Russian River Veterinary Surgical Service

Debra McBeth

My Rottie went to them with a dislocating patella. They did the surgical procedure on her but on her check up she needed a prosthesis also. We took it slow but the results are amazing. She is full speed with no side affects. As far as the staff, they are amazing and so welcoming. I wouldn’t hesitate to take her back if ever necessary or one of my other girls. I can’t thank them enough.

Aug 17, 2026

Brenda Thomas

Our 6 yr old male overweight orange cat Sunny, injured his knee recently. Sunny was limping & in pain with a sad outlook ahead. Our vet recommended & referred us to RRVS for surgery. RRVS changed his life from a sad future back to the normal cat life he should have. We were treated with care from the first visit. Office staff was friendly & professional. Dr Helms kindly took the time to explain the surgery’s pros & cons with us. He noted his treatment has been mostly with dogs. Cats historically have fewer injuries. Sunny’s surgery & follow-up with RRVS was exceptional. No limp & no pain. New discovery of potential hip related function found & treated with PRP injection. Sunny is a happy cat again but on a diet.

Aug 29, 2026

Bobbi Chairez

My husband and I were recently referred to RRVSS by our vet in Humboldt County for our puppy, Skylah, to have what we believed would be knee surgery. That night, we actually received a phone call from the surgeon to introduce himself and answer any questions or concerns we had. The next day we scheduled the surgery visit for the following Tuesday. We couldn’t be more grateful for the exceptional care provided by Dr. Fetherston and his entire staff. From the moment we arrived, everyone was compassionate, kind, and genuinely invested in Skylah’s well‑being. Their sincerity — especially when talking about their own animals — made a stressful situation feel so much more manageable. After examining Skylah under sedation, Dr. Fetherston determined that her knee did not require surgery after all. Instead, he recommended a surprising treatment option we hadn’t heard of before: a Platelet‑Rich Plasma (PRP) injection to support healing. We were incredibly impressed by this approach — not only because it avoided an invasive procedure, but because he took the time to explain it thoroughly and make sure we understood why it was the best option for her. Throughout the day, the staff kept us updated on every step of the process, which brought so much peace of mind. They even called the next day to check on Skylah and see how she was doing, a gesture that truly showed how much they care about their patients. Thanks to Dr. Fetherston and his wonderful team, Skylah is healing well, and we feel so fortunate to have had such a skilled, thoughtful, and compassionate group caring for her. We definitely recommend anyone needing surgery for their dog to go to RRVSS!

Mar 27, 2026

Rae Hirsch

Dr. Helms is incredibly knowledgable and thorough, both in exams and surgical approach. In fact, everyone on the team (front desk, techs, and vets) was very nice and easy to talk to. They put me and my partner at ease, knowing our cat (Luna) was in good hands. They kept in close contact all throughout the process and gave us text/call updates every step of the way. 10/10 this would be the first place I would contact for any future fur baby surgical needs.

Apr 20, 2026

Douglas Umland

Simply the finest surgical services I've experienced. Their owner bedside manner is extraordinary. We went to RRVSS under emotional circumstances and felt like we were in the best hands around. Everytime the subject comes up, their team is well known and well respected by everyone we encounter... Vets throughout Humboldt County, petowners on the streets and at the beaches. When people ask, "where did you go?" and they hear Dr. Fetherston, the response is always, 'You're in good hands'.

Apr 16, 2026