Best Friends Veterinary Medical Center

Reviews 5

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Annie Greenhalgh

Dr. Walker seemed just fine but I was displeased by the "hard-sell" I experienced from her staff. I came in only for check-ups for my dogs and just to get up to date on vaccinations. My first issue was I was asked to bring a fecal sample for analysis but I was not told that there would be a $49.99 charge for fecal analyses. I feel they could have been more upfront about that and it would then give customers a chance to consent to this. My next issue was the hard, emotional sell that the vet tech (didnt catch her name) was giving me about not opting in to special programs that seemed totally unnecessary. I was made to feel like I neglect my dogs health because I wont do the "Senior Wellness Program" which was a $275 service consisting of vitamins and check-ups. First of all, I have religiously taken my pets to veterinarians and this is the first time Ive heard of such a thing and also this is the first time I felt like I was trying to be convinced this frills were necessary. The vet tech said she wished I would reconsider my choice not to do all of the services named below (other than the check ups, vaccines, fecal analyses). I was told that my use of OTC flea/tick/etc protection wont cut it. To be honest, this was completely ridiculous to ask such a sum and insist on all of these things. And this comes from a dog owner whom has studied dog nutrition, makes her own dog food & mixes supplements to add into it, trains her dogs every day and monitors health closely. I dont think I would ever be considered neglectful of my dogs health & happiness but yet I was made to feel that way by the vet tech and her patronizing talk. Check-ups and vaccines and the fecal analysis (50/each dog) = 264 Senior Wellness Program = 275 * 2 dogs= 550 Dental Cleaning = 650-950 (range, lets say 650 to keep it on the low end to play devils advocate) * 2 dogs= 1300 Parasite preventative medications = 276 (138/6 month supply of Trifexa) * 2 dogs = 552 TOTAL ESTIMATE = 2,666. All I came in for was check-ups and vaccinations. I definitely would not make Dr. Walker my veterinarian because of the apparent policy of pressuring me to buy more and more.

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Lisa Perry

I have been going to this Vet for almost 3 years now and I have continued to get more and more frustrated with the care that I have received for my dog. Most recently was the way I was treated when I called in for some medical advice. When the vet tech called me back with an answer from Dr. Walker she failed to even answer my question but responded by telling me that I need to use a medication that requires a prescription from the Vet to treat my dog for motion sickness rather than answering my question as to whether or not I can give my dog meclizine. Meaning I would need to bring my dog in for a visit and get this medication, this place really likes to rack up your bill and make money. When I asked the vet tech if she had an answer to my original question she told me “we are not allowed to give medical advice out to people that are not our customers”……I have been taking my dog there for almost 3 years! She then proceeded to tell me that my sister is our customer and not me…..once again I have been taking my dog there for 3 years my sister doesn’t even live here! The vet tech then proceeded to call me back and tell me that they do not recommend that I give my dog meclizine but that it is safe and gave me the dose I should use. Then to top it off Dr. Walker calls me back that evening, at dinner time, on my husband’s phone, not mine. She started the conversation by asking me what my profession is (irrelevant) and then told me that she does not have readily accessible information to drug formularies and is unfamiliar with ever using this medication in dogs for motion sickness. She failed to ask me any questions regarding the dog’s symptoms when traveling in a car and rather assumed that the dog had motion sickness induced vomiting, which is not the case. Her lack of clinical care is saddening. She seems to be swayed by drug companies to use the newest medication out there rather than using her training to determine appropriate treatment decisions.

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Lisa Dobbs

We are new to Best Friends Veterinary and quite honestly, I am blown away by the care, attention and follow up provided by Dr Walker and her team. We had been taking our dogs to the same vet in the Seattle area for many years, and I now see that their care, was adequate at best. At BFVMC you and your pets are truly special. Our first visit for our two dogs (one is a senior), lasted over two hours. The girls were tested and evaluated, follow ups scheduled, and referrals made to other animal professionals (internist, oral surgeon). We were surprised one evening by a 9:30pm phone call from Dr. Walker, who was at our building with a prescription for our older dog. She "happened to be in the neighborhood" and dropped it by, saving us a trip. I now know what quality veterinary care is like, and really appreciate the time and attention provided by Dr. Walker. I feel like my dogs are in excellent hands, and I trust her to listen to us, and help us make the right decisions regarding their health. If you pets are important to you, then you need Dr. Walker as your vet.

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Andrew Stronach

So we used to take our cats here, no longer will be doing so. One of our cats had recently been throwing up and lost weight. Dr. Walker recommended a bunch of tests and observation which told us nothing $450 later. Recommended their house brand food that is sold to vets only and is extremely expensive. Talked to a local pet shop owner who said that there were better quality hypo allergenic foods available for half the cost. So was he telling the truth? Yes. A quick search online indeed confirmed that there was better food out there for half the cost. I was shocked that a vet would recommend this food till I found out that the company marketing it only sells to vets so you have to buy it at the vet = more visits and money. Just wish the vet would have number one and first told us to try a hypo allergenic food and that there food they sell was a rip off. This was the second time that all the recommended tests showed no results and it seems that we always are getting scared into doing some type if test or service. Going to try someone else.

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Annie W.

I have known Dr. Walker since 1991, when she was the vet for our first labrador. I have been truly stunned by her equaled knowledge, skill and genuinely caring heart. Such a combination is rare! I have always felt that she has truly cared about our four legged family members. I have never in 21 years felt pressured to spend for the sake of business interests. A thorough range of treatment options and the clinical rationale behind them have been presented to me with care, ethical concern for my pet and respect for my budget, even when I had to hold back treatment for the next pay check. When my lab - who was that once in a life time dog - was dying, Dr. Walker went above and beyond what any of her colleagues would have done, to care for him and for me. No grief therapist in the city could have been as supportive as she was. She is not only a highly skilled vet, she is person with a rare largeness of heart. If my dog had a potentially lethal condition, I would drive to Vancouver, BC to see Dr. Walker, if I had to.

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