A small-town clinic with full-hospital depth.
A well-established, full-service mixed-practice veterinary hospital — providing comprehensive medical, surgical and dental care to the Mission Valley.
Cat and dog lying togetherAbout Us
Mission Valley Veterinary Clinic is a well-established, full-service, small animal veterinary hospital providing comprehensive medical, surgical and dental care. We provide a broad spectrum of diagnostic procedures through in-house testing and the use of external laboratories. We also work closely with local practices when special diagnostic procedures are required. The facility includes a well-stocked pharmacy, in-hospital surgery suite, in-house x-ray capabilities, a closely supervised hospitalization area, and indoor boarding kennels.
At Mission Valley Veterinary Clinic we strive to offer not only sound advice, but also optimal veterinary care, thus allowing you the enjoyment of your companion for a maximum number of years. Our job is not only to treat your pet when he or she isn't feeling well, but also to help you learn how to keep your best friend happy and healthy.
A few things that help us care for everyone
Appointment Policy
To allow ample time for all patients and scheduled surgical procedures, we operate primarily by appointment. Emergency cases shall always receive top priority, which is why occasional appointment delay is inevitable. Please realize that we make a sincere attempt to see each patient on time.
For your convenience, 'drop-off' appointments are available. A 'drop-off' means you could bring your pet in the morning, and leave him/her with us for a few hours (length of stay depends on the case). We typically do drop-off exams between other scheduled procedures and surgeries.
For the safety of all animals in our care, we require that all vaccinations be up to date. Even though we make every effort to make our patients feel comfortable during visits, they may be a little uneasy about new people, new surroundings and other pets. This is one of the reasons we ask that all dogs are on a leash and all cats are presented in a carrier or on a leash.
Payment Policy
Mission Valley Veterinary Clinic requires full payment at the time that services are rendered. For your convenience, we accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Care Credit, American Express, cash and personal checks.
Patient Arrival Policy
For your protection, and that of others, all dogs must be on a leash and properly controlled while in the waiting area or exam rooms.
All cats must be presented in an appropriate cat carrier or on a leash.
VCPR — Veterinarian/Client/Patient Relationship
As you may have noticed, some medications you used to be able to purchase OTC from local feed stores such as Murdochs or Cenex are no longer available without a vet's prescription which requires a current VCPR (veterinarian/client/patient relationship). The Montana State Board of Veterinary Medicine defines a current VCPR as one that meets all of the following:
- The licensed veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the patient(s) and the need for medical therapy, and has instructed the client on a course of appropriate therapy.
- The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the patient(s) to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of their medical condition.
- The client has agreed to follow the veterinarian's recommendations.
- The veterinarian is readily available for follow-up evaluation, or has arranged for emergency or urgent care coverage, or has designated continuing care and treatment to another licensed veterinarian who has access to the patient's medical records and/or can provide reasonable and appropriate medical care.
- The veterinarian provides oversight of treatment.
- The veterinarian has performed a timely physical examination of the patient(s) and/or is personally acquainted with their keeping and care by virtue of medically appropriate and timely visits to the operation where they are kept.
- Patient records are maintained.
Dr. Detwiler does still work on large animals, and he loves being able to help during calving seasons, for instance. However, in order to provide/prescribe medication, there must be a current VCPR in place; i.e. if we have never seen your animal(s)/herd, we cannot prescribe medications for them.
If you need to establish a VCPR, we are happy to come out to your place for a herd health check. Many clients will get annual pregnancy checking of cows, Brucellosis vaccinating or bull semen testing for example. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. We appreciate the opportunity to provide veterinary services for the Mission Valley community.
If we're closed, call one of our trusted Missoula referral hospitals.
During open hours, we try to see all our own patients' emergencies. Limited 24-hour on-call services are available — call the clinic first.