EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE
Because emergencies are never planned, our emergency service
operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week handling unexpected trauma,
illness and injury. Our ER facilities are staffed at all times
by highly skilled, compassionate doctors and technicians capable
of handling even the most complicated and demanding pet emergencies.
In addition, the Michigan Veterinary Specialists team of specialists
are on-call to assist in providing excellent, comprehensive emergency
care.
Whenever possible, in an emergency situation, try to contact
your family veterinarian first. If he or she cannot comfortably
handle the problem or is not available, take your pet to the nearest
reputable 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital.
You never know when an emergency will arise, but being
prepared with good information, the right tools and appropriate
steps can save precious time and lives.
YOUR APPOINTMENT
If possible, please call our office or ask your veterinarian
to contact us before you arrive so we can be prepared to meet
you at our entrance doors. Our hospitals are staffed 24/7 and
you can call to schedule an appointment anytime. If time allows,
we will explain our examination fees before you arrive. The
costs of any additional testing and treatments are not known
at the time, so it is not always possible to estimate all costs.
Once we examine your pet, your MVS doctor or technician will
provide you with an accurate assessment of your pet's treatment
options, plans and costs.
Read more about appointments,
including what to expect, procedures, and payment policies.
SOME BASICS
- Keep your veterinarian's phone number in a handy location
near your phone.
- Know where the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary facility
is located.
- Have the phone number of Poison Control.
- Make sure your pet has his or her identification tag on at
all times.
- It is a good idea to keep a pet first-aid kit in your home.
HOW TO HANDLE AN INJURED PET
- Injured animals must always be approached with extreme caution.
Even though the animal may normally be very docile and friendly,
when they are hurt, they are most likely scared and nervous
and will bite or scratch.
- Approach the animal slowly and cautiously, and speak in a
quiet and calm voice.
- Before taking any action, STOP and do a quick assessment of
the animal:
- Be sure you are not putting yourself into a dangerous
situation - check the area for other animals, cars, etc.
- Listen to the animal to see if he or she is breathing
or making any unusual sounds. You may want to put your hand
near the animal's mouth to see if he or she is breathing.
- ALWAYS apply a muzzle and use caution as even the nicest animal
can bite if it is in pain. Once a muzzle has been applied, evaluate
the animal for injuries and use this booklet to treat what you
see.
- Have the animal evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Attempt to keep it calm and warm as you transport it to your
nearest veterinary hospital. Use a flat board, cardboard box,
or large blanket as a stretcher if the animal is unable to stand
or walk.
CLIENT EDUCATION ARTICLES
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EMERGENCY DOCTORS
Dr. Loretta Lee |
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- Bachelor of Science: University of Guelph
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree (DVM): Ontario
Veterinary College
- Internship: Michigan Veterinary Specialists
- Special Interests: transfusion medicine; toxicological,
urinary and abdominal emergencies
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| Wanting to help animals in need,
and pursuing a passion for emergency medicine and surgery,
Dr. Loretta Lee acquired her veterinary medicine degree
and completed an internship with MVS. Thereafter she worked
full-time at a 24-hour emergency hospital and is now back
with MVS. In her free time, she maintains a saltwater aquarium
and spends time with her three Staffordshire Terriers named
Isabelle, Blade and Rocky. |
Dr. Rebecca Lein
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- University of Wisconsin – Madison, BS
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree (DVM): University
of Wisconsin – Madison
- Internship: Animal Emergency and Referral Center,
IL
- Special Interests: Trauma cases
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Having always known she wanted
to be a veterinarian, Dr. Lein chose to concentrate on
emergency medicine because she likes the fast-paced environment,
working with multiple medical disciplines, and helping
people and their pets during a time of urgent need. Dr.
Lein is originally from Wisconsin but now lives in Kentwood
with three furry family members. Emma is a Persian mix
that was a birthday gift, Monty is a poodle mix that was
rescued from a puppy mill at 4 years old, and Porter is
a pit bull mix that needed a new owner after being hit
by a car at 5 months old and suffering serious injuries.
When not spending time with her patients or her pets, Dr.
Lein enjoys traveling and outdoor sports.
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Dr. Katie Tillman
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- Bachelor of Science: Oakland University, Michigan
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree: Michigan State University
- Internship: Animal Emergency & Referral Center, Illinois
- Special Interests: Seizures and cardiovascular emergencies
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A Michigan gal from birth, Dr. Tillman knew she wanted to be a veterinarian since the 4th grade. She would sit in the back room of her grandmother’s house and wait for her grandma to bring the cat to her for his “appointment.” What she enjoys most about her job treating emergency patients is helping them through tough situations. When not working in the ER, Dr. Tillman enjoys traveling and spending time with her pets – her dancing Basenji mix Norma and Oscar the Grouch, a three-toed rescued cat that spent the first two months straight hissing at Dr. Tillman and her husband.
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