A very good Veterinarian!\r
I have been taking my pets to Dr. Widener for 15 years. \r
He used to share his practice with his ex wife. That must be the person "" friedhair"" from the 2007 review must have seen. I first saw Dr. Lasardo (ex-wife) and she told us that the intestinal parasite our kitten had would clear by itself if we kept the litter boxes very clean. Had to go back for an unrelated probelm a week later and Dr. Widener saw the prior test results and said that it is odd our kitten wasn't treated, ""this needs treatment and does not clear up by itself"". He treated my kitten and the diarrhea was gone within days. \r
Another review mentioned that Dr. Widener didn't have great people skills but still is a good vet. They best vets my animals ever had were the ones with great animal skills. He is just very honest and direct about telling you what his opinion is on what would be best for your pet. Either don't give up on your animal yet or he will tell you if he thinks that the kindest and most realistic thing would be to put your animal to sleep.\r
Recently I went through a big crisis with one of my small dogs and he sent us to the Tacoma Animal Emergency clinic when my dog needed a transfusion and intensive 24 hour care. When my dog relapsed he asked what do you want to do. Meaning call it quits atfer already spending almost $2000, or continue very expensive treatment. Not judgemental at all, he understands that there are limits to how much people can afford to spend on their loving pet. I decided to continue with treatment and Rex is doing better. Still not through the crisis but finally looking better. Dr. Widener was supportive and called a specialist (no cost to me) to ask for advice. He is very smart and knows a lot but doesn't have a chip on his shoulder and has no problem getting answers by asking other veterinarians.\r
One of my friends took her Jack Russel mix to him and just by talking to her told her he thought the dog was having seizures. Just ran a basic blood panel to look at kidney and liver functions and sugar levels and started the little guy on antiseizure meds. ""We can do more tests if this doesn't work but I am pretty sure that's what's going on"" He was right and no more seizures for my friends dog. He is also an exellent surgeon and a kind person and really tries to help your pet. \r
And yes, he does treat exotic pets and not so exotic ones. My friends chickens, ferrets, ducks, birds, rabbitts, chinchillas, snakes... \r
It's a small office and the windows aren't clean and not everything gets dusted but the surgery room is sterile and the medical equipment clean. The ""pets"" (birds) that people didn't want anymore and live at the practice now are well taken care of and their living quaters are clean. His own dog was rescued by him when someone brought her in to get her euthanized because they didn't want her anymore.
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