Island Veterinary Center, LLC

Update 3/12/2023: To Dr. Lei's office. Thank you for your response and explanation however, you were Tigger's only vet. I do use a mobile vet for my dogs so they do not have to travel to a clinic unless absolutely necessary which I then drive to Ocean View to see her (examples, dental care, surgeries, etc.) They are up to date on all vaccines which I do myself as I am a nurse and was a licensed veterinary technician for 14 years prior to that. I wanted a local vet for Tigger because of his age and in case he had an emergency I could be sure that Dr. Lei would take care of him. As I stated in my 1st post, he was strictly indoors. I discussed this with Dr. Lei last time he was there. She never told me I would need to bring him in regularly to insure his emergency care. Obviously I took great care of him as he was 16 years old. Money was no object. I would have paid any amount for her to take a little time at 6:30 pm on a Friday evening to help ease his suffering. Thank goodness for our humane society! I have learned my lesson though and have established all 3 dogs and 3 cats with a vet in Hilo so I do not ever have to go through that nightmare again. Original post 1/2/2023: My 16 year old cat, who IS a patient of Dr. Lei's, had an emergency on Friday night 12/30/22 at about 6:30 PM. He had feline aortic thromoembolism and was in extreme pain and suffering. I called the emergency number, explained the situation and they said they would put in an urgent request to Dr Lei. A lady called back shortly and told me unfortunately Dr Lei would not see my cat because he had not been into see her in 2 years and was not current on his vaccines. As I said, my cat is 16. He is strictly indoors and has been extremely healthy. Tigger has traveled with us to and from the mainland and has been well taken care of since we adopted him in 2007. I am so disappointed in Dr. Lei for the decision she made to not see him at the end of his life. FATE (feline aortic thromboembolism) is possibly treatable but not likely for a cat to survive. I was asking for humane euthanasia for my cat. I called every other vet in town and was unable to get anyone to help. Some told me I could bring him in the next morning. I tried to keep him comfortable through the night and the next morning I drove him to several vets that were open New Years day. Still, nobody would help. My other vet is on vacation and they could not believe that I was having such a horrible experience. I ended up driving to Kona to the humane society and they put him to sleep for me. I then brought him back to Hilo for cremation and I am awaiting the return of his ashes. This is not a money issue. We have spent thousands of dollars on our animals moving back and forth from the mainland. I was willing to spend whatever was needed but she flat refused to see him. I was a vet tech for 14 years and am now a nurse. I do vaccinate my own animals and can provide basic vet care for them but I have always taken my pets to the vet when needed. I also assist our local rescues and volunteer my time for spay and neuter clinics. I have rescued many animals over the years. I understand places here are overwhelmed and busy but the bottom line as a veterinarian you should not allow animals to suffer.

posted: 03/12/2023

Dr. Lei and her staff are absolutely amazing! So caring not only for your Furbabies but for you as a client. Dr. Lei has taken care of all my Furbabies for over 28 years, give or take. She has always been kind and contentious. Alwsys, so caring for all of my Furbabies. I recommend Island Veterinary Center to anyone looking for someone who goes above and beyond to care for your pet!!

posted: 04/12/2023

We switched to island vet when our old vet office closed. We chose Island Vet for one reason, they offer emergency care for their customers and no other vet does. When we switched we had just gotten 2 new dogs (new to us but both were rehomes one from a family moving to another country and one a humane society rescue. With new dogs you visit the vet alot for shots etc. We quickly discovered that the staff at island vet treated us as if we were customers for years. Real Aloha. I'm glad we found them

posted: 03/18/2023

Wait time is a little too long and required mask is too much. I'll still rate them as good but might think about finding another vet.

posted: 07/17/2023

Dr Lei is the best vet ever! Her new office is beautiful and the staff are great. You feel like family there and they will go above and beyond to help your pets. She worked miracles for my dog and we wont take our pets to anyone else. Thanks Dr. Lei!

posted: 11/21/2019