We remain open to provide care for your pets. We are following the direction of government and regulatory authorities and have implemented hospital and visit protocols to keep both you and our team safe. For regular updates on our hours and visit protocols, please follow our social media platforms.
At Westwood Hills Veterinary Hospital, we are happy to provide you with the option to browse and shop for your pet, all from the comfort of your own home!
Welcome to PetFocus Westwood Hills Veterinary Hospital in Upper Tantallon, Nova Scotia
Westwood Hills Veterinary Hospital is located at Highway 103’s Exit 5 in the Sobeys Mall, Tantallon, near the Scotiabank.
Since opening, the hospital staff has increased to four Veterinarians, four Registered Veterinary Technicians, four Veterinary Assistants, four Client Care Specialists and a Site Coordinator. Dr. Rushton has a special interest in orthopedic surgery – he has moved these services to the new PetFocus clinic at Bedford South. Dr. Chris MacDonald is the Petfocus partner at Westwood Hills and he is joined by associate veterinarians Dr. Robert Doucette, Dr. Jane Corkum and Dr. Alex Hare.
Together with annual health exams and more frequent attention to senior pets, Westwood Hills provides complete medical care for your pets.
Westwood Hills Veterinary Hospital is also a Cat Friendly Practice accredited at the Gold level. Our staff handle and treat cats with understanding, gentleness and respect, and make every effort to ensure your visit is as stress-free for you and your cat as possible.
Pets can get lost which can be a traumatic and possibly tragic event. It’s important to have a collar and ID tag, but these are not foolproof. Collars can break or fall off leaving your pet unidentifiable. This can be prevented with the use of a microchip. As noted in the Dartmouth Tribune in April 2017: A pet is lost every seven seconds
One in three pets will go missing in their lifetime
Only 2 percent of lost cats and 17 percent of lost dogs with ID return home
When a pet gets lost, they are 20 times more likely to make their way back home when they have a microchip A microchip is a small chip that is encoded with a unique identification number. It is no bigger than a grain of rice and implanted just under the surface of your pet’s skin. The process is similar to receiving a vaccination through a needle and is virtually painless to pets. Once implanted, the microchip remains between the shoulder blades just beneath the skin for the rest of the animal’s lifetime, becoming a permanent form of identification. Since it’s under your pets’ skin it can’t break or fall off like a collar or tag. The chip is powered by a scanner which sends a signal to the chip and receives the identification number stored on it. A vet or shelter can use the scanner to read your pet’s chip. With the identification number, your pet’s information is a phone call away. When your pet is microchipped, it is linked to a database with your contact info. It is essential that you register the microchip and ensure your contact information is kept up to date. If you move or change phone numbers be sure to update your information. Microchips are reliable and use nationwide registries, but they depend on the information you provide. If you want to improve your chances of getting your pet back home quickly and safely microchipping is highly recommended. Written by Tracy LeFler, Site Coordinator Edited by Janis Wall, RVT
Our clinic hours are changing! Until further notice our hours are:
Starting Monday March 30, 2020 our hours will be: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00am-4:00pm Tuesday, Thursday 12:00pm-7:00pm Saturday 9:00am-1:00pm
Due to the close contact that our work requires, we have taken additional measures to protect you and our team while providing care for your furry family members.
1. We are currently operating a "closed waiting room" policy to protect our clients and staff. When you arrive, please remain in your vehicle and use your cell phone to call us at 902.826.1933. We will take a history of your pet over the phone, and bring your pet into the clinic for an examination with the veterinarian. Once the examination is finished, we will call to discuss our recommended treatment plan over the phone and then return to your vehicle with your pet. Please ensure your pet has a properly fitted collar or is in a secure carrier. Please remove any additional clothing or blankets prior to our staff handling our patients to minimize risk to our team.
2. If you are ordering food or medications, please allow 2-4 business days as our suppliers are dealing with increased demand and are trying to fill orders as quickly as possible. We will advise you as soon as your order arrives. Please call us when you arrive to pick up your order, but do not enter the hospital. Our staff will bring your order to your car and take payment over the phone. You can also use our online store and have your food delivered directly to your home. To sign up for the online store, visit our website.
3. For the time being, we are not accepting cash as payment. Credit cards and debit card payments are still available.
Online consultations are now available! If you wish to connect with a veterinarian via message, phone or video, visit our website and follow the "Online Consultation" link.
Following the recommendations of our government and medical experts, we are doing our best to practice social distancing within the constraints of our roles. As such, we have taken measures to avoid both contracting and facilitating the spread of this virus. You may see our team members wearing additional protective gear when interacting with our clients and patients.
Thank you for helping us be diligent for everyone's safety. As we have heard from all levels of government, the situation is fluid and any updates will be provided as changes occur.
- Your dedicated team at Westwood Hills Veterinary Hospital
