Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Can I just walk in with my pet or do I need an appointment?
A. One of our primary service goals is not to keep our clients waiting a long time to see the doctor, so therefore it is best if you make an appointment so we can keep our appointment schedule running smoothly. Of course we will make every effort to treat an emergency immediately any time during our normal office hours.
Q. What if my pet is injured or becomes sick after normal office hours?
A. If you call us after hours our answering machine will give you a list of options. If it is not an emergency you may leave a message on the answering machine for a call to be returned to you on the next business day. If you pet has a potentially serious medical condition and needs immediate care, the Animal Emergency Hospital is open 24/7 and can be reached at 616-361-9911.
Q. Can I bring my pet in for a vaccine or pick up medication without having to have an office call or have my pet examined?
A. Our staff is committed to providing the highest quality medical care; therefore, we will perform a complete medical examination on every pet before it is vaccinated. We will also perform a thorough physical examination on every active patient at least once a year. The physical examination of your pet is the most valuable service that we can provide.
Q. Why does my dog need a heartworm test every year before I can purchase heartworm preventative?
A. Heartworm infection is a potentially fatal disease. The severity of the disease and our ability to successfully treat it depends upon early diagnosis. If we did not screen you dog every year, it is possible a heartworm infection could become very advanced and difficult or impossible to treat by the time it was diagnosed. Although the current heartworm preventatives are very effective, no treatment is 100% foolproof.
Q. Does my cat need heartworm prevention? What about my exotic pet?
A. Heartworm disease is most common in dogs; however, cats and ferrets are both susceptible. Even though it is not commonly diagnosed, it is a good idea to use prevention in those species. We do not perform annual blood test in them as we do for dogs. Other exotic pets such as birds, reptiles and small mammals are not susceptible to heartworm disease.
Q. My pet needs to be spayed or neutered; can I just drop it off on my way to work?
A. The doctor that will be performing the surgical procedure will always meet with you before even a routine surgery. This way we can examine your pet while you are present to ask any questions, express any concerns or special requests and just make sure there are no misunderstandings as to what the surgery and recovery will be.
Q. What vaccinations does my dog, cat, or exotic pet need?
A. Dogs should be vaccinated for Rabies, Distemper, Hepatitis (Adenovirus), Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus (DHLPP). Vaccines for Bordetella and Coronavirus may be added if needed for boarding or grooming. Cats should be vaccinated for Rabies, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Distemper (Panleukopenia), (RCP) and Feline Leukemia. Ferrets should be vaccinated for Rabies and Distemper. Other exotic pets such as birds, reptiles and small mammals are not typically vaccinated. Our staff can assist you in determining which vaccines and what schedule is appropriate for your pet based on its age, health, risk factors and vaccine history.
Q. Do you provide any other services besides medical and surgical care?
A. We can also help you with behavioral and nutritional counseling as well as teach you at home care tips for nail trimming, ear cleaning and teeth brushing.
Q. Do you do boarding, grooming or sell pet food and supplies?
A. Cottonwood Veterinary Center is dedicated to providing the very best veterinary medical care in a clean, comfortable and professional environment. We do not intend to try to provide other non-medical pet services. Our inventory of non-prescription pet supplies are related to maintaining good health and includes such items as pet vitamins, nutritional supplements, dental cleaning supplies, skin and haircoat products, and behavioral aids. We carry only prescription diets designed to treat specific conditions. We also carry Harrison’s Bird Diets.
Q. What credentials do your doctors have?
A. All 3 of our veterinarians have received their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degrees from Michigan State University, are licensed to practice in the State of Michigan, have Accreditation from the United States Department of Agriculture, and hold Controlled Substance Permits from the Drug Enforcement Agency. They are all members of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Michigan Veterinary Association, and the West Michigan Veterinary Medical Association. Cottonwood Veterinary Center, P.C. is a member of the Better Business Bureau.