SERVICES

Medical Services for Dogs and Cats in New Westminster

MEDICAL SERVICES

Regular veterinary care is one of the most meaningful investments you can make in your pet’s long-term health. The family-owned team at Columbia Square Animal Hospital provides a full range of medical services for dogs and cats in New Westminster, from flea and tick prevention to cardiac assessments and complete medical evaluations. We are open seven days a week, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Saturday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, so getting your pet the care they need is always within reach.

Veterinary technician examining a cat's ears

Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs and Cats

Flea and tick prevention is one of the most common areas of veterinary medical care, and for good reason. Both fleas and ticks cause significant discomfort and can transmit conditions that affect your pet and your household. Our team at Columbia Square Animal Hospital develops a personalized parasite control plan for your dog or cat based on their lifestyle, age, weight, and overall health. Year-round prevention is widely recommended by veterinarians, particularly for pets who spend time outdoors or in contact with other animals. If your pet has been scratching persistently, losing patches of fur, or showing skin irritation, these may be signs of a flea infestation or a reaction to a bite. Our team can assess your pet’s skin and coat and recommend a flea and tick prevention approach suited to their individual needs. Serving dogs and cats throughout New Westminster and the surrounding area, we make it easy to stay on top of parasite prevention year-round.

Veterinarian examining a cat with a stethoscope

Skin and Coat Care for Dogs and Cats

Skin and coat problems are among the most frequently seen concerns in veterinary medicine for dogs and cats. Persistent itching, hair loss, redness, flaking, and recurring ear issues can all be signs that something is affecting your pet’s skin health. Columbia Square Animal Hospital performs thorough skin evaluations to help identify potential causes and outline appropriate care options. Common concerns include environmental sensitivities, contact reactions, fungal conditions, and parasitic skin issues. Our in-house laboratory allows us to perform skin scraping tests, ear cytology, microscopic evaluations, and fungal assays on-site, providing faster results for your veterinarian. If your pet has been dealing with a recurring skin or coat concern that has not responded to previous care, an in-depth evaluation at our clinic may help move things forward. Our team takes a methodical approach to skin assessments, documenting findings carefully so we can track changes over time.

Veterinarian and technician caring for a cat during an exam

Cardiac Care for Dogs and Cats in New Westminster

Heart conditions in dogs and cats often develop gradually and quietly. Regular cardiac assessments allow your veterinarian to detect early changes before they progress into more serious concerns. At Columbia Square Animal Hospital, cardiac evaluations are available as part of comprehensive medical assessments. For pets requiring specialized cardiac imaging, our team coordinates referrals to a visiting echocardiography specialist. Common signs that may warrant a cardiac evaluation include exercise intolerance, persistent coughing, laboured breathing, fainting episodes, or unexplained weight loss. With in-house digital X-ray and ultrasound, your veterinarian can gather important information about your pet’s heart and chest during a single visit. If you have noticed any of these changes in your dog or cat, contacting our clinic for an assessment is a sensible first step.

Complete Medical Assessments for Your Dog or Cat

A thorough medical assessment is the foundation of your pet’s preventive care. At Columbia Square Animal Hospital, our veterinarians perform complete physical examinations that evaluate your pet from nose to tail, including the eyes, ears, teeth, lymph nodes, abdomen, skin, joints, and overall body condition. Medical assessments are recommended at least once a year for adult pets and more frequently for seniors or pets managing ongoing health concerns. During your pet’s exam, your veterinarian will discuss findings, answer your questions, and outline any recommended next steps. If additional testing is needed, our in-house laboratory can run bloodwork, urinalysis, and specialized panels during the same visit. Our family-owned team gets to know each patient over time, which means your vet has meaningful context each time they see your pet. This continuity of care is one of the most important advantages of building a long-term relationship with a single clinic and team.

GOOD TO KNOW

FAQs

Veterinarians generally recommend at least one complete physical examination per year for healthy adult dogs and cats. Senior pets and those with ongoing health concerns benefit from exams every six months. Annual visits allow your vet to catch early changes that may not yet be noticeable at home and keep your pet’s preventive care on schedule.
A complete medical assessment at our clinic includes a thorough nose-to-tail physical examination covering the eyes, ears, teeth, lymph nodes, abdomen, skin, coat, joints, and body weight. Your veterinarian will also review your pet’s history, discuss any concerns you have noticed, and recommend any appropriate additional testing or preventive care.
Common signs include persistent scratching or licking, patchy hair loss, visible redness or inflammation, recurring ear infections, flaking or scaling skin, and an unusual odour from the coat. If your pet has been showing any of these signs for more than a few days, an in-person evaluation is the best way to identify what is happening and what care may be appropriate.
Yes. Fleas can survive indoors year-round, and New Westminster’s mild coastal climate means outdoor conditions rarely become cold enough to eliminate flea populations entirely. Year-round parasite prevention is widely recommended by veterinarians for dogs and cats in the Lower Mainland, regardless of the season.
Signs that may warrant cardiac attention include persistent or worsening cough, difficulty breathing or rapid breathing at rest, exercise intolerance, sudden weakness or fainting, and unexplained weight loss. If your pet is showing any of these signs, contacting our New Westminster clinic promptly is the right course of action.
BOOK A VISIT

Your dog or cat deserves attentive, thorough medical care from a team that knows them well. Columbia Square Animal Hospital is open seven days a week in New Westminster. Call us at (604) 521-5572 to book a medical assessment or speak with our team about your pet’s health.

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