x-rays to see the roots below the gumline
  • Scaling and polishing above and below the gumline
  • Extractions if needed, with pain control
  • Home care instructions when your pet goes home

Common questions

Why does my pet need anesthesia for a dental cleaning?

Most dental disease happens below the gumline, which cannot be cleaned on an awake pet. Anesthesia also lets us take dental x-rays and check every tooth safely and without stress.

Can I brush my pet’s teeth at home?

Yes, and it is one of the most helpful things you can do between cleanings. Use a pet toothbrush and pet toothpaste, since human toothpaste is not meant for pets. Our team is happy to show you how.

Spay, neuter and surgery

What surgeries do you offer?

We perform spays and neuters, lump and mass removals and other soft tissue surgeries here in our hospital. If your pet needs a specialized procedure we do not offer, we will refer you to a surgical specialist.

Every surgical patient has an exam beforehand, is monitored throughout anesthesia and goes home with pain medication and clear instructions.

Before surgery day

  • A $100 deposit is required to book a surgery. It goes toward your pet’s final bill.
  • We will give you fasting instructions when you book.
  • Drop-off is between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. Please allow 20 minutes for paperwork.

See how to prepare for surgery for more detail.

Common questions

How long is recovery after a spay or neuter?

Plan on 10 to 14 days of rest. That means no running, jumping, bathing or licking the incision. Your pet will go home with a cone and written instructions.

Will my pet stay overnight?

Most pets go home the same day. We will call you when your pet is awake and ready for pick-up.

Diagnostics: bloodwork, x-rays and ultrasound

Can you run tests on-site?

Yes. We have an in-house laboratory, x-ray and ultrasound, so many results are ready during your visit or the same day. That means faster answers and treatment for your pet.

  • Bloodwork and urine tests: screen organ function, check for infection and monitor long-term medications.
  • X-rays: show bones, joints, the chest and the abdomen, and help find swallowed objects.
  • Ultrasound: gives a closer look at organs such as the liver, kidneys and bladder.

Common questions

Does my pet need to fast before bloodwork?

Sometimes. For certain tests we will ask you to hold food for a few hours beforehand. We will let you know when you book.

Microchipping

What is a microchip, and does it hurt?

A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is placed under the skin between the shoulder blades. It takes seconds, feels similar to a vaccine and can be done during a regular visit or while your pet is under anesthesia for a spay or neuter.

If your pet is ever lost, any vet clinic or shelter can scan the chip and find your contact information. Remember to update your registration if you move or change phone numbers.

Common questions

Does a microchip track my pet’s location?

No. A microchip is not a GPS tracker. It holds an ID number that a clinic or shelter scans to look up your contact information, so keep your registration up to date.

Nutrition and veterinary diets

Do you carry prescription diets?

Yes. We carry veterinary therapeutic diets for conditions such as kidney disease, food allergies, urinary problems and weight management, plus treats and supplements. Pick up at the clinic or order through myVetStore for home delivery.

Our RVTs can help you choose the right food for your pet’s age, weight and health. Kathleen, one of our RVTs, has a special interest in pet nutrition.

Ready to book?

Call or text us Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.