Sandra L. Nelson, DVM

Sandra has been my families vet for over 25 years. I can not express the thoughtfulness kinda words and professional manner she conducts while working with animals and their humans. Threw hard times heart breaking situations she is number one !!! Thank you Dr. Nelson !!!

Dr. Nelson is the best vet I have ever had and it’s been 11 years without her as we moved far away. In my 45 years of pet ownership no other vet has given the quality attention, compassion and sensible advice as she. It was a sad Sunday when we had to call her to put our old injured dog to sleep. She quickly and quietly arrived, and lovingly comforted our lab as well as kept us calm. We said our tearful farewells never feeling rushed, she gave us the all the time we needed.
We recommended her to many different pet owners and each and every one changed over to her once they experienced her gentle nature and profession care.
I miss her so much! Kater Bernius Danford

Dr. Nelson came to our house, too, like the other reviewer wrote about. But the difference is we had a very good experience with her and would definitely call her again as needed. She came twice… first when our old cat was ailing. She gave her fluids and we discussed the situation and decided that there was «still life in her» and that she was comfortable, and that then was not the time to euthanize. Conditions changed dramatically within a week, however, and Dr. Nelson returned to euthanize our 20 year old cat. She was very professional and compassionate and quickly put our beloved Valentine down, and waited while we composed ourselves with our grief. I’ll be calling her again when it is time to say goodbye to our other elderly cat.

Dr. Nelson euthanized my cat at home, but I would not call for her services again.
On the phone, she seemed compassionate, took time to answer my questions, and sympathized with the difficulty of making decisions. When Dr. Nelson came to my home, she greeted my cat warmly, did a quick exam, then told me he was «already gone.» But then she said «we have to do this,» referring to the euthanasia. I went along with her recommendation because she said he could last for days and I didn’t want my cat to suffer.
She told me that she’d first give him a sedative and he wouldn’t feel anything after that, that he would be completely unaware. But he reacted in pain to the euthanasia shot that followed, jerking his leg back from the needle prick. I asked if the sedative was working and she said yes, but she hadn’t waited the five minutes she said it would take.
Some things in particular were disturbing to me. My cat was extremely dehydrated, and Dr. Nelson was pushing and pulling the skin on his face, amused by how it would stay in position because he had no fluids or elasticity. She also said my cat didn’t care whether he was euthanized or had a natural death, but I disagree.
My cat went pretty quickly, he was so close to death. But I was distraught afterwards when I had time to realize all the inconsistencies, and I wondered if this vet’s motive was profit. If he’s already gone, how can he be in pain and why would euthanasia even be considered? Yet, he was in pain even after the sedative that was supposed to remove all pain, so he wasn’t already gone.
I called Dr. Nelson, and she called me back 4 days later, saying she meant he was semi-​comatose, and that his pulling his leg back was «just reacting, not pain.» Another vet told me that animals react differently to sedative. Perhaps Dr. Nelson is technically proficient and ethical. But her inconsistencies were disturbing for me. Nor did she explain that after death, he might pee, which he did, all over blankets and a wool comforter underneath that cannot be machine washed.
If I’m ever in such a situation again, I’d call a different mobile vet (or be more aware that my cat would soon die naturally).