Business Details
42 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Partner for Veterinary Care in Nanaimo
Nanaimo Veterinary Hospital has been a trusted provider of veterinary care on Vancouver Island for over 40 years. Our locally owned practice combines decades of expertise with a deep commitment to community, offering comprehensive services ranging from routine wellness exams to advanced diagnostics and surgical procedures. We prioritize personalized care, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment while maintaining a compassionate, family-oriented approach to pet health.Our team of experienced veterinarians and support staff is dedicated to fostering long-term relationships with both pets and their owners, ensuring every patient receives tailored medical attention. With a focus on preventive care, emergency services, and cutting-edge treatments like laser therapy, we strive to be the region's premier destination for veterinary excellence.
Services
Wellness Exams
Vaccinations
Dental Care
Surgery
Laser Therapy
Urgent Care
Telemedicine
Senior Pet Care
Nutrition Counseling
Diagnostic Imaging
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- 40-year legacy of veterinary excellence in Nanaimo
- Personalized care with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools
- Emergency services during regular business hours
- Experienced team with specialized interests in dentistry and internal medicine
- Community-focused approach to pet and owner wellness
Services
Wellness Exams
Our comprehensive wellness exams assess pets' overall health through physical evaluations and risk assessments. We tailor vaccine recommendations and preventive care plans to each patient's specific needs. Regular checkups help detect early signs of disease and maintain optimal health.
Dental Care
We provide complete dental services including cleanings, digital x-rays, and surgical procedures using ultrasonic scalers and high-speed drills. Our team educates on home care techniques and offers specialized dental diets to maintain oral health.
Surgery
Our surgical services include spays/neuters, lump removals, and complex procedures with safe anesthesia protocols. We offer referrals to board-certified surgeons for specialized orthopedic cases while maintaining continuity of care for all surgical patients.
Laser Therapy
This non-invasive treatment uses Class IV laser technology to reduce pain and accelerate healing for chronic conditions or post-surgical recovery. It provides drug-free therapy options for pets with arthritis, wounds, or soft tissue injuries.
Telemedicine
Our telemedicine platform enables video consultations for non-emergency concerns, allowing pet owners to receive professional advice from home. This service facilitates immediate visual assessments and follow-up care while maintaining veterinary oversight.
People
James Kirkham
Co-Owner/Veterinarian
Co-owner Dr. James Kirkham graduated top of his class from Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012 with special interests in diagnostic imaging and dentistry. He enjoys outdoor activities with his family and pets.
Alexandra Kirkham
Co-Owner/Veterinarian
Co-owner Dr. Alex Kirkham focuses on small animal surgery and feline medicine. With veterinary experience since 2012, she balances clinical work with family life and creative hobbies like knitting and painting.
Trish Briggs
Veterinarian
Dr. Trish Briggs specializes in internal medicine after returning from Costa Rica. She brings diverse experience from mixed animal practice and enjoys exploring Vancouver Island with her three rescue dogs.
Chris Milligan
Veterinarian
Dr. Chris Milligan has emergency medicine expertise and special interests in ultrasonography. A UK native now in Nanaimo, he combines wildlife photography with veterinary practice while caring for three exotic cats.
Sam VanDeventer
Veterinarian
Dr. Sam VanDeventer, class of 2024, focuses on surgery and feline medicine. They balance veterinary work with music and arts interests while caring for four cats named after rock songs.
Questions
What services does Nanaimo Veterinary Hospital offer?
We provide wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, surgery, laser therapy, telemedicine, and urgent care during business hours. Our services cover preventive care through advanced diagnostics and treatments.
Do you offer emergency veterinary care?
Yes, we accommodate urgent care cases during regular business hours. Please call ahead for immediate assistance with sick or injured pets.
What are your hospital hours?
We're open Monday-Thursday 8:00am-5:00pm, Friday 8:30am-5:00pm. We're closed Saturdays and Sundays.
Can I schedule telemedicine appointments?
Yes, our virtual care option allows video consultations for non-emergency concerns from your home or workplace.
How long has Nanaimo Veterinary Hospital been operating?
We've served the community for over 40 years, maintaining local ownership and veterinary excellence since 1984.
Reviews (4)
Cher Rowe
Jan 27, 2022
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Huge RAVE to Nanaimo Veterinary Hospital for their absolute compassion and support with the recent diagnosis of my 10 year old cat Oliver. Throughout the 10 years of bringing Oliver to see them, they have been nothing but kind, honest, transparent, and compassionate. With his recent kidney disease diagnosis, Dr. Alex and Dr.James were great at explaining the diagnosis in a way we could understand, along with treatment options and expected outcomes, and were never pushy on us to make any specific decisions. They offered endless support on the best care that worked for us and for our cat, which helped
Rosalie Tandy
Dec 19, 2021
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Dr. Alex and her staff are kind, friendly, knowledgable & organized. Thank you Dr. Alex for everything you have done for Rusty and for being so compassionate towards him with his anxiety.
Rusty has had his teeth cleaned here, which went very well and also started a new diet which has significantly helped with his tummy issues. Thank you for taking such great care of my boy!
Rusty has had his teeth cleaned here, which went very well and also started a new diet which has significantly helped with his tummy issues. Thank you for taking such great care of my boy!
Kay Stewart
Oct 23, 2021
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I called here yesterday for a VA school assignment to ask some questions about a spay, and I was blown out of the water! The receptionist was so speedy, friendly, and knowledgeable, she gave me so many answers and then provided me with so much information - she told me stuff I didn't even know I should know about! Great lady, and great information! Thank you for taking time out of your day yesterday to help out a student and to give her loads of useful information! :)
Jessica Stokes
Oct 19, 2021
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Dr. Alex is an excellent vet and always treats my four animals like family. Shes so positive and focused and has consistently provided them with top-notch care several years. The ladies at the front desk are also incredibly helpful, responsive, and kind. Even though the practice is really busy, they are always pleasant to speak with and genuinely interested in the health of my pups and kitties. Ordering food and medication is easy and the vet techs sort out any issues quickly - I often dont even have to ask. The entire staff are wonderful people. Im very grateful for this vet practice
