Village Vet

09/23/2026

One of the most valuable parts of wellness bloodwork is having a baseline for your individual pet. Comparing today's results with previous years can help us recognize subtle changes that might otherwise be easy to miss.

Why do this when my pet seems healthy?

Because pets are very good at hiding illness. Early changes on bloodwork may be present before you notice changes in appetite, thirst, weight, energy, or behavior.

Wellness bloodwork isn't about expecting to find something wrong. It's about knowing what's normal for your pet—and catching changes as early as possible.

09/16/2026

Chewy.com Prescription Delay

We want to let our clients know that the digital platform we use to approve prescriptions through Chewy is currently experiencing technical difficulties.

We have been able to access the platform intermittently, but at times we are unable to load it at all. Chewy’s support team is aware of the issue and is actively working to get the platform back to normal.

If you have a prescription approval that is currently pending, there may be a delay while this issue is being resolved. We appreciate your patience and understanding while the technical issue is being addressed.

We will continue processing prescription requests as soon as the platform is available to us.

Thank you for your patience,
The Village Vet Team

09/15/2026

If you’ve ever had a dog come running back from outside smelling of skunk, you know the panic that follows. 😂

We put together this quick guide with one of the most commonly recommended recipes for dealing with skunk spray - and a few things that sound like they should work but really just mask the smell.

We want to hear from you!

👇 What’s your tried-and-true skunk smell remedy?
Have you discovered something that actually works? Or maybe you have a funny (or not-so-funny!) skunk spray story to share?

Drop your tips, tricks, and experiences in the comments. We may even learn a few new tricks ourselves!

And remember: if your pet has red or swollen eyes, vomiting, significant irritation, seems distressed, or just isn’t acting right after being sprayed, give us a call.

08/21/2026

As our Lead CSR, Sidney keeps our front desk running, supports our clients and team, solves problems, and always puts our patients first. We’re so grateful for everything she brings to Village Vet!

Thank you, Sidney, for 3 amazing years! We’re lucky to have you!

08/17/2026

Veterinary Clinic vs. Emergency Veterinary Hospital: What’s the Difference?

When your pet is sick or injured, it can be confusing to know whether you should call your regular veterinary clinic or head straight to an emergency hospital.

Your regular veterinary clinic is your pet’s primary healthcare team. We provide:
• Wellness and preventive care
• Vaccinations and parasite prevention
• Routine bloodwork and diagnostics
• Treatment for illnesses and injuries
• Dental care and surgery
• Ongoing management of chronic conditions
• Follow-up care and a relationship with your pet over time

An emergency veterinary hospital is designed for situations where a pet needs immediate, intensive care** or specialized services that may not be available at a regular daytime clinic.

Emergency hospitals typically have:
• 24/7 monitoring and veterinary care
• Emergency and critical-care equipment
• Advanced imaging and diagnostics
• Oxygen and intensive supportive care
• Surgical teams available for emergencies
• Staff dedicated to patients who require constant monitoring

So why might your veterinarian send you directly to an emergency hospital?

Sometimes the safest thing we can do is not delay care by bringing your pet into our clinic first. If your pet may need overnight monitoring, emergency surgery, oxygen support, blood products, or intensive care, going directly to an emergency hospital can get them the level of care they need sooner.

Your regular veterinarian and the emergency hospital are not competitors - we are part of the same team caring for your pet.

At Village Vet, if we recommend that you go directly to an emergency hospital, it’s because we believe your pet’s immediate needs are best served by a facility equipped for that level of care.

When it comes to emergencies, getting the right care at the right time matters.

08/05/2026

Preparing Your Pet for a New Baby

Bringing home a new baby is an exciting milestone, but it's also a major change for your dog or cat. Preparing your pet before your baby's arrival can help reduce stress, encourage positive behaviors, and make the transition smoother for everyone.

Gradually adjusting your pet to changes in routine
Introducing baby sounds, scents, and equipment
Refreshing important training skills
Creating positive first introductions
Creating a safe, quiet space where your pet can retreat and relax without being disturbed by children
Understanding that all interactions between pets and children should be supervised, even if your pet has always been gentle and comfortable around children

A little preparation now can help your growing family get off to the best possible start while building a safe, lifelong relationship between your child and your pet.

If you have questions about preparing your pet for a new baby, our team is happy to provide guidance and support.

Reading Time: 2 minutesShare onGot a baby on the way? While you’re painting the new nursery and stocking up on diapers, don’t forget to involve your dog or cat in the new life joining your family. Well before your baby is born, you can begin to prepare your pet for this momentous change that wil...

07/17/2026

Cat safety during poor air quality!

When there is an alert for poor air quality, such as from wildfire smoke, the pollution concentrations and particulate matter in the air can reach hazardous levels that are unhealthy for the general population, including our pets.

How might poor air quality or wildfire smoke impact my cat’s health?

The risks of poor air quality to pets are similar to those that pertain to people, and they mainly impact the heart and lungs. While people can wear masks that can minimize inhalation of small particulate matter, unfortunately, our pets cannot, which may put them at a greater risk.

What symptoms should I look for?

The most common signs of the irritation that smoke can cause to the throat, nose, and eyes are redness and watery discharge from the eyes, coughing, gagging, nasal discharge, a fast respiratory rate even when they are at rest, increased respiratory effort, difficulty breathing, weakness, and disorientation. Contact your veterinarian if you have concerns about your pet's exposure risk or if you observe any of these symptoms.

How should I minimize my cat’s exposure to poor air quality?

When the air quality is poor, the best way to protect your pet is to limit their exposure by staying indoors and keeping windows and doors closed. Consider using air purifiers or filters indoors, and pay careful attention to updates and evacuation warnings provided by local health and safety officials.

07/14/2026

Before your dog jumps in the lake, take a closer look.
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy Michigan's lakes and ponds with your pets, but warm, sunny weather can also bring harmful algal blooms (blue-green algae).
These blooms can produce toxins that are dangerous, and sometimes even fatal, to pets if they drink or swim in contaminated water.

What does a harmful algal bloom look like?
• Bright green water that looks like someone spilled paint into the lake
• Thick, pea soup-like water
• Green scum or floating mats on the surface

If you suspect a harmful algal bloom:
• Keep pets and people out of the water
• Do not allow your pet to drink the water
• Prevent pets from licking algae off their fur
• Rinse your pet with clean water if they have been exposed

Signs of possible exposure in pets include:
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Drooling
• Lethargy or weakness
• Difficulty walking
• Tremors or seizures

If your pet has been exposed and is showing any concerning signs, seek veterinary care right away. Michigan residents can also report suspected harmful algal blooms to help track and protect our waterways. A little awareness can help keep your summer adventures safe for every member of the family.

Michigan's environment department has a new online form that people can use to report suspected harmful algal blooms — usually bright green patches of lake water.

06/25/2026

Fireworks season can be stressful for many pets, and we want to help you plan ahead for a calm, safe holiday.

If your pet is already prescribed anxiety medication such as Trazodone, please check your supply now to be sure you have enough to get through the upcoming fireworks period. Refills may require advance notice, so don’t wait until the last minute. If your pet struggles with noise anxiety but is not currently on medication, now is the time to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss options.
Medications work best when started in advance - not on the night of fireworks.

A few additional holiday reminders:
• Keep pets indoors during fireworks
• Provide a quiet, secure space away from guests and noise
• Be cautious with food - BBQ items, bones, corn cobs, fatty foods, chocolate, and alcohol can all cause serious illness
• Remind guests not to feed pets table scraps or leave drinks unattended
• Some pets become overwhelmed around crowds - plan a safe “break room” if needed

If you think your pet may need anxiety support, please reach out early so we can help you prepare properly for the holiday. A little planning now can make a big difference in keeping your pet safe and comfortable this Independence Day.

06/25/2026

What is your pet's favorite summer activity?
Swimming, Hiking, Chasing squirrels, Air conditioning? Let us know in the comments!