Pet Care Services for Dogs and Cats in Burnaby, BC
Routine preventive care is the foundation of a long, healthy life for your dog or cat. At Deer Lake Animal Hospital near Metrotown in Burnaby, we offer a complete range of pet care services, from core vaccinations and parasite control to microchipping, nail trims, and international health documentation. We keep visits calm, practical, and tailored to your pet's needs. Our clinic is open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Call (604) 563-6170 or book online to get started.
Vaccinations for Dogs and Cats in Burnaby
Core and lifestyle-based vaccines protect your dog or cat from serious, preventable diseases. At Deer Lake Animal Hospital, we follow current CVBC guidelines and build a personalized vaccine schedule based on your pet's age, lifestyle, and risk factors. Core vaccines for dogs include DHPP and rabies. Core vaccines for cats include FVRCP and rabies. Lifestyle vaccines such as Bordetella, Leptospirosis, and feline leukemia are recommended based on where your pet spends time and which activities they enjoy. We space vaccines appropriately and offer split-visit appointments for pets who find multiple injections stressful.
International Health Certificate and Pet Export
Traveling internationally with your pet requires official documentation, and requirements vary significantly by destination country. Our team prepares international health certificates, vaccination records, and country-specific documentation needed for pet export. We are familiar with requirements for destinations including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and European Union countries. Timing is critical for international pet travel, as some countries require titer testing or parasite clearance within specific windows before entry. Contact us well in advance of your travel date so we can confirm exactly what your destination requires and start the process on time.
Flea Prevention and Control
Fleas cause itching, skin irritation, and can trigger serious allergic reactions in sensitive pets. They also carry tapeworm larvae, which can infect dogs and cats that ingest an infected flea while grooming. At Deer Lake Animal Hospital, we recommend year-round flea prevention for most pets in the Burnaby area, where mild winters allow flea populations to persist. We carry veterinary-grade preventives for dogs and cats in topical, oral, and collar formats. If your pet has an active flea infestation, we can help you address both your pet and their immediate environment effectively.
Tick Prevention for Pets
Ticks in the Burnaby and Lower Mainland area can carry Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Consistent tick prevention significantly reduces the risk of disease transmission. We recommend vet-approved preventives for dogs and cats based on your pet's lifestyle and the areas where they spend time. Pets that hike, visit parks, or spend time in long grass are at higher risk and benefit most from year-round protection. We also recommend checking your pet thoroughly after outdoor activity in wooded or grassy areas, particularly during spring and fall.
Heartworm Prevention
Heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes and can cause serious, lasting damage to the heart and lungs if left undetected. While the risk in the Lower Mainland is lower than in heartworm-endemic regions, pets that travel to affected areas need protection before they go. We recommend testing and prevention for dogs traveling to or from higher-risk regions within Canada or the United States. Ask us about appropriate prevention options at your pet's next wellness visit or when you are planning travel with your dog.
Microchip Identification
A microchip is the most reliable permanent form of identification for your pet. Collars and tags can fall off or become unreadable, but a microchip stays with your pet for life. The implantation is quick and can be performed during any routine visit or at the time of a surgical procedure such as a spay or neuter. Once implanted, you register your contact details with a national database so shelters and veterinary clinics can reunite lost pets with their owners. We recommend microchipping for all dogs and cats, including indoor-only cats.
Deworming and Intestinal Parasite Control
Intestinal parasites including roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, Giardia, and coccidia are common in dogs and cats across the Burnaby area. Many pets carry parasites without showing obvious signs. Puppies and kittens require deworming as part of their early preventive care schedule, and adult pets benefit from regular stool testing and deworming based on their lifestyle and risk factors. We recommend annual fecal tests for most adult pets and more frequent testing for dogs that visit parks, hunt, or interact with wildlife regularly.
Nail Trims for Dogs and Cats
Overgrown nails cause discomfort and affect how your pet walks, and long nails are more prone to breaking or curling into the paw pad. Regular nail trims at our Burnaby clinic are quick and gentle. For pets who find nail trims stressful or who react with fear or aggression during the process, we use low-stress handling techniques and can offer sedated nail trims as part of our Medical Grooming services. Ask us at your next visit if your pet has significant handling concerns.
Ear Cleaning
Ear cleaning is an important part of routine preventive care, particularly for dogs with floppy ears or pets prone to recurring ear infections. We use veterinarian-approved solutions to gently clean the ear canal and remove wax buildup. At each visit, we also check for signs of infection, ear mites, foreign material, or inflammation. If you notice your pet shaking their head, scratching at their ears, or producing an unpleasant odor from the ear area, we recommend booking an ear assessment.
Anal Gland Expression
The anal glands are small sacs located on either side of your pet's rectum. In some dogs and cats, these glands do not empty naturally during bowel movements and need to be expressed manually. Signs that your pet may need attention include scooting on the floor, excessive licking around the tail base, or visible discomfort when sitting. We perform external anal gland expression as part of routine care. Our team can also show you what signs to watch for between visits so you know when to bring your pet in.
In-House Dispensing
For your convenience, Deer Lake Animal Hospital maintains an on-site supply of veterinary products including preventives, supplements, and other items commonly used in our practice. When we recommend a product at your appointment, you can often pick it up the same day without a separate trip to an outside supplier. We stock products selected based on safety, effectiveness, and suitability for the dogs and cats we see in our Burnaby patient community.
FAQs
Keep your dog or cat healthy all year with preventive care from Deer Lake Animal Hospital in Burnaby. Book your pet's next visit online or call (604) 563-6170. We are open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m