Emergencies

Frequently Asked Questions

You have questions. We have answers!

Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we get from our clients at Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital.

General information about appointments

Emergencies:

No appointment is required. Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital accepts emergencies 24/7.

If your pet is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please bring them directly to the hospital. If you have time and it is safe for you to do so, please call the hospital at 604-514-8383 to let us know you are on the way.

See our emergencies FAQs to find out more about when to seek emergency services for your pet.

Specialty Appointments:

There are two ways to get a referral to our hospital:

  1. From your primary veterinarian
    1. This ensures the proper transfer of medical information. Once your veterinarian has sent a referral, we will contact you to set up an appointment.
  2. Contact us directly
    1. If you are unable to obtain a referral, or do not have a veterinarian, please contact us at 604-514-8383 or send us an email to info@bbvsh.com.
Recheck Appointments:

After your pet’s first consultation or surgery, follow-up appointments may be required. When your pet is discharged, we will provide you with a schedule of when to return for recheck appointments. Please also see our FAQs for each specialty service, below.

Drop-off Appointments:

Bandage changes, radiographs, some blood tests, infectious patients, and some recheck appointments are all “drop off” appointments.

Drop off appointments are best done in the morning, but arrangements can be made for a later time in the day. This gives the staff time to see the patient and fit them into the day in between appointments. Someone will call you to arrange a pickup time once your pet has been seen.

  • Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital is open for emergencies 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.
  • Board-certified Veterinary Specialists are generally available for appointments during regular business hours, Monday to Friday. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Hours may vary depending on the specialty service. Please contact us at 604-514-8383 or send us an email to info@bbvsh.com to confirm specific specialty service hours.
  • Board-certified Veterinary Specialists are also on-call after hours as required (call-in fee applies).
  • All referrals and medical records are reviewed by the specialty services to ensure that your appointment is with the proper service and doctor and at an appropriate time. Therefore, It is best for the liaison for the specific specialty service to make the appointment for you.
  • We will do our best to accommodate your pet as soon as possible.
  • Availability varies for each of our specialty departments, depending on service capacity and urgency of the pets’ condition. In general, you can expect to wait 1-3 weeks for a specialty appointment.
  • Specialty service appointments are generally available Monday through Friday.
  • Usually, you will be asked to fill in new patient registration forms and medical history forms, which can be found on our registrations page.
  • Note: We have two entrances to the hospital. The employee entrance is on 173rd St. The main entrance is around the corner and up the ramp off 104a avenue.
  • Parking is available outside our main entrance in our parking lot, as well as on 104a Avenue and 173rd Street.
  • Please see our contact page for a map and directions.

Emergency exam: 

  • Emergency exam fee is $240.00, which includes physical exam, blood pressure, and FAST scan (brief ultrasound of body cavities, if indicated).
  • After the initial exam, the emergency veterinarian will give you a written estimate of costs for any recommended diagnostics, procedures, and treatments. If you elect to proceed with the recommendations, a 75% deposit will be required prior to treatment. You always have the option to accept or decline some or all of the recommendations.

 

Specialty appointments: 

  • The initial exam fee varies depending on the specialty service that your pet will be seeing.
  • After the initial exam, the specialist will give you a written estimate of costs for any recommended diagnostics, procedures, and treatments. If you elect to proceed with the recommendations, a 75% deposit will be required prior to treatment. You always have the option to accept or decline some or all of the recommendations.
  • Please see our pricing page for more specific information on pricing. Please note that these costs are subject to change.
  • A 75% deposit will be required to proceed with treatment after you have consulted with the vet. Payment is due at the time of service.
  • We accept cash, debit card, VISA, Mastercard, American Express.
  • We do not accept personal cheques. We do accept certified cheques.
  • Financing through ScratchPay or Petcard is accepted; applications also available at front desk.
  • We have the capability to directly process your Trupanion claim for direct to hospital payment.
  • We can submit to other insurance providers on your behalf.
  • Specialty and emergency veterinary medicine tends to be more expensive than your family vet. This is because we provide our patients with specialized care, which means we have hospital-grade equipment and experienced staff who can handle even the most critical, complex traumas and life-threatening emergencies, as well as specialists who can handle any medical or surgical issue.
  • These unique aspects of our hospital give us the ability to help our patients with an end goal of better outcomes for our patients, with fewer chance of complications.
  • Our fees cover the costs of:
    • Advanced specialty equipment like CT scanners and an MRI.
    • The staff to take care of pets 24/7.
    • The development and implementation of new procedures that are beneficial to our patients.

 

  • We will contact your family veterinarian for your pet’s most recent medical records.
  • Please bring a list of all the veterinary clinics your pet has seen for the presenting problem.
  • Please make sure you list of all current medications (as well as any supplements) – including strength of the medication and how often you are giving the medication – on the medical history form you fill out prior to your pet’s appointment.
  • Please bring the medications and any special diet that may be required for your pet in case they need to stay overnight at the hospital.
  • Please bring your pet unless otherwise advised by the service.
  • Please see our  Registration page for more information and forms.
  • If you are a new client, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for specialty appointments to check-in.
  • After check-in, a veterinary assistant or technologist will take your pet to the services’ exam area for vitals and a physical exam by the specialist.
  • After the exam, the specialist will discuss diagnostic and therapeutic options with you and provide a written cost estimate.
  • If you elect to proceed with any diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, a 75% deposit is required prior to treatment.
  • The length of the consultation varies depending on your pet’s needs, but initial consults may take an hour or more and rechecks may take half an hour or more.
  • Additional information regarding what to expect at your appointment can be found under “Specialty Appointments” on the FAQ page.
  • You will only need to fill out the registration form once.
  • However, you do need to fill out a medical history form for each appointment because your pet’s physical condition may have changed.
  • Medications can legally only be refilled for patients who have a current (within the last year) veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
  • Some patients, depending on their condition, will require frequent rechecks and/or bloodwork before additional medication refills can be prescribed.
  • The number of medication refills allowed will be shown on your prescription.
  • If you have refills available:
    • Please call your pet’s specialty service at least 2 working days prior to the medication running out. It will be left at the front desk for pick up at your convenience.
    • Some specialty services are not available Fridays, so be sure to allow enough time for them to respond.
    • If you do not call the specialty service prior to running out of medication, the prescription will need to be filled by the emergency service, and it is likely there will be a long wait.
  • If you do not have refills available:
    • You must contact the specialty service during their normal hours at least 7 working days prior to the last refill running out. They will let you know whether this medication can be refilled without a recheck appointment.
    • If your pet needs an emergency refill of a medication, and your specialist/doctor is not in the hospital, the emergency doctor may not, in some cases, be able to refill the medication without an emergency exam, for which the $250 ER fee will be charged.
  • Please note:
    • Compounded medications and Controlled Drugs take longer to refill, and you should contact the Service at least 10 days prior to the prescription running out.
    • Written controlled drug prescriptions are only valid for 5 days; they must be picked up from BBVSH and filled at a pharmacy right away.
Specialty Appointments: Please read the FAQs applicable to the specialty department you are seeing (for example, if you are coming for an oncology appointment, please read the “Oncology Appointments FAQs” on the FAQ page) for more specific information related to those appointments and rechecks.

Yes!

Network name = BBVSH Guest
Password = weloveanimals

Emergencies

Please see our emergencies page to find out more about when to seek emergency services for your pet.

We are open 24/7 for emergencies. No referral required; walk-ins welcome. If your pet is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please bring them directly to the hospital. If you have time and it is safe for you to do so, please call us (604) 514-8383.

  • Emergency care is prioritized using a triage system to ensure that pets needing extremely urgent care are seen first.
  • Your pet will be assessed and assigned a colour to show the urgency of their case. Your pet will be seen as soon as possible, according to their assigned triage level.
  • Wait times are dependent on ER capacity.
Triage Category Description
Red Immediate Interventions to be applied immediately
Orange Very Urgent Interventions to be applied as soon as possible
Yellow Urgent Wait times may apply
Green Standard Prolonged wait times may apply
Blue Non-urgent Prolonged wait times may be expected
PLEASE ADVISE THE FRONT DESK TEAM IF YOUR PET’S CONDITION CHANGES. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
  • Like a human hospital, all patients are triaged when they arrive. Triage means that we assess the severity of the problem to help determine which patients should be treated first.
  • When you pet is triaged, they are taken to an exam room where vitals such as breathing, temperature, and blood pressure are taken. Your pet is then assigned a triage level/colour.
  • When it is your turn, your pet will be taken to the back for an assessment by the doctor. Once the assessment has been performed, the doctor will talk to you about what is going on with your pet and review the diagnostic and treatment options. An estimate will be provided, and you will decide how to proceed.
  • All emergency patients are triaged when they arrive. Triage means that we assess the severity of the problem to help determine which patients should be treated first.
  • Pets are seen according to their triage status, rather than on a first-come first-served basis. Critical patients will always be seen first. Examples of extremely urgent cases may include: not breathing or difficulty breathing, cardiac arrest, severe wounds, and/or trauma.
  • If you are waiting, it means that your pet is stable enough to do so. We thank you for your patience and understanding.
  • After the initial exam, the emergency veterinarian will give you a written estimate of costs for any recommended diagnostics, procedures, and treatments.
  • If you elect to proceed with the recommendations, a 75% deposit will be required prior to treatment. You always have the option to accept or decline some or all of the recommendations.

What should I expect if my pet is hospitalized at Boundary Bay?

  • You will be given an estimate of cost and a consent form. A 75% deposit is required when your pet is admitted.
  • If care beyond the initial estimate is needed, a new estimate will be provided, and an additional deposit may be required.
  • You will get a financial update every morning while your pet is hospitalized.

Our hospital is staffed 24/7/365 by veterinarians, veterinary technologists, and veterinary assistants.

  • During normal business hours, your pet will be taken care of by your pet’s specialist or an emergency doctor and their team.
  • After hours, your pet will be taken care of by an emergency veterinarian, veterinary technologists, and veterinary assistants. Board-certified specialists and board-certified emergency and critical care vets are on-call after hours.
  • Your pets are housed in comfortable and clean kennels or indoor runs depending on their size. Cats are separated from dogs in a quiet area to decrease their stress.
  • Hospitalization areas are divided into ICU, intermediate care, and stable wards.
  • Doctors will provide clinical updates on your pet at least once daily by phone or in person to discuss your pet’s progress, diagnostic results, and plan moving forward. This update will occur by 2 p.m. If you have not heard from the doctor or their team by this time, please give us a call.
  • If your pet’s clinical status deteriorates, a doctor will call you to let you know regardless of time of day or night. Please keep your phone on and audible.
  • Calls to check on your pet (a nursing update) are permitted once per 12-hour period (i.e., once during the day and once at night).
  • We ask that you do not call more frequently as this takes nursing staff away from their patients. Please also designate one person (or conference calls) to receive updates.
  • If the results come back while your pet is still hospitalized, the doctor will discuss these with you when they provide your daily update.
  • If the results are expected after your pet leaves the hospital, the doctor will let you know when to call for the results.
  • In general, unless otherwise specified by your doctor, if you have not spoken with your doctor or their team about results within one week, please call the service liaison to ask for an update.
  • Normally, we can accommodate most visits, and we will make every effort to find a way for you to visit your pet. Regular visiting hours are between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m., 7 days a week.
  • To help you find the best time for a visit, we recommend that you call ahead. If you do not call ahead, please be advised you may have to wait until staff are available to arrange your visit.
  • Visits are limited to 30 minutes in an exam room, or 5 minutes if your pet must remain in the ICU. This ensures continued monitoring of your pet and avoids falling behind on treatments, fluids, etc.
  • In general, visits are not allowed for surgery patients until the day following surgery.
  • Overnight visits are also not normally permitted, outside of exceptional circumstances.
  • In some circumstances it may be detrimental to your pet to have a visit due to their condition (e.g., respiratory distress). Until this condition stabilizes, we will find a way for you to see your pet (e.g., view your pet through a window).
  • Written instructions will be provided at the time of your pet’s discharge. Someone on your pet’s care team will go over these instructions with you, but it may not be the doctor.
  • Arrangements should be made with your pet’s care team during your daily update to find the best time for pick-up.
  • We ask that you notify us if you are unable to arrive at your arranged discharge time.
  • Payment of your balance is due at the time of your pet’s hospital discharge.

Specialty Appointments

Surgery Appointments

  • Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital strongly encourages you to obtain a referral from your family veterinarian whenever possible. A referral ensures the proper transfer of medical information, is beneficial to your pet and the specialty veterinarian, and will help your pet receive the appropriate care.
  • Once your veterinarian has sent a referral, we will contact you to set up an appointment. If you have not heard from us within 72 hours of your veterinarian sending a referral, please contact a client care representative at 604-514-8383.
  • If you need guidance, are unable to obtain a referral, or do not have a family veterinarian, please contact a Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital client care representative at 604-514-8383 or send us an email to info@bbvsh.com.
  • Surgery appointments are generally available Monday through Friday. Please contact the surgery service at 604-514-8383 or send us an email to info@bbvsh.com if you have questions about an appointment with one of the surgeons.
  • In case of an emergency: Should your pet become more ill or requires immediate intervention before your appointment, you can bring your pet to our 24/7 emergency service.

Initial Surgery Consultation

  • There will be an initial consult fee for the examination.
  • After the initial exam, the specialist will give you a written estimate of costs for any recommended diagnostics, procedures, and treatments.
  • If you elect to proceed with the recommendations, a 75% deposit will be required prior to treatment. You always have the option to accept or decline some or all the recommendations.
  • We will contact your family veterinarian for your pet’s most recent medical records. However, you may wish to bring an extra copy of your pet’s records just in case.
  • Please bring any x-rays/radiographs that have been performed. It is acceptable for your family veterinarian to send digital x-rays/radiographs prior to your visit.
  • Please bring a list of all the veterinary clinics your pet has seen for the presenting problem.
  • Please bring a list of all current medications (as well as any supplements), including strength of the medication and how often you are giving the medication. Pictures of labels are fine.
  • Please bring your pet unless otherwise advised by the service.
  • Please see our Registration page for more information and forms.
  • Please call the day before your appointment to make sure we have received all the records from your vet.
  • Your initial appointment may take up to an hour.  However, please prepare to spend 1-3 hours at the hospital. Sometimes additional tests, sedation (and time for recovery) may be required.  We respect your time and will do our best to complete the consultation in a timely manner. 
  • Please be aware that the surgeons may occasionally be delayed due to emergency cases.  If you do have time restrictions, please make us aware so that we can accommodate your schedule. We are often able to perform initial diagnostics such as biopsies, x-rays the same day as your appointment, in which case you may be leaving your pet with us for a day procedure or overnight for a surgery.
  • In general, any major surgery can be scheduled for the day following the appointment, or at a later time that works for both you and your surgeon.
  • You may leave your pet overnight if surgery is going to be performed the following day. This service is offered at no cost to you.
  • If you are travelling from a long distance, please make us aware at the time you make your appointment so that we may do our best to accommodate same-day diagnostics or procedures.

When you arrive for your appointment, please check in with reception. The receptionist will then advise the surgery service that you have arrived.

  • If you are a new client, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for specialty appointments to check in.
  • After check-in, a veterinary assistant or technologist will take your pet to the services’ exam area for vitals and a physical exam by the specialist.
  • After the exam, the specialist will discuss diagnostic and therapeutic options with you and provide a written cost estimate. Each option will be thoroughly explained so that you can make an informed choice for your pet.
  • If you elect to proceed with any diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, a 75% deposit is required prior to treatment.
  • You will only need to fill out the registration form once.
  • However, you do need to fill out a medical history form for each appointment because your pet’s physical condition may have changed.
  • Please do not feed your pet after midnight the night before your initial appointment, any recheck appointments, and/or on the day of surgery; it is okay to give your pet water up until the appointment.
  • Please call for instructions if your pet is diabetic, younger than 4 months, or less than 4kg (10 pounds).
  • When you make your appointment, please advise the surgery liaison if your pet is on medication and ask whether the medication should be given prior to the appointment/surgery.
  • Please bring all medications that may be required for your pet in case they end up needing to stay overnight at the hospital.
  • If your pet is hospitalized, meals are included. However, if your pet is on a special diet, and you are concerned about the diet your pet will be fed, please discuss this with your pet’s care team.
  • Due to the risk of serious infections, no raw food will be fed to patients in the hospital.
  • When you arrive for your pet’s procedure/surgery, please check in with reception. The receptionist will then advise the surgery service that you have arrived.
  • If you have not already signed the treatment plan/written estimate and left a 75% deposit, you will be asked to do so at this time.
  • Your pet will then be taken to the surgery prep area to await surgery.
  • No, usually the surgeon will not call prior to the surgery unless there is a concern that they wish to discuss with you.
  • Surgery/procedure times are not set. The day’s schedule for surgeries/procedures is dependent on the number of patients, the nature of the procedures, any emergency procedures that need to be performed, and the schedule of the doctor.
  • Please do not worry if you have not heard from the doctor. The doctor will call you once the surgery/procedure is complete.
  • Yes, in most cases sedation/anesthesia will be used for most procedures. While there are some risks associated with sedation/anesthesia, most pets do very well.
  • If you have specific concerns about sedation/anesthesia, please discuss these with your specialist.
  • Most patients that require surgery stay overnight and can go home the next day.  Some surgeries may require a few days of post-operative hospitalization. The surgeon will advise you prior to surgery how long to expect your pet to be hospitalized. 
  • While hospitalized your pet will receive 24-hour care from the Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital care team including a veterinarian onsite 24/7.
  • In general, visits are not allowed for surgery patients until the day following surgery.
  • Normally, we can accommodate most visits, and we will make every effort to find a way for you to visit your pet. Regular visiting hours are between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m., 7 days a week.
  • To help you find the best time for a visit, we recommend that you call ahead. If you do not call ahead, please be advised you may have to wait until staff are available to arrange your visit.
  • Visits are limited to 30 minutes in an exam room, or 5 minutes if your pet must remain in the ICU. This ensures continued monitoring of your pet and avoids falling behind on treatments, fluids, etc.
  • Overnight visits are also not normally permitted, outside of exceptional circumstances.
  • In some circumstances it may be detrimental to your pet to have a visit due to their condition (e.g., respiratory distress). Until this condition stabilizes, we will find a way for you to see your pet (e.g., view your pet through a window).
  • Doctors will provide clinical updates on your pet at least once daily by phone or in person to discuss your pet’s progress, diagnostic results, and plan moving forward. This update will occur by 2 p.m. If you have not heard from the doctor or their team by this time, please give us a call.
  • If your pet’s clinical status deteriorates, a doctor will call you to let you know regardless of time of day or night. Please keep your phone on and audible.
  • Calls to check on your pet (a nursing update) are permitted once per 12-hour period (i.e., once during the day and once at night).
  • We ask that you do not call more frequently as this takes nursing staff away from their patients. Please also designate one person (or conference calls) to receive updates.
  • Once your pet is ready for discharge, in general discharges will occur after 11:00 a.m. The surgeon, or one of the care team, will call after rounds to set up a discharge time.
  • Usually, written instructions, including at home care and medications, will be provided at the time of your pet’s discharge. Someone on your pet’s care team will go over these instructions with you, but it may not be the doctor.
  • We ask that you notify us if you are unable to arrive at your arranged discharge time.
  • Payment of your balance is due at the time of your pet’s hospital discharge.
  • Some results will be available within an hour or two of the tests being performed, while other results will take days or weeks.
  • Before you leave, if tests are pending, the specialist will discuss an interim care plan and will call you when results of the diagnostic tests are available.
  • We will provide your family veterinarian with a summary of your pet’s visit including copies of medical records and tests performed.

Post-Surgery

  • Most patients require suture/staple removal 10-14 days after surgery. The timing will be discussed during your consult and will be confirmed at the time you take your pet home (discharge). 
  • If possible, please make your suture removal recheck appointment with Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital as the surgeon would like to evaluate your pet’s progress and ensure healing is progressing as expected. 
  • Many procedures will receive additional follow-up instructions at the suture removal recheck.  If you are unable to see us within the specified time frame for suture removal, please arrange to have the sutures/staples removed by your family veterinarian. 
    • If you choose to do this, please call us with an update and to determine if you should schedule an additional appointment for the surgeon’s evaluation and further instructions.
  • Your pet’s suture appointment will take approximately 30 minutes, as the surgeon will need to briefly examine your pet’s progress.
  • The charge for your pet’s suture/staple removal is included in the surgery fees. 
  • However, there will be an additional charge if there is a need for medication, sedation, additional tests, and/or bandage changes.

Surgery Recheck

  • After your pet’s first consultation or surgery, follow-up appointments may be required.
  • When your pet is discharged, we will provide you with a schedule of when to return for recheck appointments.
  • Please do not feed your pet after midnight the night before your appointment; it is ok to give your pet water up until the appointment.
  • Please call for instructions if your pet is diabetic, younger than 4 months, or less than 4kg (10 pounds).
  • Your recheck appointment will last approximately 45-60 minutes, but please prepare to spend at least 1 hour at the hospital. 
  • Patients that require sedation may take longer to accommodate time to recover from sedation before leaving. 
  • We respect your time and will do our best to complete the consultation in a timely manner.  Please be aware that the surgeons may occasionally be delayed due to emergency cases.  If you do have time restrictions, please make us aware so that we can accommodate your schedule.
  • When you arrive for your appointment, please check in with Reception.
  • To start the appointment, an assistant or technician will bring you into an exam room with your pet, complete a history form, and perform a check of all your pet’s vital signs (such as heart rate, temperature, etc.).
  • The surgeon will review the information, examine your pet, and discuss your pet’s progress with you.
  • Please note: Recheck appointments are additional visits about an ongoing issue, that occur within 6 months of your last visit. If we have not seen your pet in the last 6 months or your concerns are due to a new problem, you will be required to pay for an initial consult.
  • Most routine recheck examinations and recheck radiographs are included in the cost of the surgery.  If additional treatments such as bandages, medications, or sedation are required, there will be an additional charge.

Neurology Appointments

  • Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital strongly encourages you to obtain a referral from your family veterinarian whenever possible. A referral ensures the proper transfer of medical information, is beneficial to your pet and the specialty veterinarian, and will help your pet receive the appropriate care.
  • Once your veterinarian has sent a referral, we will contact you to set up an appointment. If you have not heard from us within 72 hours of your veterinarian sending a referral, please contact a client care representative at 604-514-8383.
  • If you need guidance, are unable to obtain a referral, or do not have a family veterinarian, please contact a Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital client care representative at 604-514-8383 or send us an email to info@bbvsh.com.
  • Neurology appointments are generally available Monday through Friday. Please contact the surgery service at 604-514-8383 or send us an email at info@bbvsh.com if you have questions about an appointment with one of the surgeons.
  • In case of an emergency: Should your pet become more ill or requires immediate intervention before your appointment, you can bring your pet to our 24/7 emergency service.
  • There will be an initial consult fee for the examination.
  • After the initial exam, the specialist will give you a written estimate of costs for any recommended diagnostics, procedures, and treatments. If you elect to proceed with the recommendations, a 75% deposit will be required prior to treatment. You always have the option to accept or decline some or all the recommendations.
  • We will contact your family veterinarian for your pet’s most recent medical records. However, you may wish to bring an extra copy of your pet’s records just in case.
  • Please bring any x-rays/radiographs that have been performed. It is acceptable for your family veterinarian to send digital x-rays/radiographs prior to your visit.
  • Please bring a list of all the veterinary clinics your pet has seen for the presenting problem.
  • Please bring a list of all current medications (as well as any supplements), including strength of the medication and how often you are giving the medication. Pictures of labels are fine.
  • Please bring your pet unless otherwise advised by the service.
  • Please see our Registration page for more information and forms.
  • Please call the day before your appointment to make sure we have received all the records from your vet.
  • Your initial appointment may take up to an hour.  However, please prepare to spend 1-3 hours at the hospital. Sometimes additional tests, sedation (and time for recovery) may be required. We respect your time and will do our best to complete the consultation in a timely manner.
  • Recheck appointments may last up to a half an hour (or more if any procedures are required).
  • If your pet requires surgery, he or she will stay overnight at least one night and maybe more depending on the expected recovery time.
  • If you are travelling from a long distance, please make us aware at the time you make your appointment so that we may do our best to accommodate same-day diagnostics or procedures.
  • Please do not feed your pet after midnight the night before your initial appointment, recheck appointments, and/or on the day of any procedures; it is okay to give your pet water up until the appointment.
  • Please call for instructions if your pet is diabetic, younger than 4 months, or less than 4kg (10 pounds).
  • When you make your appointment, please advise the neurology liaison if your pet is on medication and ask whether the medication should be given prior to the appointment/surgery.
  • Please bring all medications that may be required for your pet in case they end up needing to stay overnight at the hospital.

When you arrive for your appointment, please check in with reception. The receptionist will then advise the neurology service that you have arrived.

  • If you are a new client, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for specialty appointments to check in.
  • After check-in, a veterinary assistant or technologist will take your pet to the services’ exam area for vitals and a physical exam by the specialist.
  • After the exam, the specialist will discuss diagnostic and therapeutic options with you and provide a written cost estimate. Each option will be thoroughly explained so that you can make an informed choice for your pet.
  • If you elect to proceed with any diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, a 75% deposit is required prior to treatment.
  • Some results will be available within an hour or two of the tests being performed, while other results will take days or weeks.
  • Before you leave, if tests are pending, the specialist will discuss an interim care plan and will call you when results of the diagnostic tests are available.
  • We will provide your family veterinarian with a summary of your pet’s visit including copies of medical records and tests performed.

Oncology Appointments

  • Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital strongly encourages you to obtain a referral from your family veterinarian whenever possible. A referral ensures the proper transfer of medical information, is beneficial to your pet and the specialty veterinarian, and will help your pet receive the appropriate care.
  • Once your veterinarian has sent a referral, we will contact you to set up an appointment. If you have not heard from us within 72 hours of your veterinarian sending a referral, please contact a client care representative at 604-514-8383.
  • If you need guidance, are unable to obtain a referral, or do not have a family veterinarian, please contact a Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital client care representative at 604-514-8383 or send us an email to info@bbvsh.com.
  • Neurology appointments are generally available Monday through Friday. Please contact the surgery service at 604-514-8383 or send us an email at info@bbvsh.com if you have questions about an appointment with one of the surgeons.
  • In case of an emergency: Should your pet become more ill or requires immediate intervention before your appointment, you can bring your pet to our 24/7 emergency service.
  • There will be an initial consult fee for the examination.
  • After the initial exam, the specialist will give you a written estimate of costs for any recommended diagnostics, procedures, and treatments. If you elect to proceed with the recommendations, a 75% deposit will be required prior to treatment. You always have the option to accept or decline some or all the recommendations.
  • We will contact your family veterinarian for your pet’s most recent medical records. However, you may wish to bring an extra copy of your pet’s records just in case.
  • Please bring any x-rays/radiographs that have been performed. It is acceptable for your family veterinarian to send digital x-rays/radiographs prior to your visit.
  • Please bring a list of all the veterinary clinics your pet has seen for the presenting problem.
  • Please bring a list of all current medications (as well as any supplements), including strength of the medication and how often you are giving the medication. Pictures of labels are fine.
  • Please bring your pet unless otherwise advised by the service.
  • Please see our Registration page for more information and forms.
  • Please call the day before your appointment to make sure we have received all the records from your vet.
  • Please do not feed your pet after midnight the night before your initial appointment, recheck appointments, and/or on the day of any procedures; it is okay to give your pet water up until the appointment.
  • In general, your pet does not need to be fasted for chemotherapy appointments unless specifically instructed.
  • Please call for instructions if your pet is diabetic, younger than 4 months, or less than 4kg (10 pounds).
  • In general, your pet does not need to be fasted for chemotherapy appointments unless specifically instructed. 

When you arrive for your appointment, please check in with reception. The receptionist will then advise the oncology service that you have arrived.

  • If you are a new client, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for specialty appointments to check in.
  • The length of the consultation varies depending on your pet’s needs, but initial consults may take an hour or more and rechecks may take half an hour or more.
  • After check-in, a veterinary assistant or technologist will take your pet to the services’ exam area for vitals and a physical exam by the specialist.
  • After the exam, the specialist will discuss diagnostic and therapeutic options with you and provide a written cost estimate. Each option will be thoroughly explained so that you can make an informed choice for your pet.
  • If you elect to proceed with any diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, a 75% deposit is required prior to treatment.
  • Your initial appointment may take up to an hour.  However, please prepare to spend 1-3 hours at the hospital. Sometimes additional tests, sedation (and time for recovery) may be required. We respect your time and will do our best to complete the consultation in a timely manner.
  • Recheck appointments may last up to a half an hour (or more if any procedures are required).
  • Diagnostic procedures (such as biopsies, radiographs, and ultrasounds) and treatments (such as chemotherapy) can often be performed on the same day as your initial appointment, in which case you may be leaving your pet with us for several hours or for the day. Unless your pet requires surgery, it is unlikely that he or she will stay overnight.
  • If your pet requires surgery, he or she will stay overnight at least one night and maybe more depending on the expected recovery time.
  • If you are travelling from a long distance, please make us aware at the time you make your appointment so that we may do our best to accommodate same-day diagnostics or procedures.
  • Recheck appointments are often used to check the status of your pet’s overall health and to determine the status of the cancer. We often perform diagnostics such as blood work, recheck radiographs and recheck ultrasounds.
  • In most cases, these procedures will be performed the same day as the recheck appointment, in which case your pet may need to stay one to four hours. Based on the results of these tests, we may recommend additional treatment or just additional follow-up visits.
  • Once chemotherapy has been selected as the appropriate treatment option, a chemotherapy protocol will be chosen which will lay out a drug regimen to be used for your pet. We will follow this protocol at each appointment. Sometimes protocols need to be modified or changed. We will inform you prior to any protocol changes.
  • Chemotherapy appointments may be made for a scheduled time. At the time of your appointment, you will be asked to fill out a form which will let us know how your pet is feeling, what, if any, medications need to be refilled, and if you have any questions or concerns.
  • Your pet will then be taken to the treatment area for a physical exam and required diagnostic tests such as blood work. If you have questions or concerns, the oncologist will talk to you after the diagnostic tests, but before treatment. Otherwise, the oncologist will administer chemotherapy as per the protocol or discuss with you any protocol changes that need to be made. Written discharge instructions will be provided and if you have any questions, you can discuss them with your oncologist.
  • Once chemotherapy has been selected as the appropriate treatment option, a chemotherapy protocol will be chosen which will lay out a drug regimen to be used for your pet. We will follow this protocol at each appointment. Sometimes protocols need to be modified or changed. We will inform you prior to any protocol changes.
  • Chemotherapy appointments can be scheduled as drop off appointments on the days that the oncology service is available.
  • Drop-offs must generally be scheduled prior to 1pm.
  • Pets that are dropped off before 9:30am are usually done by 1:30 and pets dropped off by 1pm are usually done by 5pm, but please call the Oncology service prior to pick-up to ensure that your pet’s treatment is complete.
  • For drop-off appointments, you may drop off as early in the morning as you like (we are open 24-hours per day) and pick up in the afternoon or evening.
  • If you drop off before 9am or pick-up after 4:30pm, please be sure to let us know your estimated pick-up time.
  • At the time of drop off you will be asked to fill out a drop-off form which will let us know how to reach you, how your pet is feeling, what, if any, medications need to be refilled, and if you have any questions or concerns.
  • During the day, the oncologist will examine your pet, perform any required diagnostic tests such as blood work, and administer chemotherapy as per the protocol, or contact you if protocol changes need to be made.
  • Written discharge instructions will be provided and if you have any questions, you can discuss them with your oncologist at the time of pick-up (if the oncologist is available) or by phone.
  • For your safety, we cannot allow you to be present during treatment.
  • In most cases, the treatment is quick, your pet will be without you only for a short period of time, and patients usually handle their treatments very well.
  • Fortunately, pets do not have the same experience with chemo as humans! Often, the chemotherapy goal with humans is to cure the cancer or extend the patient’s life as much as possible. But for pets, who have shorter lifespans, the primary goal is to give them the best quality of life and the secondary goal is to extend their life. Pets should look and feel good during treatment. If the owner reports that the pet is not feeling well, the chemotherapy protocol is adjusted by modifying the dose of drugs, delaying treatment for a little bit, or changing to a different drug. 
  • Potential side effects in pets include:  
    • Gastrointestinal upset – if patients have gastrointestinal upset, they are given medications for nausea and diarrhea, and these are adjusted as needed.  
    • Thinning of hair coat – dogs that shed do not lose their hair. Dogs that have continuously growing hair will have thinning of their hair coat. It’s a cosmetic thing, and the pets don’t usually seem to mind.   
    • Low white blood cells – which may put the pet at risk of getting an infection. Regular bloodwork helps monitor any blood cell abnormalities.  
  • While chemotherapy may not be side-effect free, carefully monitoring, preventing, and managing those side effects prevent the chemo from negatively affecting the pet’s quality of life. Multiple clinical studies that surveyed owners of pets on chemotherapy reported that 80-90% of these owners would choose chemo for their pets again. 
  •  Pets continue to live normal active lives during therapy. There are no restrictions on their activities. We have successfully treated police dogs, agility dogs, and assistance dogs who all have continued to perform at a high level throughout their treatment.
  • You should expect your dog to continue to do all his normal activities while undergoing chemotherapy. 
  • Your pet’s activities do not need to be changed on the day of treatment or any subsequent days. The goal of therapy is to ensure that your pet can carry on with his or her normal life for as long as possible.
  • You will be given written discharge instructions after each appointment that will let you know if medications need to be administered, when your follow-up appointment should be, and if there are any other post-treatment instructions. You will also be provided with a chemotherapy handout, which discusses chemotherapy safety and what steps to take if side effects do occur.

Internal Medicine Appointments

  • Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital strongly encourages you to obtain a referral from your family veterinarian whenever possible. A referral ensures the proper transfer of medical information, is beneficial to your pet and the specialty veterinarian, and will help your pet receive the appropriate care.
  • Once your veterinarian has sent a referral, we will contact you to set up an appointment. If you have not heard from us within 72 hours of your veterinarian sending a referral, please contact a client care representative at 604-514-8383.
  • If you need guidance, are unable to obtain a referral, or do not have a family veterinarian, please contact a Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital client care representative at 604-514-8383 or send us an email to info@bbvsh.com.
  • There will be an initial consult fee for the examination.
  • After the initial exam, the specialist will give you a written estimate of costs for any recommended diagnostics, procedures, and treatments.
  • If you elect to proceed with the recommendations, a 75% deposit will be required prior to treatment. You always have the option to accept or decline some or all the recommendations.
  • We will do our best to accommodate your pet as soon as possible.
  • Availability varies for each of our specialty departments, depending on service capacity and urgency of the pets’ condition. In general, you can expect to wait 1-3 weeks for a specialty appointment.
  • Specialty service appointments are generally available Monday through Friday. 
  • If you wish to be put on a cancellation list, please inform the liaison when you make your appointment.
  • We will do everything we can to see your pet as soon as possible. In the interim, please discuss your pet’s care with your family veterinarian.
  • In case of an emergency: Should your pet become more ill or requires immediate intervention before your appointment, you can bring your pet to our 24/7 emergency service.
  • We will contact your family veterinarian for your pet’s most recent medical records. However, you may wish to bring an extra copy of your pet’s records just in case.
  • Please bring any x-rays/radiographs that have been performed. It is acceptable for your family veterinarian to send digital x-rays/radiographs prior to your visit.
  • Please bring a list of all the veterinary clinics your pet has seen for the presenting problem.
  • Please bring a list of all current medications (as well as any supplements), including strength of the medication and how often you are giving the medication. Pictures of labels are fine.
  • Please bring your pet unless otherwise advised by the service.
  • Please see our Registration page for more information and forms.
  • Your initial appointment may take up to an hour and a half.  However, please prepare to spend 1-3 hours at the hospital, as additional tests, and possible sedation (and time for recovery) may be required.  We respect your time and will do our best to complete the consultation in a timely manner.
  • Recheck appointments may last up to a half an hour (or more if any procedures are required).
  • If you are travelling from a long distance, please make us aware at the time you make your appointment so that we may do our best to accommodate same-day diagnostics or procedures.
  • Please do not feed your pet after midnight the night before your initial appointment, any recheck appointments, and/or on the day of the appointment; it is okay to give your pet water up until the appointment.
  • Please call for instructions if your pet is diabetic, younger than 4 months, or less than 4kg (10 pounds).
  • When you arrive for your appointment, please check in with reception. The receptionist will then advise the service that you have arrived.
  • If you are a new client, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for specialty appointments to check in.
  • After check-in, a veterinary assistant or technologist will take your pet to the services’ exam area for vitals and a physical exam by the specialist.
  • After the exam, the specialist will discuss diagnostic and therapeutic options with you and provide a written cost estimate. Each option will be thoroughly explained so that you can make an informed choice for your pet.
  • Depending on your animal’s condition, diagnostic testing or treatments may include:
    • Advanced laboratory testing of various tissue and blood samples.
    • Diagnostic imaging – ultrasound, radiography (x-rays), CT scans, MRIs.
    • Biopsies of masses, internal organs, or bone marrow.
    • Endoscopy – bronchoscopy (lungs), cystoscopy (bladder & urethra); colonoscopy (colon & small bowel), gastroduodenoscopy (stomach & upper intestines), rhinoscopy (nasal cavity), laparoscopy (minimally invasive surgery for biopsies of internal organs).
    • Feeding tube placement.
    • Nutritional consults.
  • If you elect to proceed with any diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, a 75% deposit is required prior to treatment.
  • Some tests are best performed by a specialist because the tests require specialized knowledge to interpret, whereas other tests can be performed by your family veterinarian.
  • If you wish to have some tests performed by your family veterinarian, please discuss this with your specialist.
  • If tests are performed by your family veterinarian, and the results are interpreted by the specialist, there will be an interpretation fee charged to you by the BBVSH specialist.
  • Some results will be available within an hour or two of the tests being performed, while other results will take days or weeks.
  • Before you leave, if tests are pending, the specialist will discuss an interim care plan and will call you when results of the diagnostic tests are available.
  • The answer to this question varies depending on the nature of the advice you need. If you simply need to confirm or clarify something from your initial consult, the care team and doctor may be able to provide an answer.
  • If you are calling with a new issue, or if something has changed with the condition of your pet, the doctor may require you to come in for another examination.
  • If you are calling about a new issue unrelated to the current treatment plan, you may be asked to come for another examination, for which you will be charged a new exam fee.
  • We will provide your family veterinarian with a summary of your pet’s visit including copies of medical records and tests performed.

Cardiology Appointments

  • Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital strongly encourages you to obtain a referral from your family veterinarian whenever possible. A referral ensures the proper transfer of medical information, is beneficial to your pet and the specialty veterinarian, and will help your pet receive the appropriate care.
  • Once your veterinarian has sent a referral, we will contact you to set up an appointment. If you have not heard from us within 72 hours of your veterinarian sending a referral, please contact a client care representative at 604-514-8383.
  • If you need guidance, are unable to obtain a referral, or do not have a family veterinarian, please contact a Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital client care representative at 604-514-8383 or send us an email to info@bbvsh.com.
  • Specialty appointments are generally available Monday through Friday. Please contact the specialty service at 604-514-8383 or send us an email at info@bbvsh.com if you have questions about an appointment with one of the surgeons.
  • Recheck appointments for existing patients are available at least one day per week.
  • In case of an emergency: Should your pet become more ill or requires immediate intervention before your appointment, you can bring your pet to our 24/7 emergency service.
  • There will be an initial consult fee for the examination.
  • After the initial exam, the specialist will give you a written estimate of costs for any recommended diagnostics, procedures, and treatments. If you elect to proceed with the recommendations, a 75% deposit will be required prior to treatment. You always have the option to accept or decline some or all the recommendations.
  • Please see our pricing page for more specific information on pricing. Please note that these cost are subject to change.
  • We will do our best to accommodate your pet as soon as possible.
  • Availability varies for each of our specialty departments, depending on service capacity and urgency of the pets’ condition. In general, you can expect to wait 1-3 weeks for a specialty appointment.
  • Specialty service appointments are generally available Monday through Friday. 
  • If you wish to be put on a cancellation list, please inform the liaison when you make your appointment.
  • We will do everything we can to see your pet as soon as possible. In the interim, please discuss your pet’s care with your family veterinarian.
  • In case of an emergency: Should your pet become more ill or requires immediate intervention before your appointment, you can bring your pet to our 24/7 emergency service.
  • We will contact your family veterinarian for your pet’s most recent medical records. However, you may wish to bring an extra copy of your pet’s records just in case.
  • Please bring any x-rays/radiographs that have been performed. It is acceptable for your family veterinarian to send digital x-rays/radiographs prior to your visit.
  • Please bring a list of all the veterinary clinics your pet has seen for the presenting problem.
  • Please bring a list of all current medications (as well as any supplements), including strength of the medication and how often you are giving the medication. Pictures of labels are fine.
  • Please bring your pet unless otherwise advised by the service.
  • Please see our Registration page for more information and forms.
  • Your initial appointment may take up to an hour.  However, please prepare to spend 1-3 hours at the hospital. Sometimes additional tests, sedation (and time for recovery) may be required. We respect your time and will do our best to complete the consultation in a timely manner.
  • Recheck appointments may last up to a half an hour (or more if any procedures are required).
  • If your pet requires surgery, he or she will stay overnight at least one night and maybe more depending on the expected recovery time.
  • If you are travelling from a long distance, please make us aware at the time you make your appointment so that we may do our best to accommodate same-day diagnostics or procedures.
  • Please do not feed your pet after midnight the night before your initial appointment, any recheck appointments, and/or on the day of the appointment; it is okay to give your pet water up until the appointment.
  • Please call for instructions if your pet is diabetic, younger than 4 months, or less than 4kg (10 pounds).

When you arrive for your appointment, please check in with reception. The receptionist will then advise the service that you have arrived.

  • If you are a new client, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for specialty appointments to check in.
  • After check-in, a veterinary assistant or technologist will take your pet to the services’ exam area for vitals and a physical exam by the specialist.
  • After the exam, the specialist will discuss diagnostic and therapeutic options with you and provide a written cost estimate. Each option will be thoroughly explained so that you can make an informed choice for your pet.
  • If you elect to proceed with any diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, a 75% deposit is required prior to treatment.
  • The length of the consultation varies depending on your pet’s needs, but initial consults may take an hour or more and rechecks may take half an hour or more.
  • Diagnostic procedures (such as biopsies, radiographs and ultrasounds) and treatments (such as chemotherapy) can often be performed on the same day as your initial appointment, in which case you may be leaving your pet with us for several hours or for the day. Unless your pet requires surgery, it is unlikely that he or she will stay overnight.
  • Some tests are best performed by a specialist because the tests require specialized knowledge to interpret, whereas other tests can be performed by your family veterinarian. If you wish to have some tests performed by your family veterinarian, please discuss this with your specialist.
  • If tests are performed by your family veterinarian, and the results are interpreted by the specialist, there will be an interpretation fee charged to you by the BBVSH specialist.

Some results will be available within an hour or two of the tests being performed, while other results will take days or weeks.

Before you leave, if tests are pending, the specialist will discuss an interim care plan and will call you when results of the diagnostic tests are available.

 

  • The answer to this question varies depending on the nature of the advice you need. If you simply need to confirm or clarify something from your initial consult, the care team and doctor may be able to provide an answer.
  • Email is the best means of communication for us if you have non-urgent concerns since the doctors are often in patient consultations. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency we suggest seeking emergency care at a nearby veterinary hospital.
  • If you are calling with a new issue, or if something has changed with the condition of your pet, the doctor may require you to come in for another examination.
  • If you are calling about a new issue unrelated to the current treatment plan, you may be asked to come for another examination, for which you will be charged a new exam fee.
  • An echocardiogram (“echo”) is an ultrasound of the heart. It is a test that checks the structure and function of your heart. An echo can diagnose a range of conditions including heart muscle disease, heart valve abnormalities, or abnormalities present since birth, among other things as well. For an echo, animals typically lay on their side while several images are obtained from their heart; in very large dogs, we may perform this testing with them standing.
  • An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) measures the electrical activity of the heart. With each heartbeat, an electrical impulse (or wave) travels through the heart and is traced for the doctor to interpret.
  •  An ECG measures and records the electrical activity that passes through the heart, while an echocardiogram looks at the structure of the heart, so these tests tell us very different (but equally important!) information.

 

  • If your pet’s echocardiogram was not performed by a cardiologist, it should be repeated with a cardiologist.
  • Echocardiograms performed by non-cardiologists may be incomplete or even provide a wrong diagnosis, both of which would hinder our ability to effectively manage your pet. This is also the case for telemedicine cardiologist interpretations which can miss vital information if they are not provided this by the person performing the echo study. 
  • If your pet previously had a cardiologist perform an echo, a recheck may still be needed to determine if there are changes that would alter the treatment recommendations.
  • The vast majority of patients undergoing cardiac evaluation (ECGs and echocardiograms) do not require sedation. However, if your pet is aggressive or will not allow the necessary images to be obtained, we will speak to you about sedation options.
  • If you know that your pet is highly anxious in the hospital environment, anti-anxiety medications (e.g., trazodone, gabapentin) given before the visits can be very helpful at facilitating a smoother, less stressful day for them.
  • We always strive to perform low-stress handling and make your pet’s experience as pleasant as possible.
  • Yes, and we highly encourage it if you feel your pet is typically stressed in the hospital environment! We would rather your pet be lightly sedated than anxious and uncomfortable so we can see how their heart would look while they are at home/in a space that they are comfortable in. 
  • If this is prior to their first visit to the Cardiology service, these medications will need to be prescribed through your primary care veterinarians. 
  • If you do use oral sedation, please let us know during the appointment so we can factor that into our evaluation and help to ensure we are doing our part to make these visits low-stress for them.
  • This is doctor dependent. Some animals do better with their owners present, while others can do better without the owners in the room.
  • Even if you are not present during the evaluation, we will walk you through the testing after their evaluation so you can see the information obtained.
  • There are currently only three board-certified cardiologists and one cardiology resident in British Columbia and around 15 cardiologists in all of Canada. Since heart disease is relatively common in animals as it is in people, this leads to longer wait times. 
  • In veterinary medicine, only cardiologists undergo specialized training for imaging of the heart during their cardiology residency; however, any person can offer these services regardless of their qualifications.
  • If you are going to have a cardiac evaluation performed with your primary care veterinarians, you should ensure the evaluation is being performed by a cardiologist directly.

What is a board-certified specialist and how do I know if I need one?

  • The American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) of the American Veterinary Medical Association currently recognizes 20 specialties whose regulatory bodies are called “colleges.” Examples include the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, and the American College of Veterinary Radiology. A board-certified veterinary specialist is a veterinarian who is certified by one of the recognized specialty colleges.
  • Veterinarians wishing to become board-certified must complete an approved post-graduate residency training program in a specific specialty, must meet specific training and caseload requirements, and, in most cases, must perform and publish case reports or research. Once the residency has been completed, the veterinarian must sit for and pass a rigorous examination. Only then does a veterinarian become board-certified. ABVS and CVBC rules state that only veterinarians who are board-certified may refer to themselves as veterinary “specialists” and these veterinarians will always state that they are “Diplomates” of a particular specialty college.
  • A Diplomate refers to someone who is board-certified in a recognized veterinary specialty college. For example, an “ACVS Diplomate” is a veterinarian who is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
  • A family (or general practice) veterinarian is a skilled professional with the capability to handle most of your pet’s healthcare. However, sometimes your pet may suffer an injury or develop a disease that requires specialized diagnostics or treatment; in these cases, your pet may benefit from a board-certified specialist.
  • Veterinary specialists in no way replace your family veterinarian. Veterinary specialists work hand-in-hand with your family veterinarian to provide the specialized diagnostic and treatment skills to ensure the most seamless care possible.
  • Advances in animal health care have led to a wide variety of treatment options, including highly specialized diagnostic and treatment procedures. Board-certified specialists have spent at least three to five years after obtaining their veterinary degree focusing strictly on a specific discipline.
  • This concentrated training results in an in-depth knowledge of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in a given field, which allows a specialist to provide specialized treatments for your pet. In addition, a specialist may have access to diagnostic equipment not generally used by your family veterinarian.
  • Commonly performed procedures may be less likely to require someone who is board-certified. You and your pet may benefit from a specialist when:
    • Your pet’s disease is not routine, is complicated, or is undiagnosed after standard testing;
    • You would like a second opinion of your pet’s condition from someone with specialty training in your pet’s condition;
    • The outcomes of the current treatments are not going well or as expected;
    • Your pet requires a specialized diagnostic or therapeutic procedure that is offered by a specialty hospital;
    • Your pet can benefit from 24-hour monitoring provided by a specialty hospital.
    • Your pet experiences a life-threatening emergency
  • It is critical that you feel comfortable with the specialist who will be providing care for your beloved pet. You should expect that the specialist has thoroughly examined your pet, explained the pros and cons of each procedure or treatment, discussed costs, and answered any questions you may have.
  • The specialists at BBVSH understand that the diseases that require specialty care are complex and multifaceted and we use a multidisciplinary approach to diagnostics and treatments.
  • Our specialists also understand that there may be more than one good diagnostic or treatment method, and that it may not be easy for a pet owner to decide which method to choose.
  • We will communicate all of the diagnostic and treatment options to you and answer any questions you have to help you decide the best option for your pet and your family. 
  • We will remain accessible for questions throughout the diagnostic, treatment, and recovery process.
  • Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital strongly encourages animal owners to obtain a referral from their primary care veterinarian whenever possible; this ensures the proper transfer of medical information.
  • However, if you need guidance, are unable to obtain a referral, or do not have a veterinarian, please contact us at 604-514-8383.

General Questions About Our Specialty Services

Surgery

  • The term “ACVS Diplomate” refers to a veterinarian who has been board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in veterinary surgery. Although any veterinarian may use the term “surgeon”, only veterinarians who have successfully completed the certification requirements of the ACVS are Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and have earned the right to be called “specialists” or “board-certified” in veterinary surgery.
  • In addition to completing undergraduate and veterinary degrees, veterinarians wishing to become board-certified in surgery must complete a three-year surgery residency program, meet specific training and caseload requirements, perform research and have their research published. This process is supervised by current ACVS Diplomates, ensuring consistency in training and adherence to high standards. Once the residency has been completed, the resident must sit for and pass a rigorous examination–only then does the veterinarian earn the title of ACVS Diplomate.
  • Advances in animal health care have led to a wider variety of treatment options, including highly specialized surgical procedures.
  • Board-certified surgeons spend at least four years after achieving their veterinary medical degree (DVM) being trained by other board-certified specialists in Surgery, Radiology, Pathology, and Internal Medicine with a strict focus on diagnosing and treating surgical diseases in small animals.
  • This concentrated training in surgery allows the ACVS Veterinary Surgeon to keep current with frequent advances in veterinary medicine. Ask your veterinarian if your pet would benefit from a specialist.
  • Board-certified surgeons have specialized training in diagnosing and treating challenging soft tissue and orthopedic diseases. During your initial consultation, the veterinary surgeon will review your pet’s clinical history, previous test results and treatments, and the clinical course of your pet’s disease. The surgeon will then perform a thorough physical exam of your pet.
  • Following this review, the surgeon will make recommendations. The recommendation may be to proceed directly with surgery but may also include additional diagnostic tests, medical treatment regimens, animal rehabilitation sessions (physical therapy) or a wait-and-watch approach. Occasionally surgery is not the best immediate or long-term option for your pet based on the comparative risks and expected benefits.
  • Your consultation with the veterinary surgical specialist is the most comprehensive way to make this assessment. Your pet will not proceed to surgery until both you and the surgeon are comfortable with the recommended treatment plan.
  • Our practice philosophy is to minimize distress associated with care and treatment of your pet.  This includes the use of surgical methods designed to maximize the beneficial effect of surgery with the least possible morbidity and invasion of normal tissues. Examples include the use of arthroscopy, laparoscopy, radiograph-guided procedures, alternative materials (such as titanium), and alternative techniques (such as TTA, TPLO, PAUL and PGR procedures, and ALPS fracture fixation).
  • Even with these lower morbidity methods, some degree of inflammation and discomfort is expected. We treat anticipated surgical pain pre-emptively by using multi-modal perioperative analgesia. This often includes the use of epidural analgesia and anesthesia as well as specialized local nerve blocks. The epidural injection is done while your pet is under general anesthesia prior to the start of the surgical procedure and aids in the reduction of the required depth of general anesthesia (and associated depth-related anesthetic risks).  In addition, the effect of the epidural injection may reduce post-surgical pain up to 24 hours after the procedure thus limiting pain “wind-up”.
  • Post-surgical pain and any distress are managed 24 hours per day by doctors in the hospital who are well versed in analgesic and sedative protocols.
  • At the time of your pet’s discharge from the hospital you will receive post-operative instructions describing signs of pain or discomfort and explaining treatment options, including pain medications and indicated complementary therapies such as icing and massage.
  • Pain management is complemented by post-operative treatments by our animal rehabilitation service.
  • The time expected for your pet to recover from surgery will vary significantly based on the specific disease or injury, the surgery performed, and other potential complicating factors such as pre-existing osteoarthritis or endocrine disorders (e.g. diabetes, Cushing’s disease). These expectations will be specifically discussed at the time of your initial surgical consultation and will be further discussed at the time of patient discharge.
  • Most perioperative surgical inflammation and its associated swelling, bruising, and discomfort will improve rapidly in the first post-operative week.
  • Healing from orthopedic procedures may take several weeks, and full return of function may occur over several months depending on the disease or injury, the procedure, and post-surgical rehabilitation.
  • If at any time your pet does not seem to be recovering at the rate or to the degree expected, please call us or recheck for an evaluation.
  • Typically, surgical incisions will heal in one to two weeks. During this time, you may be instructed to prevent your pet from chewing or licking the incision by using a bandage or a restrictive collar. This is usually the surest way to reduce the risk of post-surgical incision infection or dehiscence (opening of the surgical wound).
  • Post-surgery confinement of your pet, either in a kennel or in a small room, may be required when your pet is not under your direct supervision.  This confinement may be necessary to allow the appropriate healing of the surgical repair.
  • In most cases an overnight stay is recommended to ensure a safe and comfortable recovery from anesthesia, to ensure there is adequate pain control as needed, to provide attentive nursing care to the surgery site, and to keep your pet clean and comfortable. 
  • Most patients that require surgery stay overnight and can go home once they are ready the next day. Some surgeries may require a few days of post-operative hospitalization. The surgeon will advise you prior to surgery how long to expect your pet to be hospitalized.
  • While hospitalized, your pet will receive 24-hour care from BBVSH veterinarians and technicians.  There is a veterinarian in the hospital 24/7/365.

Internal Medicine

  • A board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist, commonly called an internist, is a veterinarian who focuses on diagnosing and treating the body’s internal systems.
  • In addition to completing undergraduate training and four years of veterinary school, a board-certified veterinary internist is similar to his/her human-medicine counterpart in that he/she has completed an internship and residency in the specialized field of internal medicine (an additional 3-5 years training).
  • In addition to this training, a board-certified veterinary internist must pass two rigorous examinations to achieve board certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
  • Your veterinarian may refer you to an internist if a diagnosis is proving elusive or therapy is not proving effective; due to his or her expertise in internal medicine, the internist may be able to obtain a diagnosis or adjust treatment plans to get your animal back to health.
  • In some cases, when the diagnosis is known, an internist may confirm the diagnosis and treatment, providing peace of mind.
  • Anemia or other bleeding disorders
  • Chronic vomiting or diarrhea
  • Complicated pancreatic disease
  • Coughing & other breathing problems
  • Endocrine disease (adrenal tumors, complicated diabetes, thyroid disorders)
  • Infectious disease
  • Kidney or bladder disease
  • Liver inflammation
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Endoscopy means looking inside and typically refers to looking inside the body for medical reasons using an endoscope, an instrument that allows the examination of the interior of a hollow organ or cavity of the body. Unlike most other medical imaging devices, endoscopes are inserted directly into the hollow organ or cavity.
  • An internist specializes in using an endoscope to visualize the inside of the nose, the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, and intestines), the trachea and bronchus (breathing tubes), and the urethra and bladder.
  • An endoscope sometimes can be used to retrieve foreign objects from the stomach, thereby avoiding an invasive surgery.

Neurology

  • A board-certified veterinary neurologist is a veterinarian who provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for patients with neurological disorders of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system.
  • In addition to completing an undergraduate university degree and four years of veterinary school, a board-certified veterinary neurologist has completed an internship and residency in the specialized field of neurology (an additional 4 years of training after becoming a veterinarian).
  • In addition to this extensive training, a board-certified veterinary neurologist must pass two rigorous examinations to achieve board-certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
  • A veterinary neurologist has specialized training in diseases of central and peripheral nervous system. A veterinary neurologist can provide you and your pet with specialized knowledge, diagnostics, and treatments thereby enhancing your pet’s quality of life and giving you more special moments with your beloved pet. Your pet may benefit from a neurology consult if your animal has experienced any of the following problems:

 

  • Paresis/Paralysis (can’t move or feel) or weakness of one or more limbs
    • knuckling, dragging leg(s), abnormal gait
    • monopareseis/monoplegia (one limb), paraparesis/paraplegia (hind limbs), tetraparesis/tetraplegia (all 4 limbs)
    • inability to stand, inability to move 1 or more limb(s)
  • Balance Disorders
    • lack of balance, head tilt, circling, nausea, falling/rolling, eyes flickering (nystagmus), tremors, uncoordination (ataxia), Horner’s syndrome, exaggerated gait/high stepping (hypermetria)
  • Vision Disorders
    • blindness, walking into object
    • Seizures
    • sudden/violent shaking, paddling, dilation of pupils, unresponsive/staring, loss of consciousness, salivating/drooling, stiffness, twitching, involuntary urination/defecation
  • Pain
    • crying out, holding up limb, low head carriage, tense muscles, decreased/limited mobility, changes in appetite
  • Other Neurological Signs
    • difficulty swallowing or chewing, decreased facial movement, voice changes, muscle atrophy of the head, collapsing, hearing loss, behavior changes (confusion, pacing, wandering), lock jaw (trismus), dropped jaw.
  • Arachnoid Cyst
  • Atlantoaxial Joint Instability
  • Brain Tumors
  • Cerebellar Disorders
  • Chiari Malformation
  • Deafness
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Epilepsy
  • Granulomatous Meningoencephalomyelitis
  • Head Trauma
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease
  • Lumbosacral Disease
  • Metabolic Brain Disorders
  • Myasthenia Gravis
  • Myositis
  • Necrotizing Encephalitis
  • Neuropathies
  • Neurotoxins
  • Polyneuropathy
  • Spinal Trauma
  • Tremor Syndromes
  • Vestibular Disease
  • Wobbler’s Syndrome

Oncology

  • A board-certified veterinary oncologist is a veterinarian who focuses on managing cancer.
  • In addition to completing an undergraduate university degree and four years of veterinary school, a board-certified veterinary oncologist is similar to his/her human-medicine counterpart in that he/she has completed a rotating internship and a residency in the specialized field of oncology (an additional 3-5 years training).
  • In addition to this extensive training, a board-certified veterinary oncologist must conduct a research project and have the results accepted in a peer-reviewed journal as well as pass two rigorous examinations in order to achieve board-certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
  • A board-certified oncologist specializes in the treatment of pets with cancer using treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy. 
  • Veterinary oncologists have been specially trained to tailor cancer treatment plans for individual pets.  In addition, veterinary oncologists may have access to treatments (such as melanoma vaccine or Tanovea) that are not available veterinarians who are not board-certified. 
  • At BBVSH our oncologists collaborate with our team of complementing specialists including surgeons and diagnostic imaging specialists and have easy access to consult with the team of pathologists at True North Veterinary Diagnostics.
  • Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell division leading to growth of abnormal tissue. It is believed that cancers arise from both genetic and environmental factors that lead to aberrant growth regulation of a stem cell population, or by the de-differentiation of more mature cell types.
  • The uncontrolled and often rapid proliferation of cells can lead to either a benign tumor or a malignant tumor (cancer). Benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body or invade other tissues, but can sometimes be life threatening as a result of their location (e.g. benign brain tumors). Malignant tumors have the potential to invade other organs, spread to distant locations (metastasize), and become life threatening.
  • Cancer is a leading cause of death in pet cats and dogs; 50% of dogs and cats over the age of 10 years die of cancer.
  • As with cancer in humans, cancer in pets may be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination thereof. There are many types of cancer and the treatment approach will depend on the type of cancer and whether the cancer has spread.
  • The oncologist will review the treatment options with you and help you decide on the best treatment option for your pet and your family circumstances.
  • Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with chemical agents (anti-cancer drugs) designed to kill or slow the growth of cancers.
  • Many of the drugs used to treat cancer are derived from natural substances such as plants, trees, or even bacteria and are often the same drugs used in people.
  • The goal of chemotherapy is to control or eliminate the cancer while still providing the highest quality of life for your pet.
  • Chemotherapy drugs often do not cure cancer but rather control the cancer by killing cells and slowing the progression of the disease.
  • Many people have experienced, either in themselves or in family members, the overwhelming side effects of chemotherapy in human cancer treatment. The vast majority of animals treated with chemotherapy do not experience these types of side effects.
  • In veterinary oncology, our philosophy of treatment is different from that used in human medicine.
  • While our oncologists have a very strong emphasis on prolonging life with cancer treatment, maintaining a good quality of life is the most important factor when we treat your pet.

Radiology

  • A board-certified veterinary radiologist is a veterinarian who diagnoses diseases by obtaining and interpreting medical images such as radiographs, ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs.
  • In addition to completing an undergraduate university degree and four years of veterinary school, a board-certified veterinary radiologist is similar to his/her human-medicine counterpart in that he/she has completed a residency in the specialized field of radiology (an additional 3-5 years training).
  • In addition to this extensive training, a board-certified veterinary radiologist must pass two rigorous examinations to achieve board certification from the American College of Veterinary Radiology.

A radiograph is commonly referred to as an x-ray.  It is a 2D image which can show structures under the skin such as bones and organs.

  • Digital radiography is a form of x-ray imaging, where digital x-ray sensors are used instead of traditional photographic film. Advantages include time efficiency through bypassing chemical processing and the ability to digitally transfer and enhance images. Compared to conventional radiography, digital radiography is more sensitive and thus uses fewer x-rays (less radiation) to produce an image of similar contrast.
  • BBVSH uses digital radiography and has 2 digital radiography suites to cut down on wait times.
  • Ultrasound is a non-invasive, non-painful diagnostic tool that uses sound waves to image the internal architecture of many organs. Sound waves are directed by a probe and are reflected back to the probe by tissue. Ultrasound is effective in finding abnormalities in tissues, because diseased and inflamed tissue often reflect sound waves differently from the healthy surrounding tissues or normal tissues. Normally, ultrasound will be performed on your pet in conjunction with other diagnostic procedures (e.g. blood work, radiographs, biopsies etc). Ultrasound by itself may not be definitive.
  • BBVSH has two ultrasound machines: one machine is dedicated to the emergency critical care service to help immediately diagnose life-threatening problems (this portable machine can be used “bedside” to avoid moving uncomfortable or critical patients); the second machine is used for in-depth diagnoses and specialized probes for both large and small animals as well as abdominal and cardiac probes are available.
  • Ultrasound is very sensitive to changes within abdominal organs and allows precise measurement of heart chamber size and cardiac function. Sonographic changes within abdominal organs are not specific; many disease processes can have a similar appearance on ultrasound examination. Often it is necessary to obtain a needle sample or guided biopsy to determine the exact nature of the changes observed during an ultrasound examination.
  • In general, ultrasound and radiographs (i.e. x-rays) are complementary. In fact, during ultrasound appointments we may request that you allow us to take radiographs if they have not already been done by your family veterinarian.
  • Abdominal radiographs locate region(s) of change within the abdominal cavity and define changes in size, shape or density (e.g. regions of mineralization or gas production).
  • Chest radiographs allow assessment of fluid build-up or abnormal tissue within the lungs and changes in the size and shape of the heart. As ultrasound cannot penetrate air filled structures or regions surrounded by air (i.e. the lungs), radiographs are a starting point to evaluate for heart failure or suspected masses within the chest.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure that uses a powerful magnet and radiowaves to produce detailed images of the body’s organs and structures, without the use of X-rays or other radiation.
  • A computer converts signals from the MRI scan into cross-sectional images of the part of the body that has been scanned. Many images are obtained, and each image is a slice of the body area scanned. The images produced by MRI can be compared to a sliced loaf of bread. Just as you can lift each individual slice from the loaf and see both the slice and the inside of the bread, so too the image “slices” produced by the MRI show the details of the inside of the body.
  • MRI’s are often used to diagnose problems that occur in the brain, spinal cord, and joints.
  • BBVSH has a human-hospital-grade 1.5 Tesla MRI, which unlike low field magnet (0.3T) veterinary machines, can produce images relatively quickly and provides for better diagnostic quality.
  • A CT scan provides 3D images of bone, soft tissues and blood vessels. Unlike standard radiographs, CT images are 3-dimensional meaning that internal structures do not overlap thereby making diagnoses easier.
    CT scans are a painless and non-invasive way to obtain diagnostic images. CT scans, especially those done with 64-slice CT scanners, are extremely fast, and in most cases can be done under sedation only.
  • BBVSH has a 64-slice CT scanner with an automated contrast injector.  A 64-slice CT scanner is 4 times faster than a 16-slice scanner which can be helpful when scanning critical patients some of whom may not even require sedation.

CT scans may be used for:

  • Diagnosing diseases such as orthopedic disorders; head and neck and spinal cord conditions such as seizures, paralysis, and nasal discharge; and for evaluation of internal organs
  • Detecting internal injuries, internal bleeding, and foreign bodies
  • Diagnosing, staging, and monitoring cancer
  • Guiding procedures such as biopsies and surgeries

Blood Donation

Just like humans, pets who are admitted to hospital for emergency or trauma may need to have a transfusion of blood to save their lives. This blood comes from donated blood from other pets.

Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital has set up a blood donation program right in our hospital to make it easy for your pet to donate and be a hero – and the initial donor screening/typing profile, examination and bloodwork is no charge to you!

For more information about our blood donation program, see our Blood Donation page.

Search...

What can we help you find?