General Appointment Information

Q: How will my appointment be confirmed, and what should I bring?

We send automatic text and email notifications one day before your scheduled visit. Please review these reminders and confirm your appointment directly through the link or prompts provided in the message. On the day of your visit, please bring your dog on a leash or your cat in an appropriate carrier for the safety of all pets in the building. Once inside the examination room with the door closed, pets are welcome to roam freely.

Q: What happens during a routine or annual physical examination?

Our team will check your pet's weight, temperature, and vitals, and take a complete health history. The veterinarian will then perform a comprehensive physical exam. Any abnormal findings will be discussed with you to create a customized diagnostic or treatment plan tailored to your pet's needs.

Q: When is payment collected, and what if my pet needs a technician-only visit?

Payment is finalized immediately following the completion of services. Routine appointments like nail trims, anal sac expressions, and ongoing therapeutic injections (e.g., Cytopoint, Librela, Solensia) are typically performed by our veterinary technicians. If your pet exhibits unrelated medical issues or abnormal symptoms during a tech visit, a separate appointment with a veterinarian will be required.

Diagnostics & Bloodwork

Q: What should I expect if my pet needs blood work?

Blood collection is completed in our treatment area. Depending on your pet's size, cooperation, and the volume needed, we may shave a small area on the neck or leg to optimize vein visualization and prevent infection. If a temporary bandage is applied afterward, it can safely be removed after 30 minutes.

Specialized Therapeutic Injections & Procedures

Q: What should I expect during a nail trim or anal sac expression?

These quick services are completed by our technicians or assistants. Weight is checked first, and the procedures are done in an exam room or our treatment area. Up-to-date Rabies vaccination is strongly advised for all healthy pets per provincial legal guidelines. For anal expressions, mild local discomfort may persist for up to 2 days. If your pet is highly uncooperative for a nail trim, safe sedation may be advised to ensure a stress-free experience, which may require a rescheduled visit.

Q: What are Cytopoint, Librela, and Solensia injections used for?

• Cytopoint: Manages symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis (allergies) in dogs. It should be given at the first sign of scratching to avoid secondary skin, eye, or ear infections, providing relief within 2 days and lasting 4–8 weeks. It is ineffective if an active skin infection is already present.
• Librela (Dogs) & Solensia (Cats): Advanced, monthly targeted monoclonal antibody therapies designed strictly for osteoarthritis pain management. Relief or improvement is typically observed within 7 days of receiving the injection.

Need Urgent Care? If your pet experiences any abnormal symptoms during our regular business hours, please call us immediately at 905-640-0400. For after-hours emergencies, please contact your nearest emergency animal hospital or visit our dedicated emergency resources page at www.vistaparkanimalhospital.com/emergencies.pml.

Pre-Surgery & Fasting Guidelines

Q: What are the fasting instructions before my pet’s procedure?

Because procedures like spays, neuters, dental cleanings, and lumpectomy removals require anesthesia, your pet must have an empty stomach.

• No food after 10:00 p.m. the evening before the appointment.
• No water after 6:00 a.m. the morning of the appointment.

We send automatic text and email notifications one day prior to confirm your appointment reservation and remind you of these guidelines.

Q: When do I sign the surgical consent forms?

Consent and discharge forms are sent ahead of time for your review. Please do not fill them out at home. A staff member will review them with you at the clinic on the morning of admission to answer any questions before you sign them in person. An up-to-date Rabies vaccination is advised for all healthy pets undergoing procedures, per provincial legal guidelines.

Day of Surgery & Anesthesia

Q: What safety checks are completed before surgery begins?

Once admitted, our team checks your pet's weight, temperature, and vitals, and a veterinarian performs a full physical exam. If you have opted for pre-anesthetic blood work on the day of surgery, the sample is collected (which may require shaving a small spot on the neck or leg) and run in-house. If any significant abnormalities are detected during the exam or blood screening, we will contact you immediately before moving forward.

Q: How is my pet monitored while under anesthesia?

Your pet’s safety is our top priority:

• Preparation: We administer a pre-anesthetic medication to help your pet relax and to initiate pain management. We then shave a small area on the leg to place an intravenous (IV) catheter for fluids.
• Continuous Monitoring: Throughout the entire procedure, a dedicated veterinary technician continuously monitors your pet using an ECG machine to track vitals.
• Recovery: Post-surgery pain medication is administered, and your pet is moved to a recovery area. Our team closely watches them until they are completely alert, conscious, and able to sit or stand on their own before the IV line is safely removed.

Discharge & Post-Operative Care

Q: When can I pick up my pet, and what happens at discharge?

Once your pet has fully recovered from anesthesia, we will contact you to schedule a pickup time for later that afternoon.

When you arrive for pickup, a team member will first thoroughly review all prescribed medications and at-home care instructions with you. Once all your questions have been answered, we will bring your pet out to reunite with you! For dental cleanings, the doctor will also take this time to discuss any digital radiographs (X-rays) or extractions performed.

Q: What does recovery look like at home?

• Spays, Neuters, and Lumpectomies: Your pet will be sent home with a protective cone (E-collar), prescribed pain medication, and discharge instructions outlining 2 weeks of strict rest while their surgical site heals.

Our team will follow up with you via phone or email the next day to check on your pet's comfort and recovery progress.

Need Urgent Care? If your pet experiences any abnormal symptoms during our regular business hours, please call us immediately at 905-640-0400. For after-hours emergencies, please contact your nearest emergency animal hospital or visit our dedicated emergency resources page at www.vistaparkanimalhospital.com/emergencies.pml.