If you have additional questions that aren’t covered here, please feel free to give us a call at
306-545-7211 or email us at appointments@anvc.ca.
General FAQs
Do I need to have an appointment?
We see most of our patients on scheduled appointments. In the event of an emergency, we will accept walk-in patients, when we are able. Please note that if a scheduled appointment is made to wait to accommodate an emergency/walk-in, there is an additional fee for the unscheduled appointment.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, Debit, Mastercard, Visa, iFinance, and PayBright Finance. We also offer Vet Direct Pay for our clients with Trupanion Insurance.
Do you board pets?
We do not provide regular boarding services for dogs and cats. Boarding is provided for our patients that are in for medical procedures or treatment. We may consider boarding animals with special medical needs, such as diabetics, on an individual basis. Please call the clinic for more information. We also can board birds and other small animals; however, you will be required to bring your own cage and food for your exotic pet.
What are your kennels like?
Our kennels are all indoor. The cats, rabbits, birds, and other exotic pets are housed in a separate area away from the dogs. Blankets and food are provided for our in-clinic patients, but you are always welcome to bring your own. Post-surgical patients or any patients requiring are also provided heat disks/bags and if required heat lamps.
Surgical FAQs
Please note: Due to COVID there may be some variation in our normal procedures for admitting and discharging of patients.
What You Need To Know Before Your Pet’s Upcoming Surgery
While anesthesia and surgery may seem like scary prospects, the risk of problems from anesthesia or surgery is usually far lower than the risk of not performing a needed procedure. At Albert North Veterinary Clinic, our doctors and team work together to keep your pet as safe and comfortable as possible. The following information is provided to answer the most common questions and concerns and give you an idea of what to expect before, during, and after your pet’s procedure.
Booking an appointment
Surgeries are performed by our veterinarians on weekday (Monday – Friday) mornings. For any surgeries besides routine spays and neuters, we need to have seen the patient within the last year. If there is a day that is best for you, please book as far ahead as possible so we are able to accommodate your needs.
Fasting
It is important for surgery to be done on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia. For most patients, we recommend a small snack at 9pm the night before. Water can remain down for your pet. PLEASE NOTE: In some circumstances, the veterinarian will provide you with specialized instructions for your pet. Always follow the doctor’s instructions.
Exotic pets: These patients are NOT FASTED prior to surgery. Please feed and water your pet as normal. We ask that you bring some of your pet’s food along to admitting. Once your pet is eating, they will be able to be discharged and go home.
Admitting
On the day of your pet’s procedure, we request that they be brought into the clinic between 7:30 and 8:30 am. Please allow at least 15 minutes for us to go over the consent form and estimate with you and confirm any extra procedures you may want done (such as nail trim or ear clean). If you know you are going to be pressed for time in the morning, you may come in a day or two ahead to fill out all of the required paperwork to expedite the admittance process on the morning of the procedure.
Preanesthetic Exam and Bloodwork
Before administering anesthetics, we do a thorough physical exam to ensure that a fever or other illness won’t be a problem. Preanesthetic bloodwork is important in reducing the risk of anesthesia and is strongly recommended for every animal going under anesthesia to ensure that the kidneys and liver can handle the anesthetic drugs. Even animals that appear healthy may have serious organ system problems that cannot be detected without blood testing. We can run these tests in-house the morning of surgery prior to the procedure*. Minor dysfunctions in bloodwork may determine the types of anesthetic and post-operative pain medications that are used. If serious problems are detected, surgery may be postponed until the problem is corrected. For geriatric or ill patients, additional tests (such as x-rays or ultrasound) may be advised before surgery.
*With the exception of exotic patients whose bloodwork must be sent to Saskatoon and is done 1 week prior to their surgery date.
Intravenous Fluids
All patients going under general anesthetic are placed on IV fluids (with the exception of cat neuters* and other short procedures such as small lumps). This provides direct access to the vascular system in the event that emergency drugs are required. The fluids also maintain your pet’s blood pressure and prevent dehydration, which helps your pet feel better and recover faster from the anesthetic.
*Male cats receive sub-Q fluids (fluids injected under the skin) rather than IV fluids due to the short surgery time involved with their neuter.
Monitoring
All patients are carefully monitored by a veterinary technician for their entire procedure for heart and respiratory rates, blood oxygen levels, blood pressure, and temperature. This allows us to adjust the anesthetic appropriately to prevent the patient from becoming too light or too deep and catch changes that may indicate a problem early. During recovery, they continue to be watched closely for signs of complications or pain. Most patients are kept until about mid-afternoon, although some patients undergoing major surgeries may be kept overnight, to ensure that they are recovering well prior to heading home.
Discharge
When you come in to pick your pet up, please allow about 10 -15 minutes for a technician to go over discharge instructions on how to care for your pet over the next several days. Please follow these instructions carefully as they will help prevent complications from arising. Most patients will be sent home with pain medications. Remember, anything that causes pain in people can be expected to cause pain in animals, and pain slows the healing process. We use drugs during the surgery to control pain, and you will need to continue pain medication at home to ensure your pet’s comfort. DO NOT give your pets any medications without discussing it with a veterinarian first as they may be harmful to your pet or have a negative reaction with the other medications that they are on.
How long do the sutures stay in after my pet's surgery?
Procedures involving skin sutures require them to be removed 10-14 days following the surgery. This is done here at the clinic at no additional cost to you. Some procedures are done with only sutures that are buried under the skin. These sutures dissolve on their own and require no additional appointment.