Frequently Asked Questions
Valley Veterinary Clinic has been serving the Central Alberta area for over 35 years. Our clinics are situated in three convenient locations. If you have any questions regarding our veterinary services, we’d be happy to answer them for you. However, try to go through our FAQ section to see whether your questions have already been answered. Call us to schedule your appointment.
Surgeries
When do you perform surgeries?
We perform surgeries Monday to Friday by appointment. For all surgeries, you need to arrive at the clinic by 8:00 AM.
My animal is having surgery tomorrow. Can they have food and water?
Please take their food away by 6:00 PM the night before surgery. There is no need to limit their water at any time.
When can I pick my pet up following their surgery?
Dog and cat spays and cat neuters spend the night here at the clinic. Dog neuters, dental, and some routine surgeries go home the same day between 3:00 and 4:30 PM, unless specified by the doctor. You may pick up discharged pets that spend the night the next day any time after 9:00 AM.
What are the benefits of having my pet spayed or neutered?
Spaying will eliminate your pet’s chance of developing a uterine infection called pyometra, which can be a life-threatening condition. It may also reduce your pet’s risk of developing some forms of cancer, and decrease or even eliminate unwanted behaviors such as aggression, marking territory, spraying, or wandering. Spaying or neutering is the only way to prevent unwanted litters of puppies or kittens.
How old does my puppy or kitten have to be to have them spayed or neutered?
We spay or neuter at six months of age to try to avoid any urinary obstruction issues from spaying or neutering too young. Your pet’s age can be verified by their teeth. If you are unsure of the age, know that at six months of age, your pet will have most of their adult teeth.
My dog is in heat when can I get her spayed?
We do not spay dogs in heat due to increased risk. The heat cycle lasts seven to 21 days. Please wait two weeks after the heat cycle ends to book spay appointments.
How do I know if my pet needs dental work?
​Bad breath, inflamed gums, loose teeth, plaque, and tartar buildup are important signs of dental issues. If you notice any of these signs, please make an appointment for a dental checkup. If your pet’s teeth do not need cleaning, we can make recommendations to help maintain your pet’s dental health such as dental treats, toys, and/or brushing.
​Vaccines, Wellness Exams, and Appointments
How often should my pets be vaccinated?
Adult dogs and cats should be vaccinated annually during a visit with a thorough wellness exam to ensure they are adequately protected against the more common canine/feline pathogens.
We recommend that kittens and puppies should be vaccinated at eight weeks and 12 weeks for distemper, and 16 weeks for distemper and rabies.
How can I tell if my pet needs to see a veterinarian?
If you notice any of these symptoms, please call and make an appointment:
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A decrease in appetite and drinking
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An increase in drinking and/or urination
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Straining to urinate or urinating in the house
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Diarrhea or constipation
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Sleeping more
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Acting lethargic or not their usual self
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Deep cuts or wounds and/or bleeding
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An injury and/or trouble in moving
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Trouble breathing
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Swelling
Why is my pet scooting their hind end on the ground?
There are a few reasons why your pet is scooting on the ground. Your pet may need their anal gland expressed, need to be dewormed, or have other medical issues.
Do I need to make an appointment?
​We ask that you call to make an appointment to be sure we have time assigned for you to see one of our doctors. We do our best to accommodate, but we cannot guarantee there will be a vet available to see walk-in patients.
How long does a visit to the vet usually take?
Vaccine and wellness exam appointments take 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the needs of your pet. Medications, products, or diagnostic testing are an addition to the exam cost.
Prescriptions
How do I get a prescription refilled for my pet?
If you are a client of our clinic and your pet has been seen within a year, you can call and request a refill over the phone. If you have received the prescription from a different clinic, you will have to call the prescribing clinic to have them fax a prescription to us. When we have the prescription, we will get it ready for you to pick up.
Pet Food
What brands of pet food do you carry?
We currently carry Medi-Cal/Royal Canin, Hills/Science Diet, and Acana/Orijen pet foods. If you are looking for something we do not carry, we will be happy to see if we can special order it for you.