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It may come as no surprise to find that vet care—like so much else—has shifted to primarily an online format as of 2020. Telemedicine was already growing in popularity in the vet industry prior to 2020, but it has now taken hold and is offered by many veterinary offices in the United States and around the world. This includes online vet visits with our animal hospital in Alpena, MI.
However, online vet visits may still be new to you and your pet. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about online vet visits so you can be prepared for your upcoming check-in.
The Online Vet Visit Process in Alpena, MI
What You Need
Before you can engage in online vet visits in Alpena, MI, you will need the following items:
A computer or a smart device with good, steady access to the Internet. Some vet clinics will use apps that only work on smart devices, and some may use sites that only work on computers. Others may use programs that work on either option.
Access to the Televet app. You can download the app here: https://televet.com/owners. Once you download the app, you can register your pet’s information, add your contact information, and select your animal hospital.
Photos of any areas of concern that are visible on your pet’s body.
A pen and paper to write down anything the vet tells you.
Your pet! Have your pet close by for the visit, as their physical symptoms can be detected and determined by their veterinarian.
First Steps
To begin with, you’ll need to request an appointment through the Televet app.
When the time comes for the appointment, be sure you and your pet can sit comfortably in an area with good lighting and little to no distractions. You should be able to speak clearly in the location you choose, and you should make sure you can hear the vet speaking as well.
The Visit Itself
Your vet will begin by asking you about any concerns you have regarding your pet’s health care. You can bring up any changes you’ve noticed in your pet’s physical or behavioral health since the last visit, and you can also update the vet on any known problems you’ve been monitoring already.
Your vet may also ask questions about what your pet is eating, any known allergies, and other symptoms. The more information you can provide, the easier it will be for the vet to diagnose your pet. You may also need to physically show your pet on the call in some instances.
After the Visit
When the visit has concluded, your vet will likely prescribe some type of treatment or medication. If the medication requires a prescription, you will need to arrange a way to receive it. Some vets may be able to ship prescriptions to your home, but others may require you to come and pick up medications in person.
You may also still need to take your pet to the vet for tests such as blood work or stool samples. Your vet will give you more information if this is true for you.
Considerations for an Online Vet Visit in Alpena, MI
There is a lot to consider when trying to determine whether or not an online vet visit is a good choice for your pet’s situation.
Your Internet Connection
If you don’t have very stable internet or don’t have access to a strong connection, this may not be a possibility for you at all. On the other hand, if you know you’ll have good internet access throughout the visit, a telehealth appointment can help you save time, save money, and reduce the amount of contact you have to have at the vet’s office as well.
Serious Issues or Emergencies
Telehealth visits may not work for all situations, of course. If something is wrong with your pet that requires more involved testing, your veterinarian will still need to ask you to bring your pet in. And if your pet is dealing with an emergency, it’s important to go to an emergency vet rather than spend time trying to schedule a telehealth appointment.
Prescription Requests
Some prescriptions can’t be given to pets without seeing them in person, but this is an uncommon problem. Most veterinarians will require you to already be a patient at their clinic before scheduling a telehealth appointment for your furry family member.
It may take some time to get used to the idea of telemedicine for your pet, but don’t worry. Veterinarians are currently aware that many pet owners are learning this process as they go, as they are, too! If your vet has any serious concerns that require your pet to be seen in person, you will be told this right away. Otherwise, you can take your time learning how to maneuver online vet visits and keeping up with your pet’s health care needs in the process.
If you have any questions for us in regards to online vet visits, please feel free to reach out to us!
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Our goal is for you to leave our office with a memorable and enjoyable experience, which is why our welcoming and compassionate staff will do everything they can to make you feel right at home.
Dr. Heidi was born and raised right here in Alpena, MI. She earned her B.S. in Zoology from Michigan State University and her DVM from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. She lived and practiced in Madison, WI until moving back to Alpena in 2015. Dr. Heidi has four children: two girls and two boys as well as several pets, which include two dogs (a Labrador and a golden retriever), two rescue cats who are sisters, a chinchilla, and a tortoise named Concave Dave.
Dr. Brandi Stone is thrilled to be back at Sunrise Veterinary Services! Many of our longtime clients may remember her from her early days with us as a veterinary assistant during her undergraduate years. After graduating from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019, Dr. Stone gained critical experience working in emergency medicine at a 24-hour clinic in Pennsylvania.
She has a strong passion for emergency and critical care, ultrasound, and surgery, and brings both expertise and compassion to every case she handles. When she’s not caring for patients, Dr. Stone loves being outdoors. Her favorite pastimes include hiking with her dogs, paddle boarding, reading, gardening, and even beekeeping. Her pack of pets keeps life extra fun and adventurous: Gunner, a loyal Labrador Retriever and her very best hiking buddy, Gabby, a Bluetick Coonhound who enjoys coon and squirrel hunting — and isn’t shy about baying at Starbucks baristas for her pup cup, Penny, a spirited Chihuahua who may be small, but can hike 4–5 miles right alongside the big dogs, and AJ, another Bluetick Coonhound who begs for lettuce from the fridge and excels in the field as an outstanding coon dog. Dr. Stone is proud to call Northeastern Michigan home again and is excited to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones — both human and furry!
Dr. Larissa Digue was born and raised in a small town in Brazil, where her passion for animals led her to begin veterinary school in 2011. In 2014, she joined a study abroad program at Michigan State University, where she took courses in veterinary medicine and animal science. She returned to Brazil to complete her degree and graduated in 2017. Dr. Digue is fully licensed in the United States through the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) program. She has a special interest in surgery and is committed to delivering compassionate and thorough care to every patient she sees.
Outside the clinic, she enjoys reading, hiking, and working out. She shares her home with her husband and their Standard Poodle, Buck, who is incredibly smart, loves the beach, and never turns down a game of fetch. Dr. Digue is proud to be part of the Sunrise Veterinary Services team and looks forward to building strong connections with pets and their families in Northeast Michigan.
Dr. Kaydee Berg is a proud 2025 graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where she earned the Merck Excellence Award for her commitment to exceptional veterinary care. She previously graduated Cum Laude from Alma College in 2020, earning a degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and a Pre-Veterinary concentration. Dr. Berg has special interests in preventative medicine, internal medicine, and ophthalmology, and she’s passionate about working closely with pet owners to support their animals’ long-term health and well-being.
When she’s not in the clinic, Dr. Berg enjoys reading, painting, traveling, and spending time outdoors — especially with her dog Newton (“Newt”), an Irish Doodle with Addison’s Disease. Newt joined her during her second year of vet school and is now her loyal adventure buddy, always ready for a hike or a car ride. Dr. Berg is excited to bring her enthusiasm, expertise, and compassion to the Sunrise Veterinary Services team and to care for pets throughout Northeast Michigan.
