Omnivet

Omnivet will be closed today, September 2nd to celebrate Labor Day with our families, friends and pets! We will re-open on Tuesday, September 3rd from 9am-7pm for all of your pet's urgent care needs. Our team wishes you a happy and safe day!

🐾 September is Service Dog Awareness Month! 🐾

At Omnivet, we’re proud to honor the hardworking service dogs who make a world of difference to their owners every day. These four-legged heroes provide crucial support, comfort, and independence for those in need, from guiding the visually impaired to offering emotional support and medical alert services. 🐕‍🦺❤️

Join us in spreading awareness and gratitude for these amazing canines this month! If you know a service dog, share their story or photo below – let’s celebrate our furry heroes together! 👇

🚨🐾 Important Announcement: Labor Day Weekend Hours 🐾🚨

To allow our dedicated team some well-deserved rest, Omnivet will be closed over Labor Day weekend:

🗓️ Closure Dates: Saturday, August 31st-Monday, September 2nd.

Give us a call today to make sure your pets have all the care they need before the weekend begins! 🐕🐈

We’ll be back and ready to care for your furry friends on Tuesday, September 3rd at 9am! Have a safe and happy holiday weekend! ️

It's time for another ✨ Meet the Team ✨ feature!

We are so excited to introduce you to one of our amazing client care coordinators, Lisa Beeker (and her pup, Doc)! Lisa previously worked in the medical field with humans and has now shifted her career path to the animal world. She is no stranger to this field, as Lisa's father was a veterinarian for over 35 years! Lisa has enjoyed seeing the relationships between owners and their pets as well as understanding the importance of pets in their families' lives.

Lisa and her husband Bruce have two Rottweilers, Bailey and Doc. 🐾 She has two grown sons, and recently became a new grandma to Katelyn Ruth and is enjoying that role immensely! When she has downtime, Lisa enjoys gardening, fishing, and most importantly, crafting of all kinds! She is also known to keep her co-workers stocked up with lots of snacks! 🍭🍬

Lisa is very excited to continue working with the Omnivet team. Be sure to say hi to her the next time you are at our front desk!

🐶 Ask the Vet! 🐱

Earlier this week, we asked you for questions, and we received some great ones! This week, we’re going to answer the following question: What are must-have travel items from a veterinarian's perspective? ✈️

🐾Comfortable Carrier or Leash: Ensure your pet's travel leash/harness is comfortable and crates are well-ventilated for a stress-free journey.

🐾Medical Records & Rabies Certificate: Keep a copy of these records with you while traveling in case you need to seek urgent/emergency care or provide a vaccination history.

🐾Medications: Be prepared with a kit that includes all prescribed medications.

🐾ID Tags and Microchip: Ensure your pet's ID tags are updated and consider a microchip for added security.

Thanks so much for sending your questions in, we look forward to answering more very soon!

✨It's Meet the Team Thursday! ✨

Today, we are introducing Dr. Nabilah-Divine Curtis! Dr. Curtis is a 2023 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia. Born in Maryland, and raised in the heart of Georgia, Dr. Curtis has always had a passion for animal medicine. Dr. Curtis’ dreams of becoming a veterinarian were realized at a young age when her childhood cat, Oscar, fell ill. The care and compassion exhibited by Oscar’s veterinary team ignited a fire in Dr. Curtis that carried her through her college years and beyond. While Dr. Curtis enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, she has a special interest in feline and small ruminant medicine.

Outside of work, Dr. Curtis enjoys exploring new restaurants with her fiancé, napping with their 3 cats, Gwen, Calcifer, and Jasper, and hiking with their 2 dogs, Raine and Fig.

💉Vaccines are crucial for maintaining the health and well-being of pets. They play a vital role in preventing a variety of infectious diseases that can be life-threatening and easily spread among animals. Here's why vaccines are so important:

1. Disease Prevention
Vaccines protect pets from potentially deadly diseases such as rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and leptospirosis. These diseases can cause severe illness, long-term health problems, or even death, but they are largely preventable through vaccination.

2. Public Health
Vaccinating pets, especially against rabies, is essential for public health. Rabies can be transmitted from animals to humans. Ensuring pets are vaccinated reduces the risk of transmission to people.

3. Cost-Effective Health Care
Treating a pet for a preventable disease can be costly, involving extensive medical care, hospitalization, or even emergency interventions. Vaccines are a cost-effective way to avoid these expensive treatments. For example, the typical hospitalization cost for a canine parvovirus infection can range from $4,000-$6,000 dollars. A Distemper/ Parvo combination vaccine typically costs around $40.

4. Community Immunity
When a large percentage of the pet population is vaccinated, it helps create "herd immunity." This means that even unvaccinated animals, such as those too young or with health conditions preventing vaccination, are less likely to be exposed to diseases.

5. Travel and Boarding
Vaccinations are often required for pets to be accepted into boarding facilities, grooming salons, or even to travel. Being up to date with vaccinations ensures that pets can participate in these activities without restrictions.

6. Long-Term Health Benefits
Vaccines not only protect against immediate illness but also contribute to the long-term health of pets. By preventing diseases, vaccines help ensure that pets can live longer, healthier lives.

Vaccines are an essential part of responsible pet ownership! Regular vaccinations, as recommended by a veterinarian, are one of the best ways to care for a pet’s health.

🌟 Client Spotlight! 🌟

We're thrilled to share some fantastic feedback from one of our amazing clients! 🙌

Thank you, Amy, for your kind words and trust in us. We’re so grateful to have been a part of your pup's journey! ✨

🐾✨Let's continue our Meet the Team series! ✨🐾

Today, we want to introduce Dr. K.C. Van Fleet, DVM. Dr. Van Fleet is the Founder and Chief Medical Officer at Omnivet. After graduating from Michigan State University, Dr. Van Fleet embarked on his career as a small animal general practitioner. His extensive experience has cultivated a deep passion for supporting pet owners and their pets during critical moments. Recognizing the profound bond between humans and animals, Dr. Van Fleet understands that some of the most stressful times for pet parents occur when their pets are sick or injured. This insight inspired him to create the Omnivet brand, which represents more than just a veterinary hospital. Omnivet embodies a commitment to providing transparent, personalized, and cooperative veterinary medical services tailored to the needs of both pet parents and employees.

In addition to focusing on pet care, Dr. Van Fleet identified the significant stress and burnout experienced by his colleagues in the profession. To address this, he has strived to establish a work environment that promotes work-life balance, employee wellness, and retention. Outside of his professional endeavors, Dr. Van Fleet enjoys quality time with his wife and two sons, whether at the beach or on the water.

🐾 Our Urgent Care Veterinary Hospital is dedicated to providing top-notch surgical care when your pets need it most! From minor to major surgeries, our expert team is here to ensure your pet receives the best care possible. We use the latest technology and techniques to keep them comfortable and safe, so you can have peace of mind. Your pet’s health is our priority, every step of the way! 🐶🐱

✨Meet the Team! ✨

We’re excited to introduce you to our amazing team! 🎉At Omnivet, we foster a collaborative environment where teamwork, communication, compassion, and self-agency are valued and expected. We believe that by working together, we can achieve the best outcomes for our patients and their owners while nurturing a positive work culture. 🌟

Stay tuned for more fun facts and behind-the-scenes glimpses of our incredible team in action!

What do we mean by "a new approach to pet care"?

🐾 Individualized, tailored care specific to your pet.
🐾 Transparent and consistent communication.
🐾 Exceptional service from our compassionate, knowledgeable team.
🐾 Timely care, with same-day and walk-in appointments available.
🐾 Innovative approaches that prioritize rapid response, so you and your pet get answers quicker!

We'd love to show you the Omnivet difference! We're open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with extended hours to fit your schedule.

🐾🎉 Happy Friday from the Omnivet Team! 🎉🐾

We’re wrapping up the week with a treat for our furry friends. 🐶 Our patient of the day is enjoying a well-deserved snack and celebrating the end of the week!

We are here from 9am-7pm for all of your urgent care needs before the weekend!

🐈 Keeping Your Cat Calm During an Urgent Care Visit 🐈

When it comes to your feline’s health, keeping them calm can make all the difference. Here are some tips to help keep your cat relaxed during an urgent care visit at Omnivet:

🐾 Comfort First: Bring your cat’s favorite blanket or toy in their carrier to create a familiar environment.

🐾 Gentle Handling: Avoid sudden movements that might startle them.

🐾 Safe Transport: Keep your cat in a secure carrier. Covering it with a light blanket can help create a cozy, dark space. Leaving the carrier out at home in some of their favorite spots is a great way to help your cat get used to their carrier and make it a safe space!

🐾 Calm Presence: Your own calm demeanor can reassure your cat. Feliway spray can also act as a calming agent.

🐾 Treats & Praise: Provide treats after the visit and offer lots of praise. Positive reinforcement can help them associate the visit with something good.

Remember, our urgent care team is here to help! We always aim to get your cat or kitten into a room as soon as possible to minimize any stressful encounters and we always have treats on hand! With a little preparation, you can make the experience less stressful for both you and your feline friend. 🐱❤️

Did you know that our Urgent Care Vet Hospital is equipped with a state-of-the-art X-ray machine? ✨

This means we can provide faster and more accurate diagnoses for your pets, ensuring they get the best care possible when they need it the most. Whether it's a sudden injury or an unexpected illness, our advanced imaging technology helps us see exactly what's going on and develop the most effective treatment plan.

Stop by and see how we're making pet care even better! 🐶🐱

🌳🐾 Part 2 : Summer is in full bloom! Keep your pets safe from toxic plants!🐾🌳

As a follow up to our post yesterday about toxic flowers and bulbs, here is a list of shrubs and plants that have toxic effects on dogs (some are also toxic to cats as well).

As we mentioned yesterday, if you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. Based on their analysis, we would be happy to provide care for your pet if they have experienced a toxic ingestion. 🐶🐈

Want to read more about which parts of the plants are toxic and symptoms to watch for? Check out this comprehensive list at https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants . ❤️🐕

🌿🐾 Summer is in full bloom! Keep your pets safe from toxic plants! 🐾🌿

Did you know that some common household and garden plants can be dangerous for pets? 🌱🚫 This list of flowers and bulbs is specifically toxic to dogs, but some of these plants can also be toxic to cats. Different parts of the plants may be toxic to dogs and cats, and they may also exhibit different symptoms.

Always keep an eye on your curious pets, and ensure these plants are out of their reach. If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. Based on their analysis, we would be happy to provide care for your pet if they have experienced a toxic ingestion. 🏥🐶

You can read more about which parts of the plants are toxic and symptoms to watch for at https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants . ❤️🐕

Stay tuned tomorrow for a list of toxic shrubs and plants. 🌿

🌟 Thank you to our wonderful clients! 🌟

We aim to provide 5-star service to every pet and pet parent that walks through our doors, so reading reviews like this one truly makes our day!

🐾 Is your furry friend in need of urgent care? Look no further! Our local urgent care hospital is here to provide top-notch medical services for your pets. 🐶🐱 Not sure what kind of services are considered "urgent care"? Think of it like an urgent care facility for a human! We specialize in providing non-emergent care for urgent situations like the ones listed below!

🏥 🩺 As one of the only stand-alone veterinary urgent care facilities in Northern Michigan, Omnivet serves as an essential intermediary between general veterinary practitioners and emergency and critical care veterinarians in Northern Michigan.

🐾🌞 Beat the Heat: Summer Tips for Your Pets! 🌞🐾

As temperatures rise, it's crucial to keep our pets cool and comfortable. Here are some tips from Omnivet to help your furry friends beat the heat:

1. Hydration is Key: Ensure your pets have access to fresh, cool water at all times both indoors and outdoors. Keep collapsible water bowls and a water bottle with you when you're on the go!

2. Shade and Shelter: Provide a shady spot for outdoor pets and bring them inside during peak heat hours. On very hot days, limit outdoor time to potty breaks only! You can also provide a small pool with water for pets to cool off in.

3. Avoid Hot Pavement: Walk your dogs early in the morning or late in the evening when it's cooler. Hot pavement can burn their paws! Also try to limit excessive exercise on hot days.

4. Grooming Matters: Regular grooming helps prevent overheating. Consider a summer haircut for long-haired breeds, but don't go too short! Hair helps protect your pets from sunburn. Brushing cats more often than normal can help prevent problems caused by excessive heat!

5. Watch for Signs of Heatstroke: Heavy panting, drooling, elevated temperature and lethargy can be signs of heatstroke. If you notice these symptoms, contact us immediately!

6. Never Leave Animals in a Parked Car: This can lead to fatal heat stroke. It's always best to leave your pets at home in a cool place if you have to leave home on a hot day.

7. Swim with Supervision: Swimming in lakes and pools may help to cool pups down but be sure to rinse them off afterwards to avoid skin irritation. Pets should never be left near the water unsupervised. Pet lifejackets are a great way to keep your furry friend safe when on a boat or near a body of water!

Questions about your pet's health?
📞Contact us at: 231-244-4860

Stay safe and enjoy the summer! 🌞🐾

Looking for something to do this summer? Whether you're a local or visiting on vacation, check out the Traverse City Horse Shows! You'll find something fun for all ages. Bonus points if you can find our latest ad in the program!

🎆 Happy 4th of July from the Omnivet team! 🎆

As we come together to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, barbecues, and festivities, we wish you a fun and safe day. Check out our post from earlier in the week for tips and tricks to help your pets have their best 4th of July yet!

While our clinic will be closed today to celebrate with our family and friends, we will be open on Friday, July 5th from 9am-7pm for any urgent needs your pet may have. From all of us, we wish you and your pets a joyful and safe 4th of July! 🐶🐱✨

🎆🐾 Keep Your Pets Safe This 4th of July! 🐾🎆

As we gear up for a fun-filled Independence Day on Thursday, let's not forget about our furry friends who might not enjoy the fireworks as much as we do. Here are some tips to ensure your pets have a safe and calm holiday:

1. Create a Safe Space: Set up a quiet, comfortable area inside your home where your pet can retreat from the noise.

2. Share a Hug: Sometimes if frightened, pets like to be held using constant gentle pressure. This offers the same effect as a warm hug (or a weighted blanket for humans).

3. Keep Them Indoors: Fireworks can be loud and frightening. Keeping your pets inside helps protect them from running away out of fear.

4. Update IDs and Microchips: Make sure your pet’s ID tags and microchip information are up-to-date, just in case they manage to escape.

5. Avoid Human Food: While you enjoy your holiday feast, remember that many human foods can be harmful to pets. Stick to pet-safe treats! Some of our favorites can be found at Contigo Dogs, Mi Pets Treat Truck and Aggie Treats!

6. Provide Distractions: Engage your pets with toys or calming music to help drown out the noise of fireworks. White noise machines may also help to keep your pet calm.

Let's make this 4th of July a fun and safe celebration for everyone, including our pets! 🎇✨

🎆🐾 Fourth of July Week Hours at Omnivet 🐾🎆

As we gear up to celebrate Independence Day, we wanted to keep you informed about our holiday hours:

🗓 Monday, July 1st - Wednesday, July 3rd: Open regular hours, 9 AM - 7 PM

🎇 Thursday, July 4th: Closed for the holiday

🗓 Friday, July 5th: Open regular hours, 9 AM - 7 PM

Please plan accordingly for any pet care needs, and feel free to reach out to us with any questions, or to schedule appointments in advance. Wishing you and your pets a safe and fun Fourth of July! 🎉

🐾✈️ Our favorite U.S. Navy Blue Angels are in town! 🛩️ Remember, our furry friends might not share our enthusiasm for the air show this weekend. Here are some tips to keep your pets safe and calm during the event:

1️⃣ Plan Ahead: Find a small, quiet spot away from the main action for your pet. This could be a small room in your house or a crate if they are crate-trained.

2️⃣ Comfort and Calm: Bring their favorite toys, blankets, or a cozy crate into the space to help them feel secure. A white noise machine may also help to calm their anxiety.

3️⃣ Stay Hydrated: Keep plenty of water handy to ensure your dog stays hydrated in the summer heat.

4️⃣ Avoid Crowds: Keep your dog on a leash and away from large crowds to prevent stress or escape attempts. The safest place is always at home!

Let's ensure everyone enjoys the show safely, including our four-legged friends! Enjoy the show! 🐶💙

🍒

🐾🌲🚗 If you're exploring all that Northern Michigan has to offer this summer and need urgent care for your pets, we've got you covered. 🐶🐱 From minor injuries to unexpected health concerns, we're ready to help ensure your pet's well-being while you enjoy your vacation up north. 🏞️ Drop by or call ahead for peace of mind on your travels!

Let Omnivet be your home away from home! 🐾💙

A special tribute to a very special pup.

On Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 9:40 am, Winston Bishop-Patton passed away at 8 years and 10 months old after a hard fought battle with Hemangiosarcoma. He was surrounded by his mom Emily, pop pop Nathan, little sister Ivy, his stuffed animal mammoth, and so much love in the comfort room of Omnivet Veterinary Urgent Care in Traverse City, Michigan. He was the best friend and the best brother and the magnitude of his enormous loss was felt immediately and will be forever.

Born nearly all white in August 2015 in the small town of Centertown, Kentucky, Winston first met his future parents Emily and Nathan at just 5 weeks old who spotted puppies for sale on the side of the road out of an old truck with a pen placed in the tall grass. Under the influence of Puppy Breath, they joined the small adoring crowd of children and passersby.

A pot belly puppy with sleepy eyes and a wiggling tail was plucked from a child’s arms (in favor of potential paying customers) and placed into Nathan’s. His pockets were $100 heavier from birthday money he was given just minutes before. The price tag for this little piglet? $100. Cash.

People often say you don’t know what you have until you’ve lost it, but they knew from that moment on how special Winston was and how special what they had was.

Winston’s life with his parents began when they brought him home to a small one bedroom apartment in Evansville, Indiana. They spent every free minute teaching him recall and tricks, walking him to the neighboring lake, carrying him when he got too tired on Angel Mounds State Park’s wooded trails.

On a beautiful fall day off work, his mom took him to eat lunch on the river with his pop pop in Henderson, Kentucky, and it immediately felt like home. Not long after, they all moved together into a loft apartment above an upholstery store (which later became Homer’s Barbecue). Winston became a staple downtown dog always seen walking, picking up trash and even lost money in his mouth, playing at the community dog park, and hiking the dog trail at Audubon State Park.

Next came the home he lived in for the last seven years. You could always find him in his own room on the bed or on the couch. His parents still feel as if some of their greatest accomplishments were choosing him and buying this house and this yard for Winston.

At the same time, Winston’s accomplishments have been plentiful. Winston got people jobs, helped people get disability, appeared on national TV, in newspapers, and in magazines, was once apart of the Otters Baseball team’s on-field entertainment, was the face of many dog brands’ advertising campaigns, created the Winstagram, an online social media community, and has interacted with several celebrities including actress Jennifer Aniston.

Winston also could be credited with coming to the rescue of a friend. One day he would not stop barking at the window for his pop pop to look out and find our neighbor Super Bowl legend Sam Ball had fallen in his yard. Nathan never would have known without Winston and went into quick action to call emergency responders.

Lastly, Winston raised thousands and thousands of dollars for nonprofits including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Indiana and dog rescues and helped hundreds of English Setters receive donations, find volunteers and transporters, and foster and forever homes.

He is survived by his devoted parents, his sister Ivy Jane, his brother Brady Boop, his kitty koo siblings Brody and Britches, his cairn cousins Remy and Izzie, as well as some of his favorite people in his life: both sets of his grandparents, his aunts and cousin, his honorary aunt Katie Ward who always brought him over new toys, bowls, or treats, and his longtime friends Dakota Jones and Tiffany Jones.

If you’re reading this hoping to make the list, well, if he ever went through your legs and stomped, you counted as a favorite to him.

His favorite places included visiting his grandparents’ farms, Land Between the Lakes’ Honker Lake Trail, Gabbi's Pet Boutique, and Henderson Brewing Co.

Since receiving his cancer diagnosis in August 2023, his parents spent every minute they could with him and helped him complete a bucket list that included but is not limited to meeting kangaroos and a camel, having a dog charcuterie board, barking at armadillos, becoming a BARK Ranger, a shopping spree at Gabbi’s, seeing the Christmas lights, getting to see and chase pheasants, ordering and eating off a dog restaurant menu, and seeing the Great Lakes.

Even before that, Winston’s parents lived every day as if it could be his last by taking him to the ocean, hiking in the mountains and Red River Gorge, seeing wild ponies, and so much more. A few of his favorite days were attending a dog Easter egg hunt at Bosse Field, visiting unbelievable dog parks in Ohio for the English Setter rescue picnics, a dog swim day at a Henderson pool, and any day spent hiking off leash in the outdoors.

His family would like to thank Jenn Rlsvdpojspcsa King Strobel as well as the entire online community for their kindness, never ending support, and donations to his care without ever have being asked. Winston gifted his mom so many lifelong friends.

We also like to thank Dr. Dunaway and staff at Kentuckiana Animal Clinic for their consistent support, Dr. Clark and Dr. Rizzo at Veterinary Specialist Partners- VSP in Louisville and Evansville for finding his tumor and for his chemo treatments, Dr. Santos at MedVet Cincinnati for performing a successful splenectomy, and lastly Dr. Van Fleet at Omnivet in Traverse City, Michigan. Without these heroic efforts from these brilliant veterinarians and technicians and all of the donations, his family recognizes they would have lost him much sooner. The time you gave them is the greatest gift you could give to them - they never can repay you.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Winston the English Setter’s name to Canine Cancer Alliance at https://www.ccralliance.org, Our English Setter Rescue - OESR at https://oesr.org, and at A Better English Setter Rescue at https://www.abetteresetter.org.

Winston was loved beyond words by all who knew him or knew of him, and most of all, by his mom and pop pop.

In a world of good boys and good girls, he was the best.

🐾 A heartfelt shoutout to our amazing clients for the wonderful reviews! 🐾

Your kind words truly mean the world to us and remind us why we do what we do. We're thrilled to hear that your experience at Omnivet was a positive one and that your furry friend received the care they deserve. 🩺

Thank you for trusting us with your pet's health and for taking the time to share your feedback. We're here for you and your pet every step of the way! 🐾❤️

We're thrilled to announce the grand opening of Omnivet, your new go-to destination for top-notch veterinary urgent care on Monday, June 10th! 🏥✨ Whether a scheduled appointment or walk-in urgent care, we provide expert care for pets tailored to their individual needs, and transparent, consistent communication with pet parents. 24 days to go!!