Pet Owner Testimonials
Read what other caring pet owners are saying about Dr. Donna:
“I contacted Dr. Donna Spector after watching my 9 year old Rottweiler, Lexi, suffer from an undiagnosed digestive issue for more than 3 months. While my vet was very methodical and purposeful at each visit, running all the right tests to try to get to the bottom of Lexi's issues, she was not getting better. Living in Alaska, we're very limited to veterinary specialists, and I felt I had to do more to help Lexi. I started doing some online research, came across Dr. Donna's site and sent her an email asking about her consultations. Within hours she had responded explaining how she could work in collaboration with my veterinarian to help us (hopefully) find some relief for Lexi.
“After reviewing Lexi's medical records and a short video clip demonstrating the painful episodes Lexi had been experiencing, Dr. Donna and I had a very helpful phone consultation. I was actually a little apprehensive at the thought of talking with a specialist; I thought I was going to hear a lot of medical jargon that I was going to have to research to understand, but my concerns were immediately relieved when Dr. Donna started talking. Her expertise was evident and she communicated it in such a way that a pet owner could easily understand – and I finally had some peace of mind with a preliminary diagnosis of Lexi's painful episodes.
“Dr. Donna immediately followed up with my veterinarian on a phone call and a thorough 3-page recommendation of further medical tests and interventions to help Lexi. Our follow up visit is this week, and I'm hopeful that we'll finally get Lexi on the mend.
“I think what impressed me most with Dr. Donna (as well as her expertise and compassion) was her ability to effectively communicate on two completely different levels; to me as Lexi's owner and to my veterinarian. She was incredibly responsive to my questions and further emails, and I plan to do follow up nutrition consultations with her for both of my dogs.
“I highly recommend her services to anyone facing medical challenges with their pets and don't readily have access to a veterinary specialist. She's compassionate, incredibly knowledgeable and responsive.”
–Jeanette, Alaska
“Our cats are a very important part of our family and so is Dr. Spector. We are committed to the idea of adopting adult rescues and with that comes the joy of saving a homeless companion animal, as well as the inevitability of dealing with the challenges of an older cat who has no medical records and often comes with pre-existing health issues. Not to worry. Dr. Spector is a gifted diagnostician who quickly gets to the root of any problem and, with compassion and caring, helps give a well-deserved second or even third chance to these precious creatures. Dr. Spector first helped us give a renewed quality of life to Sasha, who had IBS and was bounced from home to home as a result, and then to Hudson, who is thriving despite being heartworm positive and having cardiac disease. Both as a primary care physician, and now a consulting manager of Hudson’s care, we rest easy knowing that Dr. Spector is a part of our team.”
–Bonnie and Lewis, New York
“Finding Dr. Donna Spector was a blessing. I was struggling to figure out a better diet for my Westie. One that would fill him up but not fatten him up. And pet stores were no
help at all. Dr. Spector was able to give me a real nutrition plan. She quickly realized he was getting too many calories and not enough of a fill which resulted in extra weight and an upset digestive system. She was extremely knowledgeable and helpful in determining a low calorie, high quality diet that fit his particular needs. I now have someone I not only trust but can have an on-going relationship with moving forward. What a resource!”
–Lisa, California
“Dr. Donna Spector is truly one of the finest human beings and vets I have ever dealt with in my life. Her integrity, compassion and commitment to excellence are unmatched. Donna cared for both of my cats Barney and Sunny with the best care imaginable. I met Donna when my cat Sunny was hospitalized and under her care. Donna was clear, compassionate, soft spoken yet articulate and knowledgeable and gave me thorough explanations of everything that was occurring. Donna saved Sunny’s life and then continued to care for her for 5 years until Sunny died from “old age”. Donna cared for Sunny through congestive heart failure, chronic kidney failure, lymphoma, irritable bowel syndrome to name a few. Each issue was handled with extreme care and with the highest regard for Sunny’s dignity and quality of life. After each episode, Sunny would return to a healthy normal life.
Donna took hundreds of phone calls from me over the years and always gave me sound, comforting advice which helped me make decisions that were appropriate for Sunny. I was sad to see that Donna left the NYC area but very happy to see that she has opened a practice that will continue to help others. I often joke with my friends saying that I want Donna to take care of me when I get old and sick!”
–Paul, New York
“We are most happy to provide a 100% vote of confidence & satisfaction in all the services we have received from Dr. Donna. She works in coordination with our local vet (our local vet in fact recommended Dr. Donna to us), and yet we have direct "one to one" access with Dr. Donna anytime we need it - by phone and/or email. We are receiving assistance on multiple issues (adrenal gland & weight management). Both situations were more complex than I can cover in this short note, but the important thing is that Dr. Donna was able to rapidly absorb all of the details and concerns expressed by my wife, myself and our local vet -- and then come up with sensible plans of treatment that we all agreed upon and understood. We are most thankful & grateful for the continuing assistance of Dr. Donna to our "Husky Family", and look forward to a very long continuing relationship.”
–Robert and Sue-Ann, Washington
“After many frustrating months of visits to various vets with our cat Ra because of his fluctuating liver values a cat specialist finally diagnosed him with lymphoma and recommended that we seek an internal medicine specialist. I remember sitting in the waiting room feeling nervous and scared the day of our first appointment with Dr. Spector. A woman sitting next to me, whose cat was also a patient of Donna’s, said, “You’re going to love her.” That became an understatement. Donna’s expertise and compassionate manner immediately put me at ease with Ra’s diagnosis, the road that lay ahead with his treatment, and eventually his passing. Following Ra, our other cats Titus and Melas also became her patients when Titus was diagnosed with lymphoma and later diabetes and then Melas developed mast cell cancer. Through their diseases, their treatments and then their passings, Donna gave the best and most compassionate veterinary care and advice I could imagine. I know because of her we were able to help them live the longest and highest quality time that was possible and I am truly thankful. Dr. Spector is an angel who also happens to luckily be the best veterinarian we know!”
–Denise Spencer, New York
"Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a group of disorders characterized by a malfunction of the immune system that produces auto antibodies, which attack red blood cells as if they were substances foreign to the body. This often ends in death so you can imagine my horror when I discovered my Briard, Daiji, had this condition. I know that having Dr. Spector on our team means that we are doing everything possible to keep my girl alive and happy and I am extremely optimistic that Daiji will live a long and healthy life.
Dr. Spector is not only extremely knowledgeable; she responds quickly and with a great “bed side manner”. I feel very comfortable communicating with Dr. Spector and am confident she is not overlooking anything in treating Daiji. Dr. Spector helps me understand all of Daiji’s lab results, fine tunes her medicine and helps determine the best diet for Daiji. With AIHA one can never be in complete control of what is coming down the road but with Dr. Spector I feel we are completely prepared to deal with what will come.”
–Melanie Whaley, New York
"Hawaii is truly paradise when it comes to daily life, but it is somewhat lacking in veterinary medicine. Specialists and special equipment are hardly available, if at all. I had to fly one of my beagles to Kauai every month for an experimental drug to treat mast cell cancer. And, the only way we found that opportunity was through Dr. Donna Spector, who had treated both our beagles in San Diego and before that our first beagle when she was part of the faculty at UC Davis. In a short time she became a trusted advisor and a very special friend. Dr. Spector offers a rare combination of technical excellence and knowledge with an extraordinary level of compassion. Her caring manner and ability to diagnose and treat is unmatched. We congratulate her on her new online service and will tell everyone we know that loves their dogs to avail themselves of such valued access to one of America's great veterinary professionals.”
–Ken Becker, Hawaii
"The day Dr. Donna came into my life was the day I took a deep breath and knew everything was going to be okay. I was overwhelmed with Imogen's diabetes diagnosis and was told there was little I could do to get her better. From getting me connected to a new Vet in my city to monitoring Imogen's diet and insulin dosage, Dr Donna has been involved every step of the way. She made sure my local Vet did all the appropriate tests and made sure all the questions I wouldn't know to ask were answered. She has been a vital part of Imogen's recovery and has calmed my fears every step of the way by arming me with information. I still can't believe her knowledge of the disease and treatment options. I can't imagine doing this without her. Imogen and I are lucky to have her.”
–Cynthia, NYC
"After you answered the letter that Anna-Carin wrote you have been the best support we can get. You have done more with your deep knowledge, humanity and commitment for us then anyone can ask for. We are all VERY grateful for that!!!
Fiffi was almost dying when you started to help us and every day we got with Fiffi was worth more than I can describe. We got one more summer with her and we are so grateful! So once again thank you for being there when we needed you and we hope that we can stay in contact in the future and perhaps even meet one day.”
— Anna-Carin and Fredrik, Sweden
"Dr. Donna, Thank you so much for your reply, I can't believe you work on Sundays!!
Thank you so much for your commitment, I can't express how much this is helping, and what a pleasure it has been talking with you. I feel really good about the plan we have created for Toby.”
— Sabrina, Canada
"Dr. Donna empowered me with information. I could talk more intelligently with my family veterinarian and really understood my treatment options. I know my dog received better care because of Dr. Donna's involvement. I would recommend her to every pet owner!”
— Candace, California
"I wish my own Dr. was as thorough and compassionate as you."
— Susan, New York