My dog had her second TPLO surgery at The Sams Clinic, at age 10.5. Naturally, I was nervous. But I had been through TPLO with her before. I had taken her to OakVet, for that surgery. The humans at OakVet did a great job; I just couldn't face taking my dog back, because she became so scared of the clinic in the course of the surgery and follow-ups. I also didn't like the OakVet setting, under a busy freeway--any little stressor makes the process harder, with a TPLO. So I turned to The Sams Clinic. (It's in lovely Mill Valley, where I could walk my dog in a peaceful setting before and after appointments, helping to calm her nerves and mine.) Dr. Sams exudes warmth, sincerity, and experience: just what an anxious, sad pet parent would want when facing a huge surgery. I never doubted that my dog was in the best hands, with him. Dr. Sams prioritizes safety. He would not operate on my dog unless I had her heart checked first. Although this added another $1K to the expense, I felt confident that he valued my dog's safety more than another surgery fee. I also felt more confident, going in, that my dog could handle the sedation, with the green light from cardiology. The supporting staff of nurses, technicians, anesthesiologist, and others at The Sams Clinic are top-notch. My dog fell in love with Hope, who was so kind at every stage--to both my dog and to me. Again, when you're already going through a dreadful surgery, you want someone like Hope in your corner, equally skilled and kind. Kim, who schedules the surgeries, was also excellent. She managed the logistical side--scheduling the surgery and follow-ups, ensuring that I knew what I needed to do to support my dog's success before and after the procedure--with expertise and clarity, down to strategizing with me on how to safely get my dog in and out of the car so as not to injure the post-op leg. My dog is now 11.5. She is running and playing on her surgical leg. Though she has arthritis, that's because I waited to do the second surgery, not wanting to put my dog through it unless I had to. When it became clearly necessary, The Sams Clinic made it as smooth and reassuring as possible. It was expensive. But the certainty that my dog was in the best of hands, during her surgery and the long night afterward, made it worth the cost. Thank you to all at The Sams Clinic. read more

It's been two months since Gabby's surgery, and I thought it was time to write a review. I did a lot of research before choosing the right doctor for her ACL surgery. I lost my first dog on the operating table when I was much younger. Back then, I was young ,trusting, and I believed that any licensed vet could do the job. That experience was deeply traumatic. for Gabby, I looked into almost every clinic that performs this kind of surgery in the bay area--read every review on Google and Yelp, sometimes multiple times. It came down to three options. The first one was close to where I live. We went to check it out. It felt more like an emergency room--very professional, but also very clinical. The doctors reviewed Gabby's case like it was a project. Not necessarily bad, just not very personal, at all. The second one was more budget-friendly, but had mixed reviews. The doctor said there'd be no pre-check or consultation--just bring Gabby in on the day of surgery. That didn't sit right with me. Then there was Dr. Sam's clinic. It's not the closest, and while not the cheapest, the price seemed reasonable--and now I could see why. When we went in for the first visit, Dr. Sam sat across from me. Gabby was lying next to me at first, then got up, walked over to him, and laid down by his side. I almost cried--it felt like Gabby made the choice for us. The consultation was very thorough. They even followed up on an old heart murmur diagnosis just to be safe. We tested her pee twice because fitst time the sample was small (i didn't manage to get much of her pee). Everything was explained clearly. The clinic was clean, everyone was kind, and organized, and the energy there just felt good. It felt like they really care. After surgery, I had questions, and they responded quickly every time. Today, we went in for the two-week checkup, and Gabby is doing great. They've been so cautious, so caring, and clearly experienced. I honestly feel lucky that Dr. Sam was the one to operate on Gabby. I'd recommend him and his team to anyone. He's an angel--and so is everyone who works there. Thank you! read more

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Sam's clinic is supposed to be very good. My dog needed a CCL surgery. Way, way overpriced. It probably would have been about $10,000. This is about 2 years ago. I ended up having it done in South Lake Tahoe. It cost $4,000. Marin county has become ridiculous with Care for animals. I think a lot of it has to do with pet insurance. A Vet recently told me that if you dog needs surgery just go about a hundred miles away from the Bay area. You can probably pay for a hotel and have a vacation in a place like Carson City or South Lake Tahoe and still have money left over after paying for your dogs surgery.. read more

100% would recommend The Sam's Clinic and especially Dr. Rebecca Hersh-Boyle, DVM, DACVS. We were referred to the clinic by our veterinarian in Redwood City because of an injury our puppy sustained. It's a pretty awful thing to have a growth plate on a puppy damaged. (It means the bone won't grow as it should) Dr. Hersh-Boyle went ABOVE AND BEYOND for us. She had other orthopedic surgeons around the country and in the UK give opinions for the images they took at the clinic and, when we were making a decision, she told us to get a second opinion at UC Davis. This is such a special case with what we were dealing with (not because it's a cute puppy) and we cannot thank her and the team enough. Today we dropped Julep off for surgery at UC Davis and finally met Dr. Hersh-Boyle's professor personally. He confirmed how rare, intense, and successful this surgery can be and I will never regret going to The Sam's Clinic for guidance because they absolutely put the dog first. I am positive they will be honest about everything with anyone in need of treatment after this experience. Thank you, The Sam's Clinic! I hope I don't need you again but I will definitely come back if I do! And we may have to pop in and say hello! Julep misses the love you gave! read more

The Sams Clinic - The pup in question... - Veterinarians Near Me - Mill Valley, California

From the minute you step in to the minute you no longer have to return, the staff at Sam's Clinic and especially Dr Sams are without a doubt the best in the business. Torn ankle ligament after being chased in the park. They took amazing care of my pup Ginger and of me who was very emotional for 12 weeks. Thanks to the entire crew at Dr Sams. Highly highly recommend. read more

What a wonderful team of caring fantastic people! My pup needed a knee surgery and I have no doubt she received the best care out there. Their knowledgeable team proactively answers all your questions and ensures your furry family member is well take care of from start to finish. You can rest assured your pet is in the best hands at the Sams Clinic! read more

Let me start by saying I am an incredibly anxious dog owner - I worry about everything, and have a very low risk tolerance for my dog. She is a senior at 12.5 years old and very fearful of vet clinics. If it carries any risk (i.e. new medication, sending her back with a vet team where I can't watch, even mild sedation), I struggle with it and usually want to avoid it altogether. If you are like me, and your dog is everything to you, you don't need to question your decision to go to Sams Clinic (I did all the worrying, research, and question-asking for you!). We couldn't have asked for a better experience. I'll try to keep this brief and to the point: 1) The staff was nothing short of incredible - patient and respectful from the start. I emailed back and forth with either a receptionist or tech, several times leading up to my appointment. I had so many concerns about how stressed my dog would be and ensuring they knew about her heart issues, kidney issues, and fear. They got on the phone with me and addressed every single question I had. They responded to my emails quicker than I expected each time. I felt equipped and prepared going into the appointment, there was no anxiety around the unknown and what I was sending my dog into (literally, you send your dog in with them due to COVID protocols). 2) It is IMPORTANT to have great vet techs - both of the ones I worked with at the appointment were competent, patient, and most importantly, asked me questions and listened to all of my answers. 3) Dr. Whitlock was also great; competent, patient, knowledgable - she never made me feel rushed or judged for all of my questions, no matter how silly or small. She never made me feel pressured to buy products or choose certain treatments - she spoke as if it was her job to inform me of all of my options based on her exam and opinion. I appreciated that, and ended up getting everything anyway; I felt like I could really trust her recommendations. She followed up the next day with the lab results just like she said she would. 4) Things to expect: Beforehand, you'll get a series of emails with drop off procedures, and most importantly, a patient history form. Allot a solid 30+ minutes to fill this out! It really helps to have your records on hand (ask your primary care vet to share a copy with you) to answer some of the questions. Don't think of this as a burden - it's GREAT that they want to know all about your dog's history and conditions before they go. It made me feel so much more confident going into the appointment. 5) Tips: With COVID protocols you cannot go inside - you can leave the parking lot while your dog is being seen. Walk to the Safeway a half block down and they have a restroom, as well as the Starbucks in the same center. Bring a book or browse on your phone or eat next door at Tamalpie. Better yet, walk around and enjoy pretty Mill Valley. read more

They are the best! My dog Lucy tore her ACL last year and the care she received was top notch! The surgery went very well and they kept her overnight for observation which is something a lot of places don't do She is now running amuck and I have a hard time keeping up with her during our walks. read more

Another update! A little over 7 years later, Rex still has the need for speed. People are always surprised when we tell them he's about 8 1/2 years old because they would have guessed him to be a puppy! If he does a lot of running for a couple of days, he does get a little stiff for a short while so we try not to overdo it. We were concerned that he'd have an early onset of arthritis and we're happy that's not been the case. We take Rex to the dental center next to Sam's and he always wants to run in and say hi to his friends before he heads to the dentist! He definitely has happy memories of the great care he received :) read more

I'm sorry I waited so long to do this! They rebuilt my little dog's knee two years ago. He was broken down and they said he would go back to life before and he did!!! Their care was top notch as was the follow through and the directions with meds (including giving liquids cause he was such a PAIN with pills). The staff was so kind and professional. I'd give ten stars if I could. read more

The Sams Clinic - One year after surgery - Veterinarians Near Me - Mill Valley, California

I wish I could give more stars; we had such an incredible experience here. As a new patient I must have rescheduled my appointment 3-4 times and showed up 5 min late and slightly unprepared, but the entire team was so welcoming and kind! Dr. Hershboyl was thorough, kind and easy to understand. Fortunately, after our appointment we determined there is nothing wrong with my dog but I would absolutely recommend Sam's clinic to anyone needing their care. read more

Amazing and caring staff. Expensive surgery for us poor folk but, so happy the Sams clinic is who performed the surgery. Everyone is wonderful! They make you feel like they take care of our dog the same way we do...as part of the family! Thank you Sams clinic read more

These people know what they're doing. Took my senior husky for specialized diagnostics, and received a very thorough report. Highly recommended. read more

I have an almost 5 year old Olde English Bulldogge, Chance, who is my world, my child, my love, my everything. He started displaying signs of pain and began limping in both rear legs, hesistating when going up stairs, pulling away or flinching off I even gently touch his legs, etc. My family vet referred me to 3 Ortho Surgeons, 2 of which were closer to home and didn't require the dreaded bridge crossing. But she commented that Dr. Sams is simply the best in the field and worth a consult. I booked the consult. During the pandemic, I was only able to meet Dr. Sams over the phone, dropping off Chance from the parking lot. He did a physical exam, called me to thoroughly discuss what I've observed, answered all my questions, etc. We then move to X-rays to confirm what was expected and rule out other potential causes. Dr. Sams called me to review all of this in detail and the staff provided detailed information so that I could review and fully understand what was recommended (TPLI surgery, 1 at a time but recommended for both hind legs) from pre-op to surgery to post-op, what was being done and why, what should be expected day of, day after, in a week, and two weeks thereafter until 8 weeks post-op. After surgery, I had all the info needed, including rehab exercises (and they include videos so you can see what the exercises look like- super helpful!). 2 weeks post-op, I went back for an appt with a rehab specialist who walked me through additional the exercises to ensure Chance recovered well, taking me to the 8 weeks post op. Dr. Sams is thoughtful and considerate in each conversation throughout the process. Today was the 8 weeks post-op and I couldn't be happier. Chance is recovering well. He's happy and I'm getting ready to ramp him back up to the high level of activity he's accustomed to, prior to the surgery. It's such a relief to see and know that he's no longer limping and in pain. I've posted pics from immediately after surgery and today, and you can see that the scar is barely noticeable. I believe it'll continue to heal and will no longer be visible over time. The staff is Exceptional. Everyone I have spoken with or met has been professional, friendly, and responsive. They do what they say they will (call back, updates, info, etc.) and clearly are as passionate about our furry family as I am. They're good at setting expectations, so you know exactly how long you'll need to be there, etc etc. I never had to wait in the parking lot, wondering how long before X happens. I highly recommend Dr. Sams. He and his wonderful staff will take great care of your fur babies. I'm happy to answer questions if anyone reaches out. I know how nerve racking making a decision like surgery can be. read more

The Sams Clinic - After TPLO surgery (after removing bandages a few days later) - Veterinarians Near Me - Mill Valley, California

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There is not much I can say that hasn't already been said. The Sams Clinic is top notch - 5 star all the way - in customer service, patient care and facilities. The highlights to me are: *thorough explanation of procedures, possible complications, outcomes *timely follow-up, before, during and post-op *rehab consultation post-op *honest/up-front estimations of costs Each staff member has been kind & caring with me throughout the process and has been gentle, patient and concerned for Techno, my dog as well. I only wish that Dr. Sams could be our regular vet! Thanks to Hanna & Katie, Cesar and all of the staff at the Sams Clinic. read more

The Sams Clinic - Techno, a Sams Clinic patient, with her fancy Valentine's leg wrap - Veterinarians Near Me - Mill Valley, California

My ten year old shihtzu-son hurt both of his knees a year apart, and for both knees we brought him to The Sam's Clinic to have TPLOs. The staff were kind, patient, and communicative. Given how busy they are and COVID restrictions they somehow still made us feel comfortable and kept us informed before and after surgery. My pup regained full range of motion, has excellent quality of life back, and has in fact resumed jumping onto the bed (sorry Dr. Sam, I know he's probably not supposed to) when we're not fast enough to help him up. Thank you to everyone at the clinic who helped us through this process. read more

Full disclosure I know Dr Sams' parents and brother. That being said when I was getting my little fur baby I was told your really need to meet Dr Sams. I laughed and said 'thanks but no thanks! I'm sure he is as awesome as the rest of the family but I'd rather not!' (Hope that makes sense) Well Senta is a 12 week old Weimaraner that had a reaction to something which brought on HOD. The last 96 hours was filled with an ER visit and over night stay, her vet for observation and a 5pm dash to UC Davis. One The team at UC Davis made their diagnoses and said I needed an orthopedic Dr I knew there was only one place that I needed to go. So I finally met Dr Sams! What can I really say that has not been said on every review?! The entire staff is amazing. They are not only professional but really caring not only for the patient but their human too. Honestly, no matter how many patients (and humans) they are caring for you're made to feel as if you are their first priority. For Dr Sams he is absolutely amazing and from my perspective opts for the most minimal approach for healing. Telling my Breeder what happened to Senta and Dr Sams approach the were very, very impressed and actually stated 'I sure wished we had him in SoCal!' Senta's breeder has had the same bloodline for 35 years and her parents before. She knows her dogs and kept staying I like this Doctor and his approach. If you need to visit an orthopedic doctor there is absolutely no other place to go. From Team Senta a heart felt thank you very much! read more

The Sams Clinic - Hi-- I'll just let this picture speak for Dr Sams. PS The office staff and Techs are amazing too! Senta! - Veterinarians Near Me - Mill Valley, California

I have heard such wonderful things about this clinic, and so I really wanted to work with them. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be returning in the future unless there's a specialty they offer that we need. And I'd really only recommend them for diagnosis only, not rehab services. We went to get a diagnosis for my 3yo shepherd mix who was limping on her front leg. Intake: Efficient use of technology with a very thorough intake form that you have to fill out prior to each visit. Informative email reminders. Communication & onsite experience: My biggest pain point was that they were still following strict covid protocols, which I respect. But they didn't rethink how to translate the exam room experience to support that format. We weren't allowed in the building, and a technician would pick her up from the parking lot. There was no communication before or during the exam. They didn't ask for photos or videos to see mobility issues (although I sent them anyway). I wasn't able to see what areas they were looking at during the exam, how they were moving the joints to locate the issue, or what type of movements caused pain (which they said happened during examination, but I don't know when/why). This is how we owners learn about their care! Basic use of technology during exams would help maintain quality of care while following covid protocols. Maybe video portions of the exam to help explain what the doctor is seeing/noticing? Even my mechanic knows how to do that. (To be clear, I'm talking about examination not treatment.) Diagnosis: We worked with Dr. Hersh-Boyle for the diagnosis. She conducted an initial x-ray and discussed the results with me over the phone ($1300). Turns out is was a minor fracture that couldn't be repaired with surgery. They recommended rehab instead. Based on that conversation we decided to move forward with an ultrasound to get a more detailed view of the joint ($760). She included the rehab specialist in that process to help ensure everyone was on the same page about the issue once we moved into the rehab phase. Overall Dr. Hersh-Boyle was great to work with, patiently & thoroughly answered my questions and didn't pressure one way or another. Post-diagnosis: This is where the experience totally broke down for us. We had to make a separate appointment with Dr. Whitlock the rehab specialist ($225) to discuss the diagnosis and determine a care plan. She started by asking me to describe what was going on (even though she was part of the ultrasound process). She recommended three shockwave treatments 2 weeks apart ($475/each) and some supplement & exercise changes. She was candid about the fact that this treatment may or may not work. We discussed PRP, but that was even more expensive, so we opted for the less costly route first. She concurred with that approach. I only ended up going for two treatments after realizing the rehab specialist wasn't even involved in the treatments after the initial one. It's conducted by a technician. There's no observation from the rehab specialist at each visit to see if there's been a change. I posted in her care portal that she was worse after the second treatment, and asked if that was normal. I received no response. I never received a communication or outreach from the rehab specialist after the first treatment. Billing: This is one area they are VERY consistent and persistent with. You get an email/SMS invoice before even before leaving the parking lot, and several "friendly" reminders thereafter. It's too bad they don't apply that same enthusiasm to their post diagnosis/care communications. In the end, I spent thousands of dollars with them and am currently feeling somewhat in limbo about my pup's recovery. We're starting on some of the supplement recommendations and have adjusted her exercise regimen as they recommended. I guess time will tell. ‍ read more

If only we could get the same level of care everywhere. Dr Sams was recommended to me by a number of women in my raw feeding dog co-op who had used him for orthopedic surgery in the past. We raw feeders can be rather anal when it comes to our dogs and want the best for them. So that so many of them without any qualifications highly recommended Dr Sams was the first good sign. I was looking into double-amputation of both rear legs of my paralyzed foster dog. I took him to 4 different vets for opinions, including UC Davis and VSA in Concord. I was not crazy about the UCD orthopedic vet I saw (and wouldn't recommend them), but the remaining 3 were ok. I asked the same questions to all 3 remaining vets. Some of their answers were the same, others were quite different. What impressed me most about Dr Sams was the extreme thought he gave to our individual situation (double amputations are quite uncommon!). It was like he thought out as much as possible--not just pertaining to the surgery (which I've been told is relatively straight forward) but the immediate and long-term aftercare as well (more difficult). There wasn't as much of the "Well, we'll just have to wait and see and figure it out later" as there was with the other vets. Dr Sams is a soft-spoken vet with a great bedside manner. He explained everything very clearly and patiently answered my questions. By the end of our consult, I knew he was the one I wanted to perform the surgery. As it turned out, he was also about $1000 cheaper than VSA (who I had used twice in the past), but I would have gone with him even he wasn't. The Sams Clinic is a very modern facility, beautifully built. The staff are very friendly. The one minor negative is that Dr Sams isn't always fantastic about returning calls that aren't urgent. BUT (and it's a huge but) he's gone far and beyond during emergencies. One Friday night, at about 10PM, I saw my dog swallow whole the large cloth bandage that was covering one of his stumps. I freaked and immediately called the Sams Clinic, thinking that since they were staffed 24 hours, somebody there might be able to help me. Instead, I got an answering service. I explained the situation and they said somebody would call me back asap. I was pleasantly surprised when Dr Sams himself called me just a minute later! He sounded tired, like maybe he was sleeping, but calmly listened and gave advice. You don't expect that kind of service from most vets! Then the next week, my dog developed a huge seroma (benign fluid) in one of his stumps. The medical staff was closed for most of the week but the front desk was open. I emailed pictures to them and they relayed it to Dr Sams. Dr Sams again called me later that day and explained what was going on, what I should do and look out for. He also gave me his own personal phone # to call him directly if I needed to speak with him again. If I ever have another dog requiring orthopedic surgery (and I probably will through my rescue work), I will without question bring him to Dr Sams. read more

The Sams Clinic - Popeye 36 Hours After Surgery - Veterinarians Near Me - Mill Valley, California

Okay so our puppy broke his femur in this crazy spiral compound fracture after landing wrong going for a ball. His thigh ballooned up with blood and he went into shock. When we moved him to get him into the ER, he screamed like an alien from Alien, and it was heartbreaking. This is six or seven years ago. There just aren't a lot of surgeons that can fix something like that. The ER doc wasn't optimistic, but he referred us to Dr. Sam. All I can say is wow. So, our pup recovered and runs around now like nothing happened (though he doesn't jump much any more, which is for the best, really). At the time, we were ecstatic, but we didn't really realize how lucky we were until much later. Our dog later had to get both his ACLs repaired (I'm told it's genetic). By then, we were no longer within range of The Sams Clinic, or we would've gotten the surgeries done there. Both of the surgeons that did the ACL repairs had not only heard of Dr. Sams and had immense regard for him, but wanted to see X-rays of the work he did. One doc took X-rays of my dog's thigh (the opposite one from the one he was going to do surgery on) just to look at the work! Flat out amazing. Sams is the best. read more

The Sams Clinic - Jaro on Lake Chabot - Veterinarians Near Me - Mill Valley, California

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Well my puppy had to get his other knee worked on. A TPLO to be exact. His first knee was done in October and we knew that the other one would need to be done but he told of to wait. Well it has been 2 weeks since his surgery and he is going GREAT! I can't stress enough about how wonderful Dr. Sams and all of his staff is here. Thanks for helping Dr. Sams! They are always there to answer your questions. read more

In part this is about Nicole, the amazing technician - - I don't know her technical name - - and Dr. Whitlock. I want to give kudos to each of them individually and all they bring to Sams. Nicole is resourceful, and full of SO MANY tools to help your pet. My dog has worked with her twice for two different surgeries, and her level of professionalism and depth of knowledge is SO appreciated. She helped my dog BOTH TIMES to get in tip-top shape. Mostly working with her in the hydrotherapy tank, she was able to adapt her treatment each time, and I have witnessed how much this therapy helped my dog heal. I'm incredibly grateful. She has been a pleasure to work with. Dr. Whitlock is compassionate, present, and hugely knowledgeable. I love how she has gotten down to my dogs literal, physical level, has provided guidance on how I can best help my dog to heal after two TPLO and one meniscus tear surgery. She has provided amazing support, prognosis, and quick, responsive communication between visits when I've had questions about how to proceed or what to do with physical things that have come up. She has been hugely supportive. Her work with my dog has been incredibly valuable in the healing process. I am so grateful! AND everyone I've worked with at The Sams Clinic have been kind, thoughtful, and so enthusiastic about pets. They care. Thanks so much for being part of our healing family. HIGHLY RECOMMEND and DEFINATELY do hydrotherapy - - it will help your dog recuperate so much more quickly! read more

I've been going to Sams for a few years now and I really love the staff. They are always really kind to my dog and know her by face. Whenever I call, they know who she is and what her general issues are; so it's always easy to communicate any concerns I may have about her. We recently went in for a follow up. My dog has arthritis and needed some pain management. We usually see Dr. Sams but that day we visited Dr. Hawley. What a great experience. Dr. Hawley sat with me for a long time explaining everything from stem cell replacement, HA injections, to medications to help manage my dog's pain. I felt like he really cared about her and wanted to make she feel better. On her new regimen, she is like a new dog. She's more active and happy. Whether I am there to see Dr. Sams or Dr. Hawley, I know my dog will have the best care. That's why I am always willing to drive the hour and a half to take my dog there instead of anyone closer. read more

If your dog comes up lame or shows signs of skeletal problems I would encourage you to see the orthopedic veterinarians at Sams. Their expertise, patience and guidance helps you to assess why your furry friend is having issues, what is needed to to deal with the issue and how much it will cost to make your dog well again. We're not all the way through the process of getting Majesty (my pit bull) well again but I'm confident we made the right choice in choosing the Sams Clinic Yep I was right these folks are though (post op appointment to review surgery and follow up care), genuinely caring and technically knowledgeable...they know their stuff and it shows in outcome (great!) read more

Unfortunately, I do not know the receptionist I spoke with today. However, the customer service sucks and the receptionist was very rude and had no patience. I personally work in the Veterinary industry so I do understand that this line of work is very high stressed and frustrating but this woman's tone of voice and attitude was upsetting. read more

We were recommended here by our outstanding vet, Dr. Grace Bransford at the Ross Valley Vet, as our 11 year old corgi has been losing mobility in his back leg and the diagnosis depended on a neurologist's expertise to determine if Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) was the culprit. Dr. Lisa Klopp is new to The Sam's Clinic but her background preceded her as we heard great things about her from our vet. Lisa was an assistant professor at the University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana and Colorado State University before she joined Sam's and is highly regarded neurosurgeon. The good news for us is that Riley doesn't need surgery, but the bad news is that he does indeed have DM, which is like muscular sclerosis in humans and will eventually lead to him needing a wheelchair to get around. Thankfully, the Sam's Clinic also features physical therapy and we've been seeing physiologist Sarah Johnson to keep Riley strong and mobile for as long as possible. Sarah is incredibly well versed on the latest techniques to keep your dog thriving. Riley is currently receiving hydrotherapy treatments which involve both he and Sarah entering a huge tank filled with warm water that has a treadmill for a base. Riley was a bit nervous about being in the treadmill tank so Sarah gently coaxed him by putting peanut butter on the glass in front of him, which totally distracted him and got him moving. I hope your dog stays healthy through all of his days, but if not, at least be comforted in knowing he'll receive the best care if he does need neurological, surgical or therapeutic treatments. read more

My 11-year old lab Smokey who passed away a few months ago saw over ten Bay Area vets and specialists in her lifetime. Part of it was due to moving around a lot between the East Bay and Peninsula, and part of it was due to not quite finding the right fit in terms of everything I wanted in a vet office. If a vet left something to be desired in terms of service or approach after a few visits, I moved on hoping to find someone a little bit better. Since meeting Dr. Andrew Sams and his amazing staff in 2006, they were the one and only constant during the second half of Smokey's life. For the last five years, I happily drove anywhere from 45-75 minutes to Mill Valley to receive a level of care and service that can only be described as going above and beyond. Two very specific examples.... 1. Initially, we visited Dr. Sams for TPLO surgery. By reputation in speaking to other vets, he is among the best if not the best. Something weird turned up on the x-ray. At first, it was thought to be osteosarcoma. But when that was ruled out, Dr. Sams went to work trying to figure what the mystery disease was. He leveraged his professional network working with a specialist out-of-state and the diagnosis was Valley Fever, a fungal disease that's not common in the Bay Area. Smokey's hind leg was eventually amputated and she had an undeterred happy life thereafter. With continuing support from his Valley Fever specialist, all of Smokey's bloodwork continued at the Sams Clinic over the years. I was never once charged for the additional specialist or Dr. Sams additional time. His approach from the beginning was always a "whatever it takes" attitude. 2. Smokey ultimately did relent to cancer this year. It came on fast, and my wife and I decided the night we found out the bad news that we wished to euthanize her the next day at the Sams Clinic. We could have gone anywhere but it just felt right. We called the clinic after hours to make the request. Dr. Sams called me back late in the evening and shuffled his always-packed schedule around to accommodate us at the end of the day. What was a gut-wrenching and scary process was softened by the tender and dignified care provided by Dr. Sams and his staff that day. Weeks later, a card arrived from the office with handwritten condolences. Totally unexpected. Wonderful man. Wonderful team. read more

Andrew Sams looked at x-rays I emailed him Friday afternoon, tried to reach me about my dog a few hours later and when he was not able to reach me, asked me to page him, which I did at 6:30pm Friday evening. He called back immediately to tell me she did not need surgery and advised me how to care for her. For free. Without having met me. read more

I brought my little pug here and these guys were awesome!! He needed major surgery and as far as I'm concerned they saved my little boy. He had a major back surgery called a laminectomy. And though it took him almost a year to fully recover and though he has lost most feeling in his back legs they still gave him back his life. He had so much damage that I am so grateful for what they were able to accomplish. I would recommend the Sams clinic highly to everyone!! read more

The Sams Clinic - This is my little boy, Mikey! - Veterinarians Near Me - Mill Valley, California

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Dr. Sams is an absolute gem. There simply is nothing else to say. I was referred to Dr. Sams at the end of November '07, when my greyhound, Jordan, began limping badly and developed a lump around his knee. He had been in decline due to arthritis and a neurological issue with his back legs, but the the limping was new. Dr. Sams sat on the floor with me and Jordan and talked to me in a completely straightforward fashion that was completely comforting. He walked me through all of his thoughts on J's condition and found me a box of Kleenex when he explained that he thought it was bone cancer. I never once felt rushed or silly for crying uncontrollably on the floor of the exam room. He kept J for a half day for X-rays and then I met with him again to hear the worst news possible in the best way possible. If you have to hear devastating news about your dog, may it be from Andrew Sams. He was just so kind during such a hard time. The front desk ladies were also amazing. Of course Jordan went home with a giant bag of pills, but they took the time to put his name on it and decorate it with stickers. They also gave me lots of extra Kleenex. In hard times, little things like that really mean a lot. I should have written this review sooner, when I could remember all the details. But my overall impression is that Dr. Sams an excellent specialist with an excellent beside manner. What a rarity these days. read more

My dog has torn both of his ACLs. Lucky me! My bank account has not recovered yet, but fortunately the dog has. I went to Dr. Sams for surgery on the 1st tear. Dr. Sams is great. He understands the fears that dog owners have when they bring their pups in for surgery. His explanations were thorough. The receptionists were highly customer service-oriented. Plus, the office is faaaancy. Minus one star for: 1) The mandatory physical therapy appointments. The physical therapist was kind and knowledgeable, but her advice was not helpful in my particular situation. 2) My dog had an adverse reaction to an antibiotic, and it took forever for me to convince Dr. Sams of this and to have him write an alternate prescription. I think he could have done a better job of listening to me. Overall, Dr. Sams did a fantastic job on the surgery, and my dog's leg healed in only two months. Nice work, Dr. Sams! read more

My dogs are all working/sport dogs and when my 6-year-old tore her ACL, I needed to take her to the best so that post surgery there could be some hope of her getting back to work. We just had our two week check today post surgery and every aspect of our experience has been so amazing that I just had to write a review! The staff are incredibly nice, professional, and just love dogs. The doctors are clear, patient and want you to understand everything that's happening. We start hydrotherapy next week and I'm confident we'll have just as good experiences in the rehab center as well. read more

The Sams Clinic - Veterinarians Near Me - Mill Valley, California

Where do I start.... Dr. Sams and his staff go above and beyond when it comes to customer service and attentiveness to your pup. It all started with a gopher hole at Pine Lake Park. We were playing fetch and my corgi was taken down by the rodent's home. With a high pitch scream and a hobble back to home base, we were worried fur-parents. We searched Google high and low for what could have happened to our dog and the consequences that come with it. Dr. Joe Fong at Irving Pet Hospital concluded that it was a torn CCL (ACL in humans) and he referred us to the best of the best. I called to make an appointment the next day and with popularity came a long wait list. I made an appointment a month from when we first called and placed our name on the waiting list for anything earlier. Dr. Sam was understanding of our concerns and squeezed us in earlier! Cote had a successful TPLO surgery on his right knee. He stayed overnight at the clinic and we picked him up the following morning. The day of the pick up, We met Caesar and Dr. Sam in a room where they explained all the medication, what was to come next, and easy instructions to follow for the next few days and weeks. After 8 weeks, his bone was fused and was cleared for a little bit more physical activity slowly working him a little more each day. A month later, he blew out his other CCL of his left knee just walking on some sand. Worried and frustrated, Dr. Sam and his team assured me that everything was going to be okay. He went through the same surgery last month and now he's a champ during hydrotherapy. He's healing a little more every day and getting stronger as he bears more weight on that leg. Almost back to his obnoxious self :) The front desk girls are pretty darn nice and very helpful. Every time we see them, they greet us by name and will always give the pup a nice belly rub. They helped me schedule out Cote's appointments with ease. After each surgery, Cote had three sessions of hydrotherapy (under water treadmill) and a session of Puppy Pilates. The hydrotherapy is great, you can see little changes in his stride and he gets more confident when walking on land. It's pretty cool and comparable to an Alter-G for humans. Just more wet. Kim and Sarah are great therapist for the pups. They each connect with Cote and make it a less scary experience for him. They are very knowledgable in the field and actually train the pup to do the things they want him todo. I was pretty surprised. Many of the exercises that I was assigned for homework worked magnificently. Many humans don't even do their PT homework. Anywho, I highly recommend his team. The facility is pretty darn big and very clean and open. What more can I say. read more

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Being human healthcare professionals is both a blessing and a curse - we think we know enough to treat our own dog but that knowledge is more limited than we like to think. So being referred to Dr. Sams has been a true pleasure. He has spent so much time with me and my husband, explaining (and re-explaining) the best surgical option for our golden retriever's elbow dysplasia. He also gave us both tours of his immaculate facility - which I have to say is cleaner and nicer than most of the hospitals I have ever worked in! Dr. Sams has amazing bedside manner - patient yet absolutely able to tell you what he recommends for your pup. The staff is fantastic and make every effort to accomodate our insane schedules (as did Dr. Sams). Our guy seemed as happy as one could possibly expect after major surgery, and all the staff seem genuinely to care for and about him. Our dog is now almost a month post surgery, and is doing wonderfully. His limp is gone and his wound is healing beautifully. We go back to see Dr. Sams and for Xrays in a few weeks, and hope all is as positive as it appears. Of note, none of this is inexpensive. But his prices are competitive with UC Davis, and one gets the piece of mind that an experienced surgeon is performing the surgery. HIGHLY recommended! Would not let an "office" vet do my pet's surgery - would very much recommend a true orthopedic specialist. read more

Dr. Sams and his staff are absolutely amazing. My cat fell out a fourth floor window, and broke a rib and his soft palette, and shattered his wrist. Dr. Ina at Arguello Pet Hospital helped triage and get kitty on the mend, but our cat's wrist was beyond their expertise. I'm so thankful that Dr. Ina recommended Dr. Sams. He's super knowledgeable, his staff are caring and supportive (and they sure love cats! and dogs! oh my!), and I really couldn't have asked for anything more. Two surgeries and a year after the incident, my cat is running and playing just like he did pre-surgery. Thanks, Sams Clinic! read more

I am writing this review 14 months after my 3 year old lab's surgery at the Sams Clinic. It occurred to me yesterday as she was running at full speed that I had never posted a review. That seemed unfair since I had consulted Yelp when choosing a veterinary surgeon. Our extreme (as in crazy, hyper and uber-physical) female lab was diagnosed by our regular vet with a partially torn CCL. We tried anti-inflammatory RX medication and complete rest for 6 weeks. Although she limped less when she was confined, as soon as we started walking her on leash the hard to watch limp returned. We live in San Francisco. I researched local vets and selected Dr. Sams based on his excellent online reviews, membership in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) and because he specializes in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Sams and his staff are very professional. They made it easy to schedule both the initial and follow-up visits. His price quote was all inclusive and covered the x-rays (before and after), visits, TPLO surgery and medication. The unique compression bandage he applied allowed our dog to go up and down stairs on day one. It was easy to assist her because of the fashionable red vest that she wore 24/7 (also part of the price). The vest had a handle in the middle of her back that made it easy for us to guide her without risk of injury to us or her. 14 months later or dog is as good as new. She runs like the wind, jumps like she used to and enjoys life. I am grateful that we found doctor Sams and recommend him unconditionally. The price is not cheap but it is fair and the results were excellent. read more

Dr. Sams and his team are amazing. My 2.5 year old golden retriever tore her cranial cruciate ligament and needed treatment. I was very upset that my young, otherwise very healthy dog would need what sounded like such an extreme procedure (the TPLO). We sought "second" opinions from 4 orthopedic specialists in and around San Francisco all of whom agreed Sophie needed the procedure. We chose Dr. Sams because he is such a caring and compassionate doctor and he has a track record that speaks for itself. The surgery went well, but given that my dog is still young and energetic, we had a few complications. She tore of her bandage and started licking at her stitches one day, had some tummy trouble, etc. Nothing overly serious, but Dr. Sams gave us his cell number and was personally available to answer early morning and late evening calls. We sent him i-phone photos which he responded to immediately. Shockingly, after barely 3 months, Sophie was back to herself. Chasing balls, swimming, playing with her friends. I can't recommend Dr. Sams and his team enough. They really care and it shows... read more

So my 4 y/o pekingese somehow dislocated his hip the day before we were leaving for Thanksgiving. Not sure how he did it, but when I came home, he was curled up and wouldn't get up. I took him to the Animal Internal Medicine on 9th. They took an X-ray and told me the news. The vet and folks there were fabulous. They said they could put his hip back in, but it was 50/50 if it stayed. Most likely, he would need surgery. Unfortunately, the hip didn't stay in and we returned to the ER 1 1/2 days later. I needed to find a board certified vet surgeon that was open and available the day after Thanksgiving! The vet at AIM recommended Dr. Sams. I called and called, but only got the answering service. After a couple of hours, I got a call from Dr. Sams apologizing profusely but they were closed that day. He recommended a place in Rohnert Park and asked for me to call him the next day to let him know what happened. Off we went to Rohnert Park (VCA) where again, the folks and surgeon were wonderful. Dr. Alexander (surgeon) put the hip back in and recommended giving him another chance before surgery. I called Dr. Sams back on a Saturday, he called right away and listened to what happened. He was happy I could find someone on this holiday to take care of Baron. I asked Dr. Sams if we could come see him for his follow up and of course he said yes. On Sunday, Dr. Sams called me! Asking how Baron was doing. I thought ok, but didn't know if his hip was in or not. He said to bring him in Monday morning and he'd look at him. I brought him to the Sams clinic and dropped him off for evaluation. Dr. Sams called quickly and said he thought all was good, but going to get an X-ray to verify. The X-ray told us the hip was still out and Baron would need surgery. We talked through a couple of types of surgery and ultimately decided on a FHO (femoral head osteotomy). He said he'd take care of my little guy and keep him overnight. A staff member would be with him all night. As you can imagine, I was a mess for almost a week. Very little sleep. Sleeping on the ground with my dog, taking him out for potty breaks at all hours. Dr. Sam was a godsend! He did well with the surgery and I picked him up Tuesday afternoon. Recovery the next few days were rough. My dog did not tolerate the pain medication (narcotics) at all and after numerous calls and visits to Dr. Sams, we took him off all pain meds except for his non steroidal (ibuprofen). Dr. Sams always called me back right away, saw me when I needed to and was such a support. Everyone there was just great!! He recommended physical therapy afterwards, so I got 5 sessions and have to say I was a little skeptical about doggy PT. The PT staff were friggin awesome! It really helped get my dog walking again and be confident on his leg. I didn't know how my short dog would do with the underwater treadmill, but he loved it and it worked out his leg really well. We had exercises to do at home, too. This has made a huge difference in his recovery. 3 months recovered and my dog is running around and a happy guy because of the good care he got. Huge thank you to everyone, especially Kim in PT! read more

The Sams Clinic - Underwater treadmill - Veterinarians Near Me - Mill Valley, California

Dr Klopp is everything you'd ever want in a neurosurgeon for your pet. I was referred to Sams Clinic after my dog Lint ruptured a disc in his back for the second time. This time it was serious. He was completely unable to walk on his own and lost all control of bladder/bowel movements. Not only did they squeeze me in the same day, they scheduled the surgery the very next morning. During his exam, Dr Klopp and her tech were on the floor examing my lil pup, kissing him, making him feel comfortable and talking to him in "baby talk'. SOOO my kind of place!! After the CT scan, she called me with the results, and what she recommended. After the surgery, she called me and informed me how the procedure went, and informed me how he was doing. I love that she kept me in the know, rather than just dropping your dog off and praying everything is going well and waiting anxiously for the call. She even drove him HERSELF to PESCM to board him over night, and visited him the next morning on her day off!! I was able to get Lint home the next day, and he has already started taking a few steps on his own and wagging his lil tail! I will forever be grateful for her, she brought my lil noonie back to life, and saved me from many years of heartache. The cost is a lil pricey, but when you look into those lil puppy eyes, its completely worth it. Side Note: Very clean and professional atmosphere, Alison the office manager was compasionate and understanding and goes through the whole costs and procedures with you to make sure you really understand what is what. I didnt feel like they were trying to hustle me at all with prices and just sincerely cared for Lint's well being. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! read more

My bulldog had a torn ligament, and Dr. Sams did a TPLO surgery on him. Dr. Sams office has been the best vet I have ever been to. The staff are always friendly and they don't talk down to you like some other vets have. They also took the time to meet with us and were very patient answering all of our questions. They were very accommodating. They also recognized my dog and I didn't need to always tell the staff who I was, which was really nice. I had been stressed out about this surgery both the recovery, the surgery itself, and the bill. Luckily, our bill came out on the low end of the estimate and our dog healed up great. They know what they are doing here that's for sure. All of the staff are so friendly and incredible. They really have the best interest of your pet at heart and are true animal lovers. I can't express how great this vet is in words. Brutus, my bulldog even liked going there. He would get so excited to see the ladies in the front that his butt would wiggle around. My only regret is they aren't a regular vet that we can go to for check ups. :( Overall, if your dog needs a surgery on it's leg for whatever reason, check out the Sams Clinic. They really put my mind at ease, yes it's expensive but I don't regret any money spent with them. You get what you pay for and my dog can run around again and play. Great people, everyone who is in animal care should be exactly like them! read more