About us
Unparalleled Care for Your Beloved Pets
At i-Care Veterinary Hospital, we pride ourselves on providing unmatched care for your beloved pets. Our dedicated team of compassionate professionals is committed to going above and beyond your expectations. With modern facilities and advanced technology, we ensure that your furry companions receive top-notch treatment. Trust our team of highly skilled experts to deliver superior veterinary care with unmatched expertise. Experience the i-Care difference today!
We take great pride in our commitment to you and your cherished furry family members.
As dedicated members of our community, we are delighted to provide exceptional care and continue building upon our longstanding relationships with all our valued clients and their beloved pets. Discover more about our comprehensive range of services by exploring our website or simply give a warm call to our friendly reception team today!
Our History
Welcome to i-Care Veterinary Hospital, where we go above and beyond to provide exceptional care for your furry family members. As a family-owned clinic, founded by Dr. Rhett Mortenson in 2008, we have always been dedicated to blending progressive technology, high-quality medicine, and genuine enthusiasm for the veterinary field. Our mission is to be there for our local community through thick and thin, offering unparalleled service and compassion.
2020 brought unprecedented changes to the world, including the veterinary profession. At i-Care, we embraced this change and embarked on a new era of innovation and service. Our veterinarians have joined forces to find new and inventive ways to address veterinary shortages in our community and beyond. We are proud to have introduced a referral program for surgical and diagnostic services, ensuring that even the most complex cases receive the care they need. Additionally, we have expanded our urgent care appointments to accommodate the growing demand.
As a leading veterinary hospital on Vancouver Island, we are committed to staying at the forefront of the field. Our state-of-the-art facilities boast advanced technology, including the Idexx in-house digital cytology analyzer and Panoramic dental x-ray machine. This enables us to provide accurate diagnoses and comprehensive care for your beloved pets.
We understand that visiting the vet can be a stressful experience for both pets and their owners. That’s why we have created a stress-free environment, offering gentle anti-anxiety supplements and medications to ensure a calm and comfortable visit. We also prioritize the training and mentoring of future veterinarians and technicians, welcoming vet students and junior technicians to gain practical experience at our clinic.
At i-Care Veterinary Hospital, we believe in giving back to the community that has supported us throughout the years. We have established the HEART Fund, a financial assistance program aimed at helping our regular clients during challenging times. We also provide primary and urgent care services to rescue organizations, extending our commitment to animal welfare beyond our clinic walls.
While our appointment spaces are currently limited due to the increasing demand for urgent care, we encourage you to establish a Veterinary-Patient-Client Relationship (VCPR) as soon as possible. This will ensure continuity of care for your pet and prioritize their needs. If you require primary care services or if your pet needs surgical or diagnostic referral services, please reach out to our dedicated team, and we will be more than happy to assist you.
Experience the i-Care difference today and discover why we are the trusted choice for veterinary care on Vancouver Island. Follow us on social media to stay updated on our upcoming themes and programs. Your pet’s well-being is our priority, and we are honored to be a part of their journey.
As we look to the future, I Care Veterinary Hospital is excited to broaden the scope of our care and extend our availability to better serve you and your pets. Embracing both our recent growth and our vision for what lies ahead, our new name—i-Care Veterinary Hospital—reflects our enduring commitment as a family-owned haven for critical, acute, and referral care within an ever-advancing veterinary field.
Remaining rooted in our community as we expand, we continue to offer our island the same trusted, quality care with the added promise of innovation. Stay tuned for more updates as we bring our future plans to life, all in the service of the pets and people who mean the world to us.
Interesting things about i-Care Vet
Here are a few examples of the services and programs we provide for our patients and clients.
A Wide Variety of Services
I-Care Veterinary Hospital provides a full spectrum of services, from preventive medicine to emergency care. We also specialize in a wide range of surgical procedures, including minimally invasive surgeries and cruciate ligament repairs.
Vet and Tech Student Training
We love training and mentoring those who are interested in pursuing Veterinary Medicine as a career. We have several “Jr Technicians” who are completing their veterinary technician training online while working with us. We also welcome vet students on their summer breaks, as well as during their final year practical rotations.
The HEART Fund
“Help Every Animal Receive Treatment” – A financial assistance program designed to help our regular clients who have fallen on hard times.
Stay Ahead with Technological Advancements
Discover our advanced hospital, spanning almost 4500 square feet and equipped with top-of-the-line equipment. Our facility features two recently upgraded surgery suites and a sprawling treatment area over 2000 square feet. We take immense pride in our clinic’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of medical technology
As trailblazers on Vancouver Island, we are the only clinic routinely performing laparoscopic spay surgeries. We were also the very first veterinary hospital to introduce the Idexx in-house digital cytology analyzer and the Panoramic dental x-ray machine. These groundbreaking technologies empower us to deliver precise diagnoses and offer exceptional dental care, all while ensuring the utmost well-being of your cherished pets. Join us in embracing these latest advancements in veterinary medicine!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you taking new clients?
Exciting News: Limited New Client Openings Available!
We have some exciting news to share with our valued community! Here at I Care Veterinary Hospital, we are dedicated to providing the highest level of personalized care to each and every one of our clients. In order to maintain our commitment to exceptional service and attention to detail, we are thrilled to announce that we are now accepting a limited number of new clients.
This is a unique opportunity to become part of our family and experience the comprehensive, compassionate care that sets us apart. Our team is passionate about the well-being of your pets, and we are eager to extend our services to a few more families who value the health and happiness of their furry companions.
If you’ve been considering joining our clinic, now is the perfect time to get in touch. Our limited openings ensure that we can continue to provide the personalized care and attention that your pets deserve. Contact us today to learn more about becoming a new client and how we can help your pets live their best lives.
How far in advance should I book my appointment?
We are currently booking 3-4 weeks in advance for primary care services such as vaccine appointments.
Non-urgent issues usually book 1-2 weeks in advance.
If you prefer to see one specific veterinarian, these wait times may be longer.
Do I need to bring anything with me to my appointment?
All dogs must be on a leash or harness when they visit the clinic. Cats must be in an enclosed carrier. If you do not have a suitable carrier, please ask our reception team to provide you with one to borrow.
My pet is VERY anxious at the vet. Is there anything I can do to make my appointment easier for them?
Absolutely!
The first thing to try is bringing your animal to the clinic to explore and get treats! Developing a positive association with our building can help reduce feelings of anxiety.
We can also provide gentle anti-anxiety supplements and medications to make your visit stress-free. We are now recommending these medications before all surgical interventions, as they reduce the amount of anesthetic drugs needed for surgery.
What do I do when my animal is running out of medications?
If your pet has an on-going prescription for a maintenance medication, please allow 24-48 hours notice for your prescription to be reviewed and filled.
If you are hoping for a refill of an antibiotic, ear solution, or anything that was used for an acute issue, these requests will likely take more time. A veterinarian will review your pet’s medical record and usually request a recheck to make sure that the medication you were given previously is still appropriate.
If we have not seen your animal within 12 months, a recheck will be necessary for ANY prescription refill.
How do I get an appointment for your diagnostic/surgical referral services?
If you are a client interested in any of our referral services for your pet, please have your veterinarian send us a referral, or call us to book a consult today. If you are a Primary Care Veterinarian with a case that would benefit from any of our diagnostics/treatments, please fill out our online referral form.
What do I do if my pet has an acute issue, but my regular vet has no appointment spots?
Addressing the Provincial Veterinarian Shortage: i-Care Veterinary Hospital’s Solution
We understand that the current province-wide shortage of veterinarians is causing concern among pet owners. Many clinics are facing extended wait times, making it challenging to secure timely appointments for acute pet health issues such as ear infections, bladder infections, anal gland abscesses, or episodes of vomiting/diarrhea.
To alleviate this issue, i-Care Veterinary Hospital is taking a proactive approach by reserving one veterinarian each day specifically for urgent cases. This ensures that we can provide timely care for pets in need, without compromising the quality of our service.
We are committed to seamless communication with your primary care clinic. Rest assured, the medical records and diagnostic results from these urgent appointments will be promptly shared with your regular veterinarian, ensuring they are fully informed about your pet’s health status.
Please note that while we strive to accommodate as many urgent cases as possible, these appointments fill up quickly. In certain situations where immediate attention is required, we may advise visiting your local emergency center to ensure your pet receives the care they need without delay.
i-Care supports our local community!
We are proud to provide primary and urgent care services to several local rescue organizations. Our primary care department also offers monthly theme fundraisers that are designed to help these organizations and other charitable causes. Please check out our “Primary Care” page, and follow us on social media for more information on our themes and programs.
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