Michigan Veterinary Specialists
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EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE

Because emergencies are never planned, The Michigan Veterinary Specialists 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 board-certified doctors 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

 

EMERGENCY DOCTORS

Dr. Loretta Lee
  • BS, DVM
    Bachelor of Science: University of Guelph
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree: Ontario Veterinary College
  • Internship: Michigan Veterinary Specialists
  • Areas of Interest: transfusion medicine; toxicological, urinary and abdominal emergencies

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. Alexander Kent
  • Bachelor of Science Degree: University of Massachusetts
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree: University of Prince Edward Island

A Southfield resident, Dr. Kent always knew he wanted to be a veterinarian. His current veterinary focus is on small, large and exotic animal ophthalmic disorders. In his free time he enjoys camping, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, snowshoeing, snowboarding and spending time with his miniature wirehaired Dachshund Tusia.

Dr. Jennifer Dockins
  • Bachelor of Science Degree: Texas A&M University
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree: Texas A&M University

Taking her cue early in life from her medical-oriented family, Dr. Dockins realized she wanted to be a veterinarian while still in elementary school. She initially worked as a veterinary technician and volunteered at animal shelters before pursuing her doctor of veterinary medicine degree. Canine congenital cardiac disease and seizures are what currently peak her interest within veterinary medicine. Dr. Dockins’ dogs—Wilson, a Collie and O’Malley, a Golden Retriever—are happy to hike with her when she’s not working in the hospital while her cat Skittles lays claim to their Royal Oak home.

Dr. Shaunita Sharpe-Glasper
  • Bachelor of Science Degree: Central Missouri State University
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree: University of Missouri-Columbia

Her passion for pets all started with a Cat Meow Mix commercial when she was two years old. According to Dr. Sharpe’s parents, wherever she was in the house she would come running to the TV when she heard that commercial. Nowadays, emergency and critical care medicine is what keeps her on her toes. She’s also interested in wound management and respiratory diseases. Prior to becoming a veterinarian, Dr. Sharpe worked in an animal emergency hospital as an assistant and also volunteered for Spay Day in Missouri helping to provide spay and neuter services for low-income families. When not working at the hospital, she takes up soccer, running or watches a good flick.

Dr. Courtney Shaw
  • Bachelor of Science Degree: George Washington University
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree: Ohio State University

Although her career thoughts occasionally strayed, Dr. Shaw always came back to veterinary medicine as her number one passion. Before attending school for her doctor of veterinary medicine degree, she worked as an emergency/critical care technician at a busy emergency hospital in Washington D.C. In addition, she worked at the National Zoo in D.C. in the pathology department and as an animal keeper overseeing small monkeys and carnivores. She’s now most interested in ophthalmic surgery and is currently living in Southfield. In her off time, she enjoys gardening, curling, and spending time with her husband Melvin and her two cats—Casino and Bruce.

Dr. Iga Stasiak
  • Bachelor of Science Degree: University of Windsor
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree: Ontario Veterinary college, University of Guelph

A Southfield resident, Dr. Stasiak honed her veterinary skills outside of Michigan. In addition to her education, she held four externships including Chester Zoo in the United Kingdom and the Toronto Zoo. She also volunteered for the Windsor-Essex County Humane Society and Downtown Veterinary Hospital in Windsor. Dr. Stasiak has been fascinated by animals her entire life and enjoys the challenges that veterinary medicine presents. She’s currently focused on ophthalmology and cardiology. She’s still keen on zoo medicine and wildlife conservation too and enjoys spending time with her German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever.

Dr. Michael Severin
  • Bachelor of Science Degree: Iowa State University
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree: Iowa State University

A resident of Southfield, Dr. Severin feels that veterinarians are teachers of animal health care. He enjoys working with pet owners and helping them provide the best care they can for their pets. To expand his veterinary experience, he has held six externships including emergency and critical care for the University of Minnesota, internal medicine and emergency care for the Animal Medical Center in New York City, and internal medicine for Cornell University. When he’s not jetting off to help out at various veterinary hospitals, he’s focused on deepening his knowledge of veterinary cardiology and spending time with his cat Bastet. 

Dr. Roman Savicky
  • Bachelor of Science Degree: Arizona State University
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree: Colorado State University

For several years before pursuing his doctor of veterinary medicine degree, Dr. Savicky was learning the ropes of working in a veterinary clinic as a technician. While working as a technician, his interest in becoming a surgeon grew and he headed back to school. In addition to his education and years of clinic experience, Dr. Savicky was a volunteer for an animal rescue organization and also went on a charitable trip to Mississippi to help disadvantaged pet owners get the health care their pets needed. A Sylvan Lake resident, Dr. Savicky is a sports enthusiast and enjoys spending time outdoors in his spare time.

Dr. Heidi Perreault
  • Bachelor of Science: North Carolina State University
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree: North Carolina State University

Dr. Perreault went into veterinary medicine to pursue a career that would connect her to animals and the people that love them. In addition to her schooling, she has held an externship in emergency care and dentistry at the Animal Medical Center in New York City and was involved in the Leadership Program at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine. She also took part in behavioral field research in the U.S. Virgin Islands and endocrine research in Hawaii. A West Bloomfield resident, Dr. Perreault enjoys camping, hiking, mountain climbing and spending her free time with her fiancé and pets including her dog Piper, cat Benz and parrot Doc.

Dr. Jaime Chandler
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree: Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph

Enjoying a good challenge, Dr. Chandler is intrigued by veterinary reproduction, marine mammal medicine, emergency medicine and oncology. In addition to her education, she has worked in multiple small animal clinics and in veterinary research settings, has volunteered with an interactive dolphin facility, and has held externships in zoo medicine and marine mammal rehabilitation. Dr. Chandler currently lives in Southfield with her cat Izzi and uses her down time to travel, swim and hone her equestrian skills.


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