Columbia River Veterinary Specialists

Took my cat here for a urinary obstruction and ended up having to put the cat down. I have mixed feelings about this clinic:
The good: vet was great, the case manager was great, they treated my cat well and were available for questions. They immediately attempted to ease his pain and provided him great care.
The bad: the expenses of boarding an ill pet are crazy inflated. The cost for 12 hours of stay was estimated at 630 $, and that’s just for boarding and «nurse care». The actual procedure expense was doable but when coupled with boarding and the surgical costs the grand total came to 6 – 7,000 $ with no guarantee that it would prevent it from happening again.

After interviewing several surgeons to perform our dogs knee surgery we decided to go with Dr. Novo. We had a GREAT experience with him. We were initially torn about what kind of surgery to go with (we had several options) but Dr. Novo spent over an hour with us at our dogs initial exam and really took the time to explain things. Dr. Novo’s technician was also so nice and our dog loved her. On the day of surgery we got several calls just to let us know how things were going. We were encouraged to call at any time, with questions. After the TPLO our dog spent the night at the clinic which was hard to leave him, but we knew he was in good hands, where he could get better pain management, and have the technical staff watch him all night. The surgery went well, Dr. Novo did an excellent job, and a year and a half later you can’t even tell that our 10 year old dog needed knee surgery. He runs and plays and is a happy happy boy. If we ever need a surgeon again we will definitely come back to Dr. Novo!

Our «baby girl» ulcerated her cornea and had foxglove in her eye as a result of a pheasant hunting trip. Late on a Saturday we brought her in for a check of her eyes. Dr. Thurwacher was fantastic, explained everything clearly, was respectful of costs and took very good care of our girl. The waiting room is large, clean and comforting and all of the support staff were very kind and helpful. The only reason I didn’t give them 5 stars is because it took so long to be seen after the initial triage. I knew that our issue was important, although not life threatening, but it was a pretty quiet night in there and we waited over 90 minutes. I hope that I never need to take our lab to an urgent care vet again… but if I do, we’ll go right back there without reservation.

My little dog somehow scratched the cornea of her eye. It was obviously painful and I was worried so I took her to the vet and was given antibiotic drops and atropine drops. The next morning her eye was much much worse. It was swollen and the cornea was completely grey. I felt sick. I looked for a canine opthalmologist and found Dr. Klauss. I was seen that morning, and did not have to wait. Dr. Klauss and the vet tech were so caring. An extensive exam was done, and I left with a pharmacy of medications. Everything was explained completely, and I was given a spreadsheet with the medications and times to give to make it easy for me to keep track of the medication regimen and not miss any doses. That was a week and a half ago and my dog’s eye has completely healed. I want to give a huge shout out to Dr. Klauss and the Columbia River Vet Clinic staff, they are AWESOME!!! The clinic itself is also nice, with hot coffee or tea available and a soothing fireplace, although I never waited long enough to drink my coffee! Enthusiastically recommend this Clinic and Dr. Klauss!

Read below for full story. But to make a long story short, CRVS saved my little girl’s life, and I couldn’t be more thankful.
My 10 year old Jack Russell developed pyometra. Although she’d been seen by my family vet two days prior, diagnosed with a «swollen uterus» and the «possibility of future complications,» they (family vet, not CRVS) didn’t clearly convey the gravity and severity of the situation until it was almost too late… and had to send me away due to closing.
Thanks to CRVS ²⁴⁄₇ operation and talented doctors/​surgeons, we were able to save my pup. Despite having my girl for over 48 hours, they kept me informed and up to date throughout the process. They were very friendly and sympathetic for our situation. They repeatedly told me I could come visit my pup at any time, but I knew she was in good hands and saved the hour-​away trip for when I could take her home. They also repeatedly encouraged me to call any time to ask for an update to check on my poor little dog.
The cost of the procedure and 48 hour care stung a little, but not nearly as much as the thought of losing my dog. To keep their facility clean, fully staffed, open, equipped, and having emergency surgeons on demand costs money; and I understand that. To have my pup come home is priceless. She’s at home now and recovering.
THANK YOU!

I recently had to take both of my pugs in with unknown Illnesses. The doctors and the whole staff was amazing. Very friendly and kept us updated and respected I had a budget. Me and my furbabies are very thankful for them.

I was traveling on business with 3 dogs in 5^th wheel. Due to 17 year old dog on final days of life, I could not leave him behind. The final day came when I was on the road and I had researched available vets for euthanasia in the Portland area.
The need for euthanasia became urgent while on the road and the 24 hour available services were needed.
I could not be more pleased by the compassion and care that this veterinary gave both myself and my best buddy in his final minutes of life. I was able to say good-​by in a private setting and they guaranteed that I would be able to pick up his remains prior to my going back to my home state.
I received the cremains in time, with the crematorium Peaceful Paws exceeding expectations. I will bring my other boys to WA when their time is up, due to my experiences with my oldest buddy.

They really take the time to understand and address your concerns. The vets, technicians and receptionist go out of their way to make sure you understand what’s going on. The Drs are very knowledgable and clearly have a firm grasp on their field. The staff is always courteous and sympathetic. Is it expensive? Yes. But that won’t lose them a star in my book, because it is a 24hr emergency clinic, and the staff are highly trained. If you ever have an emergency, or if your primary vet is inequipt to handle or perform a procedure or test, go to CRVS. Your animal will get the best care available. I promise.

Dr. Klauss is incredible– great ophthalmology, great personality, extremely skilled. I really recommend this specialist.

Brought our dog in due to vomiting over the weekend. Before he was seen, they wanted to talk about money. After xrays, exam and no answers. the diagnostic plan continued to climb rapidly with no proposed treatment in sight. we felt ill at ease.
It just wasnt a good fit for us.
While there, we were able to contact our local vet. So we left and he met us on his day off. He immediately found the culprit (an obstruction) and our lil guy is now on the mends.

Good place. Very friendly & knowledgeable staff. I’m glad they don’t over sell procedures & seem honest & understanding of pet owners decisions.
4 out of 5 as the wait is always very long. I showed up today and there was only 1 other person in the lobby & yet it took 4 hours total: dog was vomiting, the did an initial exam, wait, meet vet, wait, do X-​rays, meet with vet again, suggest fluids & anti-​nausea medication, wait, check out, wait another 45 – 1 hour to get my dog after check out. If you go make sure you have 3 – 5 hours at least.
To me it’s okay as my dog is part of the family & I’m glad this place exists.

It’s hard to say «yay! 5 star great experience» when in actuality I had to have these people put my cat to sleep. There’s a little sign by the door inside of the exam room that has something to do with patience, and your pet will be given the same care when it’s their turn. And for the second time in a 4 year period, my reason for visiting was why everyone else was sitting and waiting to be seen.
I didn’t expect to not bring our cat home. They did all they could, short of CPR. I felt that my cat was treated with dignity. They told me that he was suffering and didn’t try to conn me into doing a bunch of heroics that wouldn’t have helped.
We will continue to come here for urgent care needs of our pets. The price isn’t cheap, but you get what you pay for.
RIP Lorenzo.

We had a great experience here bringing my little chihuahua in for a scratched cornea that didn’t seem to be getting better. There were no opthalmology appointments that Friday and I didn’t feel comfortable waiting until the following week. When I called the team advised me to come in through an ER appointment and they would consult with the opthalmologist as needed. I figured the ER appointment fee was just an additional fee I’d have to pay in order to get access to the opthalmologist.
But as it turned out, the ER doctor Dr. Paskowski and the nurse Tim were wonderful in handling my little one and figuring out what was going on. They did end up consulting with the opthalmologist Dr. Krauss as they were running tests on my dog’s eye, which made me feel even more reassured that there really wasn’t anything serious going on. But they awesomely didn’t charge me extra for having her take a look.
In the end, I was surprised at how reasonable everything was and was thankful that they were so concerned about keeping costs down and not recommending unnecessary tests and procedures, something that can be rare especially with ²⁴⁄₇ hospitals with a team of specialists. Dr. Paskowski and Tim were very personable, listened to my concerns and suggestions, and did a great job of explaining and walking me through everything. And their prognosis for my dog was right on and she has continued to improve quickly with the help of some pain meds and eye ointment.
We were in great hands at Columbia River Veterinary Specialists and I would definitely come back.

I absolutely love these people. I came in yesterday with a new puppy I bought in Seattle. We had him less than 12 hours, didn’t even have a name picked out yet, when he became very ill. For a specialist open 24 hours, the price is reasonable. Since we had to wait a while, they brought the puppy out to me so I could sit with him. They ended up having to keep him overnight on fluids, but called to let me know how he was doing as they said they would. I cant wait to get him back today, but just needed to write this review, to let other people know how amazing they are. I was very surprised by all of their concerns and professionalism during some un expected crazy people in there. overall, a great/​kind of fun experience. (the people watching was the second best part of this place.) LOL

My dog, Livia, only has one eye. In late Feb 2015, her remaining eye was in pain — her pupil was not responding to light, and she could barely open it. I rushed her to her her regular vet, who said I needed to see an optomologist (eye dr) asap, due to her health condition and the state of her eye. He gave me names of who he’d contact and as confident that I;d be able to see them.
However, I called around to every vet eye specialist in Seattle, but no one would see Livia in the midst of this emergency, except for Dr Gia Klauss at Columbia River Vet Specialists, even though she had a full schedule. Finally, a vet clinic that cared enough for my dog to make room in her schedule! I was glad to drive 2.5 hours from Seattle to Vancouver, WA, for this appointment.
Dr. Klauss was phenomenal. She thoroughly looked at Livia’s eye, diagnosed her, and gave me meds to help her eye heal. She asked me a lot of questions. She was present in the exam room, totally focused on my pet. It was just awesome.
Also, having been to many ER vet appointments for Livia’s other eye (before she lost it), this place charges at the lower end of the spectrum. Compared to Seattle, this place was inexpensive.
I definitely recommend this practice (at least Dr Klauss, Her nurse, and the prices) to anyone in a jam, or who wants to make sure their pet is given the right amount of care for their health issues in an emergency or not. Thank you Dr Klauss and her nurse assistant (whose name I don’t know) for fitting me in that day — after being turned down by all other eye specialists in Seattle, you renewed my faith that there were some people who care more about a pet in need than keeping their 90 minute introductory appointments with people who do not have pet emergencies.
*Highly recommend.*

When my people brought me in last week I was so sick and scared. I just wanted to go home. They had to put this fancy collar around my neck because I kept pulling out my IVs and biting at the cage door. But, in the end I never went home.
But the Vets and Techs were so kind and caring and gentle. The receptionists were efficient and polite. If I couldn’t be at home being here wasn’t so bad. In my last fleeting moments on this planet the staff were so compassionate with my people so it didn’t make me sad to be leaving them, even though I know they will be sad for a long, long time.
If my people could write this without bursting into tears at my memory, they would tell you that if your furry friend is sick or hurt, this is the place to bring them.
Rüdiger, The German Shepherd Dog
January 7, 2008-​February 23, 2015

Thank you, Dr. Stepaniuk, Heather and CRV staff for saving my Beagle, Dot. I can not thank you enough. We will enjoy her company for more years due to your caring expertise. Worth the time; worth the money; worth it all to gain more time with my dog. You rock!

Amazing people who know their stuff and really care + True Vet ER facility with current technology and trained professionals on-​site to provide the best care for your pet.
I hope you never have to go here. But if you do, this is the best place to take your beloved fur-​kid.
I have spent a lot of time and money learning there are different levels of «emergency» vets. Most are just doctor offices open late — only a few are hospitals, no matter what they call themselves. Columbia River Emergency Vet is a real pet ER — the best place to go for a pet emergency.
Because our furry kids can’t tell us exactly what is wrong, and things can get worse very quickly, I want a medical team who is trained and equipped to provide CPR or surgery, if that is what is needed. (Not just run tests and send me home with a huge bill and a sicker pet.)
Columbia River Emergency Vet staff are highly trained medical experts. They were all incredibly kind and patiently explained every step of their proposed treatment plan and the associated costs, to make sure I felt comfortable with their approach. The bill was clearly outlined and there was no pressure — the staff presented a range of options and explained their medical recommendations. Ha, wish my people doctors were as clear about their treatment plan & billing!
We are lucky to have such an incredible resource for pet emergencies here on Clark County. I’ve been to other vet hospitals and no one else can compare to this level of care, expertise and technology.
Tips:
1) Save as a Contact. Add Columbia River Vet as Emergency Vet in your phone so you have the phone number and directions when you need it.
2) Call ahead. If you are coming in with an emergency, call the 24-​hour phone number while you are driving in — they will start preparing for you, so they are ready to help you even before you come in the door.
These people are the ones I will always choose when I need emergency help for my pets.

These guys have saved my cat twice. Once when he ate 8 inches of 2 inch wide ribbon with wire on each side (ribbon is his drug of choice) and again last week when he was vomiting non stop. If it wasn’t for CRVS, my best buddy would be a gonner for sure. I made a $ 1500 dollar mistake of taking him to another ER because it was closer to home. I will never take him to anyone other than CRVS in an emergency again.

You could not find a more caring, passionate group of pet lovers. After rushing my sweet baby boy cat to the ER here thinking that he may have been injured in an accident it was found that someone shot him with a pellet gun. My grief was immense and I could tell that the whole staff working with my sweet boy was grieving for him too. I was able to be with him until he took his last breath and the caring techs were so comforting to him. I was pretty much a basketcase and they took great care of me too. These people REALLY care about those precious pets that are as much family to us as a child. I lost a baby boy that day and I thank the whole staff for being a shoulder to cry on. I highly recommend this loving vet. I will never go anywhere else for pet care and emergency services. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. My Gibby was well cared for at the end of his life.