Heart of Oregon Veterinary Cardiology

Reviews 7

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Rick M

** Please see my 7/22/17 response to Heart of Oregons response to my review at the bottom of my review** I must say I am somewhat surprised here. I used Dr. Atkinson years ago when she worked at a shared practice with my lab. She was wonderful - then. She left to AZ and returned to Portland recently and started her own business. With her additional services of in home care for cardiology I moved to her. We started fine, but the in home services were never realized. I had a very complicated case and it required more contact at times. I was willing to pay for this. She eventually made it clear we needed to set a boundary contract and during an exam with my stressed dog, she spent half an hour presenting me with how to deal with grief of the loss of a pet and said she had a business to run and there was to be no more than one contact(email or call)per day. She told me my dog was considered "palliative care" and that she reserved the right to bump him for other clients due to this, and she did., This after we ran up a lot of expensive diagnostics. She became highly upset later when I had sent an email, then received a call from the front desk regarding it, so I then returned the call. I received a blaring and non professional email that I had broken "our contract". I shared the email with two of my vets and asked how I could clear the air. They both said no need - we are not going back to her. One vets words, who is highly regarded, was "I would be hard pressed to ever contact Dr. Atkinson again even if my dog needed assistance". My "palliative care" dog lived over a year past after leaving her service and was provided good cardio care at Cardiology NW. As Dr. Atkinson said herself to me, there are other cardiology options here in Portland. I highly recommend that you use them. Cardiology NW has two cardiologists on staff M-F full days. Sunstone Veterinary offers exceptional internal medicine and cardiology. ***RESPONSE TO COMMENT FROM HEART OF OREGON 7/10/17*** Thank you for your condolences. Rusty was put on your list as lower priority palliative care patient and bumped for others after we ran up extensive testing. This never happened with our other cardiologist. Our in home care commitment did not materialize. As far as documentation of commitment, I have a copy of a letter from Dr. Atkinson stating we violated a "contract" for contracting your office twice in the same day. Commitment and "personally invested" to a complicated cardio patient? The relationship you say was unfortunate in ending was terminated by my two other vets once they saw Dr. Atkinsons letter who insisted we immediately move our services to a caring and available cardiologist. As far as the offer to for further discussion with the office manager who wrote this comment, our last comment from you that day of receiving Dr. Atkinsons letter was "Maybe it would be best if we found another cardiologist". I can document and verify all comments Ive made.

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Joe Leaym

When my cat, Ru, was diagnosed with heart disease last year, I was devastated. I spoke to multiple veterinary cardiologists in the Portland area, and took Ru to several consultations. Dr. Atkinson is by far the most personable and considerate of the bunch. I was extremely impressed with her caring staff, who made Ru and I feel like family each time I called (which was so often!) or visited the office. They were ever-patient with me and all of my questions, which I really appreciated during this hard time. Dr. Atkinson was even able to make time to come to my regular veterinarians office to treat Ru. Also, I believe she is the only cardiologist in this area that allows owners to be with their pets during exams and echos. This was so important to me!! After I finally lost Ru, I was so thankful to be able to look back on the end of her life and know she was surrounded by people who truly loved her as I did. I just cannot describe how grateful I am that Dr. Atkinson was involved in our lives. Thank you!

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Adam Mohr

From the first interaction I had on the phone with Deborah I was impressed with Heart Of Oregon. My dog Dixon was referred for evaluation and before I was able to bring him in his condition worsened and they helped coordinate with my regular vet and the emergency vet to ensure continuity of care. When I took Dixon in for his first appointment I was kindly greeted and I immediately felt welcome. Dr. Atkinson and Jessica were very friendly and helpful. They took their time to explain what was going on and answer all of my questions thoroughly. I was given the price for the procedures before they were performed which was helpful. Within an hour of leaving I recieved an email with a visit summary and all of the instructions for giving medication. I will be telling everyone about my great experience and will definitely recommend Heart of Oregon to anyone needing a veterinary cardiologist!! Thank you all so much :) !!

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Ash Leaym

Dr. Atkinson and her team have taken specialty veterinary care to the next level. From the moment you speak with them on the phone, through your consultation, and beyond, their approach is consistently personalized, patient, and thorough. I trust Dr. Atkinson with my own pets. Likewise, the clients I have referred to Heart of Oregon Cardiology have experienced nothing less than stellar service. Dr. Atkinson and her team are clearly dedicated to their craft, highly skilled, and devoted to positively affecting the lives of their pet patients and their families. Look no further for a veterinary cardiologist in PDX. 5/5 stars, no doubt!

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Hope Flint

The team at Heart of Oregon fit my cat into their schedule so that he wouldnt have to wait the weekend for care. They handled him professionally and kindly. Our family received a short term plan for his treatment and long term expectation for his condition. I thought this quick response to my pet may have been a professional courtesy but just a few days later Heart of Oregon saw a patient that was having a cardiac emergency within an hour of me calling for a possible appointment. Dr. Atkinson and her teams expertise is combined with compassion and kindness. They are a valuable asset to our animal community.

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Stephany Ficcadenti

Taking my cat "Top Cat" to Heart of Oregon was a wonderful decision. The entire clinic was great. They were helpful and so kind to Top Cat and myself. It was like taking my husband to the cardiologist. Dr. Atkinson explained everything to me in terms I could understand and explained what could and could not happen. She also called me on her day off to help me with concerns. They keep in contact with me very often to see how Top Cat and our family are. Wonderful, highly recommend this clinic, the staff and Dr.. Our family thanks them for taking care of all of us.

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Nic Tjaden

Dr. Atkinson and her team at Heart of Oregon were absolutely incredible. Even before our first visit with our four-legged fury companion, they answered all of our questions and concerns thoroughly and respectfully. Even more so, after our first visit and numerous phone calls, they continued to be there for us when we needed it most. We felt so important to them, as if we were family. The care they have given our lil one has been incredible. Thank you all for your kindness and compassion during this difficult time. -Riley and family

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