Cat Care Clinic — Local services in Bellevue

My dear baby Sherlock passed away under their "care" two weeks ago, I am finally having the emotional capacity to write a review about them now. Google reviews and a chinese review site called little red book strongly suggested this place, so I thought my Sherlock would get great care here... And although it is not clear that he would have survived his gradually worsening heart failure during the month CCC had to treat him... the reason I am reviewing them negatively is because I think the vets at CCC did not make the process comfortable for me or my baby, nor did I feel like they were proactively trying to do what was needed to try to save him. Although the support staff were great, I feel they serve to mask the deficiencies of the vets.

First we met Jenny Lee who took urine and tried to take a blood sample from Sherlock but did not get any blood and blamed my cat's health state. I knew Sherlock wasnt doing well but in hindsight, she didnt even shave the fur which the next vet at CCC, Dr Alex, did do and succeeded despite even WORSE health of Sherlock. Then instead of suggesting ways to treat Sherlock, Jenny immediately and repeatedly suggested and pushed euthanasia as the only option, citing fluid buildup. I broke down crying, I didnt think my cat's health had reached that point... I came to save my baby, not just end his life. Jenny said that the best thing to do is to euthanize Sherlock before the end of the day. I couldnt, I wasnt ready, and Sherlock was still very much alive. I was so crushed by her suggestion I left depressed and in tears... completely forgetting to get treatments but Jenny wouldnt do anything but offer death; however Jenny made sure I left with a brochure of an excellent euthanasia clinic she strongly liked, a seeming spit to my face. The urine results came back with slight deviation to suggest a kidney problem but nothing serious and Jenny wasted no time reminding me about her euthanasia clinic as the best choice. Instead I asked for some kidney friendly diet, a prescription she didnt even get me, Dr Alex at CCC did. But I had to ask for that, Jenny had no treatment plan. A week passed and I regathered myself but Sherlock continued to lose energy and weight... I set up an appointment with Dr Alex this time, and he was able to get a blood draw for Sherlock despite his worstening condition because he shaved his arm before drawing. The results came back with off the charts level of heart failure protein and Dr Alex prescribed a couple things to help with his condition. What if Jenny caught this earlier with a blood test that was suppose to be a week earlier... Ultimately, a couple weeks of treatments as prescribed and my cat passed away 6 hours after my family was able to fly in and see him one last time. We were greatful the little guy hung in there for family to see him off. Its almost like he knew they were flying in that day so he just tried to hang on... when Sherlock passed, I was devastated and thankful for his strength... a mix of emotions I have never simultaneously experienced.

I originally appreciated the actions that Dr Alex took to try to help my baby, but in hindsight it only seemed that way in comparison to Jenny's paltry attempt of simulating a professional vet... This wasnt clear to me until I went to another vet clinic for Sherlock's brother, I witnessed what a truly professional level and detail oriented vet analysis was like... I was stunned, I never seen such thorough question asking, not just in comparison to CCC, but anywhere... I was impressed and annoyed by the level of detail they asked and they recorded everything! I immediately thought about the level of care Sherlock received at CCC and broke into tears because I realized I killed my baby by taking him to the wrong vet clinic. I blame myself and CCC for not doing our best to save him, it crushes me now and I cry every time I think about it. The regret of walking Sherlock into the wrong vet clinic will...

"The negative reviews previously posted are not based in the reality of this outstanding veterinary practice. Dr. Hodges and his exceptional expert staff of feline specialists are the best feline specialty practice in our area. I speak from personal experience as I have been a regular client of the Clinic for 25+ years. Over the decades Dr. Hodges and his staff have helped all my cats - my own as well as the many I have rescued (I had feral feeding station in Bellevue for 7 years). Dr .Hodges and his expert staff examined, tested, diagnosed, spayed/neutered, treated and boarded all of these kittens and cats (less than six were terminally ill and could not be saved). Several had to be boarded for several months until they were well enough to be adopted into loving forever homes. The clinic helped me screen the potential adopters/families; all adopters had to provide at least $100 for each kitten or adult cat (if a family could not afford the adoption fee, they certainly would not be in a position to provide her/him with the necessary veterinary care over his/her lifetime). At no time has anyone at the clinic ever turned anyone away whose cat or kitten truly needed real emergency or critical care - that is not the philosophy of the clinic or their mindset. On more than one occasion they have stayed past normal hours caring for one of my cats. Many years ago I encountered an injured crow who could not fly. I was able to secure the injured bird in a soft towel and rushed him to the clinic, knowing that I could count on them to tell me if he could be saved. Although birds are not their customary patient, they examined the crow, and provided him supportive care/pain meds. Unfortunately the crow had been hit by a car; he was in severe shock (probably with internal injuries). He could not be saved; they compassionately provided him a pain free death. Over the years I have had several of my beloved cats diagnosed with various forms of cancer - I knew they would receive the best expert treatment, whether chemotherapy, radiation or surgery. I also knew that I would be provided with candid assessments of their treatment options and prognoses. This was always done professionally, with the greatest kindness, gentleness and compassion. When the time came when euthanasia was indicated for one of my beloved cats, it was handled with the utmost gentleness, TLC, their full support - these were cats that the staff knew well and had grown to love, appreciate and enjoy over the years. They shared my pain and grief as we all said a final good-bye to my very special companions. Dr. Hodges, Dr. Hoover and Dr. King keep abreast of the latest feline research, diagnostics, and treatment options. They are the first in the area to provide the newest blood tests – last year it was the new blood tests for heart disease and pancreatitis. They recently informed me of new diagnostic tools that will soon be available that will contribute to even greater fine tuning of diagnosis of diseases in cats. All of my cats have received these tests and will continue to do so annually. As an indication of their acknowledged expertise, general veterinary practitioners continually refer cases to the clinic for their expert evaluation and follow up diagnostics. It is still unfortunately the case that many GP veterinarians continue to treat cats is if they were “small furry dogs”. It is also the case that in veterinary medicine less does not equal good effective care - you do "get what you pay for." VETS FOR LESS IS JUST THAT - LESS CARE, LESS KNOWLEDGE, LESS EXPERTISE, AND CERTAINLY LESS THAN IDEAL OUTCOMES.”

(posted on behalf of...

2 star for Dr Kara Amber Lee. My cat had a complex abscess and was treated at an ER in Redmond. The ER recommended me to take my cat to our regular vet (which is Cat Care Clinic) for a follow up visit in one week to re-assess the open wounds. So here we are. Dr Lee is not the doctor we usually see, but she was the only doctor in office that day. She is all nice and friendly, but professionally speaking she seems not quite knowledgeable, and she was quite uncertain about the next steps for my cat although she did show a lot of empathy which I appreciate but was useless.

Dr Lee asked me to take my cat out of the carrier just to WEIGH her. She did not even take any look at the wounds just because my cat was fractious. But all the reason why I took my injured cat to the vet was to have her wounds assessed by a doctor, not to have the doctor just weigh her. And for just weighing my cat, Dr charged me $129 for “Accident or illness exam”, plus a bunch of medication that’s overcharged 5X of the price as compared to chewy. When I asked Dr Lee if my cat needs stitches, she said she doesn’t have the expertise. And just sent us home with a total $278.95 bill with literally no exam done at all other than looking at the pictures I took. I wish I didn’t take my cat to the vet for the “exam” and directly take her to an urgent care which could actually do a real exam.

Also the gel Dr Lee prescribed has made the wound’s condition worse. Im taking my cat to urgent care now. I highly doubt if Dr Lee is qualified as a veterinarian. I will not come back to this vet again although the front desk ladies are super nice and sweet. But I’m sorry I think the vet should hire...