General Questions

• Where is your clinic located?
• What are your hours of operation?
• What do I do in the case of an emergency and your clinic isn't open?
• Why should I spay or neuter my pet?

734 Frederick Street, Kitchener, Ontario N2B 2B2 (corner of Frederick Street and River Road. For a map, see the section ABOUT US.

Monday-Friday 8-6; Saturday 9-4. Closed on Sunday and on Statutory Holidays.

Call the Emergency Veterinary Clinic of Kitchener-Waterloo at 519-650-1617.

Spaying is the common name which describes a complete ovariohysterectomy for a female dog or cat, while neutering is the common name for a complete castration of a male dog or cat. Both procedures are full surgical operations involving general anesthesia, and render the pet sterile.

Removal of the ovaries or testes will remove the hormonal drive for mating, as well as removing the ability to reproduce. As a whole, male dogs or cats who have been castrated have much less tendency to mark territory or roam. Female dogs or cats who have been ovariohysterectomized do not cycle (have heats or estrus cycles) and are much less likely to attract unwanted attention from other members of their species. Female dogs bleed for one to two weeks during their cycle, which can be very messy. Sterilization does not affect the pet’s protective instincts towards home or family. There is little benefit to be gained by sterilization through procedures such as a tubal ligation or a vasectomy.

Spaying and neutering have potential health benefits. Because of their physiology intact female dogs and cats are predisposed to developing uterine infections as they age. The most common type of infection is called ‘pyometra’ and can potentially be fatal. A dog or cat who develops pyometra may or may not show obvious signs such as a vaginal discharge. More often, the pet only shows vague signs such as lethargy, a poor appetite, excessive thirst, or vomiting. If this condition does develop, the best treatment for it an emergency ovariohysterectomy, which is considerably more risky and expensive than a routine procedure in an otherwise healthy patient. Spaying also dramatically reduces the risk of breast cancer, particularly if the pet is spayed before the first or second cycle. It is relatively common for older male dogs to develop prostatic enlargement which can cause urinary obstruction or constipation problems. Intact male dogs are at risk of developing cancer in the prostate glands, testicles, or glandular tissue around the rectum (perianal gland adenoma). Although in most cases castration will resolve the problem, the risks involved in surgery under these circumstances are much greater.

A final good reason for sterilization of our pets is to minimize overpopulation. Hundreds of thousands of unwanted dogs and cats are killed in animal shelters yearly. Many people are willing to share their home with that cute little puppy or kitten, but when they realize the long term commitment in time and money, will surrender the adolescent or young adult, often improperly trained, to a shelter. Although it may be wonderful to witness the birth and early development of a healthy litter, the fact remains that there just aren’t enough good homes for all of them. Even though it might seem to be a lucrative way to recoup some of the costs of purchasing your purebred dog or cat, it is expensive to provide optimal care during the pregnancy term and the subsequent rearing of the litter – provided that everything goes well and there are no problems.

An often-heard argument against sterilization is that it makes your pet fat. In actuality, if you take a few precautions, this does not have to be the case. Removal of the reproductive organs will cause an immediate lowering of the metabolic rate and calorie requirements of the pet. However, the appetite isn’t affected to the same degree immediately, and unless the number of calories are restricted while the body adjusts to its new state, excess weight gain may be the result. Restricting calorie intake is even more important if your pet is already on the pudgy side before the surgery is performed.

class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">Our veterinary fees are set by the practice, based on our overhead, which includes both fixed fees such as salaries, rent, utilities, taxes, and the cost of prescription medications and retail goods we provide. Fees vary somewhat between veterinary clinics, based partially on different overhead costs and partly on the level of service that is offered. Price comparisons can sometimes be difficult for the consumer to make, since many times, quoted fees do not reflect the same set of services, or the same level of services. Some of the variability in costs is directly related to the use of different drugs, anesthetics, antibiotics, medical techniques, monitoring equipment, pain management, and other products, all of which have a bearing on the cost of the services.

Relatively speaking, veterinary care is a great value! The cost of veterinary care has risen very little over the last 20 to 30 years, especially when compared to the cost of human health care or almost any other services.

Our veterinary fees are a reflection of our costs for maintaining suitable facilities, equipment and support personnel to provide the level of care that is expected in animal medicine today. Remember, too, the original cost of the animal has no bearing on the cost of services delivered. Annual veterinary care is a cost that should be factored in to the decision to own a pet, as should the potential for emergency costs.

Like most other professional offices you visit (your dentist, chiropractor, massage therapist, etc.) fees are payable at the time service is rendered. Most veterinary facilities accept payment by major credit cards. This is especially helpful at the time of a medical emergency. For routine care, we recommend you try to budget for veterinary care in your household budget. Many veterinary preventive health care services can be staggered over a period of time, rather than doing "everything" in one visit. During your visit, we can best advise you which procedures can be deferred, if necessary. If you have questions or concerns about costs, call the clinic ahead of time and discus your specific concerns with the reception staff, who may be able to direct you to alternative sources of financing.

For an interesting article that compares human and animal health care, click here:

http://www.macleans.ca/science/health/article.jsp?content=20080501_103008_103008