Veterinary services for cats and dogs in south Calgary
Chaparral Veterinary Clinic, at 803 Chaparral Drive SE #220, offers wellness exams, vaccinations, dentistry, surgery, X-rays, microchipping and urgent care for cats and dogs in Chaparral, Walden, Legacy and the surrounding communities. Every visit includes time to explain what we found and what your options are, so the decisions stay yours.
What happens at a routine wellness exam?
A wellness exam is a nose-to-tail check of your pet’s heart, lungs, teeth, skin, joints, eyes, ears and weight, plus a conversation about diet, behaviour and parasite prevention. It is the best tool we have for catching problems early.
We recommend a wellness exam once a year for healthy adult cats and dogs, and every six months for seniors and pets with ongoing conditions. Puppies and kittens visit more often during their first few months for vaccines and growth checks. Depending on your pet’s age and history, the veterinarian may suggest bloodwork, a urine test or a fecal test so we have a baseline to compare against later.
Common questions
How often should my dog or cat see the vet?
Once a year for healthy adults, twice a year for seniors (about seven years and older) and pets with chronic conditions, and several times in the first year for puppies and kittens.
What should I bring to a wellness visit?
Any previous records or vaccine certificates, a list of medications and supplements, the food your pet eats, and a fresh stool sample if we have asked for one.
Which vaccines does my pet need?
Core vaccines protect against diseases every pet is at risk of, like rabies, parvovirus and distemper in dogs and panleukopenia and feline herpesvirus in cats. We add non-core vaccines based on your pet’s lifestyle, such as time in kennels, dog parks or off-leash areas.
Vaccines are a simple injection given during a regular appointment, after an exam to make sure your pet is healthy enough for them. Puppies and kittens get a series of boosters starting around eight weeks, and adults are boosted on a schedule the veterinarian sets for each vaccine. We keep your pet’s vaccine records on file and can print a certificate for boarding, daycare, groomers or travel.
Common questions
Do indoor cats need vaccines?
Yes. Rabies vaccination is recommended for all cats in Alberta, and core vaccines still matter because viruses can come in on shoes and clothing. We will tailor the rest to your cat’s risk.
Can I get a vaccine certificate for boarding or daycare?
Yes. Ask at your visit, text (825) 425-2496, or request one through Vello and we will send it to you.
What does a pet dental cleaning involve?
A dental cleaning is done under general anaesthesia so we can scale tartar from every tooth, clean below the gumline, polish, and examine each tooth for disease. Dental X-rays show problems hidden under the gums that cannot be seen in an awake exam.
Most cats and dogs show signs of dental disease by age three, and it causes real pain even when pets keep eating. We assess your pet’s teeth at every wellness exam and will tell you when a cleaning makes sense. If a tooth is loose, broken or infected, extractions can be done during the same procedure. You will get a written estimate before we book, and we go over home care, including brushing and dental diets, at discharge.
Common questions
Why does my pet need anaesthesia for a dental cleaning?
Cleaning below the gumline and taking dental X-rays is impossible on an awake animal, and anaesthesia keeps the procedure painless and safe. We run pre-anaesthetic bloodwork and monitor your pet throughout.
What are the signs of dental disease in dogs and cats?
Bad breath, yellow or brown tartar, red gums, drooling, chewing on one side, dropping food or pawing at the mouth. Book an exam if you notice any of these.
What surgeries do you perform at the clinic?
We perform routine and soft-tissue surgeries in our own surgical suite, including spays, neuters, mass removals, wound repairs and dental extractions. Every patient has a pre-anaesthetic exam, bloodwork when recommended, pain control and monitoring from start to recovery.
Before surgery we walk you through the estimate, fasting instructions and drop-off time. On the day, a technician stays with your pet through anaesthesia and recovery, and we call you as soon as they are awake. Most patients go home the same day with written instructions, pain medication and a recheck booked. If your pet needs a procedure that calls for a specialist, we will refer you and share the records.
Common questions
How do I prepare my pet for surgery?
No food after midnight the night before unless we tell you otherwise. Water is fine. Bring your pet on a leash or in a carrier at the drop-off time we gave you, and let us know about any medications.
Will my pet be in pain after surgery?
Pain control starts before the first incision and continues at home. You will go home with medication and clear instructions, and we are a phone call or text away if anything concerns you.
When should I spay or neuter my pet?
Most cats are spayed or neutered around five to six months of age. For dogs, timing depends on breed and size, and the veterinarian will recommend an age at your puppy’s wellness visits. Spaying and neutering prevent unwanted litters and lower the risk of several cancers and infections.
A spay removes the ovaries and uterus; a neuter removes the testicles. Both are done under general anaesthesia with pain control, and most pets go home the same day. Spaying prevents pyometra, a life-threatening uterine infection, and greatly reduces mammary tumour risk when done early. Neutering prevents testicular cancer and can reduce roaming, marking and some aggression. We will talk through the right timing for your pet, including large-breed dogs, where waiting until growth is complete can be better for the joints.
Common questions
How long does recovery take after a spay or neuter?
About 10 to 14 days of restricted activity, with no running, jumping or licking the incision. We check the incision at a recheck visit before clearing your pet for normal play.
What if my pet is sick or injured?
Call us at 403-769-1442 and we will fit a sick visit into the schedule, often the same day. The veterinarian examines your pet, explains what they suspect, and recommends tests only when the result would change the plan.
Our medical services cover the everyday problems of cats and dogs: vomiting and diarrhea, skin and ear infections, allergies, lameness, urinary issues, and ongoing conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, arthritis and thyroid disease. We have in-clinic bloodwork, urinalysis, X-rays and a pharmacy, so most workups and treatments happen under one roof. For chronic conditions we set up a monitoring plan, with rechecks and refills you can request through Vello, so your pet stays comfortable and you always know what is next.
Common questions
How do I request a prescription refill?
Request it through Vello, text (825) 425-2496 or call 403-769-1442. Please give us two business days. Refills need a current exam, usually within the last year, and some medications require a recheck first.
Can I get a second opinion or transfer my pet’s records?
Yes. We are happy to see new patients with existing conditions. Have your previous clinic send the records to us before the appointment, or bring copies with you.
When does my pet need an X-ray?
X-rays let us see bones, the chest and the abdomen without surgery. We use them for limping and fractures, coughing or breathing problems, suspected swallowed objects, bladder stones, and to check organ size and shape.
Our digital X-ray unit is in the clinic, so images are ready within minutes and can be reviewed with you the same visit. Most X-rays take only a few minutes; some pets need light sedation so they can lie still and we can get a clear, properly positioned image. When a case calls for a specialist’s eye, we can send the images to a veterinary radiologist for a formal report.
Common questions
Is sedation needed for pet X-rays?
Not always. Calm pets and simple views are often done awake. We use short-acting sedation when a pet is painful, anxious or needs precise positioning, such as for hip or elbow films.
How does microchipping work?
A microchip is a rice-sized tag placed under the skin between the shoulder blades with a quick injection. Shelters, clinics and animal services scan lost pets for a chip and use the registry to contact you.
Microchipping can be done at any appointment, and we often do it during a spay, neuter or dental so your pet is already under anaesthesia. The chip has no battery and lasts for life. The part most people miss is registration: the chip only works if your current phone number and address are attached to it, so update the registry whenever you move or change numbers. Collars and tags can fall off; a chip cannot.
Common questions
Does microchipping hurt?
It feels like a vaccine injection and is over in a second. No anaesthesia is needed, though we are happy to do it while your pet is already sedated for another procedure.
Do you do SV a-stamp elbow certification X-rays?
Yes. We take the specifically positioned elbow radiographs required for SV a-stamp certification through the United Schutzhund Clubs of America (USCA) and help you with the submission paperwork.
The SV a-stamp is the German Shepherd Dog standard for hip and elbow evaluation, and the films must follow the SV’s positioning rules to be accepted. Our veterinarian is familiar with the requirements, so the images are done right the first time. Dogs are sedated for accurate positioning, and the session is booked as a dedicated appointment. Call 403-769-1442 to book and we will tell you what identification and registration documents to bring.
Common questions
How old does my dog need to be for a-stamp elbow X-rays?
The SV requires dogs to be at least 12 months old. Bring your dog’s registration papers and tattoo or microchip details, as the films must be matched to the dog’s identification.
What should I do in a pet emergency?
During clinic hours, call 403-769-1442 first and then come in. After hours, on weekends and on holidays, go to Alpine 24/7 Pet Hospital at 5707 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, 403-212-4008, open 24 hours.
We see urgent cases during our open hours, Monday to Thursday 8:30 am to 7:00 pm and Friday 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. Our emergency page lists the signs that need immediate care, poison control numbers and directions to Alpine.
Need help now?
Can I order food and medications online?
Yes. Our myVetStore online store carries the prescription diets, regular food, parasite preventatives and supplements we recommend, shipped to your door. Prescription items are approved by our team before they ship.
Set up an account once and you can reorder in a few clicks or put regular items on autoship so you never run out. Because orders are reviewed by the clinic, you get the same products and advice you would in person, with the convenience of delivery. Questions about what to order? Text us or ask at your next visit.
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Ready to book?
New clients are welcome. Book through Vello, call us, or text us with a question. Chaparral Veterinary Clinic, 803 Chaparral Drive SE #220, Calgary, AB T2X 0E5.