WELCOME TO
Indian River Veterinary Clinic In Indian River, Michigan

Welcome to Indian River Veterinary Clinic, your local veterinarians in Indian River. We’re pleased to provide a wide variety of veterinary services for animals in Indian River.

We are here to service the cities of Indian River, MI, Cheboygan, MI, Wolverine, MI, Onaway, MI, Alanson, MI, Gaylord, MI, Vanderbilt, MI, Afton, MI, Petoskey, MI, Millersburg, MI and more!

Contact us with your questions or schedule an appointment.

Hear what our clients are saying about us

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★★★★★ Always friendly and takes care of all the animalsCathy P.Cathy P. ★★★★★ I can't say enough about Dr. Dirkse and her assistant Lindsey. The best vet visit I've ever had. Despite the after hours emergency and circumstance they were kind, caring and professional. They took care of a panicked dog mom and the k9. I highly recommend Dr.Heidi Dirkse.JennyDestificationJennyDestification ★★★★★ Dr Heidi and her assistant were to patient and caring for our 3 dogs. This is not just a job for them it's a matter of going the extra mile in doing the right care for each dog.kimberly J.kimberly J. ★★★★★ In over 40 years of owning pets, this is by far the best vet clinic I've ever used. They are caring, courteous, professional, and knowledgeable. The vets and the staff are always willing to spend time addressing my concerns and questions, and have even made themselves available on their own time. As a bonus, they have a beautiful boarding facility right next door.Phil R.Phil R. ★★★★★ Very nice staff. Always very open to answer questions. My dog has never had a bad experience here.D G.D G. ★★★★★ The vets, techs and admins are amazing. Knowledgeable and kind!Joanne T.Joanne T. ★★★★★ My dogs got away last night and came back with porcupine quills. In the morning my sister and I called their vet, several times, AND every vet in the straits area and were turned away, until next week, to have the quills removed. Indian River veterinary, who is my sister's vet, took them in as an emergency and removed the quills,TODAY.We are so grateful for the compassion and understanding of the urgent need of immediate care so infection would not set in. The staff and veterinarians were so kind and took excellent and immediate care of my dogs. We are forever grateful. Thank you!!!Cheryl M.Cheryl M. ★★★★★ Very caring and wonderful understanding on everyone's part. Thank you very muchBecky G.Becky G. ★★★★★ Wonderful staff, my dogs like them and so do I. My last vet was great, but she sold out to someone else and I didn't care for the treatment of my babies. I highly recommend IR Vet Clinic.Sam C.Sam C. ★★★★★ Always great care at indian River Vet ClinicGreat people. Highly recommend.Richard H.Richard H. ★★★★★ Caring staff that works through issues so you understand.D TD T ★★★★★ We love Dr. Darkse and the clinic. They take great care of our furry family members no matter the time of day.Crystal B.Crystal B. ★★★★★ Awesome staff that truly cares!patti H.patti H. ★★★★★ At every appointment we feel listened to & respected. The Dr has even given us written instructions on how to manage behavioral issues that she observed during our visits. Those have been so helpful. Our dog needs to learn better manners!When our dog has health issues we are given an appointment very quickly!The staff is friendly & professional!Eileen M.Eileen M. ★★★★★ Great visit, the vets there are the best. They always take wonderful care of my dogs whether it’s a routine visit or an emergencyPete M.Pete M. ★★★★★ Dr. Heidi Dirkse is one of the best humans on the planet.I have a dog that is afraid of people. We had to make a quick scheduled visit because he’d hurt his paw. Not only did they get us in super quickly, she treated him like royalty and got his tail wagging! Thats a big ask for a scared boy with a hurt paw!We’ve been going to this clinic for 5 years now. We recently moved an hour away and still make the trip because Dr. Heidi is the absolute best vet that we could have ever asked for!♥️Samantha W.Samantha W. ★★★★★ Everyone who works there went out of their way to make the visit with my vet resistant dog the best experience possible. The doc even went outside with us to see if that would help. Amazing service. I highly recommend Indian River Clinic.Kathe D.Kathe D. ★★★★★ Always kind to our animals and great service.CARLA M.CARLA M. ★★★★★ Always friendly and give great care to fur babies.Kimali N.Kimali N. ★★★★★ Sarah has always been wonderful at taking time and explaining everything. She will research and tell you every alternative to help your pet have the best health possible. Her and Heidi are very patient and loving towards all animals. I take all 6 of my cats here and they have never felt threatened by either of them. I'm so thankful for everyone who works here as they are all very helpful and knowledgeable.RhondaRhonda ★★★★★ Great doctors great staffSteve T.Steve T. ★★★★★ Indian River Veterinary Clinic has the best Doctors and staff in Northern Michigan! I have always gotten the best care for my dogs there. They go out of their way to provide the best solutions to my dogs problems. I am always greeted with smiles by the staff.I would highly recommend the doctors as well as the staff to anyone who wants the best care for their pets!patricia L.patricia L. ★★★★★ Doctor and staff were wonderful and very compassionate.Steven W.Steven W. ★★★★★ Hands down always the best place you can take an animal/pet.Esummers S.Esummers S. ★★★★★ Staff were friendly and accommodating and the appointment was held on time. They were great with my pup ensuring he was comfortable and at ease while navigating his health concerns.stantonj276stantonj276 ★★★★★ Called on a Friday evening had to go in Saturday as an emergency 2 x-rays and meds. Almost 400.00 but they were very friendly and seemed to know their stuff it was well worth it. I would've paid anything to get my baby better🐕Maria K.Maria K. ★★★★★ Kind and knowledgeable staff! Our pets are always treated well.Melissa H.Melissa H. ★★★★★ Everyone here are professional, helpful and friendlyIngrid B.Ingrid B. ★★★★★ The Doctors and staff at Indian River Veterinary Clinic are always caring and concerned. They know our pets are part of the family and they treat them like their own. Dr. Heidi explains everything so I can understand what is going on with our pets.Kelli S.Kelli S. ★★★★★ They are the absolute best here!!! Been taking my fur family glhere for 3yrs and wouldn't ever go no where else. Highly recommendedSheri L.Sheri L. ★★★★★ Had a great experience with Indian river vet. Dr Heidi is wonderful every time we see her! Great care for my girl who had a bite. The young lady at the front desk was sweet as well. I’m so sorry I can’t remember her name! Thanks so much for the fabulous care!Tiffany M.Tiffany M. ★★★★★ Friendly and caring staffOrmsbee F.Ormsbee F. ★★★★★ Such a caring and professional clinic!!! They always take the best care of my Fur baby!!! Make an appointment, that'll ensure you get the most prompt and courteous service...The Old Truth T.The Old Truth T. ★★★★★ Very friendly and took the time to answer any concerns that I had!Meloney G.Meloney G. ★★★★★ All we have to say is WOW! We are SO impressed by the level of professionalism, and genuine care from Dr. Heidi. She truly cares about the well being of animals. This was the best vet experience we have ever had. We cannot put into words how much we appreciate Dr. Heidi going above and beyond for us. It is because of her help that our pup is still alive today. Thank you so much! High recommend Indian River Vet Clinic!Brandon B.Brandon B. ★★★★★ Dr. Heidi is the best with my dogs.Juanita A.Juanita A. ★★★★★ Love Dr HeidiCindy G.Cindy G. ★★★★★ We just took our dog there today, Dr Vanos was so great with the dog and was very knowledgeable and gave us all kinds of helpful information! The nurse even got on the floor and played with our dog! Would definitely recommend this veterinary clinic!Amy P.Amy P. ★★★★★ Dr. Shields took my dog in an emergency when other vets in the area would not. Dr. Shields did a complete exam of my dog and clearly explained what my options were. She was very polite and professional. I would strongly recommend this clinic for pet owners!Colleen H.Colleen H. ★★★★★ There isn’t many places anymore that have a person who impresses you from beginning to the end. Liz did that for us. She was great helping us make our appointment, she relayed information perfectly, was so kind when we arrived, and made the check out process effortless, Dr. Heidi was also informative, kind, and caring. We will make it a point to send all of our friends to you folks for any of their pet needs. Your clinic is the best!Jerry N.Jerry N. ★★★★★ Dr. Vanos did a thorough examination and evaluation of our 3 yr old dog who's been plagued with severe skin allergies for several months. During that time we had taken our pup to 3 different vets without relief of her symptoms. Dr. Vanos explained everything to us. She was realistic and provided us with options for moving forward.Sarah D.Sarah D. ★★★★★ The whole office was wonderful. From the office staff to the veterinarians they were caring, listened, and kept us informed of everything that was going on. Little Burton says thank you!Jeanine R.Jeanine R. ★★★★★ The staff at Indian River Veterinary met all of our expectations - friendly, fun & caring. Dr. Heidi is the best!Mark B.Mark B. ★★★★★ First and foremost, they are all wonderful and deeply caring people.Second, we had a trip to Alaska and confirmed kennel space for two weeks at Little Traverse. Three days before flights we were told the reservation was gone! On very short notice, Indian River took her in but when we went to get her vaccinated at Little River I had five people harassing me for not scheduling a complete hip radiology exam. They banned me for rudeness when I declined, then banned my wife who was not there! Indian River has taken us in and are giving us the best care for our dog we have had in 6 years in Emmet County. To them , our dog is treated like a family member!! Thanks folks!!Ken L.Ken L. ★★★★★ Always wonderful with my baby boy patches, saved my dad's pup a handful of times as well from near death situations. God bless this clinic!MrOppossumMrOppossum ★★★★★ Grateful for this clinic!I called on Friday night and left a message and they called me first thing Saturday morning and saw my poor pup that was not feeling well.We were not patients at the clinic. This was our first visit. We will be customers for life!They took excellent care of our Golden Retriever. They were kind and compassionate. I will recommend their office. Thank you for seeing us on super short notice and taking excellent care of our sweet boy.Kyla S.Kyla S. ★★★★★ They really care about the pets and the clients that love them. It's like familyNancy D.Nancy D. ★★★★★ We love this place. Dr. Hiedi and Dr.Sara are the best!. And the staff are so friendly to my pets. 🐾 Appreciate you all.Crystal's Twisted Jewelry C. H.Crystal's Twisted Jewelry C. H. ★★★★★ We were at a rest stop on our way up north. Our dog was attacked by an unleashed dog. We quickly looked up the closest veterinary clinic and called. The amazing staff at Indian River Veterinary Clinic, was able to get us in right away. My dog needed multiple stitches and needed to be sedated for it. Turn around time from our initial phone call to them asking for their help, to them calling me telling me my dog was ready was an hour and a half! Amazing! It was not the start to my vacation that I was expecting but incredibly grateful for the amazing staff and awesome doctor that quickly got my dog the care he needed. I honestly couldn’t recommend this place enough. I’m so grateful for them.Roxi BRoxi B ★★★★★ They got us in with only one day's notice to them. We were in a pinch to get shots up to date. They were very accommodating and informative.David B.David B. ★★★★★ My little one was not feeling good and the vet listened, paid attention to what I had to say. Did some tests, and now she is all better. Thank you 😊Matias R.Matias R. ★★★★★ Pleasant and positive experience.Sheila R.Sheila R. ★★★★★ We have been clients of Indian River Vet Clinic for over 25 years and have always been extremely impressed with their expert care.Paul M.Paul M. ★★★★★ I have been looking for a vet since before the Civil 19 shutdown. Indiana River veterinary Clinic was recommended by a coworker. They responded to my email very quickly regarding an appointment for my 1yr old GSP. When you arrive at the clinic they have signs saying to call or text to check in since they were not allowing the owners to go in the office at that time. Unfortunately I left my phone at home. As I walked to the door I was greeted by the vet technician. I explained unfortunate situation and she said no problem and she checked my dog in. They confirmed what I was there for and Informed me on every step the took to make sure my puppy was safe and healthy. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. I have found a vet that I will trust my best friend with.Brian G.Brian G. ★★★★★ Kind, caring and professional. I trust them to take good care of my animals.Terri M.Terri M. ★★★★★ My dog Charlie was real sick he developed lumps around his neck. One night I saw blood from where he lays his head. Plus he was so weak he could hardly walk. I call after hours and Dr. Heide ask me how long would it take me to get to her office. I told her about 45 minutes. She met me there after hours and we both laid on the floor with Charlie. Well she figured it out and it was his thyroid imbalance. She gave me the meds and within a couple days he was fine. The whole staff are the best I've ever seen. They really have a good system there. I would recommend Indian River Veterinary Clinic highly. I thank them all for caring for my pooches as much as I do. 😉🤗2Pooches2Pooches ★★★★★ Even though it's a drive, I wouldn't go anywhere else, the service like a vet should or at least used to in the old days. Finding the right vet is important. They have great hours which makes it easier to get to an appointment.Cyndie C.Cyndie C. ★★★★★ Excellent service and very thoughtful staff.Jason W.Jason W. ★★★★★ My experience was so positive from the moment I walked in the door. Everyone was so friendly and knowledgeable. Dr Heidi Dirkse truly understands my dog's needs and goes the extra mile to put me at ease and help my dog with her anxiety issues. She spent so much time with her. Also I was expecting a large bill but was pleasantly surprised that is was very reasonable.susan M.susan M. ★★★★★ Great place to take your pets. Professional and very good at what they do.mark F.mark F. ★★★★★ The doctors and staff at IRVC are caring and pleasant to work with. Check in system is well organized and easy on the customer and their pet. Highly recommend!Robin H.Robin H. ★★★★★ Very caring and friendly staff. Very knowledgeable. I only wish they had more info about pet resort at office. They would probably have more resort business.Deborah E.Deborah E. ★★★★★ I cannot express how much appreciation I have for Dr Heidi Dirikse. My elderly dog was exhibiting end of life signs. My husband called on a Saturday morning and we were fit into their schedule within an hour. We were presented with options and ultimately chose to put him down. She was professional, caring and had so much compassion. I highly recommend this Veterinarian...I wish I could give more stars!!! Thank you for helping out little TippyApril S.April S. ★★★★★ Our family trusts Indian River Veterinary Clinic to give us a fair assessment, options, and most importantly care and compassion when making the decisions no pet owner wants to make. We've used them for years now, despite the fact that we live over an hour away. The drive is always worth the service. Dr. Heidi Dirkse is the vet we always have seen, and she is in it for all the right reasons. She is amazing at what she does.Amy G.Amy G. ★★★★★ Great staff, great service!Laurie P.Laurie P. ★★★★★ The staff at the Indian River Veterinary Clinic are always so kind and caring. Having elderly pets can be a challenge and havingDr HEIDI there to take care of my babies is an amazing experience. You’re not just a customer, you’re treated like family.Linda M.Linda M. ★★★★★ Excellent!larry A.larry A. ★★★★★ My dog Clyde a Great Dane loves going thereRobert P.Robert P. ★★★★★ Great staff very kind to my monsterLisa R.Lisa R. ★★★★★ Highly recommend IRVC when my dog was sick they went above and beyond with their care and compassion.Jennifer G.Jennifer G. ★★★★★ The office staff is kind and friendly. The doctors are extremely compassionate and helpful.Erica M.Erica M. ★★★★★ Great place to bring your pets🦮Charlene F.Charlene F. ★★★★☆ They are always there for their customers. Very compassionate.Paul M.Paul M.js_loader

Come See Us


Click address for directions:

5668 S. Straits Hwy
Indian River, MI 49749

Monday

8:00am - 5:00pm

Tuesday

8:00am - 5:00pm

Wednesday

8:00am - 5:00pm

Thursday

8:00am - 5:00pm

Friday

8:00am - 5:00pm

Saturday

8:00am - 8:00pm**

Sunday

12:00pm - 8:00pm Urgent Care Only


Urgent Care Only 12pm - 8pm**

Our Services

We understand that a pet is part of the family. Our goal is to provide each one with a long, healthy and happy life. The day your pet enters our hospital it becomes part of our family too. From new puppy and kittens to graying seniors, we are there every step of the way. Our comprehensive suite of veterinary services ensures that every aspect of their wellbeing is given the excellent care they deserve.

What's Next

  • 1

    Call us or schedule an appointment online.

  • 2

    Meet with a doctor for an initial exam.

  • 3

    Put a plan together for your pet.

My pets have always received the best possible care, the entire staff is friendly and know how to handle our pets when their sick or injured or just plain scared to get a physical.
I have been coming to your clinic since 1978 and will always continue to do so.

Jack D.

We have been going to IRVC for many, many years. The clinic has grown over the years and is an asset to the community. Each of the vets is kind, caring and knowledgeable, the support staff is warm and welcoming. Thank you for all you do.

Donna B.

The staff is very friendly, knowledgeable and professional. They provide personalized care to each individual needs and go the extra mile every day. Amazing group of ladies for sure!

Michelle K.

The staff at the Indian River Veterinary Clinic are always so kind and caring. Having elderly pets can be a challenge and having Dr. Heidi there to take care of my babies is an amazing experience. You’re not just a customer, you’re treated like family.

Linda M.

Our experience with Indian River Veterinary Clinic has always been a positive one. The entire staff is professional, knowledgeable, caring and friendly. We thank them for all they have done for us!

Nan P.