West Shore Vet Clinic

West Shore Vet Clinic Est.

Sept. 2018
Owned by Dr. Heidi Heckler, a 1996 graduate of Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Associate Veterinarian, Dr. Kellie Purucker, a 2021 graduate of Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is the start of summer weekends and gatherings — but it is also a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many families across generations.

As we spend time with loved ones today, we remember those who never made it home and hold gratitude for the freedoms their sacrifice helped protect.

From all of us at West Shore Veterinary Clinic, we are wishing you a peaceful and meaningful Memorial Day. 🇺🇸

05/17/2026

Yesterday, I found a tick on my own dog after a hike — even after brushing her with a slicker brush. Then she rolled over for a belly rub… and there was a tick. Yikes!

It was a startling reminder that tick season is very real right now in West Michigan. 🐾

Memorial Day weekend is almost here, which means many of us will be spending more time outside with our pets. Don’t forget flea & tick prevention before the holiday weekend begins.

This spring, we’ve already been seeing a lot of tick activity around West Michigan. Even pets who stay mostly close to home can still be exposed during warmer weather.

A few simple things can help:
• Stay current on flea & tick prevention
• Check pets thoroughly after outdoor adventures
• Keep enough prevention on hand before traveling

As always, if you have questions about which prevention is best for your pet’s lifestyle, we’re happy to help 💛

Are your pets big adventurers on holiday weekends — or more backyard loungers? 🐶👇

🐾 So… why does pet DNA testing actually matter?Rocky Mittens’ results were fun to learn —but DNA testing can also give h...
05/13/2026

🐾 So… why does pet DNA testing actually matter?

Rocky Mittens’ results were fun to learn —
but DNA testing can also give helpful insight into:

• Breed-related health risks
• Behavior and energy tendencies
• Size expectations
• Even medication sensitivities in some cases
• And sometimes, a deeper look into your pet’s background and story 💛

While no test tells the whole story, it can be a helpful piece of the puzzle when it comes to your pet’s care.

At the end of the day — every pet is unique 💛
But understanding their background can help us care for them even better.

👉 Have you ever considered DNA testing for your pet?

🐾 Ever wonder what makes your dog… your dog?Meet Rocky Mittens 💛His family recently did a DNA test — and the results wer...
05/11/2026

🐾 Ever wonder what makes your dog… your dog?

Meet Rocky Mittens 💛

His family recently did a DNA test — and the results were a little surprising.

Rocky is:
• 39% Pit Bull Terrier
• 23% Labrador Retriever
• 12.9% Siberian Husky
• Plus a mix of Bulldog, Beagle… and a little “Supermutt”

(Fun fact — “Supermutt” can include breeds like German Shepherd and Chow!)

Even more special — they learned a little piece of his story, including his birth mom’s name: Ellie 💛

Some of you were very close with your guesses 👀
Did anything surprise you?

🐾 We need your help with this one…Meet Rocky Mittens 💛Before we share his DNA results — we want to hear from you 👀👉 What...
05/09/2026

🐾 We need your help with this one…

Meet Rocky Mittens 💛

Before we share his DNA results — we want to hear from you 👀

👉 What breeds do YOU see?

Drop your guesses below ⬇️

We’ll be sharing his results on Monday… and let’s just say, they surprised us a little.

05/06/2026

We keep getting tick questions at the front desk this spring… so let’s talk ticks. 🐾

If you’ve spent time on the trails around here, you already know how special they are — the woods, the quiet, the fresh air. It’s one of the best parts of living along the Lakeshore.

Places like Hofma Park are a favorite for many — peaceful, close to home, and the dogs absolutely love it.

But with warmer weather, tick season is here too.

This spring, we’ve been seeing ticks even on pets who are on prevention — and that’s not a failure of the product. It’s a reminder that prevention and routine tick checks both matter.

After time outdoors, especially in wooded or grassy areas, take a few extra minutes to run a flea comb slowly through your pet’s coat. A quick visual check isn’t always enough — particularly for longer-haired dogs.

If you have questions about flea and tick prevention or what’s right for your pet’s lifestyle, we’re always here. 💛

Have you found any ticks on your pets yet this season? 👇

05/02/2026

Some birthdays are a little extra… and we are absolutely here for it. 💛🐾

JB just celebrated his Sweet 16 — complete with decorations, a custom cake, and a full day of being celebrated like he deserves.

16 years is something truly special.

Thank you for letting us be a small part of JB’s story — and for sharing this amazing celebration with us. 🎉

Because around here… pets really are family. 💛

04/29/2026

If you caught River's latest performance in our stories, you already know he's a lot. 😄 He and his brother Beau belong to Ash, one of our WSVC team members — and like most of us here, her dogs are her kids.

Ash hikes Coast Guard Park regularly with her boys. It's one of her favorite local spots — beautiful trails, close to home, and the dogs absolutely love it.

Both Beau and River are on flea, tick, and heartworm prevention year-round.

She still found ticks on them after a recent hike.

This is why we've been talking about ticks so much this spring. Prevention matters — and so does a thorough tick check after every outing, especially for longer-haired dogs.

Ticks move after they make contact, heading toward warm, dark areas before they settle in and feed. Finding them quickly matters — for your pet and your home.

At WSVC we carry prevention options at different price points, and we're always happy to talk through what makes sense for your pet and your situation. There's no one-size-fits-all answer.

Questions? We're always here. 💛🐾

04/26/2026

🚨 Breaking News at WSVC…
River discovered his toy basket had been emptied and took immediate action.

Thankfully, big brother Beau arrived to help restore order. Crisis averted. 🐾😂

Does your pet have dramatic opinions too?

04/24/2026

🐾 From the Front Desk: Let’s Talk Ticks

This spring, we’ve been receiving more calls than usual about ticks—and many are showing up earlier than expected.

We’re already seeing pets come in with multiple ticks attached, especially after time outdoors in grassy or wooded areas.

Even though it may feel early, tick season has begun here in Michigan.

We’ll be sharing simple tips in the coming posts—and we’re always here if you have questions or need guidance along the way. 💛

Address

17681 174th Avenue
Spring Lake, MI
49456

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

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