West Shore Vet Clinic

West Shore Vet Clinic Est.

Sept. 2018
Owned by Dr. Heidi Heckler, a 1996 graduate of Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Associate Veterinarian, Dr. Kellie Purucker, a 2021 graduate of Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine

06/10/2026

📞 One of the most common summer phone calls we receive:

"My dog is terrified of thunderstorms."
"My dog is terrified of fireworks."
"Is there anything that can help?"

Pacing, panting, shaking, hiding, vocalizing, and destructive behavior can all be signs that your pet is struggling with anxiety.

The best time to discuss anxiety management is before the next storm or fireworks event.

If your pet has difficulty during thunderstorms or loud noises, give us a call. We're happy to discuss options that may help keep everyone a little more comfortable this summer. 💙

Have thunderstorms or fireworks affected your pet? 🐾

06/08/2026

☀️ Sunshine, fresh air, and a comfy blanket.

Kyzer and Zeko found the perfect way to spend a warm weekend afternoon.

Makyla sent us this photo and said:

"They expect a blanket now." 😂

Honestly, we can't blame them.

How did your pets spending this beautiful weekend? 🐾💛

06/06/2026

🐾 Summer adventures are here.

Long walks.
Beach days.
Camping trips.
Backyard barbecues.

The best part? Sharing them with our pets. 💛

Ash recently shared this sweet sunset moment with River and Beau (both Australian Shepherds) enjoying the Lakeshore together.

As we head into summer, we'd love to see your favorite adventure buddy.

Share a photo of your pet enjoying the season in the comments. ☀️🐶

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is the start of summer weekends and gatherings — but it is also a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many families across generations.

As we spend time with loved ones today, we remember those who never made it home and hold gratitude for the freedoms their sacrifice helped protect.

From all of us at West Shore Veterinary Clinic, we are wishing you a peaceful and meaningful Memorial Day. 🇺🇸

05/17/2026

Yesterday, I found a tick on my own dog after a hike — even after brushing her with a slicker brush. Then she rolled over for a belly rub… and there was a tick. Yikes!

It was a startling reminder that tick season is very real right now in West Michigan. 🐾

Memorial Day weekend is almost here, which means many of us will be spending more time outside with our pets. Don’t forget flea & tick prevention before the holiday weekend begins.

This spring, we’ve already been seeing a lot of tick activity around West Michigan. Even pets who stay mostly close to home can still be exposed during warmer weather.

A few simple things can help:
• Stay current on flea & tick prevention
• Check pets thoroughly after outdoor adventures
• Keep enough prevention on hand before traveling

As always, if you have questions about which prevention is best for your pet’s lifestyle, we’re happy to help 💛

Are your pets big adventurers on holiday weekends — or more backyard loungers? 🐶👇

🐾 So… why does pet DNA testing actually matter?Rocky Mittens’ results were fun to learn —but DNA testing can also give h...
05/13/2026

🐾 So… why does pet DNA testing actually matter?

Rocky Mittens’ results were fun to learn —
but DNA testing can also give helpful insight into:

• Breed-related health risks
• Behavior and energy tendencies
• Size expectations
• Even medication sensitivities in some cases
• And sometimes, a deeper look into your pet’s background and story 💛

While no test tells the whole story, it can be a helpful piece of the puzzle when it comes to your pet’s care.

At the end of the day — every pet is unique 💛
But understanding their background can help us care for them even better.

👉 Have you ever considered DNA testing for your pet?

🐾 Ever wonder what makes your dog… your dog?Meet Rocky Mittens 💛His family recently did a DNA test — and the results wer...
05/11/2026

🐾 Ever wonder what makes your dog… your dog?

Meet Rocky Mittens 💛

His family recently did a DNA test — and the results were a little surprising.

Rocky is:
• 39% Pit Bull Terrier
• 23% Labrador Retriever
• 12.9% Siberian Husky
• Plus a mix of Bulldog, Beagle… and a little “Supermutt”

(Fun fact — “Supermutt” can include breeds like German Shepherd and Chow!)

Even more special — they learned a little piece of his story, including his birth mom’s name: Ellie 💛

Some of you were very close with your guesses 👀
Did anything surprise you?

🐾 We need your help with this one…Meet Rocky Mittens 💛Before we share his DNA results — we want to hear from you 👀👉 What...
05/09/2026

🐾 We need your help with this one…

Meet Rocky Mittens 💛

Before we share his DNA results — we want to hear from you 👀

👉 What breeds do YOU see?

Drop your guesses below ⬇️

We’ll be sharing his results on Monday… and let’s just say, they surprised us a little.

05/06/2026

We keep getting tick questions at the front desk this spring… so let’s talk ticks. 🐾

If you’ve spent time on the trails around here, you already know how special they are — the woods, the quiet, the fresh air. It’s one of the best parts of living along the Lakeshore.

Places like Hofma Park are a favorite for many — peaceful, close to home, and the dogs absolutely love it.

But with warmer weather, tick season is here too.

This spring, we’ve been seeing ticks even on pets who are on prevention — and that’s not a failure of the product. It’s a reminder that prevention and routine tick checks both matter.

After time outdoors, especially in wooded or grassy areas, take a few extra minutes to run a flea comb slowly through your pet’s coat. A quick visual check isn’t always enough — particularly for longer-haired dogs.

If you have questions about flea and tick prevention or what’s right for your pet’s lifestyle, we’re always here. 💛

Have you found any ticks on your pets yet this season? 👇

05/02/2026

Some birthdays are a little extra… and we are absolutely here for it. 💛🐾

JB just celebrated his Sweet 16 — complete with decorations, a custom cake, and a full day of being celebrated like he deserves.

16 years is something truly special.

Thank you for letting us be a small part of JB’s story — and for sharing this amazing celebration with us. 🎉

Because around here… pets really are family. 💛

Address

17681 174th Avenue
Spring Lake, MI
49456

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when West Shore Vet Clinic posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to West Shore Vet Clinic:

Shortcuts

Share

Category