Our Services
Gateway Veterinary Centre offers a wide variety of products and services ranging from regular wellness exams to emergency services during our business hours. We offer in-house lab testing, radiology, and ultrasound.
We do offer a wide variety of pet foods and other items in the clinic for you to choose from.
Please see below a list of services offered. This is by no means exhaustive and it is being constantly updated as we grow. Please feel to contact us if you are after a specific service not mentioned here.
Emergencies and Urgent Care
Our veterinarians are able to handle a variety of urgent needs and emergencies for your pets saving pet parents precious time while providing excellent care. Please call to make an appointment or check availability to get prompt service.
We have helped a lot of pets with wide variety of emergencies including but not limited to pyometra , urinary blockage in cats, laceration and dog bite wounds ,porcupine quills, eye trauma injuries, intestinal blockages and foreign body ingestion, splenic cancer surgeries, bladder stones, toxin ingestion, chocolate and marijuana toxicity.
For after hours we recommend Guardian Veterinary and Pulse Veterinary Emergency.
Soft tissue surgery and mass removals
Our doctors routinely perform a wide variety of soft tissue surgeries! Our surgical suite equipped with surgical lighting, the safest anesthesia machines, surgical monitors, suction pumps, oxygen, and cautery. During each surgery, there is a dedicated technician who monitors your pet before, during, and after the surgery to pick up any concerning changes and make adjustments.
We commonly perform the following surgeries:
- Spays and Neuters and prophylactic gastropexy
- Laceration and wound repair.
- Removal of external and internal cancerous masses.
- Removal of objects obstructing the stomach or intestines.
- Intestinal resections, GDV surgeries
- Removal of stones and masses from the bladder.
- Splenectomy, (usually a result of cancer).
- Enucleations, (removal of the eye).
- Caesarian Sections.
- Pyometra
- Eyelid tumors.
- Reconstruction of eyelids,
- Oral and dental surgery
- Amputations: (legs, toes, toenails, tails).
- Unblocking and PU surgeries
- Cryptorchid surgery
Ultrasound
We offer complete ultrasound examinations on a pre-booked appointment basis subject to availability. This is an important diagnostic tool to help us find a specific cause of an illness or injury. We can diagnoses bladder or urethral stones, bladder tumors, prostate disease (enlargement, abscesses, prostatitis, neoplasia), splenic disease or tumors, liver disease or tumors (including gallbladder), pancreatitis, kidney disease or tumors, adrenal tumors or suspicion for adrenal disease, intestinal disease, or enlargement of lymph nodes. We use this tool on a daily basis.
Blood, Urine Testing and X rays and other diagnostics
Diagnostic services are invaluable in both sick pets and as a part of the annual wellness program.
When your pet is sick, we have a wide range of diagnostic tools readily available. We provide laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, and microscopy.
Laboratory Services
We routinely use in house blood analyzers for blood chemistry and complete blood counts. These are run in preventative exams, before surgeries, and in sick pets and emergencies where more information is needed than the physical exam can provide. We also monitor health through urinalysis, (common findings are bacterial infection, crystals/stones, and bladder cancer), and checking for internal and external parasites that your pet may have.
We have many individual tests when a specific disease is suspected, (e.g. Parvo Virus, Feline Leukemia or Aids, Thyroid hormone level, Assays to monitor pets who must take long term medications like NSAIDS or Anti-Seizure medication, and diseases like Cushings, Addisons, or Diabetes.).
We also routinely use an outside reference lab for more than 200 tests including histo-pathology of biopsies and Culture and Sensitivity of bacterial diseases, which allow us to know exactly which antibiotic is the most effective for a specific pet.
Diagnostic Services including X-rays/ radiographs
Diagnostic imaging has given us great non-invasive tools to understand what is causing your pet’s disease. It is often indicated by results of blood work. Often successful treatment can be given based on the results. It also prevents unnecessary surgeries or confirms the need for surgeries.
Our digital X-Ray unit gives the greatest resolution and clarity that exists today! We can also manipulate the images which allows us to see detail, not previously possible. With this tool we are able to make faster and more accurate diagnoses for your pet. Some examples of conditions picked up are congestive heart disease, lung disease, intestinal obstruction, enlarged liver or spleen, bladder stones. The reduced radiation also means that your pet is exposed to much less radiation. Results are available the same day.
Our Ultrasound unit allows us another perspective that X-Ray. Some pathology is seen better with X-Ray and some with Ultrasound. Because of this they are often used together. Some conditions for which Ultrasound is well suited are masses or enlargements of organs, lymph nodes, prostate, as well as the architecture of the organs which often gives clues to the diagnosis. The severity of heart disease and heart murmurs can also be evaluated.
Microscopy Services
The microscope is still a valuable tool for many diagnoses. Most commonly we use it for cytology, either from ear samples, Fine Needle Aspirates of masses and lumps, impression smears of infected skin, fecal testing, blood slide evaluation, urine sediment analysis as well as a multitude of others.
Endocrine testing-these tests range from testing for hyperthyroidism in cats, diabetes in our furry friends to more intricate testing like addisonian or cushing.
Eye exam and testing
Veterinary ophthalmology allows our staff to better diagnose and treat conditions of the eye including cataracts, corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, uveitis, and glaucoma. They also provide treatment for traumatic eye injuries. As pets age, they can suffer from vision loss. If you notice any changes in your pet’s eye, or if any trauma occurs, please bring your pet in for an exam and consultation as soon as possible.
Cherry Eye: We also offer cherry eye / prolapsed gland surgeries, eyelid correction surgeries, tonometry(eye pressure checks) and mass removal from eyelids
Dental Exams and Teeth Cleaning
Around 70% of dogs and cats over the age of three years old need some sort of dental treatment? It has also been shown that by keeping your pet’s gums and teeth healthy you can add one to two years to their life and reduce the amount of pain they feel significantly!
The cornerstone to this is daily brushing, (at least four times per week). Brushing removes plaque, which is a totally invisible film, (If you see it, it is not plaque). The plaque comes off very easily because it is simply a soft layer of slime.
When the plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus and tartar. The damage that these cause cannot no longer be helped by brushing because all the damage is under the gums. The teeth themselves are rarely damaged but the ligaments that hold the roots into the bony sockets and the sockets themselves are gradually eroded and eaten away by the huge number of bacteria.
We perform thorough and complete oral examinations while under anesthesia for the dental cleaning. The combination of an examination maps out the best plan for your pet and determines if any teeth need to get extracted, if any surgery needs to be performed. We then perform ultrasonic scaling of the teeth and under the gum line to thoroughly clean the teeth. We finish by polishing the teeth. Prior to, during, and after anesthesia, we are monitoring your pet’s physical stats visually and with state of the art anesthetic monitoring equipment. We are also keeping them warm with our Bair Hugger Warming system and supporting their blood pressure and hydration with intravenous fluids.
Anesthesia :
We want to let you know that our Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians are confident with our anesthesia skills and perform dental surgery on a range of patients, from low risk young and healthy pets to high risk cardiac disease patients. We would not place your pet under anesthesia unless it is necessary and as safe as possible.
But there is a simple, safe, and effective way to ensure your pet’s safety and retrieval should they ever become lost. Microchipping is a standard procedure that implants a tiny chip underneath your pet’s fur. It is a painless and relatively fast procedure and is completely safe.
This microchip is registered with your pet’s vital information and can be scanned by any veterinarian or animal shelter so that they can return your pet directly to you.
Orthopedic surgery
We offer orthopedic surgeries.
- Repair of ACL tears. (CCL=Cranial Cruciate Ligament in veterinary terminology).
- Repair of Patellar Sub-luxations, (Knee caps which our out of place).
- Bone fractures
- FHO surgeries
Routine vaccinations and puppy/kitten exams
Congratulations on your new pet!
Now is the time you will want to bring them into your veterinarian to make sure they receive the proper vaccines and care to get them off to a great start as they grow.
The doctor will come in and listen to their heart and lungs. They will check their eyes, ears, and mouth and complete a thorough exam on the new member of your family
They also discuss important things that will help keep them healthy as they continue to grow like nutrition and deworming, microchipping
What Vaccines does my puppy or kitten need?
We follow AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) standards for canine and feline vaccination schedules. Our clinic recommends the following vaccine schedule:
Dogs:
DA(P)P: Distemper, Adenovirus, (Para-influenza), Parvovirus. The first vaccines should be given at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and then 16 weeks. It should be boosted one year later, and then every three years thereafter.
RABIES: The initial vaccine should be given between 12-16 weeks of age. It should be boosted one year later, then every three years.
There are other vaccines that should be given that are considered Non-Core vaccines and are only given if your pet is considered to be “at risk” and will be discussed with you during your veterinary visit. Those vaccines are:
- Leptospirosis
- Bordetella( kennel cough)
- Lyme disease
Microchipping:
We are happy to offer microchipping. Every year, thousands and thousands of pets go missing. Not knowing where your pet is or how to bring them back can be a helpless, hopeless feeling. It’s a tragedy that happens all too often.
But there is a simple, safe, and effective way to ensure your pet’s safety and retrieval should they ever become lost. Microchipping is a standard procedure that implants a tiny chip underneath your pet’s fur. It is a painless and relatively fast procedure and is completely safe.
This microchip is registered with your pet’s vital information and can be scanned by any veterinarian or animal shelter so that they can return your pet directly to you.
Medical and wellness consultations with Geriatric patient care
Evidence is overwhelming that a focus on prevention and monitoring will cost pet owners less over the life of their pet and allow their pet to live longer with less pain!
Our wellness protocols include vaccinations based on the life style of your pet and routine blood tests to monitor their health
In senior pets (over the age of seven), we recommend yearly senior panels, which include bloodwork and urinalysis. This allows us to find subclinical issues and intervene before they become dangerous or dramatic.
Typical Health Problems in Geriatric Dogs & Cats
Due to improved dietary options and better veterinary care, companion cats and dogs are living far longer today than they have in the past.
While this is certainly something to be celebrated, as pets grow old and become geriatric, vets and pet owners have to grapple with more age-related conditions than they did in the past as well.
- Joint or bone disorders
- Cancer
- Heart Disease
- Blindness and hearing loss
- Liver disease
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Urinary tract disease
- Thyroid Issues
Spay, Neuter and routine surgeries.
We offer all elective surgeries like Canine and Feline spays and neuters , gastropexy surgery for large dogs, hernia repairs, cryptorchid neuters, baby teeth removal and so on. Appointments are easily available for these surgical procedures. This list is not exhaustive by any means. Email us for estimates anytime.
Allergy Testing and Skin disorders
Animals can have a variety of skin problems from allergies to parasites. Some dermatological parasites can be transferred from your pet to other pets, and even to you. If you notice your pet scratching or chewing at its body has fur loss, dandruff, skin lesions, or any other skin abnormalities, please bring them in for a consultation.
We offer thorough dermatological workups and ear infection treatments. Our services include allergy testing and food allergy advice and biopsies and cytology as and when needed.
Advanced pain control
In accordance with American Animal Hospital Association’s guidelines we screen every dog or cat patient for pain. Every sick or surgery patient gets preemptive pain control and monitored for intra or post-surgical pain. Dogs or cats with chronic discomfort from conditions like degenerative joint disease, arthritis or disc disease are managed with multi-modal pain control using anti-inflammatory drugs, cartrophen injections, pain medication, joint supplements, joint health diets, controlled exercise, weight management.
We encourage our clients to discuss pain management with your doctors.
Quality of life and end of life care
Your friends at GVC understand that losing a pet is never easy. To offer support and guidance during this sad time, we provide a variety of services and resources.
When you need to discuss end-of-life care or final arrangements for your pet, our team is here to help. Contact our clinic with your questions about end of life and pet loss. Our partners offer a wide variety of urns for pets of every size, and cremation options to suit your needs. At this stage we do not offer home euthanasia services.
In house Pharmacy and Prescription Diets
Pet Pharmacy Services
For existing clients or anyone with a valid script, we stock a variety of medications including tick/flea medications, dewormers, insulin and antibiotics. Refills should be called in 48 hours in advance and are only held on the shelves for 10 days after being filled.
For help on refills of medications please call/ email our clinic during regular business hours.
Prescription Diets: We also stock a wide variety of prescription diets in store and through our online store. Please call or email us to discuss your needs.
Export certificates
Traveling with your pet is not always easy. It is important to consult with your veterinarian regarding your travel plans. Traveling outside Canada, requires an international health certificate. Not sure where to start? Check out the CFIA website for requirements to specific countries.
Ask your veterinarian for travel sedatives, or anxiety medications to reduce travel stress.