- Mon to Sat: 8:00Am-6:00Pm
- Sun & STAT Holidays: Closed
At Alma Animal Hospital in Dunbar, Vancouver, we want every visit to feel clear and confident. Below are answers to the questions we hear most often from pet owners in Dunbar, Point Grey, and Dunbar-Southlands. If you do not see your question here, call us at (604) 229-5564 and our team will be happy to help.
Alma Animal Hospital is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We are closed on Sundays and statutory holidays. If your pet needs urgent attention outside our business hours, please contact a 24-hour veterinary emergency hospital in Vancouver.
You can book an appointment by calling us at (604) 229-5564 during business hours, or by using our online booking form at almavets.ca/make-an-appointment/. We recommend calling for same-day or urgent requests. New clients are always welcome and can also register online at almavets.ca/new-client/.
We recommend booking routine wellness visits one to two weeks in advance, especially during our busy spring and fall vaccination seasons. For surgical procedures and dental cleanings, we typically schedule two to four weeks ahead. Call us at (604) 229-5564 to check current availability.
Please bring any previous vaccine records or veterinary history you have for your pet. If your pet has been seen elsewhere, a copy of their most recent exam notes and bloodwork results is helpful. For puppies and kittens, bring the health records provided by the breeder or shelter. If you are a new client, you can complete our registration form in advance at almavets.ca/new-client/.
Alma Animal Hospital does not provide 24-hour or overnight services. If your pet needs urgent veterinary attention outside our hours, we recommend VCA Canada Vancouver Animal Emergency and Referral Centre at (604) 879-3737, located at 2303 Alberta Street, Vancouver. They provide 24-hour emergency care and are the closest option for families in Dunbar and Point Grey.
Alma Animal Hospital was founded by father-and-son veterinarians Dr. Parveen Munjal and Dr. Vazul Munjal. Dr. Parveen Munjal has been serving the Dunbar-Southlands community since 2007 and brings decades of trusted, community-focused veterinary experience. Dr. Vazul Munjal is a recent graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and is completing an internship at a specialty practice before joining the Alma team full time. Together, they bring a combination of long-standing community relationships and current clinical training to every patient at Alma Animal Hospital.
Yes, we are currently accepting new clients and their pets. Alma Animal Hospital welcomes dogs and cats from Dunbar, Point Grey, Dunbar-Southlands, and the broader Vancouver West area. You can register online at almavets.ca/new-client/ or call us at (604) 229-5564 to get started.
There is no separate registration fee. You pay for the services your pet receives at each visit. Our team will walk you through the cost of any services before proceeding. If you have questions about what to expect financially, we are always happy to discuss this over the phone before your appointment.
Start with a new patient wellness exam. This appointment gives us a full picture of your pet’s current health, allows us to start or review their vaccine schedule, and gives you the opportunity to ask all your questions. Call us at (604) 229-5564 or book online. If your pet is a puppy or kitten, we also recommend reading our First-Year Guides at almavets.ca.
Yes. You or your previous clinic can send records directly to us at reception@almavets.ca or by fax at (604) 229-5563. Having previous records helps us provide continuity of care and avoids repeating any recent tests or vaccines unnecessarily.
Core vaccines for dogs in Vancouver include DA2PP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza), Rabies, Leptospirosis, and Bordetella. We strongly recommend Leptospirosis for all dogs in Metro Vancouver due to wildlife exposure in parks and waterways. Rabies is required by law in British Columbia. Your dog’s exact schedule depends on their age, lifestyle, and previous vaccine history. We build a personalized schedule at your first visit.
Core vaccines for cats include FVRCP (Feline Herpesvirus, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) and Rabies. We also recommend FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) for kittens and for any cat with outdoor access or exposure to other cats. Even indoor-only cats benefit from core vaccines, as some viruses can be transmitted on clothing and shoes. We tailor your cat’s schedule to their specific lifestyle.
After the initial puppy or kitten series, most adult pets benefit from annual wellness visits. Core vaccines like DA2PP and FVRCP are typically given every three years after the first year booster. Rabies is given every one to three years depending on the product used. Bordetella and Leptospirosis are given annually. We review your pet’s full schedule at every visit and only recommend what is due.
This is an important question and we take previous reactions seriously. Mild reactions such as temporary soreness, lethargy, or facial swelling are relatively common and manageable. We will review the details of any previous reaction, select the most appropriate vaccine products, and monitor your pet closely after vaccination. In most cases, vaccination can proceed safely with appropriate precautions. Please let us know about any previous reactions when you book.
Yes. Vancouver’s mild, wet climate means fleas are active throughout the year. A single infested pet can create a household infestation within weeks. We recommend year-round flea prevention for all dogs and cats in the Dunbar and Point Grey area, including indoor-only cats who can be exposed through people entering the home. Ask us about suitable options at your next visit or call (604) 229-5564.
We recommend bringing your new puppy in within 48 to 72 hours of bringing them home. This allows us to perform a full physical examination, review the vaccines and deworming already done by the breeder or shelter, and start building their health record. Early visits also help your puppy associate the veterinary clinic with positive experiences. Call us at (604) 229-5564 to book your puppy’s first appointment.
Bring your new kitten in within 72 hours of bringing them home, ideally within the first week. We will perform a complete physical examination, start or continue their FVRCP vaccine series, and run a health screening for FIV and FeLV. We also discuss spay or neuter timing, nutrition, litter box habits, and parasite prevention. Call us at (604) 229-5564 to get started.
For small and medium breed dogs, we typically recommend spay or neuter at 6 months of age. For large breeds, we suggest waiting until 9 to 12 months, and for giant breeds, 12 to 18 months. Delaying for larger breeds allows growth plates to fully develop, which reduces the risk of certain orthopedic problems. We discuss the ideal timing for your specific puppy at their wellness visits.
Most kittens can be spayed or neutered at 5 to 6 months of age. Female cats can become pregnant as early as 4 months, so we discuss timing early in your kitten’s care plan. Spaying eliminates the risk of a serious uterine condition and significantly reduces the risk of mammary tumors. We walk you through what to expect from the procedure and recovery at your kitten’s wellness visits.
Puppies need a series of three to four vaccine visits, typically at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks of age. This series is essential because maternal antibodies can interfere with vaccine effectiveness in young puppies. Completing the full series is the only way to ensure reliable immunity. We schedule all appointments upfront so nothing is missed. Your puppy’s first visit at Alma Animal Hospital will include a full plan for the rest of their first year.
We recommend avoiding off-leash dog parks and areas with heavy dog traffic until your puppy has completed their full vaccine series at 16 weeks. Canine parvovirus is highly contagious and can survive in the environment for months. Off-leash parks are a common exposure site. Puppy classes with screened, vaccinated dogs are a safer way to socialize before the series is complete. Ask us for recommendations in the Dunbar and Point Grey area.
For most surgical procedures, your pet should fast for 8 to 12 hours before the procedure, meaning no food after midnight the night before. Water can typically be offered until a few hours before the appointment unless we advise otherwise. We will give you specific pre-surgical instructions when we schedule the procedure. Please arrive at the time we request so we have adequate time for the pre-procedure health check.
Yes. At Alma Animal Hospital, every surgical patient receives a full pre-procedure health check to identify individual risk factors before we begin. During all procedures, we monitor heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and body temperature continuously throughout. We tailor our protocols to each patient’s species, age, and health status, and we discuss all individual considerations with you before scheduling any procedure.
Most dogs and cats recover from routine spay or neuter surgery within 10 to 14 days. During this time, activity restriction is important to allow the incision to heal properly. This means no running, jumping, or rough play. We provide detailed aftercare instructions at discharge and are available to answer questions during recovery. A recheck appointment may be scheduled to confirm healing.
Common signs of dental disease include bad breath, visible yellow or brown buildup on the teeth, red or swollen gums, reluctance to chew on one side, dropping food, or pawing at the mouth. However, many pets with significant dental disease show no obvious signs at all. We assess oral health at every wellness visit and will let you know when a professional cleaning is recommended. Most adult dogs and cats benefit from an annual dental examination.
A full monitoring protocol is required for a safe and thorough dental cleaning. It allows us to scale below the gumline where the most harmful tartar accumulates, take full-mouth dental X-rays to assess tooth roots and bone health, and perform a complete oral examination without causing pain or stress. Dental cleaning performed while a pet is awake cannot address the tartar below the gumline and does not give us a reliable picture of your pet’s oral health.
Yes. We assess lumps and masses before removal to determine the most appropriate approach. This may involve fine needle aspiration to characterize the mass before surgery. Once we have a plan, we schedule the procedure and walk you through what to expect. If you have noticed a new lump on your pet, call us at (604) 229-5564 to arrange a timely assessment.
The cost of a veterinary visit depends on the services provided. A standard wellness exam, vaccine visits, and single-issue appointments are priced separately. We are happy to give you an estimate over the phone for routine services. For more complex situations, we provide a cost estimate before proceeding with any work. Call us at (604) 229-5564 and we will be straightforward with you about pricing.
Yes. We work with most major Canadian pet insurance providers. If your pet has insurance, we recommend bringing your policy details to your first appointment. In most cases, you pay at the time of the visit and submit a claim to your insurer for reimbursement. Ask us whether direct billing is available for your specific plan. If you do not yet have pet insurance and would like guidance on options, our team is happy to discuss the Canadian providers we most commonly see.
We accept Visa, Mastercard, debit, and cash. Payment is due at the time of the visit. If you are concerned about the cost of a particular service or procedure, please let us know before your appointment and we will work with you to make a plan. We want cost to be a conversation, not a surprise.
Pet insurance can be very valuable, particularly for unexpected illnesses, injuries, and surgical procedures. The best time to enroll is before your pet’s first veterinary appointment, as most insurers do not cover conditions identified before the policy start date. We recommend comparing plans from multiple Canadian providers and reviewing per-condition limits, annual maximums, and whether hereditary conditions are covered for your pet’s breed. Ask our team at your next visit for our general guidance on what to look for.
Some signs require same-day veterinary attention. Call us immediately at (604) 229-5564 if your pet is: not urinating or straining with no output, vomiting repeatedly or vomiting blood, collapsed or unable to stand, having difficulty breathing, showing pale or white gums, bloated or in obvious pain, experiencing a neurological episode, or if you suspect they have swallowed something harmful. If the concern arises outside our business hours, please contact a 24-hour veterinary emergency hospital in Vancouver. See our after-hours FAQ below.
Yes, this can be very serious, particularly in male cats. Straining with little or no urine output can indicate a complete inability to pass urine, which is a life-threatening condition. Call us immediately at (604) 229-5564 during business hours. If this occurs outside our hours, go to a 24-hour veterinary emergency hospital right away. Do not wait to see if it resolves on its own.
Call us right away at (604) 229-5564. The sooner we know, the more options we have. Tell us what was ingested, approximately how much, and your dog’s weight. If ingestion occurred within the past one to two hours, we may be able to intervene. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is also available 24 hours at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee applies). Common hazards include xylitol, grapes, raisins, onions, certain plants, and human pain relievers.
Mild limping that resolves within 24 hours after rest is often nothing to worry about. However, if your pet is non-weight-bearing, if the limping persists for more than 24 hours, if there is visible swelling or a wound, or if your pet is in obvious distress, we recommend bringing them in for an assessment. Call us at (604) 229-5564 and we can help you determine how urgently your pet needs to be seen based on the specific details.
Signs of heatstroke include excessive panting, drooling, vomiting, disorientation, staggering, and collapse. Heatstroke can develop rapidly in warm weather, particularly in dogs left in vehicles, exercised in heat, or in brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs. If you suspect heatstroke, move your pet to a cool area, apply cool (not cold) water to their body, and call us or go to an emergency facility immediately. Do not leave your pet in a parked car in Vancouver’s warm summer months.
A healthy-weight dog or cat should have ribs that you can feel without pressing hard, a visible waist when viewed from above, and an abdomen that tucks up slightly when viewed from the side. We assess body condition at every wellness visit using a standardized scoring system and will let you know if your pet would benefit from a weight adjustment. If you are unsure between visits, call us and we can talk you through a simple at-home assessment.
Choose a food that meets AAFCO standards for growth or all life stages and is formulated for your pet’s size class. Large breed puppies specifically need food designed for large breeds, as the calcium and phosphorus balance differs from regular puppy food. Kittens need food with high animal protein and adequate taurine. Avoid grain-free diets unless specifically recommended by your veterinarian. Our team is happy to review your current food choice at any visit.
Weight loss in cats needs to be gradual, as rapid weight loss can trigger a serious liver condition. We recommend starting with a veterinary assessment to rule out underlying conditions such as hypothyroidism or diabetes. Once we have a complete picture, we help you set a safe target weight, calculate appropriate daily calorie intake, and establish a feeding routine. Avoid simply reducing portions of a high-calorie food. Switching to an appropriate nutritional support diet designed for weight management often works better.
Yes. We carry a selection of veterinary-grade nutritional products at our clinic for pets with specific health needs, including options for joint support, skin and coat health, weight management, and digestive conditions. Ask our team at your next visit or call (604) 229-5564. For ongoing product needs, you can also submit a refill request through our online form at almavets.ca/medicine-refills-and-food-orders/.
Yes, we strongly recommend it. Leptospirosis is a bacterial illness spread through the urine of affected wildlife, including raccoons and rats. In Vancouver, puddles in parks, drainage areas, and waterways near the Fraser River and throughout the city are common exposure sites. The vaccine is given as a two-dose initial series and then annually. It is one of the most important regionally specific vaccines we offer at Alma Animal Hospital, particularly for dogs in Dunbar, Point Grey, and surrounding neighborhoods.
Yes, this is worth taking seriously. Giardia is a waterborne parasite that is endemic in Vancouver’s parks and urban environment, including puddles, streams, and contaminated grass. Many dogs carry giardia without obvious symptoms, while others show soft stools, intermittent diarrhea, and gradual weight loss. Annual fecal testing is the most reliable way to detect giardia early. We recommend it as part of every annual wellness visit. Call us at (604) 229-5564 to arrange a fecal test.
Yes, and this is extremely important for cat owners. True lilies, including Easter lily, tiger lily, Asiatic lily, and daylily, cause acute kidney failure in cats. Even small exposures, including pollen falling from a bouquet onto a cat’s fur and being groomed off, can be lethal. Lilies are widely sold in Vancouver, particularly around Easter and in spring. Remove any lilies from your home entirely if you have cats. If you suspect your cat has had any contact with a lily, call us immediately at (604) 229-5564. If it is after hours, go to the nearest 24-hour veterinary emergency hospital. Do not wait for symptoms.
Yes. The City of Vancouver requires all dogs over three months of age to be licenced annually. Proof of current rabies vaccination is required for licencing. Licences must be renewed each year. You can find more information and apply for a licence through the City of Vancouver’s website. Our team can provide documentation of your dog’s rabies vaccination to support your licence application.
We are located at 3151 Dunbar St, Vancouver, BC V6R 3C2, just south of West 16th Avenue. From Point Grey, we are approximately a five-minute drive via West 16th Avenue or West 10th Avenue heading east to Dunbar Street. Street parking is available near our clinic. We are also accessible by transit via the 44 bus on West 10th Avenue. Call us at (604) 229-5564 if you need directions or transit guidance.
Our team at Alma Animal Hospital in Dunbar is happy to help. Call us at (604) 229-5564 during business hours, email us at reception@almavets.ca, or book an appointment at almavets.ca/make-an-appointment/. We serve dogs and cats throughout Dunbar, Point Grey, and Dunbar-Southlands.
If you have a question that is not answered below or you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our office at your convenience.
Pets, particularly puppies and kittens, generally start teething at around 3 to 4 weeks of age, when their baby teeth first come in. This process continues as they lose their baby teeth and develop adult teeth, typically between 3 and 6 months of age. By 6 to 7 months, most pets will have their full set of adult teeth. During this time, you may notice increased chewing or discomfort, and providing appropriate teething toys can help ease the process.
Some pet breeds are more susceptible to excessive eye discharge. For pets with lighter fur, this discharge may stain the area around the eyes, causing a pet to look unclean. Cleaning these ocular secretions is extremely important, as a build-up of eye fluid may cause harmful bacterial infections. There are numerous products available at pet stores that clean and sanitize eye secretions. If you opt not to purchase a special product, you can use a clean, damp cloth to gently remove eye discharge, but avoid making contact with the eye itself.
Clipping the points off cat claws can prevent damage to furniture, stop your pet from getting an ingrown nail, or avoid having their nails grow so long they injure themselves. Clipping claws is not necessary, but many veterinary professionals recommend it, and some practices will even clip them for you during annual wellness exams. In some regions, clipping claws is not recommended for outdoor cats. Be sure to ask your veterinarian whether it is a good decision for your cat.
Cats typically do not need grooming. They are inclined to clean themselves and have a tongue meant for cleaning fur. Occasionally, your cat may trample through mud and require a bath, but these instances are rare. However, if you have an allergy sufferer in your home, bathing your cat may improve their condition. Cats do benefit from periodic brushing, especially cats with longer hair. A pet owner might consider having their longer haired cat shaved during hot summer months, but this is entirely elective and is not necessary.
Most pet owners believe that shaving their dog during summer months helps them keep cool; however, thicker coated breeds have an internal thermostat that allows their body to adjust to warmer weather and self-regulate their internal temperature, so they do not need to be shaved. Shaving a dog that is not used to having short hair allows them to be exposed to harmful UV rays, particularly for outdoor dogs. You are much better off providing an outdoor dog with adequate shade and a pool of water to cool off in. Also, shaving some breeds can cause permanent damage to their coat. Consult with a certified pet groomer about the consequences of shaving your pet prior to cutting their hair.
