Wheaton Way Veterinary Hospital

Alisa Perry

Wheaton Way Vet Clinic is wonderful. Jessica kindly gave us an appointment change today and we were able to help our beloved 13 year old Collie have a loving and compassionate departure from this earth. Ashley (vet tech) was amazing. She made sure we did not feel hurried and showed gentle kindness to our dog Sparta and to our family. We appreciated her calm demeanor and comforting words and presence. I would recommend this vet clinic to everyone who loves their animal. Thank you so much. Alisa Perry

Kris Pendleton

Trust is the greatest currency in healthcare. After a year of working with Wheaton Way Vet Clinic, not only was our trust completely compromised, but we were left to manage a serious infection in our dog after a routine neutering performed at Wheaton Way without even a phone call of concern from the staff, let alone the attending veterinarian, Dr. Zach Marcus. On two different routine back to back visits with Wheaton Way, our 1 year old pup ended up in the VCA emergency clinic. The first time Dr. Marcus missed a developing ear infection during a routine checkup, which is common for our breed. Even I could smell the yeast developing. Two days later our dog was in the emergency room with an significantly inflamed ear. I don't believe Dr. Marcus looked in his ear. First time, shame on you. Second time, shame on me. I should have never gone back, but I wanted to trust them. Two weeks or so later our pup went in for a routine neuter. The clinic went 20% over quote and we never received a call asking if that was okay. Every other clinic that we have had to visit has called us if there was even a chance they might go over or if there was a change to the quote. We understood risks associated with neutering. One risk is infection. Three days after the surgery our pup developed a very aggressive Staphylococcus pseudintermedius infection. Back to the emergency vet. To make a long story short, over the next 10 days our pup underwent three surgeries and three procedures. After the second of these surgeries I went to Wheaton Way clinic in person and asked to have my records from Wheaton Way sent to me so I could send them to the vets at the emergency clinics. I also asked to have Dr. Marcus call me to discuss the procedure and what I might expect fighting the infection. They were not busy that morning and they wrote my request down. While I was there I even expressed that I couldn't honestly blame them for the infection, but that I no longer trusted the clinic. Their response was one of understanding, however the front desk attendant decided this was the moment to explain the extreme stress and overwhelm vets are experiencing and that it was leading to an epidemic of suicide among providers, her husband, the last vet to run Wheaton Way, being one of them. To burden me with that information and the guilt trip it laid on me was the most inappropriate response to my situation imaginable. The response implied, intentionally or not, that it was clients like me, add potentially deadly stress to the vets. Not what I needed at that moment. They never sent the records and Dr. Marcus never called to express his concern or offer care. Not once. And still hasn't. We have received unprompted follow up calls from the VCA and they performed the corrective surgery. I finally had to call a second time and threaten to come in in person to get my records at which point they were finally sent. This is why they get one star: Look, things happen. I understand that clearly. But to not call about going over a quote, to not call out of concern for a pup that developed a serious and potentially life threatening infection after a surgery you performed, to not do the bare minimum to help a client get their records and assist the recovery of the patient, and to use a spouse's tragic death and vet overwhelm as your response to a request for communication completely falls short of the kind of professionalism required of this line of work. Thankfully our dog is on his way to a full recovery thanks to the skillful and caring work of the veterinarians and specialists at VCA Central Kitsap Animal Hospital and Animal Emergency and Specialty Clinic in Poulsbo. Give Wheaton Way Veterinary Clinic your business at your own risk.

Essophee Sopin

From start to finish this was an excellent experience. From setting the appointment which was smooth and easy online. To the very helpful and friendly front desk person. The technicians who do the history are friendly and helpful, always had a smile on their faces. And Dr. Marcus is a dream to work with it, he is kind, easy to talk too, listens to your concerns and will take the time to talk to you and make sure your questions are all answered. I left the office very happy and confident that my dog had been well taken care of and was in competent hands. She has to go back for some follow up test and I have no reservations at all that they will do the best they can to make sure my precious girl is the healthiest she can be.

Rory Hancock

This facility is clearly all about the money. My wife and I recently moved to the area and needed to establish vet care for our two dogs here. I had my miniature dachshund seen for his yearly vaccinations and a lipoma on his chest. A biopsy was performed and the day after he developed a rash on his armpit. We assumed it was an allergic reaction to the cleansing solution used prior to taking the biopsy. This vet office has you wait in a examination room while they take your pet back to a private room, so I was not able to see what was done during this time. When the rash got worse, we called asking if they would see our dog. The vet tech I spoke with, informed me that this rash could not have originated at there facility because they don't use any form of cleansing solution prior to taking a biopsy (seems strange to me, but I'm not the expert). The only way they would see him again was with a $160 fee for an emergent care visit. This is after the $650 appointment for the biopsy and his yearly vaccinations. Not having an additional $160 in our budget after the cost of the first appointment, we attempted to treat it at home. Cleansing the rash site and using "hot spot" spray daily did not help. It developed an ulcer type open wound and pus filled bubbles that spread out away from the rash to his chest and stomach. With all the signs of a bacterial skin infection, I decided to go back in to the vet clinic, as they were not returning my phone calls, to ask to be seen for what undoubtedly started from poor sterilization practices (they verbally confirmed this on the phone with me). I was told they would not look at my dogs armpit or prescribe antibiotics without the emergent care visit charges, even with all the evidence I had. I have photos from the day the rash started and to what it progressed to now. Money is the only important thing at Wheaton Way Veterinary Hospital and if they mess up, you won't know because you will not be with your pet during any treatment. Fortunately, this happened before bringing my second dog in for his vaccinations, so I did not have to give any more money to this office. I wouldn't return to this vet for free services. Also, after calling another vet in town who is willing to see our dog for this issue, they confirmed that it is "very odd" that they wouldn't cleanse the site prior to a biopsy.