Testimonials

I had traveled out of state with my 2 1/2 yo Golden Retriever, Allie. We stayed on the beach, and she ate some foxtails. She likes grass, and I try to deter her at all costs. She had started coughing, choking like she was trying to cough up a hairball.  We took her first to a walk in vet clinic where the vet recommended that our dog have an endoscopy, to determine where exactly the foxtail was at. We were given a few different veterinary hospital choices. All the places were coming in with estimates of 800-1600 dollars for the endoscopy! We were shocked. We have a healthy active Golden, until this episode.  Due to our own people schedule, we weren't able to bring Allie in until two days later.

From the easy way to find this place, to ample parking, to the welcome mat thrown out for us and for our dog, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this place.  We met with the Dr Matt Vaughan - a good vet - who thought once he moved from CA, he would not be seeing foxtails again.. to Linda who was in training... the front desk staff, all were wonderful.  The only draw back, was one gentleman, who was difficult to understand, and I didn't get his name, kept getting my answers wrong, he would repeat them back, and I would correct him. He raised my anxiety level and my frustration level that he couldn't get the answers correct. All that went away when we met with Dr Matt though.

We mentioned that while we wanted good care for our dog, we wanted to go in increments, if they could find the foxtails, removed them without going the really expensive route, with the rhino endoscopy, then please do it.   Allie had to be put under sedation, but I had trust in these people, and about 2 1/2 hours later, Allie was ready to be picked up, and lo and behold, the charge was less. That doesn't happen often, but they were able to find the foxtails, one behind each tonsil.. these insidious grasses don't break down, and stay in a pet's system.

All in all, this is a great place, comfy to wait, they will take care of you, and are understanding of a person's financial needs, all the while keeping your pet's health in mind.

- Kathymichelle

From likely paralysis to almost perfect I was sent here after my 6lb yorkie got attacked by another dog. He had deep puncture wounds and a broken back. From the moment I walked in I felt the difference. This place is better than hospitals I have been to for people. They were great about calling with updates (though I didnt leave for the first 2 days). It was amazing how sensitive they were. You can visit or call at any hour. He had his surgery and stayed for a few more days for recovery. Now, years later people comment all the time that he looks great and you can't even tell. I am grateful to SVP, they saved his life. I recommend them to anyone I know that has a pet. 

3 years after the above incident, my little guy landed in the hospital again. He is officially on his third life! Not sure how many dogs get, but if it wasn't for SVS he would not have seen his 10th birthday yesterday. I think the staff was even better this time. You can really tell that they care about you and your pet. They called me every morning and afternoon to give me an update and were always available to talk about his treatment. I spoke with someone at least twice a day to get an update and always felt like I was their only client. 

And Yes, its expensive, but worth it to me. Thanks again

- Stacy H.

Would highly recommend, open 24hrs,very helpful staff,provided great care for our 2 cats with heart disease. After 1 visit they remembered us and truely cared for our cats well being.
- Todd S.

We have relatively few specialists in Alaska and though SVS is 900 air miles away, they are our first go-to experts when needed. We particularly respect their science-based focus to care. I suppose that's to be expected considering there are no such things as brain lesion removal treatments by placebo scalpel or open fracture repair by nice smelling herbs. If you want evidence-based treatments at the point of care for your companion, this place is solid gold. They do what they say, and keep their promises. And I have no reason to doubt they wouldn't admit an error if it was in the best interest of the patient. They are the face of the future for all things veterinary. Good job!
- Mike D.

Wonderful facility, doctors and techs!!! highly recommend! if you have a pet with special needs...this is the place to go!
- Carol J.

What an amazing place! It doesn't get any better than this! The staff was exceptionally qualified, courteous and caring. The prices were less than expected. I would highly recommend them.
- Tara H.

Two weeks ago, my Westie was mauled in front of my front door by my neighbor's lab-mix, who was loose. It was tramatic, dramatic and the side of my house looked like a Stephen King novel, as it was covered in blood (as was my dog, who screamed in pain, and me). It was awful. I called my vet (who I loved), but this was at 10pm and I got a recording referring me to this emergency vet after hours. Despite knowing Kirkland quite well, I got lost finding this vet. It is right by the Kirkland Municipal Court, for those who've never been, and it's down a long, winding driveway. You cannot see it from the cross-street. I went late at night and got lost and was freaking out. Once there, I was taken aback with the size of this hospital and how immaculate it was. You could literally eat off the floors here. And the receptionist and the dr were super, super nice and calming to me and my beast. The vet was extremely knowlegeable, and she explained every step she was taking, and outlined all my options clearly. My dog and I were the only ones there when we arrived, so we didn't wait long at all to be seen. However, after 20 minutes or so, another doggie came in who was severely dehydrated, so the staff had to prioritize and focus on this dog before mine (which is totally understandable). I was worried, too, quite frankly, about this other pooch, as she seemed to be suffering from a bad infection stemming from a botched spay job "at a bad vet in Kent" (as per doggie's owners). My dog was okay, despite some lacerations and puncture wounds and a split ear (darn it, there goes our aspirations for Best in Show at Westminster!). But even after she was brought out to me in the waiting room, we still had to wait nearly an hour to be "discharged". Maybe it was even over an hour. My time orientation that night was not the best. Suffice it to say, we waited a LONG LONG time, just to get beastie's antibiotics and discharge papers and pay. The bill was WAY less than I had imagined it would be for an after-hours walk-in emergency. For the exam, shaving and cleaning and dressing the wounds, pain meds and antibiotics, it was less than $250. I liked how this vet followed up with our regular vet, too. My vet got the faxed report of the whole incident and subsequent treatment the next morning. Despite the long wait time there, I can't speak highly enough of this emergency vet. I hope never to go there again, granted, but boy, it's good to know it's there.
- Nancy H.

I grew up on a farm and have had dogs in many capacities my entire life of 48 years thus far. I have had many dogs and have seen many vets through the journey. I cannot say enough GREAT things about this facility. I took my one year old dog here and my 14 year old therapy dog (both cattle dog rescues and both easily misunderstood by many as they are a strong willed stoic breed that doesn't show pain well). These vetrinarians and specialists listen and study your dog. They figure out what the problem is efficiently and quickly. They obviously understand the strong bond between humans and animals. They practice non defensively and do what is best for your dog and you as a team with your dog. I also find this to be more cost effective with my dogs than other routes when a specialist is needed. They do more and have state of the art equipment which means less invasive procedures. You get more for each dollar spent and most importantly they do what is in the dogs best interest regardless of whether they make a dime or not.
- Darcy K.

I want to thank the staff at Seattle Veterinary Specialists for the professional care we received for our sweet dog Kylie. She was a special dog to us, and you could really tell that they cared as much as we did. They did everything they could - and explained everything that was happening very clearly. They let us visit with our dog many times while she was in the emergency room, and we really appreciated it.
- Megan L.

Priceless care We took our German Shepherd to Seattle Veterinary Specialists on a Sunday when our regular vet could not be reached. Unfortunately, our beautiful dog had problems that were beyond repair, but words can't describe how appreciative we are to the staff of this facility. Not only is it one of the nicest and most sanitary hospitals I've ever been in, the staff members are helpful, knowledgable, and dedicated. I believe that he got the best care possible. For the short time we had left with our dog, everyone we came into contact with was extremely compassionate and gentle with us. It was devastating to have a dog who's been a member of our family die one day before his tenth birthday, especially since he showed no signs of being sick until just three days before his passing. We miss him very much and appreciate greatly everything Seattle Specialists did for us.

I have had only positive experiences at SVS over the last few years.

My spaniel had trouble walking on back legs; MRI confirmed a herniated disk. Surgery done the next day by Dr Sanders (very compassionate) and she is back to her active self. I can't say enough about her great care. I was called every day with an update. I could see her 24/7. I work in a hospital so my expectations are high and I was impressed. Highly recommend Dr Sanders for neurological issues.
- Elsie C.