Burien Veterinary Hospital: Whitty Erin DVM

We have been bringing our cat to Dr. Whitty for over four years and have always been so impressed with her passion, love, and knowledge around cats (and I'm sure other pets also!!!). The other staff at Burien Veterinary Hospital are also exceptional! They are friendly, knowledgeable, and so good with all the pets who come in! I can't recommend Burien Vet and Dr. Whitty enough!

I am writing this about 6 months later because I was too upset to write sooner. It’s long but important. I had an uncomfortable experience when I took in my dog. My 11 year old pup, who is in good health up to now picked up a cigarette broken in half. I immediately pulled all of the tobacco strings out of his mouth and the filter was snapped hanging off before my pup put it in his mouth. I don’t know if I got all of the tobacco. The filter never got in his mouth as I even took a picture of it on the ground. I showed the nurse or vet tech and the doctor the picture of the filter still intact on the ground. They didn’t want to look at it. They were able to pump his stomach in time because of the quick timing I brought him in. The doctor brought in a plastic back with some off white pieces from his stomach. The doctor told me it was the filter and said he needed to be admitted because he could die. They treated me like I had done something wrong he’s never eaten them, after I immediately reached my hand in my dogs mouth and pull out whatever I could and took him to the hospital immediately. I asked to touch the bag. The contents did not feel like a wet cigarette filter as those are cotton like and pull apart in strings and don’t digest. These were mushy white pieces and I said I didn’t believe that was a filter, because I am former smoker, even though I quit 8 years prior I knew what filters felt like. I tried to show the doctor how it was mushy and breaks apart like foods But the doctor said that it is up to me if I want to let them admit him or take him home where he could die, because his enzymes are raised. I didn’t understand or have a chance to look up reasons for that. And she said “that’s fine, if you just want to go, you will have to sign a form saying it’s against medical advice in case he dies. OR if something happens at home.” Again making me feel like the villain phrasing it “If he dies” and not the concerned parent that I was. And my dog is 11, right? So I want him for as many years as possible and I don’t know what a significant number of enzymes are on the paper, and they didn’t have time for questions, because it felt like I was the villain. I explained I’m on very low disability benefit income, and they were quick to offer carecredit, if you’re approved. How will I pay a loan? And I was rushed and they said it was 1500plus. I had to call my elderly mother in her 70s in Florida to help me pay. My mom had a stroke and has difficulty speaking so I first had to step outside and explain & ask her to use her savings to help me, which of course she did. Due to the stroke my mom had trouble speaking, so I had to speak for her giving her info. It felt awful that I had to ask my mom to give her info. I felt something was so wrong with it. I went home I remembered that I gave my dogs a piece of popcorn & I knew that was the yellow white mush. I checked the cigarette again on the ground outside my apt that I didn’t have time to throw away before. Zero filter was eaten. I called and it was the same situation and that doctor disagrees. I felt scammed and embarrassed, and ashamed that I had to ask my mom for her money when she’s on survivor VA benefit income. Now I know what happened was not good patient care. Regardless of if they still recommended him staying. My questions weren’t addressed or given time to process. And it wasn’t my fault, because I did everything I possibly could have to protect my dog and keep him safe. And when I started getting ads for the Burien A.H. in my inbox for specials and food discounts, as hard as it is to say, I feel now that this Hospital is more about profit than animal care or listening to concerns of the mom. I don’t regret that taking him and they could pump his stomach right away to help remove of any toxic tobacco. I understand that the enzymes were raised but not being able to ask any questions even about enzymes, because of how quickly they rushed me to make a decision in 2mins. No filter was recovered but they will still say it was still high enzymes. Sad.

Dr. Whitty is easily the best veterinarian I have ever seen; she is extremely personable and so thorough. The quality of care she provides extends past being timely, responsive, and kind. She surprised me immediately due to the additional emails and voicemails she provided in order to offer more information and resources for my cat, showing she effortlessly goes above and beyond. Her knowledge and guidance is really appreciated too. I'm so happy to have found her!