Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions/answers that we are frequently asked. If you have additional questions that aren't covered here, please feel free to give us a call at McGilvray Veterinary Hospital.

 1.  What are the hospital hours?
 2.  Do I need to have an appointment?
 3.  What forms of payment do you accept?
 4.  Can I make payments?
 5.  At what age should I have my pet spayed/neutered?
 6.  What is pre-anesthetic blood screening?
 7.  How long do the stitches stay in after my pet's surgery?
 8.  Is it a good idea to let my pet have at least one litter?
 9.  Do you board pets?
10. What are your kennels like?




1. What are the Hospital hours?

   Our hospital is open Monday and Thurday from 8:00am to 7:00pm, and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm.  The doctors are not available from 12:00pm to 2:30 pm, except for emergencies.  On Saturdays we are open from 8:00am until 1:00 pm. The clinic is closed on Sundays, but a doctor is on call for emergencies.

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2. Do I need to have an appointment?

   Our clinic operates by appointment, with the exception of "drop-off" appointments and emergencies.  A "drop-off" is beneficial should your schedule make it difficult to work with our appointment system.  In this case you would leave your pet with us to be picked up later in the day.  Appointments are also required for surgery, dentistry, certain diagnostic procedures and grooming.

3. What forms of payment do you accept?

     Cash, Cheque, Interact, Mastercard and Visa

4. Can I make payments?

    Payment is required at the time of service.

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5. At what age can I have my pet spayed or neutered?

   Spaying or neutering can be done at approximately 6 months of age. Your pet is given an exam prior to surgery to help determine whether your pet is healthy enough to undergo the surgical procedure. Current vaccinations are required at the time of surgery. Also a pre-anesthetic blood screen is recommended prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery.

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6.  What is the pre-anesthetic blood screening?

   This is a blood test that is run here in the clinic prior to surgery. It tests the organ functions, blood counts and clotting function of your pet. The pre-anesthetic blood screening is done to assure safety during surgery and the ability to heal following surgery.

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7. How long do the sutures stay in after my pet's surgery?

   Procedures involving sutures require them to be removed in 8-10 days following the surgery.  Not all patients have sutures that need to be removed, so please check with you clinician.

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8.  Is it a good idea to let my pet have at least one litter?

    No, there is no advantage to letting your pet have one litter. However there are plenty of advantages to having your pet spayed or neutered. These advantages include decreasing the chances of breast tumors later in life, decreasing the chance of cystic ovaries and uterine infections later in life, decreasing the desire to roam the neighborhood, decreasing the incidence of prostate cancer later in life, helping prevent spraying and marking, and also decreasing the surplus of unwanted puppies and kittens.

9.  Do you board pets?

   Yes, we do boarding for our clients. We have boarding space for both dogs and cats.

10.  What are your kennels like?

   Our dog kennels are all indoor. The dogs are taken to outside exercise runs 3 - 4 times daily while they are boarding. Whenever possible, the cat boarders are housed in a separate area away from the dogs. Blankets and food are provided for our boarders, but you are always welcome to bring your own.  Vaccines must be up to date for all boarding animals.
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