What types of specialty services are available at Summit Veterinary Referral Center?

Summit Veterinary Referral Center offers a range of specialty services including cardiology, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, and surgery. These services are provided by a team of veterinary specialists dedicated to comprehensive care for cats and dogs.

What diagnostic capabilities support the emergency and critical care services?

For emergency and critical care, Summit Veterinary Referral Center has access to immediate diagnostics including a full in-house lab, a digital radiology suite, and ultrasound. These tools enable timely and effective interventions for critically ill patients.

What conditions does the Urgent Care service treat?

The Urgent Care service treats conditions that are urgent but not immediately life-threatening, such as mild to moderate lameness, minor wounds, mild to moderate vomiting or diarrhea, mild allergic reactions, ear infections, and certain skin or urinary issues. It also addresses mild coughing, sneezing, and loss of appetite for less than 24 hours.

Can pets with heart conditions receive minimally invasive treatment at Summit Veterinary Referral Center?

Yes, the cardiology department offers minimally invasive interventional cardiology for correcting congenital or acquired heart defects. Procedures like patent ductus arteriosus occlusion, balloon valvuloplasty for narrowed heart valves, and pacemaker implantation are performed using guidewires and catheters, guided by real-time x-ray (fluoroscopy) and 3-dimensional transesophageal cardiac ultrasound.

What is the process when arriving at the emergency department?

Upon arrival at the emergency department, your pet will be assessed, or triaged, by a licensed veterinary technician. Unstable pets are immediately brought to an emergency doctor for treatment. After stabilization begins, the emergency doctor will discuss treatment, diagnosis, and monitoring options with the pet owner.

Summit Veterinary Referral Center

Summit Veterinary Referral Center is a general practice practice in Tacoma, WA, staffed by 7 DACVIM-credentialed specialists. Procedures include Ventilator therapy, Telemetry monitoring, Electrocardiography (analysis of electrical activity in the heart and heart rhythm), and Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occlusion.

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About

Summit Veterinary Referral Center is a 24/7 veterinary specialty and emergency hospital in Tacoma, WA, offering comprehensive, life-saving care. The center provides emergency and critical care services, supported by a full in-house lab, digital radiology suite, and ultrasound. Specialty services include cardiology, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, and surgery, with a team of board-certified specialists and criticalists.

The clinic serves Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, and the surrounding Puget Sound area, collaborating with primary care veterinarians. An Urgent Care service is available by appointment on specific days, bridging the gap between general practices and the 24-hour Emergency and Critical Care Department for conditions that are urgent but not immediately life-threatening.

Surgical team

Laura Riordan

DVM, DACVIM
Matthew Brim

DVM, ER Medical Director
April Panpipat

LVT
Renee Girens

DVM, MS, DACVIM
Kayla Bigelow

DVM
Macey Camplair

DVM
Connor Ellis

DVM
Amanda Gaytan

DVM
Caitlyn Gillikin

DVM
Angie Graupmann

DVM
Kurando Honjo

DVM
Kirsten Lawson

DVM
Anna Stobnicki

DVM
Liana Tay

DVM
Ilana Weisberg

DVM
Annabel Botsford

DVM, MS, DACVIM
Jewel Milo

DVM, DACVIM
Marianne Pan

DVM, DACVIM
Jerry Demuth

DVM, DACVIM
Kate Finnerty

DVM, DACVIM

Procedures

Ventilator therapy
Telemetry monitoring
Electrocardiography (analysis of electrical activity in the heart and heart rhythm)
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occlusion
Radiography
triage
Blood pressure measurement
Emergency treatment
Chest tube management
Minimally Invasive Interventional Cardiology
Lacerations
High-flow oxygen
Urgent Care Appointment
Emergency surgeries
Advanced pain management
Echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart)
Peritoneal dialysis
Post-surgery monitoring
Respiratory services
Trauma management
Balloon valvuloplasty for severely narrowed heart valves (e.g. pulmonic stenosis)
Pacemaker implantation
24/7 Pet Emergency Services
Advanced blood pressure support and monitoring

Equipment

non-invasive 3-dimensional transesophageal cardiac ultrasound
full in-house lab
Real-time x-ray (fluoroscopy)
digital radiology suite
Oxygen cages
ultrasound

Photos

Photos via Google · Summit Veterinary Referral Center, Efren Torres, Jeanette Parmley, Amy Bivens

Frequently asked questions

What types of specialty services are available at Summit Veterinary Referral Center?: Summit Veterinary Referral Center offers a range of specialty services including cardiology, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, and surgery. These services are provided by a team of veterinary specialists dedicated to comprehensive care for cats and dogs.
What diagnostic capabilities support the emergency and critical care services?: For emergency and critical care, Summit Veterinary Referral Center has access to immediate diagnostics including a full in-house lab, a digital radiology suite, and ultrasound. These tools enable timely and effective interventions for critically ill patients.
What conditions does the Urgent Care service treat?: The Urgent Care service treats conditions that are urgent but not immediately life-threatening, such as mild to moderate lameness, minor wounds, mild to moderate vomiting or diarrhea, mild allergic reactions, ear infections, and certain skin or urinary issues. It also addresses mild coughing, sneezing, and loss of appetite for less than 24 hours.
Can pets with heart conditions receive minimally invasive treatment at Summit Veterinary Referral Center?: Yes, the cardiology department offers minimally invasive interventional cardiology for correcting congenital or acquired heart defects. Procedures like patent ductus arteriosus occlusion, balloon valvuloplasty for narrowed heart valves, and pacemaker implantation are performed using guidewires and catheters, guided by real-time x-ray (fluoroscopy) and 3-dimensional transesophageal cardiac ultrasound.
What is the process when arriving at the emergency department?: Upon arrival at the emergency department, your pet will be assessed, or triaged, by a licensed veterinary technician. Unstable pets are immediately brought to an emergency doctor for treatment. After stabilization begins, the emergency doctor will discuss treatment, diagnosis, and monitoring options with the pet owner.

Contact & hours

Address

2505 S 80th St
Tacoma

Phone

(253) 983-1114

Website

summitvets.com

4.0 · 1041 Google reviews

Recent reviews

3 months ago

Valerie Holmes

Took our 14 year old Labrador in on a Tuesday, expecting terrible news due to a mass that had been previously seen at a different veterinary center on ultrasound. Summit (more specifically, the surgery department) got us scheduled within a day, recommended a CT scan of the abdomen, and potential surgery. The CT came back as a mass in the abdomen, and Dr. Loomis and her team (Janesa) were able to get her in the next day for emergency removal of the mass. We were treated exceptionally well, Dr. Loomis was very articulate on what we could expect with the procedure, step by step, on how recovery would be. We felt as if we were treated with priority and respect. The level of care they provide animals in distress (and humans) is extraordinary. On the day of surgery, they kept us apprised of when she'd go in for surgery and post-surgery. She stayed one day in the ICU to be monitored, and the whole staff was very attentive to the patient and human. I cannot say better things about Summit Vet. My rescue group also uses them for emergencies and more complex veterinary care needs. Thank you to Dr. Loomis and her caring team. The ER was also very attentive. Dr. Gillikin and her staff monitored her for any changes and were also very attentive to her needs for some post op care. The entire staff goes above and beyond! Our girl is doing well, 4 days out from surgery so far. We will be using them again should anything else come up. 5 stars hands down.
4 months ago

Krystal

Took my dog in because he got into some medications, and the way that the front desk and the doctors treated us and my pup was beyond magnificent! They we're beyond caring they treated us like family! They immediately took my dog back, literally the second we walked in the door, and they saved his life! They cared, they beyond cared, it was amazing, the front desk was caring,considerate, helpful, my daughter is 9, and was with me, and they were just amazing! It was 1:00 in the morning, and they were awesome! I cannot say enough good things about this vet clinic, there's not enough good words to say how they were! This is where I will be bringing my animals from now on, and this is the only clinic I will be referring people to. Beyond amazing, every single one of them.
6 months ago

Linda Kath

We adopted Ella, adult, from Sunny Skys Pet Rescue. She suffered from poor breeding resulting Ella needing surgery. She had bilateral TPO surgery and for the first time she was pain free and running normally. Unfortunatly less than 8 months later Ella developed TPLO and couldn't walk on left rear leg. She needed another surgery to stabilizing knee. It has been a uneventful recovery and Ella can once again run around pain free. You never know what medical problems can happen to your beloved pet out of the blue. We were fortunate to have Dr. Andrew Hofeling and his awesome staff help Ella. We are so very thankful for all the staff at Summit Veternary Center. The expertise from a surgeon, Dr Hofeling and all the staff are beyond excellent. If you are lucky enough to have animal companion in your life, you can help your animal live the best years of their life with the assistance of the caring, understanding and patient staff here. With profound thankfulness to Summit, Steve and Linda

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5 months ago

Elizabeth

I've had more experience with emergency and specialty vets than I would like. Summit was amazing. From the customer service of the admin staff to the vets themselves. There is usually a wait to talk to them when you call but it's not bad considering how busy they must be. Everyo on the team was kind, caring and amazing at their jobs. I wish they'd been able to give me better news, but I know everyone went above and beyond for my cat. Thank you for doing what you do.
4 months ago

Danalitz Ladrido

I was in WA from out of town for the holidays and my dog had a pancreatitis flare up early Christmas morning. I brought her to Summit to get the supportive care she needed so we could make our way back home the next day. I called ahead to verify their hours for the holiday and the process was well organized and efficient. The staff was very kind to both of us and Dr. Nowak was friendly and open to providing me with the medications I was hoping to get to ensure she made it back home without issues. Despite the fact that I was informed they had a critical patient come in while I was there, Dr. Nowak sat down and provided me with a consultation that did not seem rushed or distracted. The techs provided updates while I waited and let me know how she did in the back without me which I always appreciate. I am so grateful to them for being there for us on Christmas! I was also pleasantly surprised that all the treatments were very affordable and I walked out the door with a lower bill than I expected for an ER. Facility was comfortable and spacious and had good coffee available. Thank you for taking good care of Mini!

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