Simply put, the term Diplomate refers to a veterinarian who has earned board certification in a particular veterinary specialty. Only veterinarians who have successfully completed post-graduate requirements of a particular specialty college can be considered Diplomates. Veterinarians wishing to become board certified must complete an internship and then a two to three-year residency program, meet specific training and caseload requirements, conduct original research and then have it published. This process is supervised by current Diplomates, ensuring consistency in training and adherence to high standards. Once the residency has been completed, the resident must sit for and pass a rigorous examination. Only then does the veterinarian earn the title of Diplomate. 

Our Veterinary Specialists, just like medical specialists for people, have devoted their lives and careers to a specific course of advanced study and training. After completing four years of Veterinary School, a Veterinary Specialist’s training includes a one-year Internship followed by an advanced three-year residency in their area of specialization and a rigorous examination. It is only after this intensive training that they are permitted to call themselves a “Specialist,” and it is this devotion to their craft that allows them to shine in a specific area of veterinary medicine. 

Our Veterinary Specialists are experts in Emergency & Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Interventional Radiology, Neurology, Oncology, Dentistry, and Surgery. They act as consultants who support the practice of your family veterinarian in a way that is similar to the way your primary care physician may refer you to a specialist for further assessment and diagnosis. Our team will keep in contact with you and your family veterinarian after your pet’s specialty consultation at our hospital. In the event that your pet is hospitalized, our team will keep in constant communication with both you and your family veterinarian throughout your pet’s stay at our hospital. We make sure we are providing you with the best information possible when it comes to making the important decisions for you, your pet and your family. 

Here are our Board-Certified Veterinary Specialists: Annie Chih, Tanya Donovan, Alison Khoo, Adam Drury, Chai-Fei Li, and Brittany Evans.

Please plan on arriving 10 minutes early for your first visit to complete paperwork with our receptionist. This can also be completed prior to arrival if you wish to print it out by clicking on the link for New Patient Form for Emergency, Dentistry, Internal Medicine, Oncology Our referral coordinator will contact your family veterinarian after scheduling your pet’s consultation to request your pet’s medical history, lab work, and x-rays. Our veterinary specialists familiarize themselves with the information they receive from your family veterinarian prior to your consultation. Some hospitals are able to send us x-ray images electronically, others are not. Our referral coordinator will work with you and your family veterinarian to ensure that your pets x-rays are available to us. You may need to pick up your pet’s x-rays at your family veterinarian prior to your scheduled consultation time. If so, we will let you know. Working with our referral coordinator will help ensure a successful consultation for your pet. 

The doctor will recommend and discuss treatment options with you. Our goal is to create a plan that works well for you and your family, and provides the best possible outcome for your pet. The doctor will assist you in your decision-making, ensuring all of your questions are answered thoroughly. A detailed treatment plan of each option will be provided so that you are fully informed of related costs and have the knowledge you need to make the right decision for your pet. 

Our goal is to keep you completely informed about your pet’s condition and progress. We will also communicate with your family veterinarian regarding findings, recommendations and treatment of your pet’s condition. 

Payment for your initial consultation along with any tests, procedures or medications is due after you have discussed and agreed upon on a written treatment plan with the doctor. For extended hospital stays, treatment plans will be updated daily and additional payment will be requested at that time. Payment options include cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, ScratchPay and CareCredit.

The ASPCA toxic plant list contains names and photos of plants that have been reported as having negative effects on animals. We are providing the ASPCA link to assist you in identifying poisonous plants that your pet may have been exposed to. Please understand that this service is not intended as a method of providing a definitive diagnosis for your pet. The ASPCA site also includes a 24-hour emergency poison hotline telephone number. Be aware that the ASPCA does charge a phone consultation fee, however, the information you gain from the consultation is valuable and may be used in the treatment of your pet. The Animal Poison Control Center may refer you to your local animal emergency hospital to seek treatment for your pet. If you think your pet may have been exposed to or ingested toxic materials, please call AMCS at (206) 204-3366. 

The Animal Medical Center of Seattle utilizes mechanical ventilation to perform some or all of the work of breathing for patients that present in imminent respiratory failure. There are many reasons a pet may present in respiratory failure, including trauma or neurological disease. Regardless of the reason, patients requiring mechanical ventilation are in need of urgent intervention. Manual ventilation can only be performed for short period of time, whereas mechanical ventilation can be used as long as necessary and can be a lifesaving option for your pet. Our highly skilled veterinarians and nurses are trained on how to utilize and properly care for pets who require long-term care on a ventilator. 

If you have questions about mechanical ventilation, please contact our Emergency department.