Dr. Sullivan and his team are top notch. Finding a good vet that is not perpetually trying to break your bank account is synonymous with finding a trustworthy auto mechanic.
In November my 8 yr old shepherd went paralyzed out of the blue. The paralysis set in over the course of 4 days, getting progressively worse until she was completely lame in her hind end. Up to that point, I had never had the call for real veterinary care, aside from routine vaccinations. Out of ignorance, I took my pup to the local VCA in Issaquah where I was told she likely had a spinal issue and would require evaluation from a spinal specialist. They told me I was in luck, their specialized care facility in Lynnwood had a specialist on staff, and if I went there right away they would gladly get me in for an evaluation. This was on a Saturday, and was being billed out under the emergency cost structure. But what do you do when your best friend has suddenly gone paralyzed? So I went, waited 10 hours, did NOT see a specialist, and was sent home after a couple of x-rays with a medley of useless medications ($$$) and over a thousand dollar bill for services rendered..... no useful prognosis however.
On Monday, my pup was incontinent and was looking like she was destined for the great beyond. In the midst of this, an old vet I knew from growing retruned a voicemessage I had left over the weekend, and after I explained the scenario, he accurately diagnosed my pup, said she needed an immediate MRI and most likely back surgery. He followed that by saying that it sounded like the VCA really mis-handled my case and that it was teetering on the precipice of malpractice, and at such an high price. Both financially and for the long term well being of my dog.
Luckily my fiance knew Dr. Sullivan from growing up in Bellingham, and she facilitated the contact with Dr. Sullivan. By the time I spoke with Ed, I was already on the road, headed to Pullman to have the vets at WSU perform the MRI and likely the requisite surgery. WSU had quoted a price of $5K, which was just about $5K less than the VCA Lynwood quoted as the "starting price" for tame treatment. (Now I understand why the VCA can afford to put Direct TV in every exam room).
Dr. Sullivan encouraged me to go to Pullman and insisted that it would be a good choice. After a brief, but productive conversation, I asked Dr. Sullivan if he was equipped to have the MRI done, and take care of the surgery personally, which he confirmed he was. I changed direction, headed North, left my pup with Ed, and when I returned to pick her up 5 days later she was up and walking around.... not real great at first, but up on all fours nonetheless. Now, 6 months after being completely paralyzed she is back to her former glory, and at a fraction of the cost the VCA was attempting to extort out of me.
What strikes me as the most testimonial, is that my pup gets all fired up now when we go up to Dr. Sullivan's clinic. I can hardly slow her down as she charges inside to catch up with her friends that brought her from two legs back up on all fours.
Top notch, trustworthy folks. If you don't believe me, just ask my dog, she wouldn't know how to lie..... or write a yelp review for that matter. read more