Kings Trail Animal Hospital

I did not expect to be writing another review within 2 months of the last one. This story is sad, but says so very much about Dr. Erdman and his wonderful staff of animal lovers and respect for all living creatures. I must make an update on the last review I wrote on Nikki, our 13 yr. old male Maltese, lover of life! In the last review Dr. Erdman had operated on NIkki, saved his life and gave him the best 2 months of his life, with the exception of his first 6 or so years. Last Wednesday, Nikki just stopped eating after never missing the food line in 2 glorious months of good health. He seemed a bit uncoordinated, confused and lethargic. it was a notable difference from his 2 months of chasing squirrels and eating everything he could. This was so pleasing to us as we had had to coax him to eat for the last several years. We took him to Dr. Erdman on Thurs. afternoon late thinking that he might just be a bit anemic and perhaps need an iron shot. He did some quick blood work which confirmed what Dr. E. and I both suspected. Nikki was bleeding internally and filling up with fluid from the cancer that had gotten through the one he removed 2 months prior. He was very anemic and very tired. Dr. E. told me that Nikki was not going to get well, that the cancer had spread throughout his little body. He suggested he give him a shot of cordizone that would give him a shot of energy and perhaps a bit of appetite, that we could take him home and say our good byes and bring him back in a couple of days. He said he thought he might have about a week. I was just stunned as I really didn't totally suspect this coming. However, my husband and I decided that we just could not prolong it, looking at him every time and knowing that this was our last day or so with him. As shocked and unsuspecting of this hour, we both agreed that the most loving thing to do for Nikki was to just put him slowly to sleep with both of us there to comfort and love him, knowing that we were saving him from any further suffering. The main point of this report is to report to all of you how wonderful and kind Dr. Erdman was. He loved Nikki as we had visited KTAH many times before. Dr. E. absolutely adores ALL animals and you can tell that he does. He speaks with such respect and kindness directly to the animals giving them the dignity he feels that they deserve. He provides very ample time for the pet parents to say their goodbye in private as well as he and his staff having a part in that saying goodbye also. He explained everything that would happen so there would be no wondering. He and his co-workers gave us a very thoughtful and honoring keepsake to remember Nikki by. While this is always one of the most difficult and trying times in a pet owners life, this Animal Hospital helped to ease that pain in every way possible. I, again, highly recommend that you consider bringing your pet to Kings Trail Animal Hospital. I do not think you will ever be sorry. They treat every pet as if it were their own, their prices are fair and supportive of most others, their care is excellent and the skill and knowledge of the staff is competitive with any other animal hospital. I have another male Maltese who name is Jackson. I will stay right where I am as we will be facing the same type thing with Jack in the soon future and there is no where I would want to go through this difficult experience than with Dr. Erdman and his wonderful staff. Apologize for my long review....I just like giving honest and truthful commentaries. Thank you Dr. Erdman for everything you ALL did for our Nikki to keep him alive for as long as you did! He was one heck of a brave little fellow!! more

I have been using Dr. Chris Erdman for almost 4 years. We have 2 13 yr old Maltese. We moved into town from the Beach and changed our Vet for convenience, he is now right across the street from us. In all my 60 some years of family animals and the care they have needed, I have never had such an authentic group of caring professionals who are in this business for the genuine love of animals. They treat every animal as if they were one of their own pets. Dr. Erdman just last week had to do emergency surgery on Nikki, one of our Maltese for the removal of a 2 pound malignant tumor in his spleen. We had been trying to figure out why he was eating poorly and very tired all the time. He had a big hard belly, but we just thought he was getting older and, like people, was thickening in mis middle. One day he vomited and then lay down and wouldn't get up at all. I carried him to Kings Trail that day. Dr. E.picked up on the size of his tummy immediately and said we would do blood work first and see what it told him. Nothing really but a low thyroid which is treatable. On every visit, Dr. Erdman would express his ongoing concern about Nikki's tummy. 3 days later when Nikki was no better, we all decided to X-ray his belly. There it was........a huge tumor incapsulated inside of his spleen. Dr. Erdman said....we must operate today. He expressed concern over doing it now rather than later due to the danger of it bursting, which at its size, it looked ready to do at any moment, in which cars the cancer would have spread throughout little Nikki like lightening and he would have died. He put Nikki ahead of all the other more routine operations and removed the LARGEST TUMOR HE HAD EVER REMOVED IN SUCH A SMALL DOG. It weighed 2 pounds which is 15% of his total body weight. He had to make a very large incision to get the entire spleen which incapsulated the huge tumor. He called us immediately to tell us about the size if this thing that Nikki was having to tote around with himself. He said it was a success, but that we would have to nurse him back to health. This was a serious operation and DR. ERDMAN SAVED NIKKI'S LIFE. He is well educated but is not overly impressed with himself. He is a very down to earth, caring and kind man who sincerely loves every animal he treats. He tries, also, very hard to educate people on the best practices that will provide your animal with a long, happy life. All of his office staff are wonderful to work with and strive to accommodate your needs quickly and with excellence. The overall service is absolutely the best one we have been to in Jacksonville. If I move back to the \r Beach, I will drive back into town just to go to Dr. Erdman and his wonderful staff. This is the second emergency situation for Nikki that Dr. Erdman has helped us with concerning Nikki. In both situations, he treated Nikki as if he were the most special dog in the world and gave him all the care, kindness and liberty that he would his own pets. Thank you Dr. E. For your excellence in Veterenary care for my babies Nikki and Jack Menge ! You are truly THE BEST!!! 5 Stars for sure! more

The staff at Kings trail Animal hospital are the most compassionate and caring people in the world. I have been taking my pets there for almost 10 years and they have always treated all my pets like they were special. They treat everyone that comes in like friends. The prices are fair and if an emergency occurs they do everything to get your pet in right away. There is so much more that I could say. But the bottom line is they are the best. more

I love Kings Trail animal Hospital and trust them with my two small dogs. I have had to leave my dogs over night several times for boarding. I have used their groomer and have been very satisfied with the haircuts and her detailed work. My two spoiled dogs and I are always greeted by friendly staff. Know matter how busy the practice is I always feel like I am getting the attention I deserve and my answers are met. The staff and the veterinarian is very thorough in his office visit and delivery even with a phone call days later. I wish I got that from my doctor. :) Their prices are very reasonable and I know that if I ever have an emergency visit I have peace of mind of where to go. more

My animals are my children. I have always been an animal lover,but seem to pick or attract the sickest animals on the planet! Dr. Moore is the best diagnostician I've ever found.He will answer the same questions I seem to ask over and over again until I get it. Over the years,I guess it's close to 20+ but who's counting?...I've never had a problem getting a hold of the doctor. His staff has always been handpicked special people that cry with you if something bad happens, and celebrate with joy when things go well.How many vets do you know would come see you in the hospital when you're ill, not the pet?He and his wife did that for me, and the staff took extra good care of my dog because she and I had never been separated before.I am grateful they took such good care of my diabetic cat, and have taken time to help me understand and control my cat's insulin needs. They are honest and compassionate.Dr.Moore is a straight-shooter, and will tell you the truth.Even if that truth may be it's out of his ability. I've found however, he's a genius, and almost always right.The choice is always yours as to proceed with whatever you feel is necessary.There's no pressure for a treatment. He's patient.The facility is immaculate, and you can even see and be with a sick animal.Over the years I've freaked out about my sick animals and have called them way too many times during the day and never got the feeling they didn't understand how scary it was for me.The boarding is wonderful, and they give your animals extra attention whether they're boarded for a day, several days, weeks, or months even! Seek these people out if you really care about your pets. more