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 give us a call at Belle Rive Pet Hospital.

1. What are the Hospital hours?

   Our hospital is open Monday from : 8:30 am to 6:00pm, Tuesday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and select Saturdays from 8:30am until noon (please see the calendar for Saturdays we are open). The clinic is closed on Sunday and holidays.

2. Do I need to have an appointment?

    Yes, patients are seen by appointment.

3. What forms of payment do you accept?

     Cash, Debit, Mastercard and Visa

4. Can I make payments?

    Payment is required 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. This can vary for dogs depending on their breed with larger breeds being spayed later and small breeds being spayed earlier.  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 recommended prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery.

6.  What is the pre-anesthetic blood screening?

   This is a blood test that is run 3 to 7 days prior to surgery. It is used to evaluate organ function and blood counts of your pet. It is done to improve safety during surgery and ensure the pet's ability to heal following surgery.

7. How long do the sutures stay in after my pet's surgery?

   Procedures involving non absorbable sutures require them to be removed 14 days following the surgery. Absorbable sutures are used for most spays and neuters and do not need to be removed.

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 a litter. This only contributes to the problem of surplus unwanted cats and dogs in our society. There is some evidence in some breeds such as Golden Retrievers that delaying spaying and neutering can reduce their risk of joint problems. The advantages to having you pet spayed or neutered early in life include decreasing the chances of breast tumors later in life, decreasing the chance of cystic ovaries and uterine infections later in life, decreasing the desire to roam the neighborhood, decreasing the incidence of prostate cancer later in life, helping prevent spraying and marking.