Our Clinics
Bay Pines Clinic
Pellston Clinic
Lake Street Clinic
Animal Wellness Plans
Increasing Your Pet's Quality of Life
Many things contribute to a happy, healthy pet … a good vaccination plan, keeping your pet free of parasites (heartworm, intestinal parasites and skin parasites like fleas and ticks), keeping your pet at a good body weight, annual physical exams and proper exercise and nutrition.
At The Bay Pines Veterinary Group, we can help establish a plan that is right for your pet. We will start by giving them a good physical exam to help identify obvious problems like dental disease, ear or skin infections, tumors or other internal medicine conditions.
Then, based upon your pet's history, we will establish a good vaccination protocol, a parasite screening plan and prevention plan for those parasites.
If you have a new pet, we can discuss the benefits of spay and neutering and help you decide the best age to perform that surgery.
Unless you are planning on breeding your dog or cat, there is no good reason not to spay or neuter. Your pet will be much happier and healthier in the long run.
Obesity is a very common problem for our pets, too. Excessive weight places a lot of stress on joints. Animals with arthritis suffer from more pain and many can tear important knee ligaments from the excessive wear and tear. Breathing is more difficult for our obese pets, too. We will discuss your pet's diet and make recommendations on how to keep them in lean body condition. An animal with a healthy weight will be more energetic and have less aches and pains throughout its life. They will be less prone to injury as well.
Of course, we will answer any behavior or pet care questions when you visit our practice. Our goal is to keep your pet healthy so they can enjoy a long and healthy relationship and life with you. Please call one of our offices today, to set up a wellness plan for your pet.
Your Dog and Heartworm
Heartworms are a common and possibly deadly parasite that can infect dogs no matter what time of year. They inhabit the heart and lungs of infected dogs as young as 4-6 months of age.
That's the bad news. The good news is that heartworm infestation is preventable with a two-step process. First, we recommend that ALL dogs older than 6 months be tested annually. This test is normally done in the spring though it certainly can be done at any time of the year. It is a simple blood test that we run in-house with results available in a few minutes. The second step is the administering of heartworm preventative medication. This prevention can be given topically or orally using a flavored chewable monthly tablet. All medications protect against some intestinal parasites and some also protect against fleas and ticks. In Northern Michigan, we suggest giving the medication May through November. But, if you travel to warmer climates in the winter with your pet, it is wise to treat your dog year around. If you live in warmer climates in the winter, it is imperative that you treat year around. Call the clinic today to make an appointment for your test so you may start medication in May.
Welcome to Bay Pines Veterinary Group where
your four legged friend is our main concern.
From complete medical, preventative and emergency
care... to boarding and grooming services,
our unique and caring staff is here for you.
Bay Pines Group Services
Complete general health care including vaccines, spay and neuter, wellness programs and heartworm testing.
Senior and geriatric health care for all pets.
Internal medicine
Dr. McDonald performing a yearly examine.
Complete soft tissue and orthopedic surgery.
Dental care including teeth cleaning, polishing, extractions and oral surgery.
Complete Intensive Care facilities
Clean teeth are a important for your dog's overall health. Marie recommends a dental examine yearly.
Radiography
Abdominal Ultrasound and Echocardiogram
Endoscopy for biopsy or foreign object removal.
Pain and Arthritis management
Laser surgery including humane removal of claws and other soft tissue surgical procedures.
Advice and consultations for overall health, behavior,and general care for your pet.
Dr. Dulak and nursing assistant Cathy administer vaccines to this feisty boy.
The Cost of Caring
A question that we often hear at Bay Pines Veterinary Group is, "why is veterinary care for my pet so expensive? Sometimes I think I spend more on my pet's health than my own!" There are really a number of factors that go into answering that question.
The main reason really is the fact that your veterinarian is not only your pet's family doctor, but also many specialists too. From surgeon, radiologist, dentist, dermatologist, neurologist, cardiologist, psychiatrist, oncologist, ENT to it's pharmacist too. Since more treatments and surgical options area available for your pet than ever before, today's pet has a much healthier and longer life. While a cat or dog with a serious health concern 30 years ago might have faced an early death, today many conditions can be treated with new drugs, cardiac pacemakers, transplants and chemotherapy. However, these new treatments are not inexpensive. With increased treatment options comes increased cost. At Bay Pines, we always try to work you, our client, to discuss every option to help you make the right decision for your family and your pet.
Advanced treatments also require constant ongoing education for our Veterinary staff. They continue attending classes and seminars to keep abreast of the continual changes and improvements in animal medical treatment. The Michigan Veterinary Association offers a challenging seminar at least once yearly and the Bay Pines Group usually sends several representatives. Also, our veterinarians attend at least one major learning seminar yearly. These seminars take the doctor out of the practice for at least a week for intense training in a specialty. This training allows us to treat more and more cases at our facility without having to refer clients to downstate specialty clinics, adding even more expense to an already trying situation.
We are blessed to have clients like you who understand and embrace the ideal of superior care for their pet. And know, that the Bay Pines Staff works hard to contain costs as much as we can without sacrificing the care we offer your pets. Together, we can insure that your four legged friend lives a long, healthy and happy life.