|
ANSWERS
In this section you can find a wealth of answers to just about any question you might have. And check back often, as we will be adding many new features here in the near future.
FAQ's | Hospital Policies | Pet Insurance | Surgery Preparations
FAQ'S
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 contact us.
1. What are the Hospital hours?
Our hospital is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. On Mondays we are open for retail and making appointments from 9:00am until 1:00pm. On Saturdays we are fully open from 9:00am until 2:00pm. The clinic is closed on Sunday.
2. Do I need to have an appointment?
Yes, patients are seen by appointment, unless it is an emergency.
3. What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, Debit, MasterCard and Visa.
 4. Can I make payments?
Payment is required in full at the time of service.
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 sometimes recommended prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery.
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.
7. How long do the sutures stay in after my pet's surgery?
Procedures involving sutures usually require them to be removed in 14 days following the surgery.
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, cystic ovaries and uterine infections later in life. For males, it decreases the desire to roam the neighborhood, incidences of prostate cancer later in life, plus helping to prevent spraying and marking. Lastly, it decreases the surplus of unwanted puppies and kittens.
9. Do you board pets?
No, we do not board. However The Cats Pajamas Cattery and the Cat Cottage are well recommended boarding facilities on Bowen Island. Also The Bowen Dog Ranch is the vacation spot of choice when dog boarding is required.
10. My pet is in the hospital and I need to hear how he/she is doing.
"No news is good news !!!" Dr. Westcott.
It is very understandable for you (and your family) to want to know the latest information regarding your pet, especially if after a surgery or during a medical treatment stay at the hospital. Be assured that Dr. Westcott will contact you when he has complete information that is practical to discuss, at the earliest time possible. Sometimes it is helpful to supply your email address/texting for those times when you just need a very brief update – (please make sure we have your email address/cell phone number for texting on file).
11. Can I visit or find out information about my pet, if they are in the hospital for a Sunday/Monday stay?
Most veterinary offices in the lower mainland, except the emergency clinics downtown, do not even accept any animals on a Saturday for an overnight weekend stay – that is a thing of the past – they will refer you a downtown 24hr. emergency clinic. But not at BVS. It is just one aspect of BVS's unique commitment to our clients. Yet, there are no visiting times or callbacks (unless the Doctor feels it absolutely necessary to have you approve a procedure, etc.) during a Sunday or Monday. On Sundays, the office is closed, (despite whomever is on duty monitoring hospitalized animals - such as your pet).
PLEASE DO NOT use the emergency pager during these times or any other times to attempt to find out information – it must be free for emergencies only. To ensure that BVS can always be available for emergencies, there can a financial charge for misuse of our emergency communications system.
Mondays: Sometimes visiting your pet can be arranged on Mondays (from 9:am to 1:pm), as the Office is open for making appointments and purchasing foods/products.
Appointments
To allow ample time for all patients and scheduled surgical procedures, we operate primarily by appointment. Emergency cases shall always receive top priority, which is why occasional appointment delay is inevitable. Please realize that we make a sincere attempt to see each client on time.
Drop-Off Appointments
Drop-off appointments are available. A drop-off means you could bring your pet at the time that works best for you and leave him/her with us for a couple of hours. Usually we will ask you to drop off sometime in the morning so we can examine the patient in between appointments or at the time purposely reserved for admitted patients. Once the doctor is done, he will give you a call to go over the diagnosis and to give you discharge instructions.
For your protection, and that of others, all dogs must be on a leash and properly controlled while in the waiting area or exam rooms. All cats/small animals must be presented in an appropriate cat carrier or on a leash. Even though we make every effort to make our patients feel comfortable during visits, they may be a little uneasy about new people, new surroundings and other pets. This is one of the reasons we ask you to restrain your pet.
For the safety of all animals in our care, we require that all vaccinations be up to date.
Payments
We require full payment at the time that services are rendered. For your convenience, we accept Visa, MasterCard, Cash and Debit.
The critical importance of
Pet Medical Insurance
Here's just three, of many, that you can receive a fast, free online quote – ranging from $10 to $100 a month - depending on the animal's age/medical history and policy coverage you choose (see link below). 
Trupanion
PetSecure
PetCare
We HIGHLY RECOMMEND you obtain Pet Medical Insurance.
The next time you're in at BVS, be sure to ask for any more information on this essential subject. We are more than happy to explain and demonstrate why it is very important to consider for any pet owner. We can also guide you through what insurance options you find are best for your pet. Thank you.
Here's an overview of some of the issues you might wish to discuss with us.
Surgery Preparations (FAQ)
What You Need to Know Before Your Pet's Upcoming Surgery
Many people have questions about various aspects of their pet's surgery, and we hope this information will help. It also explains the decisions you will need to make before your pet's upcoming surgery.
 Is the anesthetic safe?
Today's modern anesthetic monitors have made surgery much safer than in the past. Here at Bowen Veterinary Services we do a thorough physical exam on your pet before administering anesthetics, to ensure that a fever or other illness won't be a problem. We also adjust the amount and type of anesthetic used depending on the health of your pet. The handout on anesthesia explains this in greater detail.
Preanesthetic blood testing is important in reducing the risk of anesthesia. Based on a thorough history and initial physical examination, pre-anesthetic blood testing may be recommended to ensure that the liver and kidneys can handle specific anesthetic protocols. Even apparently healthy animals can have serious organ system problems that cannot be detected without blood testing. If there is a problem, it is much better to find it before it causes anesthetic or surgical complications. Animals that have minor dysfunctions will handle the anesthetic better if they receive IV fluids during surgery. If serious problems are detected, surgery can be postponed until the problem is corrected.
We offer different levels of blood testing before surgery, which we will go over with you when you bring your pet in. Our doctors prefer the more comprehensive screen, because it gives them the most information to ensure the safety of your pet. For geriatric or ill pets, additional blood tests, electrocardiograms, or x-rays may be required before surgery as well.
It is important that surgery be done on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia. You will need to withhold food for at least 8 to 10 hours before surgery. Water can be left down for the pet until the morning of surgery.
Will my pet have stitches?
For many surgeries, we use absorbable sutures underneath the skin. These will dissolve on their own, and do not need to be removed later. Some surgeries, especially tumor removals, do require skin stitches. With either type of suture, you will need to keep an eye on the incision for swelling or discharge. Most dogs and cats do not lick excessively or chew at the incision, but this is an occasional problem you will also need to watch for. If there are skin sutures, these will usually be removed 10 to 14 days after surgery. You will also need to limit your pet's activity level for a time and no baths are allowed for the first 10 days after surgery.
Will my pet be in pain?
Anything that causes pain in people can be expected to cause pain in animals. Pets may not show the same symptoms of pain as people do; they usually don't whine or cry, but you can be sure they feel it. Pain medications needed will depend on the surgery performed. Major procedures require more pain relief than things like minor lacerations.
For dogs, we may recommend an oral anti-inflamatory the day after surgery and several days after to lessen the risk of discomfort and swelling. We use newer medications, which are less likely to cause stomach upset and can be given even the morning of surgery.
Because cats do not tolerate standard pain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol, we are limited in what we can give them. Recent advances in pain medications have allowed for better pain control in cats than ever before. We administer a pain injection 10 minutes prior to surgery. After surgery, pain medication is given on a case by case basis. Any animal that appears painful will receive additional pain medication.
We use narcotic patches for some surgeries in dogs as well. The cost will depend on the size of the dog. Injectable pain medications may also be used after surgery on both dogs and cats. Providing whatever pain relief is appropriate is a humane and caring thing to do for your pet.
What other decisions do I need to make?
While your pet is under anesthesia, it is the ideal time to perform other minor procedures, such as dentistry, ear cleaning, or implanting an identification microchip. If you would like an estimate for these extra services, please call ahead of time. This is especially important if the person dropping the pet off for surgery is not the primary decision maker for the pet's care.
When you bring your pet in for surgery, we will need to 5 to 10 minutes of time to fill out paperwork and make decisions on the blood testing and other options available. When you pick up your pet after surgery you can also plan to spend about 10 minutes to go over your pet's home care needs.
We will contact you before the scheduled surgery appointment, to confirm the time you will be dropping your pet off and to answer any questions you might have. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to call us with any questions about your pet's health or surgery.
Other ANSWERS: Be sure to also visit Useful Links, Pet Library, and ASK the VET.
FAQ's | Hospital Policies | Pet Insurance | Surgery Preparations
BACK TO TOP
| 
Processing ....