Wellness Exams
Our veterinarians always perform a complete nose to tail examination on every patient every time. Our experienced veterinarians are trained to identify subtle signs and symptoms that may indicate underlying health issues. By catching potential problems early we can discuss how to prevent small issues from becoming more serious. We will thoroughly check eyes, ears, teeth, skin, heart, lungs, legs, tails, skin and temperature at every visit. We can also provide counselling in areas such as what to feed your pet and pet behaviour concerns to help prolong and enrich their lives with you.
Walk-In Appointments Are Welcome
Wellness Exams
Our veterinarians always perform a complete nose to tail examination on every patient every time.+Read More
Wellness Plans
At Allard Animal Hospital, our goal is to provide our clients with the best care possible. We believe that preventive medicine will help keep your pet happy and healthy for many years to come. Routine physical examinations from nose to tail can identify any possible health concerns before they become an issue. And since they are unlimited and included you can bring your pet in whenever you feel worried about something to have a check-up.
Our wellness and vaccination programs are designed to prevent disease and prolong the lives of your companion animal. The wellness plans include physical examinations, personalized vaccination plans, nail trims, weight management and nutrition, dental examinations, and more. During the physical examination, your veterinarian will thoroughly check eyes, ears, teeth, skin, heart, lungs, legs, tails, skin and temperature at every visit. Our veterinarians have many years of experience and the most advanced training to detect even subtle changes.
We are pleased to offer these packages to our clients. These plans will allow you to provide your pet with the best medicine possible, at the same time offering convenient payment plans to assist you financially. If you would like more information on the plan that would be best for you and your pet, please give us a call.
The plans are divided into monthly payments and made over a 12 month period.
Our wellness and vaccination programs are designed to prevent disease and prolong the lives of your companion animal.
Dogs and Cats
From routine checkups to advanced treatments, Allard Animal Hospital’s team is dedicated to ensuring your pets receive the best care possible.
Itchy skin, Lumps, Arthritis are all just some of the visits we can accommodate.
Got a new puppy or kitten. Lucky you!
Get them off to a great start by making an appointment to ensure all their vaccines are up to date and they are in good health so they can lead a long life.
Rabbits and Small Mammal Care
Dr Van Boxtel is a member of AEMV (association of exotic mammal veterinarians) and is comfortable working with and performing surgery, dentistry and treatments on small mammals (pocket pets) especially rabbits.
These animals deserve the same high quality and compassionate care as traditional pets
Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Ferrets, Hedgehogs, Chinchillas, Degus, Hamsters, Gerbils and Mice deserve the same love and compassion as traditional pets like dogs and cats.
Rabbits and Small Mammal Care
Dr Van Boxtel is a member of AEMV (association of exotic mammal veterinarians) and is comfortable working with and performing surgery, dentistry and treatments on small mammals (pocket pets) especially rabbits.
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Vaccines
Vaccines protect your pet against potential serious and life-threatening diseases. They keep other pets around them safe as well. We recommend staying up to date on the following in most cases
Dogs: Rabies, DH2PPv (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus combo), Bordetella, Lepto * Lyme*
*Speak to your vet to determine if Lyme or Lepto is required for your pet.
Cats: Rabies, FVCRP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia combo), Feline Leukemia*
*Speak to your vet to determine if Feline Leukemia is required for your pet
Rabbits: RHDV2 (rabbit hemorrhagic disease)
Ferrets: Rabies and distemper
Vaccines
Microchips
A microchip is a tiny device which is implanted under your pet’s skin with a needle (similar to when your pet receives a vaccination). It is more reliable than a collar (which can break loose) or a tattoo which can fade over time. If your pet gets lost then the microchip can be scanned by vet clinics or shelters to reunite your pet with you. It is also a requirement for travel to other countries including the USA.
Nutrition and Veterinary Diets
We are well stocked with Veterinary Diets and can order in diets to meet your pet’s and your needs
Everything your pet eats affects its body. Veterinary-formulated foods are recommended for specific health conditions from bladder stones to arthritis. When premade diets are not sufficient for your pet's health condition, a unique homemade diet can be formulated. Overweight pets can get a weight loss plan with special diets and strict calorie control for impressive results.
Making the Best Decisions for Your Pet
One of the biggest issues when it comes to maintaining good nutrition for pets is the amount of confusing information being presented to owners. The sheer number of pet food brands promising to be the best option for your pet can make anyone feel overwhelmed or exhausted. In addition to that, information about what does and does not constitute a healthy weight for an individual pet isn’t always readily available.
What’s great about having the support of a team that doesn’t believe veterinary medicine should be one-size-fits-all is being able to seek recommendations unique to your pet. Our team has extensive training and firsthand experience dealing with various aspects of pet nutrition. Whether you need pet food recommendations or you’d like us to create a personalized exercise plan to assist your pet with weight loss or other conditions we can help
We are here to guide your pet’s nutritional needs at each life stage to account for growth, weight management, performance, and disease prevention.
If you’d like to schedule a pet nutrition or weight loss consultation.
Nutrition and Veterinary Diets
We are well stocked with Royal Canin and Hills Veterinary Diets and can order in diets to meet your pet’s and your needs
Everything your pet eats affects its body. Veterinary-formulated foods are recommended for specific health conditions from bladder stones to arthritis. When premade diets are not sufficient for your pet's health condition, a unique homemade diet can be formulated. Overweight pets can get a weight loss plan with special diets and strict calorie control for impressive results.
Dental Care, Dental X-rays, and Extractions
Dr Van Boxtel has had a special interest in dentistry since she started veterinary school in 1997. She has been a member of the Elevate Dental Club in Edmonton and has taken a number of veterinary continuing education courses at veterinary conferences over the years.
She believes strongly in prophylactic dental home care at home and in frequent dental cohats (comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment) under anesthesia.
The vast majority of dental problems cannot be properly identified and diagnosed through a visual exam. Allard Animal Hospital has invested in the best dental x-ray and dental equipment available and we use only the safest and most effective anesthesia, monitoring and warming equipment on all our dental patients.
Every patient gets dental x-rays both BEFORE and AFTER extractions.
Dental Care, Dental X-rays, and Extractions
Dr Van Boxtel has had a special interest in dentistry since she started veterinary school in 1997. She has been a member of the Elevate Dental Club in Edmonton and has taken a number of veterinary continuing education courses at veterinary conferences over the years.
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There are also many home-care options and products that we can recommend to maintain your pet’s best smile! If you have any questions about dental care, our knowledgeable veterinary team will be able to assist you.
Dr Van Boxtel also has undergone significant training and experience with rabbit and rodent dentistry. This includes grinding down overgrown teeth, tooth extractions and correcting tongue entrapment.
Dental disease is very common and can lead to significant health problems. Once your pet’s teeth develop plaque and tartar, the bacteria then penetrates below your pet’s gum line and filters into the bloodstream where it can travel to major organs in the body, leading to kidney, liver and cardiac disease. Daily brushing of your pet’s teeth is vital in maintaining good oral hygiene for your pet. Our team can help guide and teach you ways to make teeth brushing possible!
Spaying and Neutering
Spaying females and neutering males eliminates unwanted litters, which contribute to thousands of euthanasia procedures and millions of stray animals. Additionally, these procedures can minimize behavior problems and help your pet live a longer, healthier life by reducing the likelihood of certain cancers.
When should my pet be spayed or neutered?
In general, we recommend spaying or neutering small dogs, cats and rabbits between 4-6 months of age. With large breed dogs, we often recommend delaying the surgery until they are 12 months of age.
Why should I have my pet spayed or neutered?
There are many benefits that come with spaying your pet. They include helping to control the stray dog and cat population, eliminating the sometimes 'messy' heat cycles that attract male dogs, and preventing diseases in your pet such as pyometra (infection in the uterus) and mammary cancer. Additionally, research has shown that spayed pets live longer than pets that have not been spayed.
There are also many benefits that come with neutering. These benefits include helping to control the stray dog and cat population, eliminating undesirable and embarrassing behaviors, and preventing diseases in your pet such as prostate disease and testicular cancer.
How is a spay or neutering surgery performed?
Spaying, also called an "ovariohysterectomy," is a surgical procedure in which both ovaries and uterus are completely removed from your female pet while they are under general anesthesia, we can also perform an “ovariectomy” if desired on younger pets which is the removal of only the ovaries while leaving the uterus intact.
Neutering refers to the surgical procedure in which both testicles are removed while your male pet is under general anesthesia.
Surgery
Allard Animal Hospital veterinarians are experienced with wound repairs, lump removal surgery, limb amputations, tail amputations, splenectomies, cystotomy (bladder stone removal surgery), gastropexy, foreign body removal surgery, gastrotomy, enterotomy, enucleation, cherry eye surgery, perineal urethrostomy, stenotic nares, as well as other surgeries
Our dedicated surgical team will be caring and communicating with you through arrival, discharge, and recheck to ensure your pet receives the most consistent and safest anesthetic and surgical experience possible.
All patients will receive a physical exam, and pre-surgical medications to reduce anxiety and nausea, individualized anesthesia protocols, intravenous catheters, active warming to maintain body temperature throughout the procedure, thorough monitoring with pulse oximetry, capnography, doppler blood pressures, and continuous ECG as well as multimodal pain control throughout recovery and the ability to ventilate high risk patients.
Surgery
Allard Animal Hospital veterinarians are experienced with wound repairs, lump removal surgery, limb amputations, tail amputations, splenectomies, cystotomy (bladder stone removal surgery), gastropexy, foreign body removal surgery, gastrotomy, enterotomy, enucleation, cherry eye surgery, perineal urethrostomy, stenotic nares, as well as other surgeries
Diagnostics and Testing
Allard Animal Hospital has a large array of in-house diagnostic tests that allow our team to get same-day, fast results to help guide treatment
Blood Tests
We have in-house blood machines that can measure many values including red and white blood cells along with their properties, platelets, blood sugar, proteins, kidney, liver, and pancreatic values as well as electrolytes.
We also test for diseases such as heartworm, tick-borne diseases (like Lyme), feline leukemia, FIV, parvovirus, and leptospirosis. We have specialized tests like testing the heart enzyme called cardiac proBNP to help in more critical cases where immediate answers are required.
Fecal and Parasite Testing
Routine fecal examinations are used to detect intestinal parasites in your pet. These parasites may include worms (such as hookworms, roundworms, whipworms and tapeworms) and microscopic parasites (such as Giardia or Coccidia). Parasites not only cause intestinal disease in pets but some of them can also be infectious to humans (hookworms, roundworms, and Giardia).
Urine Tests
With our in-house urinalysis machine, we can promptly identify problems in the urine. There are many safe modes of collection that we perform including a free flow, catheterization, and cystocentesis (collection directly from the bladder)
Blood Tests
We have in-house blood machines that can measure many values including red and white blood cells along with their properties, platelets, blood sugar, proteins, kidney, liver, and pancreatic values as well as electrolytes.
We also test for diseases such as heartworm, tick-borne diseases (like Lyme), feline leukemia, FIV, parvovirus, and leptospirosis. We have specialized tests like testing the heart enzyme called cardiac proBNP to help in more critical cases where immediate answers are required.
Fecal and Parasite Testing
Routine fecal examinations are used to detect intestinal parasites in your pet. These parasites may include worms (such as hookworms, roundworms, whipworms and tapeworms) and microscopic parasites (such as Giardia or Coccidia). Parasites not only cause intestinal disease in pets but some of them can also be infectious to humans (hookworms, roundworms, and Giardia).
Microscope
At Allard Animal Hospital, we take pride in using evidence-based medicine, including using cytology to guide treatment. This includes sample testing of ear debris, skin scrapings or hair plucks and looking under the microscope for yeast, bacteria, inflammatory cells, mites, and more. We also use cytology to look at various fluids that can be sampled from the chest or abdomen and determine if infections are present. There are also several types of masses that we can diagnose after looking at cells removed with a needle technique.
There may be some specialized testing that we require sending out to the laboratory but usually get results within a week. Using in-house laboratory tests can help ensure your pet’s treatment plan is on the right track while we wait for pending results.
Radiology (X-RAY)
X-rays provide diagnostic images of the inside of the body
Digital x-rays use electromagnetic radiation to create images that are shown on a computer. During the scan, radiation penetrates certain areas of the pet’s body. Because we use digital X-rays, the radiation exposure is low and your pet is very unlikely to develop any health issues. Sometimes x-rays may require sedation if your pet is anxious or squirmy. Sedation also allows our technicians to be able to perform this task in a “hands free” manner which is safer for our staff that take multiple X-rays over the course of a day.
Travel Certificates
Overview
We understand that your pet is family, and that when you travel, you want them right by your side. As a federally accredited veterinarian practice, we can issue travel health certificates (Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) for your healthy cat, dog, or other animal so that they may travel internationally with you.
Travel Certificates
Overview
We understand that your pet is family, and that when you travel, you want them right by your side. As a federally accredited veterinarian practice, we can issue travel health certificates (Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) for your healthy cat, dog, or other animal so that they may travel internationally with you.
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Why does my pet need a certificate to travel?
Only pets in good health are permitted to travel by plane or boat. The country you are traveling to may have specific health requirements that must be met before your pet can enter. Certain health requirements may include: up to date vaccinations, health examination, rabies blood titres, etc. Health certificates ensure that your pet is healthy to travel and isn’t susceptible to transferring diseases to other pets or people.
When should I start the process?
Certificate timing varies greatly by country: For example, rabies-free territories such as Australia, Japan and New Zealand can take 6-12 months. We strongly encourage checking the CFIA website as early as possible.
How can I obtain an international health certificate?
Before you start the process, you need to determine the destination country and dates of travel.
We will work with you to determine the health certificate requirements based on your travel destination. Since requirements are determined by each country and can change frequently, we suggest you check the current pet travel health requirements for your destination country on the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) website https://inspection.canada.ca/en/travelling-pets-food-plants/travelling-pets or call CFIA at (780) 395-6700.
We will perform a health exam to determine if your pet has any sign of disease or health risks that could pass along to others while traveling. We will also ensure that your pet has all required vaccinations to travel. Once all requirements are met, we will issue a certificate indicating that your pet has been cleared to travel.
How can I obtain an international health certificate?
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Patient Counselling
In partnering with you for your pet’s health, we are here to help answer all of your health and wellness questions and to provide guidance every step of the way.
Behaviour Counselling
Behaviour changes are commonly seen in our companion pets and can stem from medical and emotional problems. These can include barking, chewing, spraying, scratching, house-soiling, anxiety, and aggression. Often these problems can be distressing to both the patients and owners. At Allard Animal Hospital we are here to help you figure out these behaviours and develop a plan to help in their resolution.
Behaviour Counselling
Behaviour changes are commonly seen in our companion pets and can stem from medical and emotional problems. These can include barking, chewing, spraying, scratching, house-soiling, anxiety, and aggression. Often these problems can be distressing to both the patients and owners. At Allard Animal Hospital we are here to help you figure out these behaviours and develop a plan to help in their resolution.
Parasite Prevention Counselling
Different pets will have a different level of risk with both internal and external parasites depending on their lifestyle, socialization and travel. We can discuss your animal’s risk for parasites like roundworms, giardia, ticks, or tapeworms and provide the amount of protection based on yours and your pet’s individualized needs.
Parasite Prevention Counselling
Different pets will have a different level of risk with both internal and external parasites depending on their lifestyle, socialization and travel. We can discuss your animal’s risk for parasites like roundworms, giardia, ticks, or tapeworms and provide the amount of protection based on yours and your pet’s individualized needs.
Palliative Care and End-of-life Counselling
Palliative care aims to meet the needs of a pet faced with a life-limiting condition. We focus on caring, not curing. We understand that serious illness affects not only the patient but also the family and aims to promote an environment sensitive to the family’s needs while still providing excellent care to ensure comfortable end-of-life. We evaluate and track your companion’s quality of life, anticipating changes in their illness before they occur. Our empathetic staff is here to answer help answer questions and provide any support needed.
Palliative and End of Life Care. (Euthanasia)
How do you say goodbye to your best friend who has been with you through it all? As loving pet parents we would love to see our companions live as long as we do. Facing the final stages of your pets’ life is one of the most difficult times for anyone. At Allard Animal Hospital we know how difficult it can be to say goodbye to your best friend.
We provide palliative and hospice care to keep them as comfortable and pain-free as possible until it is time to say goodbye. Our compassionate team will be there with you every step of the way to help you with these tough decisions. We know that deciding to say goodbye is tough. We promise to try to make the process around this decision as comfortable as possible for your pet, yourself, and your family and guide you from start to finish with respect and compassion.
Palliative and End of Life Care. (Euthanasia)
We offer:
Euthanasia and End-of-Life Care
Pain Management
Compassionate Euthanasia
Group Cremation
Private cremation with many options of urns and mementos
Ink Paws and Nose Prints
Emergency, Illness, and Medical Care
We understand that having a pet with an injury or illness is incredibly stressful. We prioritize our patients in need and get them the care and treatment they require as quickly and efficiently as possible. We have the most modern in-house laboratory and digital x-ray equipment allowing us to get answers often while you wait. We are equipped and experienced in handling critical patients and those requiring advanced medical care and have a large network of specialists to work with when needed. We will also take the time to thoroughly explain and discuss any procedures or testing, and to answer any questions you have.
We have emergency experience and are able to provide urgent care, oxygen, stabilization, pain medication and on-site diagnostic testing and life saving surgery to your pet. Our staff and doctors are highly trained in helping patients which require intensive care or emergency surgical care utilizing the latest state of the art technology. We may ask to have you transfer to a facility that has 24/7 round the clock care or specialist care if your pets medical issue requires prolonged or specialist care
Emergency, Illness, and Medical Care
We understand that having a pet with an injury or illness is incredibly stressful. We prioritize our patients in need and get them the care and treatment they require as quickly and efficiently as possible. We have the most modern in-house laboratory and digital x-ray equipment allowing us to get answers often while you wait.
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