Columbia River Veterinary Specialists

Columbia River Veterinary Specialists
6607 NE 84th St #109
98665, Vancouver
+1360-326-1496

Opening hours

  • sunday: 0h-24h
  • monday: 0h-24h
  • tuesday: 0h-24h
  • wednesday: 0h-24h
  • thursday: 0h-24h
  • friday: 0h-24h
  • saturday: 0h-24h

Columbia River Veterinary Specialists offers experienced, compassionate veterinary care for specialized and complex cases as well as emergency and critical care cases.

Our comment from InfoVet about Columbia River Veterinary Specialists:

Columbia River Veterinary Specialists is renowned for delivering exceptional emergency veterinary care with a compassionate touch. Many pet owners appreciate their swift response times and the friendly demeanor of the staff, highlighting the team’s ability to handle urgent situations effectively, even during busy times. Clients have shared stories of their pets receiving outstanding care, with some referring to how the staff consistently goes above and beyond to ensure animals are treated with love and respect.

Positive feedback notes how the front desk and veterinary teams engage with both pets and their owners, creating a comforting environment during stressful times. The facility provides clear communication regarding treatment options and costs, which is crucial for pet owners facing emergencies. Customers have frequently recommended CRVS for their empathetic approach and high level of professionalism.

However, some reviews mention areas of improvement. Issues with communication delays and long wait times during peak hours have been reported. A few clients felt that certain staff members lacked the necessary empathy, which impacted their experience negatively.

Overall, Columbia River Veterinary Specialists is a highly recommended choice for emergency veterinary care, known for their dedicated team and commitment to animal welfare, while also acknowledging that timely and sensitive interactions can enhance the already valuable service they provide.

Services

Hospitalization
Veterinary Emergencies

Columbia River Veterinary Specialists: Reviews

4.5/5 (200 Reviews)
Parveen Adel Posted on Google 1 month ago

Fantastic experience: Really appreciate the customer service and expedited experience. I had with Columbia Rivers veterinary yesterday. Their team was super caring and got my dog in right away. I just want to give an extra shout out to the front desk and to the doctor that performed the surgery. They were really great with communication and keeping me updated, my dog was in really good hands. Which is the best feeling during an emergency!

Connie Getman Posted on Google 1 month ago

Fantastic experience: We couldn't get into our regular vet and CRVS told us to come right in. From reception to our Veterinarian, we were treated with kindness and they were able to help us find answers. I would recommend them highly.

T.V Posted on Google 1 month ago

Negative experience: Called during an emergency after my duck was attached. Call dropped while on hold, finally got ahold of them and they were Unhelpful, lacked any empathy and it was like pulling teeth to even get a recommendation for where to get care. Wouldn't even write a prescription for antibiotics.

Celeste martinez reyes Posted on Google 1 month ago

Positive experience: I have never been here before besides on 2/18/26. But unfortunately on this day i had to bring my dog in to be euthanized. He was diagnosed with a non curable cancer. It caught up with him and he couldnt walk anymore. We knew it was time. The people that helped us get him in were very kind. The doctor was nice too. Helped my dog pass peacefully. Only thing was when the doctor was checking for a heartbeat he said okay i no longer hear a heartbeat. I kinda wish they dont tell you that. I felt like the world came crashing down. I love you Jojo. My baby mommy misses you sooo much. I hope your at peace now and know I diddnt want you to go.

Danial Taylor Posted on Google 2 months ago

Fantastic experience: We have visited this animal services twice for different reasons. Both times the staff has been friendly, caring, and always doing their best to expedite patients quickly considering most of the situations being an emergency.

Jennifer B Posted on Google 2 months ago

Fantastic experience: I juat adopted a rescue pup and a pretty big guy... he had what seemed to be a pretty bad infection developing on an large incision site.. He was really overly exited, was unable to contain himself and was hard to control. I was under extreme stress with pups behavior.. The staff was SO kind, understanding, gentle with not only my pup but with me as well. Jenn was the nurse ans came in with confidence was respectful and calm.. She really respected and Valued what I had to say and my concern with pups behaviors. The Dr. that saw pup was so kind, reassuring and really gave alot of great insight and care. I thank them all so much, we have to remember that the staff goes through alot especially in an ER setting and we yes usually are worried and panick as pet parents but lets try to cut the staff some slack

Stephanie Gooding Posted on Google 2 months ago

Fantastic experience: I was referred to CRVS by my regular vet when my cat had ingested some thread that would likely harm him. The staff at CRVS were very attentive, kind, understanding, compassionate and went above and beyond to help us from coordinating surgery at a stressful time to supporting through our recovery.

Kiera Van Breemen Posted on Google 2 months ago

Fantastic experience: Nice and friendly staff. Did all they could for our kitty and I thank them for trying their best. Brought our 15yr old senior cat Moses in on Monday Jan 2nd for pale gums and lethargy. He had already declined over the past few months. They were about to do bloodwork to figure out what the issue was but his heart stopped while in the back. They tried their best to bring him back but he never did.

Kathy Fruth Posted on Google 2 months ago

Fantastic experience: Excellent care for our dog experiencing seizures. Explained everything thoroughly, encouraged calls for updates and questions. When we left home with her we felt confident how to care for her.

Crystal Salme Posted on Google 2 months ago

Negative experience: They lie say one thing do another. Waiting for them to bring out our animal after paying. They are now turning away people. But first they ask if it's life threatening? and then say they are at capacity. I can refer you to somewhere else. Why even ask? If you are just going to tell them you are at capacity? Wow! So this just happened, a guy brought a dog in that all the symptoms were a match to parvo, it wasn't until I started saying something about it needing cleaned that they did a half ass job of cleaning where the dog was in the office. The rug got folded in half and moved to the side and she mopped. The front of the counter didn't get touched! That dog was rubbing all over the front of the counter...who knows what happened with the rug. If I had to guess it got unfolded and put back. If you know anything about parvo it hangs around for years on property. (The guy said the dog had an accident in the vehicle, but he had a towl, so it was ok.)

keith alexander Posted on Google 2 months ago

Negative experience: On Wed night Jan 21st our Vinny a 12yr old adorable long-haired chihuahua experienced a 2-4 min seizure or extreme heavy breathing episode. Because our normal vet CW Animal Hospital was closed...had to bring to what has to be the most inhospitable place with a Dr Valentyne that was the least compassionate and had we listened to the Dr. our amazing Vinny would have been euthanized! They did blood test, xrays and to what the Dr had guessed was wrong with him was a incurable brain tumor. The only true way to know would be a CT scan which they dont provide. We left him with them for 4 hours and when returned to hear she recommended euthanization...we said we want to see him before that is even considered. They brought him to us in what is the end of life goodbye death room. When he came in and saw us he perked up and was able to stand and even go outside to pee. We told Dr in no way would we euthanize Vinny and we left after paying $2k which is extremely unjust too. Came home and Vinny has improved. Took him to his vet at CW and Drs. there had amazing compassion and we believe he just had a reaction to under dosage of his heart meds...not a brain tumor! Hes home happy and back to his old adorable self. If could give this place a negative score...I would. Any recommendations for better 24hr care in future please share to me!!

a car renter occasionally Posted on Google 2 months ago

Fantastic experience: The staff and dr were fantastic and took excellent care of our puppy! We highly recommend!

Stan Large Posted on Google 2 months ago

Fantastic experience: This was our first time coming to CRVS and was a weekend nighttime emergency. We live on the Oregon Coast and have no after hours emergency veterinary support anywhere near us. Despite the two hour drive our experience with our sick senior cat was very positive. Everyone we interacted with was friendly, caring and very professional. It’s comforting knowing CRVS is available to us, especially in emergencies.

Annie Rose Posted on Google 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Dr. Brown and her team were incredibly kind, gentle, and compassionate when caring for our kitty. Though we unexpectedly lost our girl, everyone at CRVS worked hard to ensure that her final days were not in pain, and treated her with genuine care. This made all the difference, as our Dottie did not suffer as she would have without their interventions, and she gained 24 wonderful hours in which we got to say goodbye pain-free. Further, the team was sensitive about the financial strain of emergency services, and helped us create a plan that helped our Dottie on the budget we could provide. We would trust CRVS again with our pets, and recommend them wholeheartedly.

Jackie Markin Posted on Google 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: This place is awesome. They took such good care of us. Everyone was kind, patient and caring. You could tell our dog mattered to them.

Bobby Sorentez Posted on Google 3 months ago

Positive experience: I wanted to share a recent experience my family had at Columbia River Veterinary Specialists. I’m posting this to inform others in the community, especially pet owners, about what we experienced during an incredibly difficult time. This is not meant to discredit the clinic as a whole, but to be transparent about an interaction that had a significant emotional impact on us and may be important for others to be aware of. Our family recently brought our cat to Columbia River Veterinary Specialists during one of the most painful moments a pet owner can experience—having to say goodbye. I want to be very clear that the majority of the staff we interacted with were kind, patient, and compassionate. The woman at the front desk treated us with warmth and respect, the staff member we spoke with on the phone beforehand was helpful and understanding, and the veterinarian who ultimately assisted with end-of-life care was gentle, loving, and respectful. He took the time to explain everything clearly and treated both our pet and our family with dignity. Those are exactly the kinds of people you want working in a field that involves end-of-life care and emotional vulnerability. Unfortunately, our initial interaction with one staff member significantly overshadowed the experience. When our family first arrived, the individual who took our cat back (not the person who checked us in) made comments that strongly implied judgment about why our pet had not been brought in sooner. These remarks were delivered in a way that felt accusatory and lacked empathy, especially given that our pet was actively dying and we were already emotionally overwhelmed. Financial limitations are a reality for many families. Being made to feel guilt or shame for not having immediate access to thousands of dollars—at the exact moment we were facing the loss of a beloved pet—was deeply inappropriate and unprofessional. Veterinary professionals are entrusted with not only animal care, but human compassion. This was not the time for assumptions, judgment, or commentary—it was a moment that required empathy, discretion, and support. I’m sharing this because no family should be made to feel judged or shamed while saying goodbye to a pet. I sincerely hope this feedback is taken seriously and addressed internally, because the rest of the staff we encountered demonstrated the level of care and compassion that should be standard in situations like this. Our pet deserved peace and dignity in their final moments—and so did our family.

Robin Korte Posted on Google 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: We brought our sweet Winston to have his tumor looking mass checked out and possibly removed, it was not good news that we got but the staff were great and very kind, I would highly recommend them!! They even made suggestions to help lower the cost even if it mean you wouldn’t bring him back there for treatment.

Jennise Housel Posted on Google 3 months ago

Negative experience: I am beyond angry and heartbroken. Columbia River Vet Clinic completely dropped the ball when my dog was dying from an accidental medication poisoning. I rushed him to their clinic hoping they would help save his life. Instead, I was told that if I didn’t qualify for their Care Credit card, I needed to take my dog home and essentially watch him die. My dog was actively having seizures, and instead of emergency care, compassion, or solutions, the focus was entirely on money. To make matters worse, after only examining my dog for one hour and sending him home to die, two days later they still sent me a bill for $900, despite doing nothing to save him. In absolute desperation, I raced my dog to our veterinarian in Goldendale, WA. That clinic spent five full days with a vet tech spending over night monitoring, nursing him back to health, saving his life with real care, dedication, and compassion — and only charged $900 for ALL of it. So I have to ask: When did veterinary care stop being about saving lives and start being only about money? Our pets are family. Watching a clinic turn their back on a dying animal because of a credit application is something I will never forget. If you love your pet and expect compassion in an emergency, I would think very carefully before trusting Columbia River Vet Clinic.

steph Hue Posted on Google 3 months ago

Positive experience: Over the phone and in person the receptionist was extremely kind, friendly, and most helpful compared to other vets in the area. The nurse who helped out after signing in our pet said some unnecessary comments that should not have been said in a professional field when even helen Keller could see the animal was dying. Vet bills are already extremely expensive, no one should judge other people and tell them they’ve buried their own pet in a PUBLIC park during this hard process… The sweet gentleman who helped us say good bye to our beloved boy was also very nice

Catspelledbackwardsistac Posted on Google 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: We have used this clinic for several after hours emergencies and once again, they came through for one of our beloved rescue cats. The compassion they have for the animals in distress and their humans is amazing. We were able to go in with no appointment, directly into a private room and didn't wait long to see the techs and doctor. Prices are extremely reasonable.

alice kelley Posted on Google 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: I came to Columbia river vet for the first time, I was very impressed the girls there are very friendly and knowledgeable the doctor we saw was amazing explained in detail of several options to treat champ. I actually stop seeing my previous vet because of the great service I received there.

Tricia Landwehr Posted on Google 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: I am so grateful to CRVS, and the care they gave to my Luna kitty. I brought her in bc she was lethargic, not eating and was obviously not feeling well. She was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia and they began treating her. She was discharged the next morning, only to be rushed back 7 hours later. After two more nights in CRVS, her temperature stabilized and she was discharged. Without the care and treatment by CRVS we know we would have lost her. She has had her second checkup with her regular Vet and is doing so well. Thank you doesn't seem enough to say, we are so happy to see her being herself and back to her goofy ways. Thank you

Kiera Lee Posted on Google 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: We spent about 2 hours at MedVet waiting to be seen then we traveled to Columbia Ricer Vet where they took our dog back immediately! They gave us the best care here. I felt heard and welcomed the minute I walked in. The provider was very explanatory and thorough. When they brought our dog back to us after his xray they brought him out in his little bed wrapped in his favorite blanket. He looked so well cared for and loved by them! We will 100% come back here in the future. THANK YOU COLUMBIA RIVER VET!

Amy Scheese Posted on Google 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: On Christmas night my Maltese got an eye injury that required immediate attention and surgery. The staff was amazing, caring, empathetic and kind. Providing ieverything we needed to make a decision on the best care she needed.

Dick Jordan Posted on Google 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: We took our cat Ralphie in on Christmas Day 2025 for a hurt paw and pain. There was a fair amount of waiting and unknown status but should have been expected for a busy clinic that’s open 24/7. I believe he got good care, sound advice for us, and a positive outcome. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the team here. Expensive, not unexpected, and very worth it to see our baby on the road to recovery. Thank you!

Carolyn Colbert Posted on Google 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Our cat was wonderfully treated here. Everything was explained to us and everyone was great. I am so thankful they were open.

heather fairless Posted on Google 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: Great staff, helped us out in an urgent situation when our regular vet couldn't. Very appreciative of the care we received at CRVS.

Sandy W Posted on Google 3 months ago

Fantastic experience: We took our senior dog, Frankie in around 11 PM earlier this week because he was breathing very hard and erratically. From the initial phone call to the assistant (triage) to meeting with the Veterinarian, the service, compassion shown, and solid treatment plan was top notch. I truly can't recommend Columbia River Veterinary Specialists enough. Our dog is doing much better because of their knowledgeable intervention.

brent harris Posted on Google 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: I arrived and was greeted by the ladies at the front desk. They were very nice and professional. I brought my Dachshund in and they took her back right away after telling them my dog swallowed Something. They took Xrays and then the Dr came in and told me the results. The doctor was very nice and also professional. She gave me different options. I left with my dog feeling very comfortable about leaving with my dog. I will definitely recommend the Vet to everyone and will come back.

anniece grammar Posted on Google 4 months ago

Positive experience: I just want to start by giving a huge thank you to the staff who took care of my cat, Blueberry. He is the best cat a 20-year-old could ask for - so lovable, sweet, gentle, and truly my support animal. A few days ago everything changed: he stopped eating and drinking, stopped using the litter box, and was crying in pain. I rushed him to the vet hospital my stepmom has trusted for years, hoping for answers. The moment I set his carrier on the counter, the staff asked a few quick questions and immediately took him back to find out what was wrong. They diagnosed him with feline idiopathic cystitis. I didn't know what that meant at first, but they took the time to explain everything with so much kindness and patience. Blueberry stayed at the hospital for three nights. I called many times during his stay, and every single time the staff happily updated me - even on the smallest details - which meant the world to me. When I picked him up today, they gave me extremely clear instructions on how to care for him at home while he heals, and that helped so much. Blueberry is a very picky eater and has never eaten wet food in the three years I've had him, but the team at Columbia River Veterinary Specialists got him to eat it for the first time ever. I'm still amazed. The only downside is that it's definitely on the pricier side, but if you want your pet to be truly cared for the right way, this is the place to go. Thank you again to the entire staff for saving my blueberry!

Richard Aragon Posted on Google 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Thank you to the team working last night. You were all very kind and patient with my many questions. I’d trust you with our cats any time. I’m very grateful that you were able to help us.

Peggy Overstreet Posted on Google 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Having a very ill pet is stressful beyond measure. I have had 2 pets treated there and every bit of the compassion given to my fur babies was extended to myself and family as well. All options were thoroughly explained before treatment was rendered, and prices were reasonable especially for emergency services. I would not hesitate to highly recommend Colombia River Veterinary Specialists to anyone needing veterinary services, especially urgent emergency care.

Krissy Posted on Google 4 months ago

Negative experience: The older lady with the long white/ silver hair made me uncomfortable and kept making unhelpful comments. I told her my dog who was diagnosed with dislocating knees and hips (luxating patella) . And instead of listening she said "we will see what the dr says" like im not asking im TELLING you. So I definitely didnt feel listened to. And then when I finally got to see my dog. ((They didnt even look at her just put her in a kennel for over an hr when she could have been safe and comfortable with her owner. )) when they set her down to look at her walk. The same dismissing older lady said and I quote " ,awe that poor limp... she wont get much better.." WHATTT how dare someone have the audacity to say a crude opinion while we were distraught. That wasnt even true. After that she started listing an itemized receipt of everything they wanted done before even looking at her. I stopped her kindly and said id rather take her to her actual vet that we know and trust. She got annoyed and walked out slamming the door open with an attitude. Making sure it stayed open while our dog was off leash and terrified. I am baffled. And feel like they weren't trying and kept digging for more money. Before we left we had to pay after all that and they didnt even do anything. Im quite annoyed. I was worried about my dog's health and well-being and the best they could do is whatever they could to make this tough situation more stressful. I wouldnt recommend coming to this vet. I only did because it was the only one open even though it was over 40 min away. My dog saw her original vet on Tuesday and is doing so much better (still limping slightly but now able to put some pressure on it ) no thanks to the ladies at the Columbia river er vet. Forgot to mention they carried a dead dog in front of us that was over 100 lbs during this stressful day that made me almost snap. How horrific

Jeffrey Anderson Posted on Google 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Dr Walton is so informative and develops great treatment plans. My dog should have begun care with him a couple of years ago!

Donny McReynolds Posted on Google 4 months ago

Negative experience: Nice people! Good intentions! Waited an ~ hour to see a nurse, was told she would check with the vet and come back. Waited another ~ hour, then stepped out to the front desk to check on things. They came to the room I was in and told me that it would be another ~ 2 hours.......

Carla Simmons Posted on Google 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: The wait is long, but the service was worth it. Dr Wallace is very caring and thorough. I’m waiting on test results and hoping for the best!!!! It’s very expensive, but it is an emergency hospital!

Tom Bishop Posted on Google 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Sadly I had to put my beautiful 12 year old Lab down this morning. This group of professionals showed empathy, kindness, and love that made it so much easier. I will always be grateful for such mercy.

Theresa Rouse Posted on Google 4 months ago

Fantastic experience: Brought my dog here for a consult on a bilateral TPLO surgery, and immediately fell in love with the place. The staff is friendly and professional, and they took great care of my fur baby. Additionally, their price for the surgery was significantly cheaper than what MedVet would have charged, and they promptly refunded the money that was not needed (I had to pay the high end of the estimate prior to surgery). I hope I never need them for emergencies but will definitely come here if that need does arise.

Audrey Rose Posted on Google 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: My best friend Bella was in labor and I thought she was in distress thankfully, I live very close . As soon as the veterinarians got her in the back, I hear clapping and realize that she just had her first puppy. She had all of her babies at the vet in a private room. It was amazing. I overreacted, but they were great. 4 girls 1 boy ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Michelle Gill Posted on Google 5 months ago

Negative experience: This place doesn't deserve stars. Customer Service was good on the phone, front desk at admissions good, but horrible when no one communicates wait times chance from 30 min to 4hrs and telling me to go somewhere else when no one was waiting before me and the urgent one came in after I've been waiting 2hrs! A little bit of seen racism i noticed. Even when I noticed they put people in rooms and skipped over another family that was given long waited attention with others that had no appointments better attention in my observation. Just do better and tell people you don't want to serve them because of personal choice. I expect that behavior at a busy hospital.

Jessi Ann Posted on Google 5 months ago

Negative experience: This is my experience from 2022-2023. I found this in my notes and never posted. I had a good and bad experience while here They took immediate good care of my dog which I am so thankful for. But when I assume my dog was stable and in no danger the communication ended. I got pretty much no updates on how my dog was the 4 hours I was there besides them telling me that she vomited after they induced it. That was also the one price I was given and it was a verbal "like 124 dollars". I gave the okay. We already knew she had ingested something that made her sick. I found out what it was and after calling her vet and other places I was reassured at this point it was a waiting game. Not much could be done for her. I told the receptionist I was ready to take her home. They reported to the team and finally I got to see the vet after sitting in a room for who knows how long. She brought in a very large bill suggesting I should do the "hospitalization" which was 1500-1800. After repeatedly telling me "she could die" I feel like I was being scared into something that was not necessary. Once again I told her I would like to take her home. I asked if there was anything that could be taken home to make her feel better. The doctor said that there was activated charcoal and the water bag. She stated that she wasn't from here so she would have to check if I could take that home and that she would get me a price. I didn't make a decision. As I waited they administered both at the hospital without giving me a price and without confirming with me. So I was charged for those two which I did not consent to. Once I got the bill for over $700 I was SHOCKED. I asked for a breakdown and sure enough the 2 treatments were on there. The receptionist did not even believe me about the conversation because she knew they could not go home. Your veterinarian didn't even know that which is alarming to me. I still paid the bill. When they released my dog, the vet came out and she was very rude to me. Pretty much telling me I didn't remember the conversation correctly. Even though I had only talked to her once the 4 hours I was there. There was literally no communication. Why would I agree to treatments that I was not given a price for.? She did look at the bill and said one of the charges should not be on there. So how can I trust any of the billing that I was charged or trust anything that goes on in this facility. They were going to let me walk out with overpaying no matter what. Your vet wanted to accuse me of not remembering the one conversation I had with her the 4 hours I was there. While she is the only vet popping around to multiple patients. That doesn't sound right to me. Because it's not. I understand the animal care industry is so overloaded and overwhelmed and understaffed and I appreciate the care we got when we first arrived. But the rest of my experience there was very alarming and I'm concerned for other patients who are getting charged for treatments that shouldn't be on billed or THAT THEY DIDNT CONSENT TO! I walked out of this facility feeling like once everyone realized that the state of my dog was not an emergency, they tried racking up the bill for me. What a horrible feeling. Zero communication while I was there and zero transparency. The only reassurance I got was by calling two other vets while I was there. I got more info from them regarding statistics and likelihood of what would happen to my dog. They were not honest with me while I was there. Just kept repeating she could die which was not true AT ALL. I won't even get into the fact that the one price they gave me ended up over double what they originally told me. But I do not think I should be getting charged for treatments that I did not give the okay on.

Kaylene Dawson Posted on Google 5 months ago

Negative experience: I don’t usually use my time to leave negative reviews when I’m frustrated with a place. However, this is my second negative experience with this vet and their staffs cold and compassionless attitudes. My first experience was during COVID. We brought in my 4 year old lab at 11pm who had bloody diarrhea, was lethargic and vomiting blood.When we got there I explained to the tech that my dog was TERRIFIED of the vet and struggled with severe anxiety. I begged her to allow me to walk him through the threshold of the front door, as it was their practice at the time to meet you at your car and take your pet inside themselves. I explained that he was not going to calmly allow her to walk him through the door. She refused to compromise. I explained that I work in human health care and totally understand and respect their rules surrounding COVID and was not asking to wait in their lobby but simply wanted to walk him from the car and see him through the door. She continued to refuse stating if we wanted him seen, this was the way. She then placed a slip lead on him and I watched her choke my dog for an entire minute while he fought for his life and she could not get him to move. She began to get nervous of him due to his behavior and told my husband he could just carry him inside. I understand rules and regulations and I also understand compassion and meeting someone halfway. I was horrified and in tears watching my dog in pure panick, fighting with energy he didn’t even have. They triaged him and the vet called me to explain that his vitals were stable but that he was visibly unwell presenting with severe anxiety and recommended that I either agree to sedation or take him home and they would call me when it was close to his time to receive a full evaluation commenting that he would likely not be evaluated until 7am. We elected to take him home. I slept on the bathroom floor with him and woke up at 11am (12 hours since initially checking him into the ER) to no phone call from the vet. I called in and they assured me they were just about to call me and I could bring him in. Thankfully they did not put up a fight this time to allowing us to walk him inside and he received the care he needed. My second experience was with the same dog, now 7 years old, still terrified of the vet and on anxiety medication now, he sustained an injury to his jaw. We checked in at 4pm and were brought straight to a room when I explained my dog is dog aggressive and I did not want to wait in the lobby. We waited 45 minutes until someone walked in to “triage” him. The tech walked in emotionless and stale. She didn’t look up from her clipboard to even interact with my dog or my husband and I. She asked the same questions I had just filled out on a questionnaire, did no assessment, took no vitals and said the vet would be in shortly and left. After two and a half hours we checked in with the front desk asking for an estimated time to be seen by the vet to which she answered she was unable to do. I asked if it was possible to wait in the car or if it was going to several hours if I could again bring my dog home and wait for a phone call when it was nearing his turn as my dog experiences severe anxiety, pacing the room and working himself up while in the exam room. She very sternly and annoyed stated “we don’t do that here” to which I said “well they did last time he was here”. She chose to ignore my comment and stated they had a lot going on and I can go wait in my car. I was so off put by her attitude and the attitude and lack of compassion from the vet tech that I decided I would rather extend our wait time at another vet than allow them to care for my dog. They expressed no compassion, understanding or patience for my dog and his anxiousness and I wouldn’t trust them to provide quality and compassionate care behind closed doors where I cannot advocate for my baby. We left, brought him to Pacific Northwest Pet ER where they brought him back immediately for a physical assessment and vitals and expressed much more compassion and patience with my baby.

Jonathan Campbell Posted on Google 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: Emergency vets are one of the last places that you want to go to. But Columbia River veterinary specialist have always treated me at my pets super well. They take the time and really feel like they try to understand where you’re at and help you understand what they can do and what the best treatment options are. I had to take my cat who had a urinary blockage last night and it wasn’t cheap, but it wasn’t as expensive as I expected from an emergency vet who took my cat right away and started working on him. While, I hope your pet never needs to see an emergency vet if you need one Columbia River Veterinary Specialist are a great place to take them.

Miguel Cervantes Posted on Google 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: Thank you for saving my cats life first and foremost. The place cost a pretty penny for sure (about $5,000) to be admitted, cat stayed for 4 days, and had a catheter in + blood test, admitted due to urine blockage cause by crystals. But my cat is alive and back home, they walked me through the process while he was admitted and explained how they determined his kidney function until eventually he got better. Thank you again.

Olivia Mann Posted on Google 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: Brought my cat here recently. The staff were incredible. They were so kind, friendly, and supportive, especially when I was struggling through the financial side of things. I felt so informed and like my kitty was in amazing hands. Everyone really went out of their way to make the experience as positive as it possibly can be. They do not do payment plans but have care credit set up in a way that’s very easy to use, and are also amazing at understanding whatever your financial situation might be. They were super generous with samples of the prescription food my boy needs, and all the paperwork I was sent home with was super clear and easy to understand. Highly, highly recommend this er vet

Leah Oster Posted on Google 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: The staff were so kind. They did free ink prints, and the cost was cheaper than most other places. I would definitely recommend them. They took great care of my pup.

Kayla Lagerquist Posted on Google 5 months ago

Negative experience: In the past we’ve always had really good care here, doctors and staff have been amazing and so helpful. However, our last visit was devastating. We took our kitty here in the middle of the night, because he abruptly stopped using his leg. The doctor examined him, and told us he has a heart murmur and diagnosed him with an aortic thromboembolism. Essentially told us we needed to euthanize him that night because the prognosis of any treatment would be poor. We took him home against medical advice, and decided the next day to get a second opinion at different vet clinic. This new clinic did a simple nail trim test and immediately told us this diagnosis was not correct, further investigated with imaging and diagnosed our kitty with an acute injury, exacerbation from arthritis which was evidenced on the X-ray. We were so relieved to hear this news, kitty has since been making a recovery and is using his leg. We don’t know what tests the Columbia River Vet even did, we were so shocked that he was diagnosed with such a serious condition, without testing to back this up.

Rachel Haigh Posted on Google 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: I’ve been to visit this vet twice- once on a terrible day, where we had to say goodbye to a much loved pet, and once for quick treatment of something minor for a new pet. Both times we were warmly received and treated with compassion by the staff. Wait times can vary by triage and our minor condition understandably took awhile to be seen, but prices were fair and we were well taken care of. I highly recommend this practice to anyone who is having a terrible day and needs to see a vet immediately, or anyone who has a minor concern which could get exponentially worse if left unattended!

Gena Claytor Posted on Google 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: One morning, Our healthy 10 month old puppy appeared confused, trembling, and dribbled urine. His eyes didn’t focus on us as if he didn’t recognize us. We immediately took him to the ER at Columbia River Veterinary Specialists. Right away they suspected what was wrong and asked us if there were any Cannabis products in our home. We thought we’d been really careful to keep it out of his reach but apparently, he picked a small bit up somewhere. They didn’t judge. They gave him some anti-nausea meds and told us to put him in a quiet dark room for a couple hours and check on him. A couple hours later, our little Stoner was back to normal. The staff is so wonderful and knowledgeable. We love this clinic.

Kippi Barbouletos Posted on Google 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: We received excellent and prompt service from every staff member at Columbia River Vet. They really showed that they had genuine concern for our dog. A treatment plan was explained thoroughly and we were very happy with the results. Our sweet girl Harley is already feeling much better. Thank you to the front desk, techs and assistants, and the doctor. This clinic was recommended by a family friend and I’m so glad that we came here. I would also recommend it to anyone needing emergency vet services.

Denise Spatola McCracken Posted on Google 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: We took our dog to Columbia River Veterinary Specialists for a possible poisoning and saw Dr. Olson. He was thorough, efficient, and took the time to explain everything clearly. All the staff we interacted with were helpful and kind, which made a stressful situation much easier. Grateful for the care we received, great experience overall.

Alain Harris Posted on Google 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: CRVS took my dog in right away with no appointment for an emergency procedure and provided excellent care for him. Highly recommend.

lori swan Posted on Google 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: I have never had such wonderful and compassionate Emergency Veterinary services in my life. They made the trauma of losing my dog and best friend bearable. Everything was explained to me and I was able to quietly spend the remaining moments with my dog It meant everything to me. I will never be over the loss of my baby. The people there truly care about our babies . I’m very thankful

Vicki Simpson Posted on Google 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: From the time we walked in the door till the time we left it was a great experience. We took our Great Dane in because of months long of diarrhea that our regular vet couldn’t figure out. We had an ultrasound done and Dr. Walton did a great job of explaining everything to us. I would high recommend them!!

Katelynn Murphy Posted on Google 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: I am lucky to say I do not have any other animal hospitals to compare this visit to, however, I have had many different vets. CRVS were so amazing. They kindly answered any questions I had, took the time with me to explain everything they will do/transparent with costs and options. I never felt like I was “waiting around for an update.” The doctors always called to make sure I was updated. My sweet cat spent over 24 hours in their care and I am so thankful for them. I hope I never see them again ;) but I will recommend everyone and anyone to go here. Thank you all!

Craig Benthin Posted on Google 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: They are incredible thank you for taking care of my dog Maisie

Lisa Davie Posted on Google 5 months ago

Fantastic experience: Our 4 month old kitten Lucy, whom we adopted from the Humane Society almost 3 months ago, started getting very manic, running all over the room, bumping into the walls, and falling over repeatedly. It was Sunday so our regular vet was closed so we took her to CRVS. They were able to diagnose that she had ingested a prescription pill she found on the floor which was poisoning her. They spoke with the animal poison center and figured out what she had eaten and got her treated. She stayed over night and we brought her home the next day. CRVS saved our little Lucy and we are so very grateful!

Lea Jones Posted on Google 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: The staff is amazing here. I’ve brought multiple pets to this clinic and every time they give me the most confidence in the love they have for my animals. I believe they really hire people who just adore animals and care about getting their health! It is pricey so I don’t suggest going unless you have pet insurance but it’s worth the money knowing my babies are in great hands. I had to put down one of my cats who had FIP and they were so kind and gracious. They even sent me TWO bouquets of flowers. I’ve never had that kind of support from a vet before I will always choose them because of it. I’m very thankful for all they’ve done for me.

donna stith Posted on Google 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: Twice now my local vet that I have used for 20 years has referred me to CRVS without even taking the time to evaluate my pet first. Both times CRVS provided excellent care of both my pet and family. I cannot fault them at all. Both times turned out not a life or death issue happily, wish my vet would have taken the time and saved me an hour long drive during rush to an emergency vet.

Paula Rodrigues Posted on Google 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: This hospital is the best! I came in with a very sick girl. I may have been a little dramatic coming in as well and they took it all in stride. They got my information about Wonder and gave me next steps. Even though my outcome was tragic I would still highly recommend. They did a great job triaging and caring for my baby and I was able to be with her for her last breaths.

Dara Johnson Posted on Google 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: My 4 year old daughters kitty decided to lay under the warm car a few days ago. Unfortunately while we were heading to town the worst thing in the world happened...I backed over her. My kids and I heard it through the open windows. It was awful. I rushed her to CRVS and they saved her. She has pelvic fractures but with the great care, cage rest and medication she will hopefully recover. Doctor Teri has been contacting us through it all and the nurse Lynnette is wonderful! They didn't push unnecessary diagnostics and I felt they cared for our family financially and emotionally. I can't tell you how much this means to my family. Thank you all so much! ♡

Abby Gail Sanchez Bonifacio Posted on Google 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: Came in Distraught with the history between me and my Dahlia and her current condition. The front receptionist took interest , Veterinarian nurse was very helpful and the veterinarian himself was very thorough and got my dahlia what she needed considering my financial needs as well. Would 100% recommend.

Maddie Brooks Posted on Google 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: I literally can not begin to express my gratitude for Dr. Wallace, Dr. Teri, and all the receptionists and techs that helped me with my boy. The doctors sincerely cared- and didn’t hesitate to explain everything thoroughly and even reassure me when I brought my cat Link in for a urinary obstruction. He almost died, and they took such great care of him and kept me updated the whole time. I wish I could make this my regular vet. Hopefully won’t have to- but if I ever have an emergency situation again- I won’t hesitate to come to CRVS.

Dan Reese Posted on Google 6 months ago

Negative experience: My BELLA HAD TO BE PUT DOWN AT 5.5 YEARS OLD, blood issues she went from perfect to death in less then 3 days. my wife stayed with BELLA as she was put to sleep, they asked at the beginning would you like her remains for $$$ she said no, as my wife sat with BELLA they came back in for another round of cheaper options for her to buy, would you like a PAW PRINT FOR A SMALL FEE? unbelievable just complete BAD TASTE FOLKS, you can’t make a BUCK ON EVERYTHING

Cora Taylor Posted on Google 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: Extremely friendly staff, who obviously carry huge compassion with them in their treatment. We were seen quickly and the vet and nurses were extremely attentive all while making you feel comfortable.

Heather Hoesl Posted on Google 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: Dr. Wallace was great. She took the time to listen to my concerns, and explain everything in detail. She was very thorough in process and procedure as well as patient discussion. Front desk staff was great- super friendly and helpful. Everyone was very kind and compassionate. Thankfully it turned out that my situation wasn’t as serious as it could’ve been and the Dr. and team were able to quickly help, treat, and care for my babies to get them back to normal.

Charles Tiller Posted on Google 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: CRVS, their team, and Dr Spencer completed changed our dogs life. We have a 7 year old pit, and he was suffering with bad knees, and after talking to our regular vet, and some other friends, we chose CRVS to do a surgery to repair both knees at the same time. We had about a 30 minute consultation with Dr Spencer, and we saw eye to eye with her on virtually everything, she was the most confident, and common sense oriented Dr we had met, and assured us this was the right decision. Well here we are 11 weeks into a 12 week recovery, and Reggie is a completely different dog than he was 3 months ago. He is so much happier, more mobile, in better shape, we couldn’t have had a better outcome. Also every step of the way the communication was unbelievable, and the timeline for what to expect was absolutely spot on. This was a textbook perfect surgery and perfect recovery, and I’m positive we couldn’t have had a better experience anywhere else. We can’t thank CRVS enough for giving our pup the gift of mobility back.

Heidi Altenhofen Posted on Google 6 months ago

Fantastic experience: Took my dog in to see the Opthamologist. Dr. Alls was thorough, kind, and took the time to put together a strategic treatment plan with me, as caring for an eye injury can be very challenging. I am assured he is in good hands.

CD C Posted on Google 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: It’s unfortunate that I have to write this review, but necessary. We used their services on Labor Day and we couldn’t say enough nice things about these folks. Our Golden Retriever had a stroke and became paralyzed. This was completely unexpected situation. I called CRVS and asked them about euthanasia and cremation. I was assured they could take care of it that day. The person on the phone couldn’t have been nicer and more caring. She took the necessary information so that when we arrived we wouldn’t have to wait in line or do any paperwork (other than signatures). Everything went as they stated. Everyone was polite and caring. Under the circumstances everything went above and beyond what we were expecting. We highly recommend their services.

Cinda Posted on Google 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Dr Alls is an opthmologist for animals. She is kind and caring. She was very gentle with Winifred. I understood her explanation of what all was wrong and the continued plan of care. Comfort and improvement of Winifreds eye problems.

AY Yruretagoyena Posted on Google 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Due to the jury our cat had, the staff immediately took care of him. Front desk and the doctor were very attentive and helpful with X-ray details. Overall service was excellent.

Stacy Storey Posted on Google 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: Absolutely amazing! So incredibly helpful and kind! I used to fear taking my pup to the ER vet because I thought it would take hours and hours and cost a fortune, not the case here at all! Everyone was so kind and calm and supportive! They took great care of my dog and were very kind to me as well.

Crystal Atkinson (Crystal in the Couve) Posted on Google 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: From triage to one of the hardest moments in my life, the entire staff made this awful life emergency more bearable for me. I'm so thankful they were able to see my beloved cat in the middle of the night and provided so much compassion and dignity for his last moments. They have lots of waiting room seating and a comfortable large room with a couch for last goodbyes. They are centrally located within Clark County and have ample parking. They also were very reasonably priced. They deserve more than 5 stars. It's taken me weeks to write this, but they most certainly deserve the shout-out. Thank you so much for handling everything the way you did and for providing the nose and paw prints like you did. What a beyond duty act of kindness that was that I will forever cherish.

chris julie balin Posted on Google 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: This is the second time we have taken our animal to Columbia River Veterinary Specialists. I would highly recommend this place to anyone who has a pet they care about! They are very professional along with being sympathetic to your issue. Dr. Wallace met with me after examining our cat and outlined a plan of action. She also explained how much it would cost beforehand and answered any questions I had. Dr. Wallace did a great job and my cat is on the way to recovery! She called today to check how he was doing which I appreciated! Last but certainly not least the final bill was under the estimated cost.

Kristie Mahan Posted on Google 7 months ago

Fantastic experience: The entire staff took good care of my dog and were able to adjust her care as her situation changed. Dr. Walton is the best at figuring out a problem and designing a plan to help sick pets.

Linda Vanengen Posted on Google 8 months ago

Negative experience: Took my dogs in because they had bloody diarrhea. I was only given probiotics. I asked the vet if they should have antibiotics and I was told no because they didn't have a fever. They continued to get worse. I took them back but was told it was going to be a 9 hr wait. I decided to take them to another emergency vet and was given antibiotics, anti nausea and appetite stimulants. They followed up with us to check on my pups which Columbia River did not. I used to like Columbia River but they have gone down hill. Will not be going back.

Milton Duane Jones Posted on Google 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: My dear Aussiedoodle Margot suffers from seizures and receives medication. Unfortunately she started having cluster seizures—one after another. CRVS took care of her beautifully and gave me good suggestions and medication alterations to resolve the cluster seizures. A day later she is back to her normal self. Thank you for helping us resolve this unfortunate problem.

Christine O'Brien Posted on Google 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: Dr Olson is an amazing Vet. He assessed my dog quickly and was able to get my dog out of severe pain. His bedside manner is beyond reproach. The staff were extremely informative. If I could have Dr Olson all the time for my pets, I would do it.

Renie Duvall Posted on Google 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: CRVS gets a 10 star rating for staff, triage, immediate care, follow up and follow through. They took on 6 puppies 6 month old 50lb each all at one time (accidental poisoning) on weekend followed up by a Sr dog with an ear hematoma on same weekend. Highly recommend CRVS for emergency services, My Sr dog is now under her regular vet care. Puppies are doing great with scheduled follow up for prescription refills next two weeks followed up by blood work on third week for all six at CRVS as Litter vet turned us down!!! I’m Very happy as a fur mom and highly recommend CRVS. PS I also received a prompt refund on original estimates and was sent home with everything I needed to continue care at home. Highly advise insuring your pets for just such moments

Levigato Posted on Google 8 months ago

Positive experience: First, I want to thank Dr. Wallace for her authentic compassion regarding my cat. She was forthcoming with estimate prices on what he needed. My cat had to stay two and half days for his care. On the morning I was planning to bring home my cat, Dr. Wallace must of been off since another Dr. called and recommended he stay a third day. I told him I can’t afford another day and I will be taking him home. This doctor wasn’t even on their website, so I don’t know who he was? I took my cat home with a feeding tube installed, and four different medications. I never received another call from them to check up how’s he doing with the feeding tube, etc. I guess when I told them I didn’t want to spend anymore money, they stopped caring. My bill was $6700 by the way.

JT Windham Posted on Google 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: This place was amazing on our time of need. Came in with a dying animal and the doctor treated us like people with a loved one, not just pushing more services for sales. When things turned worse they even canceled the blood test fee that they had already started. I honestly can not say enough good things about how fair, honest, and caring they were to me and my family. Best vet experience I have had in a horrible situation. 10/10.

Tracie Willis Posted on Google 8 months ago

Negative experience: We took our lab dog there in March because she was lethargic, wouldn’t eat, depressed, withdrawn. They ran a bunch of tests immediately, X ray and ultrasound. Advised us to leave her there overnight to see if something passed in her stomach (a piece of bagel from the day before) because she may have swallowed something or also she may have a suspicious mass by her bum. They ran additional ultrasounds and X rays the next morning, and magically The piece from Her stomach Disappeared. No disgnosis, no explanation, They sent her home with a bundle of meds, 4500.00 later and she was worse than when we took her in. When she came home, she was horribly sick, breathing fast, she looked horrible, so we brought her into our regular vet 3 hours after, which was in Portland. Within an hour, they figured out exactly what it was, which was salmon poisoning, a test that they ran on her immediately when she arrived. Because of her symptoms, they did a fecal test on her and told us immediately what was wrong. Columbia river vet did not do a fecal AT ALL EVER on her but instead risked her life and ran fancy tests. DO NOT EVER TAKE YOUR ANIMAL THERE. THEY JUST WANT TO RUN YOUR BILL UP AND DONT FOCUS ON DOING WHATS BEST FOR YOUR ANIMAL. We’ve learned a lot. Dogs in the NW by rivers are exposed to salamanders, fish, that bacteria is toxic so it’s toxic to dogs- it should have been the first question they ask living where we do. Our vet asked us right away about the potential and ran a test. CRVS NEVER cared about our dogs life. This illness is 70% fatal if not treated within 10 days. Our sweet girl almost lost her life and it would have been at the hands of this awful place. I didn’t trust my gut and my gut was telling me They were a money grubbing vet, confirmed my our vet 3 hours after getting her. Do not waste your precious time, money or life of your animal on this place. They are only in it for the $.

Megan Scheminske Posted on Google 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: My pup had an emergency (injury) on a weekend and the staff at CRVS were wonderful. I appreciated that they helped us consider which treatments / procedures were absolutely urgent and which we could delay until the following day with our regular vet. Would definitely recommend. Gus says thank you!

Pam Mendonca Posted on Google 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: Columbia River is our go to place for an emergency for our dogs. . We have had three of our dogs treated there. The staff is wonderful. And the doctors are very compassionate. We just recently had our Sadie in there for an injury and although we had to wait a while for her to be treated, (her injury was not life-threatening), the treatment was excellent. The information given to take care of her when we came home was comprehensive. I highly recommend this business as a place to take your animal for treatment.

Lisa Higgs Posted on Google 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: This is the second fur baby weve had to bring into the ER. But thankfully the Drs and staff have been super great with us and our kitties. They take care of them in a reasonable amount of time and treat our babies and us with care and compassion. We appreciate that very much. Always been greeted with a hello and a smile.

Jesse Koonce Posted on Google 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: Dr. Garrison and his staff were amazing. They helped my cat Jackson in a matter of hours compared to the days that I was trying to be helped by our main veterinary clinic. Dr. Garrison came in confident with a plan and it worked. This is the second time Columbia River has helped me help my animals. They have empathy and compassion. Knowledge and the skills. It’s worth the money. Thank you CRVS!!

Becki Johnson Posted on Google 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: When our dog Lucy was stung by bees and having a full-blown allergic reaction, Columbia River Veterinary Specialist was nothing short of lifesaving. From the moment we explained the situation, they prioritized us, fitting Lucy in immediately despite the busy schedule. The team was calm, empathetic, and supremely professional—administering medication, monitoring her closely, and ensuring she was stable in the shortest time possible. They even followed up later the same day, which brought us huge peace of mind. Lucy was back to her super-sprightly self the very next day, and that’s thanks to their lightning-fast response and top-tier care. We’re endlessly grateful for their expertise and compassion in a frightening moment. If your furry friend ever needs urgent care, you won’t find a better team than Columbia River Veterinary Specialist. Highly recommended

Vika Pavlova Posted on Google 8 months ago

Fantastic experience: We had to bring our dog to Columbia River Veterinary Specialists for an emergency visit, and we’re so grateful for the care we received. Everyone — from the front desk to the doctors — was kind, attentive, and truly compassionate. They took the time to explain everything clearly, ran all the necessary tests right away, and made sure we felt supported through the entire process. Our dog was in good hands, and it really showed. Thank you for being there when we needed you most

Ashley Huhnholz Posted on Google 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: We can't say enough good things about Columbia River Veterinary Specialists. The staff and doctors are incredibly thorough and genuinely care. They take the time to explain everything clearly and are always open and honest about fees, which we really appreciate. Everyone is so thoughtful and kind, and it truly shows in the way they treat both pets and their people. It's the best veterinary experience we've had. Highly recommend.

Ioana Cozma Posted on Google 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: I brought my 8 1/2 year old labradoodle here after he had three seizures within a 24 hour span. In total it was over $4000 for 2 separate visits, including an overnight stay, and while they were admittedly expensive, they got my dog to a point where he was stable, and ended up putting him on a prescription that he is still on to this day. I’m happy they were so proactive with his care, as he hasn’t had a seizure since, and it’s been 17 months. I highly recommend them, and would not hesitate to use them again if I ever need to in an emergency. Now though, I have insurance for my dog. Which I highly recommend everyone get.

Bjorn Bayley Posted on Google 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: Sam received the most caring and loving attention he’s ever had at a vet clinic and he didn’t wiggle and resist as he normally does. Dr Als and Hannah were wonderful and Dr Als took all the time needed to explain what she found and what the options were to treat Sam. Although non of it was super good news there is hope that she can improve his sight over time and we will start with twice daily drops for a month and check for any improvement and then decide how we continue the process. We very much appreciate everything they did and despite a 2 1/2 hour drive from Tacoma and then back it was definitely worth it

Juana Williams Posted on Google 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: CRVS took great care of our dog. The Drs and staff were all very caring and were so kind during my dogs two day stay there. They assessed her condition, was able to treat her accordingly and quickly. I was so happy to bring my girl back home!

Debby Aumack Posted on Google 9 months ago

Positive experience: First off I will say that they saved my cats life after they significantly increased my deposit several times in a a very short time period. I felt like they really didn't want to even try to save my cat. I get that he was very near passing away. The first Dr. Did an amazing job communicating with us after the procedure and how it went and what to expect. Communication was laking after this unless we called and grilled each person we talked to. We were told that a dr. would call after new labs were done at least twice with no call. We had to call to get these updates. We do realize that they appeared to be very busy but seems like tests were not ran in a reasonable time frame from when we were told the test/lab work was going to be done. During the 2.5 days stay We were told that with our cat being very difficult and him being in distress from being in a strange place that as soon as he was cleared to go home we need to be available right away. When they were ready to release him. They did not give us as much medicine as they prescribed so we had to drive back 30 miles to get more from them. 3 days after we got our cat home things were just not right with him because he still wasn't eating. We called them back and they said we could bring him back or take him somewhere else for a wellness check. We took him to another vet and found out that they should have given him antibiotics along with his other medications. Within less than 24 hours of receiving the antibiotics my cat was eating and happy as can be. I can't believe I was charged so much but yet I had to take him to another vet to get antibiotics that they should have given him in the first place. I feel that they just wanted us out of their office. P.S. would highly recommend going to your primary vet for a check up very soon after the emergency is over for a second opinion. The Vet that saw our cat looked over all the labs and exrays that were sent over and found that the our cat needed antibiotics.

Tiffany Wolfe Posted on Google 9 months ago

Negative experience: I would never bring another animal to this ER. I brought my 9 year old German Shepard in she had loss feeling in her back legs and could not stand on her own as well as loss of appetite. I rushed her in to have them tell me after not running a single test not even blood work, the Dr. came in and told me it’s a neurological issue and he will need to refer me to a neurologist so they can do an MRI he mentioned it’s a possible brain tumor or brain bleed. I asked if we took her to the neurologist in his opinion is it something he thought she could recover from and he stated no. We made the extremely difficult decision to take her home and spend a few days with her before we had to make a decision to out her down. We took her home and while laying with her noticed a large mass on her neck that we had never felt before. While sitting wondering why the Dr. didn’t even mention it or want to test it or want to do any part of blood work or X-rays we decided to take her to a local vet we got her in the same day. That Dr. states she was shocked the ER let us leave with single test. She recommended X-rays first of her whole body. After the my took her back it wasn’t even five minutes later the Dr. came back in and said after one X-ray they decided to stop because the chest/ lung extras discovered sever lung cancer that was more than likely spread throughout her entire body causing paralysis. She advised to take her home and move forward with putting her down. The second traumatic trip to the Vet could have been prevented if the Dr. at this ER had at the very least taken his own X-rays instead he took the easy way out and just said it’s neurological. The lack of empathy and willingness to diagnose her is the reason I am writing this review. Do not take your pet here they are worthless. We sent our beloved Kona to heaven the very next day.

Patty Page Posted on Google 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: All of the folks were wonderful and handled my very large dog and freaked out owner with grace and efficiency. Doggo is resting easy with their assistance. Thank you!

Rick Jolley Posted on Google 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: On the 4th of July, our 14 yr old pomeranian had collapsed and stopped breathing. Even though we were able to quickly give her mouth to snout to bring her back, instantly panicked. I called every vet close by but after 5PM on a holiday, none were open. The 40 min drive was scary but I called ahead to let them know we were on our way. She stopped breathing again right as we were pulling in the parking lot so we had to do mouth to snout again as we were rushing into the building. They instantly swooped her from my arms and took her in the back to start working on her. They took us to a room within 5 mins and the "Dogtor" came in to talk to us so fast we didn't even have the 1 page of paperwork completed. They explained what they found, allowed us to see and hold her once she was fairly stable before we left. They kept us updated, and took extra time to explain everything, sometimes twice for us in layman's terms. When we picked her up the next day, they explained everything and even text us more info after we left. Although this was not something we ever want to go through again, we would recommend them to everyone who needs emergency help for their fur-kids. The entire CRVS staff from reception to treatment to discharge was fast, kind, thorough and just flat out fantastic and we could never thank them enough!

Dianne Posted on Google 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: My experience was excellent and everyone who helped me, including Crystal on the front desk were amazing. My dog had swelling around his mouth and has had an anaphylactic reaction before that was very severe. They were friendly, quick to get him in and get him a shot of allergy meds to reduce the swelling. They took excellent care of him and I would not hesitate to go back.

linda lehto Posted on Google 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: Sadly, our 14 yo shih tzu lost function of his back legs this morning. So very thankful that they were open today. They made it so peaceful helping Artie pass. Such a caring and compassionate team. They went over and above preparing him for us to take home for burial. Thank you for making such a hard day as good as possible!

Shelby Jenkins Posted on Google 9 months ago

Negative experience: I have been trying to get a manager to contact me regarding one of their doctors and a botched compassionate release, it wasn’t compassionate It looked like murder. Went in early morning June 21st because my 5yo 50Lb GSD mix was having health complications. My husband and I agreed to a compassionate release. The doctor came in and took my boy back to start the IV and brought him back and she had the syringes ready. One was a white paralytic that would relax him, well she spilled a lot of it on the ground approximately 1/3, and had to go redo his IV because it wasn’t done right. She brought him back and had the same syringes and injected him with the paralytic that had been spilled and so he started panicking and crying while trying to claw his way into my lap. The doctor panicked and plunged the heart stopping medication into his IV and he dropped to the ground, defecating and urinating everywhere, his tongue was completely out, and his eyes rolled back. I was screaming and vomiting everywhere and she quickly grabbed him and ran out. We stayed until I was done getting sick, we walked to the counter, demanding his collar back and walked out the door. I have seen 3 dogs being put down and none of them have gone like that. I spoke to a nurse when I went in to pick up his ashes and I told her the whole story. She was super sweet and compassionate about what we went though and even said it was user error. I’ve been waiting to hear from a manager and no call or anything! This is why I’m leaving a bad review. Me leaving a message, and even going in personally won’t get your attention. Do better. This wasn’t compassionate and that doctor needs to be retrained and take compassion courses! She tried to gaslight me and say that’s normal! ITS NOT!

Amber Dyce Posted on Google 9 months ago

Fantastic experience: Amazing staff that literally snatched my fur-baby back from the jaws of death! She spent 2 nights with this hardworking team bringing her out of anaphylaxis shock. My daughter and I were both crying tear of sorrow when we ran in the door and tears of relief and joy when we got to bring Jazelle home. She is recovering and is starting to perk up into her normal personality thanks to the team at Columbia River Veterinary Specialists. I can not thank you guys enough for all you did to save her life. They even let her have her duck in recovery with her!

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