Galen Brelie, DVM

May 2024

DO NOT GET SURGERY FROM ECV! GET A 2ND OPINION!!! Took our Samoyed in 5/23/23, she had collapsed and was unable to walk without assistance. Brought her to ECV and was examined by a vet, they said she likely bruised her hip and to give it a day or 2. Immediately upon leaving, once our dog got out the door, her other leg gave out and collapsed. The next day I brought her in and Dr. Mortenson did xrays and advised us that our dog needed tplo surgery on both legs. They advised doing sooner than later. We felt pushed to do both legs at the same time due to the recovery time doing one at a time. That afternoon, we were told there was an opening the next day for her double tplo. We booked it. Surgery with Dr. Kobluk was the following day. When we brought Coda in for a check up from surgery the tape they used to keep the leg wrap in place irritated our dogs skin to the point of a bright red wash on both of her legs. It was horrible. A few weeks after that we had another follow up visit and they were hoping for more improvement but since it was both legs said give it more time. By week 6, not much progress and they recommended a physical therapist. We made an appointment. The physical therapist said a double tplo in a samoyed never should have happened in the first place. I shared this information with ECV as they were the one who referred me to this therapist. The therapist was fired by ECV. Dr. Pust also admitted the double tplo likely should not have been done. Our dog was not getting better, they took x-rays and recommended a 2nd surgery on one of her legs. They did not charge us for this one, as it was admitted the 1st one was not done properly. However, the pin came out from the 2nd surgery!!! Weeks later, still no progress. We try a dog wheelchair and unfortunately our dog did not take. OUR DOG NEVER RECOVERED, it got to the point where she was defacating herself, we had to make the decision to put our 6 yr old Samoyed down 11/1/23. After a month of grieving, I reached out to Dr. Schurer, who was in charge of my complaint but also aware of the situation from the beginning. I made a complaint requesting full reimbursement for the hell we went through from May to November. Stating all of the above of course in more detail. Dr. Schurer and I went back and forth in email communication for 4 months with no resolve. I then get contacted from ECV 's insurance company to file a claim. I work with Zurich insurance from 4/8/24 to today. I submitted all medical records and communication and today I get an email from another claims agent saying they need all documentation sent AGAIN! ECV thinks keeping the xx amount of dollars we paid is more important than doing what's right! I have dealt with this for the past 365 days with no resolve. I am beyond frustrated there is clearly never going to be a resolution and do not want another pet owner to go through the nightmare I had! PET OWNER BEWARE!

Feb 2023

We've been taking our animals here for 5 years. Tonight we had an appointment to get our dog his annual checkup. The appointment was for 7:20. I was 11 minutes late(we thought it was 7:40. Our mistake). When I got there the receptionist was doing something on the computer so I waited. When I told her i was there for the appointment she excused herself and went in the back. She came out after a couple of minutes and said they have a 10 minute late policy. I said I was only 11 minutes late and she said technically you were 12 minutes late. They would not take my dog in. The parking lot was empty!! I would not recommend this place to anyone. I have always thought they were overpriced anyway.

Apr 2022

I just found out my dog has mitral valve murmur and Dr Pust was so kind and informative. Did a Echocardiogram to find out whatmedications my dog needs. My dog was so calm with her. ?