OLYMPIAD ANIMAL HOSPITAL

On 5/13/2014, I took my 14-year old female cat to Olympiad, based on a friend's referral and the positive reports I read on Angie's List. I saw Dr. Jeff Margolis and I told him my cat was displaying signs of hyperthyroidism, and that I knew this because of my past experience with another cat I owned many years ago. So I asked for a complete health checkup and blood panel for her, with emphasis on a thyroid test. This first visit cost $280 for an office call, exam, senior wellness blood work, and urinalysis.
Her blood work came back the next day and a different vet, Dr. Chandler, called to tell me her liver enzyme values were on the high side, which may indicate a liver problem. Dr. Chandler seemed unconcerned about it and said to come back in a month to do another blood test to see if anything changes, and it would cost $83. I really didn't understand what would change for the better in a month, since she had been slowly losing weight for about a year. My instinct was telling me to get her treated for thyroid disease. But I followed her instruction and made an appointment for the following month. Meanwhile, I went there and got a copy of the blood report.
On 6/11/2014 I brought my cat back for her second blood test. Dr. Chandler came out to wait on me, and I told her I was confused, and no offense, but since I started a relationship with Dr. Margolis, I would like to continue seeing him since he was now familiar with my cat. (I really didn't like this switching doctors without asking my permission). So she took my cat, and got Dr. Margolis, but as he and I spoke, I detected he had a slight attitude with me. When I went to pay for the test that was supposed to cost $83, it was $165. When I questioned Paula at the front desk, I got some offhanded reply about the 2 doctors and different prices and that Dr. Margolis added another test. I would have preferred being consulted by Dr. Margolis on this additional test to discuss what it was about. I paid the bill, but I started to get annoyed.
Dr. Margolis called me later on with the second results, and just as I had expected, they didn't change much. He told me next he'd like to do an ultrasound on her liver and organs to see if anything is wrong. That would cost $444! I said I'd think about it and I picked up the second blood report.
As I looked over the 2 reports closely, I started to get angry. Her thyroid values were reported as being in a and quot;grey zoneand quot; and at the bottom, both reports contained the following comment:
and quot;Older cats with consistent clinical signs and T4 values in the grey zone may have early hyperthyroidism or a concurrent non-thyroidal illness. Hyperthyroidism may be CONFIRMED in these cats by adding on a FREE T4.......and quot; [bold and caps added by me for emphasis].
This and quot;Free T4and quot; test was never discussed with me, but the pricey ultrasound sure was. As I see it, the Free T4 test should have been ordered quickly, not a second test similar to the first one a month later. But, to be fair, Dr. Margolis might have been seeking the and quot;concurrent non-thyroidal illnessand quot; first. However, I decided to get a second opinion from another veterinarian.
I next went to Mission Park Pet Hospital, and after feeling her thyroid and reading the 2 blood reports, that vet immediately agreed with my suspicions of hyperthyroidism. She said she'd order a different, more conclusive blood test for my cat. Guess what it was? The Free T4, and that report showed her thyroid values were very high! Moreover, the vet said her hyperthyroidism is most likely causing the higher enzymes in her liver.
I've now started my cat on thyroid treatment. However, if, in the foreseeable future, Dr. Margolis turns out to be correct that an ultrasound should have been done on my cat, I will gladly edit this review. In the meantime, I believe I wasted $165 for the second useless blood test.
My first suggestion is, take your elderly cats elsewhere! My second suggestion is, trust your own instincts because nobody knows your pets better than you do.

We have been taking our dog to Jeff Margolis at Olympiad Animal Hospital for about two years. He is an excellent, caring veterinarian and was wonderful dealing with the end of our beloved dog's life. I can honestly say he is the best vet we have dealt with in the last 25 years. I highly recommend him.

Their pricing is average for the industry. They're extremely caring and have great follow-up. They call you after your pet has an immunization to see how they're doing. They have great customer service. The vet takes his time and is genuinely interested in the animals. The staff is excellent and very friendly. It's easy to make appointments. I've referred other people to this vet.