In defense of Dr. Hittenmiller, it is difficult to be warm and fuzzy at 1:00a.m. when an owner brings in a patient that is having "difficulty breathing" and the pet's owner chooses not to treat.

It was the middle of the night and my dog had been hit by a car. Animal Control had found him and brought him to Carson Tahoe Veterinary Hospital. They delivered emergency care and saved my dogs life. The staff there went above and beyond to try and find out who his owner was. Through different avenues, we were contacted and notified that our dog was being treated and hospitalized. We went straight in and were well informed of our dogs condition and what treatment had been done to save his life. I am so grateful that they would take in a dog without notice of an owner and save his life. Thanks again, and we are beyond grateful!

My husband and I were extremely disappointed by the poor bed side manner of the vet and the overall lack of concern for our pet's health. We will never take another animal there.

Visiting daughter in Nevada with my dog. My dog became ill at 3 a.m.on Sunday morning, several years prior had taken him there and gotten good treatment. Only place to take him at this hour and no local vet. My dog was 16.5 years old and had been to our own Vet monthly. I knew his condition and his entire medical past. Long story short, called ahead to tell them on our way. Vet tech took about 30 mins to ask questions, took my dog from me and said "Dr.not a people person and does not allow people in exam".I handed him over and few minutes later brought him back. Was told only way to "find out what is wrong with him" was leave him for 12 hour observation, put on valium i.v.drip and do blood panel". I said he is diabetic, had blood panel one week ago and is over 16.5 years old. I DEMANDED to speak to the Vet, whom I had not seen. He came up to the front and I said, based on my dog's entire life was opting to have him put down. The only response from this Vet was "you do not have to make excuses to me", I said "just explaing my dog's medical history. They revised the bill from 12 hour stay with i.v.drip and blood panel, to office visit and other final procedure. The Dr. was kind during the procedure and I was with my dog the entire time, at the end the Dr.simply walked out. The vet tech was very nice and offered words of sympathy. When I spoke to my own Vet to tell him what they had "advised" he was shocked and could not understand why the would advise, i.v.with valium and blood panel, when there was nothing really to do for him. Its all about the money. We had no choice being from out of state to take him to any other place at 3a.m. This experience was March 2009! My dog went peacefully and I made the right decision. Why they would want to put a 16.5 year old diabetic dog on iv valium drop and "observed" is beyond me. I am writing to them to demand copies of my entire file. This clinic use to be know US wide for great medical care. If at all possible never go there. It also had a very odd "vibe" about it, very creepy....our bill for two procedures there was $300.00. We brought our dog back to Oregon to have cremated, would not have left him there, ever! I do not believe that Dr.Hittenmiller EVER saw my dog nor did any type of exam. All the exam was done in the waiting area by the Vet Tech as I held my dog and this took forever for an emergency situation.

It's in the middle of the night and you need care, only one place to go. Carson Tahoe Vet. The other night my Pug's eye started to bleed badly.. I called around to the local vets in town and found the Carson Tahoe Vet was on call. I called and came right down the hill. (25 min away). Dr Arnold and one staffer met me at the door. They walked me through the procedures, gave me fair estimates, called in a third person for the procedure and saved my dog's life. They asked me to get him to an eye specialized in Reno the next day. Which I did and they repaired my dogs eye. They were amazing.. Calm, informative, and put me to ease. I do not know what I would have done without them.. Really... Thank you Dr Arnold and staff. Paige and Ozzie the Pug.