new client
Your Pet’s Health Journey Starts Here
Welcome to our veterinary family!
We know that choosing a trusted provider for your pet’s health is an important decision, and we’re here to ensure a smooth and stress-free first visit.
Trusted Care, Right from the Start
A Warm Welcome to Exceptional Care
Whether it’s your pet’s first-ever visit or just a new veterinary home, we make the experience comfortable and positive for both pets and their owners.
Our new client process helps us tailor the best care plan by understanding your pet’s history, lifestyle, and needs.
Personalized Pet Assessment
We take the time to learn about your pet’s health, behaviour, and dietary needs to build a care plan tailored just for them.
Gentle & Stress-Free Introduction
Our team uses a calm and compassionate approach to make every pet feel comfortable from the moment they walk in.
Comprehensive Health Checkup
A full nose-to-tail exam helps us establish a health baseline and detect any early signs of potential issues.
Our new client process helps us tailor the best care plan by understanding your pet’s history, lifestyle, and needs.
Personalized Pet Assessment
We take the time to learn about your pet’s health, behaviour, and dietary needs to build a care plan tailored just for them.
Gentle & Stress-Free Introduction
Our team uses a calm and compassionate approach to make every pet feel comfortable from the moment they walk in.
Comprehensive Health Checkup
A full nose-to-tail exam helps us establish a health baseline and detect any early signs of potential issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guiding you through your patient’s care journey.
What should I bring for my puppy/kitten’s first appointment?
We want to be sure your new family member gets started on the right foot during their first visit! We ask that you bring any relevant health information with you to their first appointment, including previous vaccination records and health checks. We will update what you have and make copies for our records so their medical history is complete. Even if your puppy or kitten has received deworming, we still recommend you bring a fresh fecal sample so we can ensure any possible exposure has been cleared. Some deworming products are species-specific, and general medicines may not cover all species of parasites. And of course—bring your questions! We are here to support you every step of the way.
What should I feed my pet?
Finding the right pet food can be very overwhelming as there are so many brands out there! A good quality pet food should follow AAFCO standards. This can be found near the ingredients list on your pet’s bag of food. We want to be sure you are also feeding a diet appropriate for your pet’s life stage. As we know, nutritional requirements for babies differ from adults, and the same can be said about pet food. A puppy or kitten food should be labeled for growth and development, while an adult food should stipulate that it is for adult maintenance. If you are ever in doubt, bring your pet’s food to our office, and we will happily answer any additional questions you may have about your pet’s diet.
Do I need year-round tick prevention for my pet?
We recommend year-round protection as ticks are active whenever temperatures rise above 4 degrees Celsius. This cannot be broken down seasonally as we have had varying temperatures at all times of the year here in Canada over the last couple of years. However, we can certainly discuss the best options available to you based on your pet’s lifestyle and exposure risks.
Do I need to test my pet for heartworm?
Yes! Our heartworm tests are paired with a tick disease screen, so you will not only be checking for exposure to the heartworm parasite but also Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Lyme Disease, which are all spread by ticks. If your pet has been exposed to a tick, testing is recommended 12 weeks from the time of exposure. Otherwise, annual testing is recommended in the spring.
What are the travel guidelines and export appointment requirements?
Whether you are traveling with your pet for leisure or making a permanent move to another country, the most up-to-date export requirements by country can be found through the CFIA website. We ask that prior to making travel arrangements, you review the requirements outlined by your destination country and contact us to schedule the necessary appointments for your pet based on those guidelines. Keep in mind that requirements change regularly, and it is your responsibility to have the most up-to-date information for your pet’s export appointment.
For pets traveling to the U.S., a valid rabies vaccine and ISO-compatible microchip (15 digits) will be required for entry as well as re-entry back to Canada. This information will be included on your pet’s recent vaccination certificate. If you are traveling by car, please keep in mind that your pet’s food will need to be in its original packaging and unopened or risk being confiscated at the border. We recommend that all dogs entering the U.S. are on regular heartworm prevention, as heartworm is a more prevalent parasite the farther south you go. If you are traveling by plane, please be sure to check with your airline for specific travel requirements or restrictions. Pet owners are responsible for filling out an entry form found on the CDC website prior to crossing the border.
What is the ideal time to spay/neuter my pet?
We often spay at approximately six months of age and neuter between 6–10 months of age. We will discuss the best time for surgery based on your pet’s breed, size, and sex at their booster vaccine appointment.
What should I expect during surgery, and what is included?
Our surgeries are inclusive of pre- and post-operative medications, pre-anesthetic bloodwork, and intraoperative fluids, and we will provide you with an estimate based on your pet’s individual treatment requirements. We will schedule a pre-anesthetic appointment with one of our technicians a few weeks before your pet’s procedure to review the surgery in depth and answer any questions you may have. We have a dedicated team of Registered Veterinary Technicians monitoring your pet from their admittance to their discharge. We will also send you home with discharge instructions and follow up with you the next day to ensure your pet is recovering well. A post-operative recheck is included should it be required.
Why are dental procedures done under anesthesia?
Dental procedures for animals are done under general anesthetic first and foremost for the safety of the pet. A Complete Oral Health Assessment includes a scale and polish, dental radiographs, and charting of the teeth, all of which we cannot complete while our pets are awake. Since dental procedures range from 1–3 hours in length, it is imperative that we have a team of Registered Veterinary Technicians monitoring their vitals for the entirety of their procedure. If an additional procedure is required to address problem teeth or referral is recommended to a Dental Specialist, we will review these options with you at the time of your pet’s discharge from surgery.
Why is socialization important for my pet?
It is very important to take the time to socialize your new puppy to the outside world in a fun and positive manner in order to set them up for success as they integrate into their new world. We provide you with training resources in our Puppy Welcome Packages, including socialization checklists and trainer recommendations. We also offer introductory puppy classes at Laurelwood Veterinary Hospital once your puppy has completed at least two sets of booster vaccinations through clinic trainer, Chris Mallick.