Mountain West Veterinary Specialists

My ferret passed away two days ago, and in my grief I can’t help but ruminate on how happy I am that we started seeing MWVS. We came to them first in an emergency. He had an anal prolapse and our current vet told us they MIGHT be able to get us in Monday (it was Friday and they couldn’t even guarantee it, so we didn’t love that answer). We called multiple offices but the answer kept being “our exotics doc isn’t in today, so we can’t help you until they are.” The team at the main clinic said they would see him, and I later found out that Dr. Bowersox took care of him despite not usually working with exotics, with some texting consultation on the side with Dr. Lofgren, who was not working that day but still willing to advise where needed. We felt so cared for and considered with Dr. Bowersox, so we decided we were going to give this new office a shot as our main vet. We then started seeing Dr. Lofgren monthly for palliative care. Every time we came into the Exotics office they were so excited to see our boy, saying they loved him and were so happy to see him. We felt so comfortable letting them take him back for his care even during the visits we were worried about him. This last visit his kidneys had failed, and we had hospitalized him but he didn’t make it through the night. We weren’t there. If that had happened at our previous vet (who permanently operates strictly curbside, I’ve never even been inside the office) I think my grief would be too much too much to bear. I didn’t feel like they loved him at that previous office, despite the fact that I thought the doctor was brilliant and offered great care. We loved that ferret as our baby, and MWVS took care of him with a level of care to match. Even though we weren’t there I’m sure Hogger was comforted and loved in the end, and they did all they could for his comfort and wellbeing right up until the end. They are also so considerate of your financial means, every visit (including the emergency visit) we were given options and estimated prices. We NEVER had a bill that we hadn’t consented to paying before hand, and it didn’t hurt my opinion that it was always much cheaper than what I would have paid at the previous vet. Dr. Lofgren is brilliant, she’s curious and willing to take the puzzles that medical care throws at her and do the research to solve it. She’s kindhearted, understanding, supportive. She loves ferrets and was willing to go the extra mile for our boy because she has a fur noodle of her own, and it felt like she took care of our kid the way she would hope someone would take care of hers. Honestly, I don’t think I ever thought I could appreciate and love a vets office as much as I do these guys. We have an only child now, who despite only being a year younger than her brother is still VERY full of life and vigor. We’re so happy to know we have a place to go for her care where we know they will be loved and cared for to a degree that matches what we hope to give them at home. Hogger passed at 8 years old, which I think is fairly decent for a ferret. I wish we’d brought him into these guys earlier, but I’m so glad that by sheer happenstance we started to in the last few months. Thank you so much to the entire exotics team for all you did for the boy who owned half of my heart. The hole he’s left has a few bandaids on it just because I felt like his caretakers cared for him too. (Here’s a few photos of him, the first three are relatively recent, as well as a very old nasty one that shows the true naughty creature we loved so much)

posted: 02/07/2026

During one of the most frightening times of my life, this hospital took extraordinary care of my dog and treated him as if he were their own. The doctors and technicians were thoughtful, thorough, and compassionate—not just toward him, but toward me as well. Every decision was explained clearly, my questions were never brushed aside, and I always felt included and respected as part of his care team. It was obvious how deeply everyone cared, even during long shifts and difficult moments. Because of them, my dog is recovering, comfortable, and still very much himself. I will always be grateful for the skill, empathy, and dedication shown here. I cannot thank this team enough.

posted: 01/06/2026

My sweet Boxer, Brinkley, was treated very well by all the staff at Mountain West Vet Specialists and ER. Unfortunately, she spent her last 10 days with many visits to MtnWest but each time she was treated with kindness and patience. Their communication was excellent from the receptionist to the Veterinarians. Thank you, Duke. My expectations were understood and costs and treatments were very well explained. Each vet tech was loving to Brinkley. Drs. Vadell, Langheinrich, Simmons, and Wang were friendly and knowledgable about Brinkley's diagnosis. I would highly recommend Mountain West Vet Specialists and ER. Thank you to everyone. You are good at what you do. Stacy and Brett

posted: 11/20/2025

They are amazing!!!! Our 25lb Miniature schnauzer ate 5oz of chocolate on Christmas day. They were able to get him right in! Money is extremely tight right now and they were able to work with us and saved our pup. They were very caring and understanding. They took a really bad situation and helped turn it around for us!! Thank you!!

posted: 12/25/2025

Called yesterday because my axolotl was lethargic, wasnt really responding to touch and was near death. He was covered in a white fungus (not ick, nothing I've seen before and I've been in the hobby of keeping axolotls for 10 yrs) and was in DESPERATE need of help. I called and explained what was going on and asked if what do I do for an antifungal for an axolotl as I know they don't handle salt baths well and I didn't want to guess when I got to Petco and possibly kill him. They suggested I bring him in. I explained there's absolutely no way he would survive the stress of transport right now, especially because I live an hour away, it just wasn't an option, that's just torture and guaranteed death. They said they can't give any advice, especially since they don't know if it's fungal. Well, say it's not, it won't hurt him to do a methylene blue/antifungal soak, especially when it looks like fungus. It's better than doing nothing. BUT THANKFULLY, at Petco, a customer came up who had over heard me asking about antifungal options had told me about the axolotl superstore that was just down the street. They were phenomenal, they gave me a little sauce cup of muffling blue told me how to use it and gave me a little pipette, even explained how it will dye anything that it touches so be aware. They also gave me a few almond leaves and only charged me $5! They were a maw and paw store and were incredibly sweet. Within 12 hours, my axolotl was doing much much better. If it weren't for them my axolotl could have died. This vet did nothing to help and left me to just guess of what to do to help rather than care about my axolotl. I *couldn't* bring my axolotl in without killing it, let alone the drive back (a 2 hour drive with an extremely sick axolotl that wouldn't survive the stress of transport) but they wouldn't give me any advice, very simple advice on what antifungal to use for an axolotl so I don't get the wrong thing and kill him but instead said well, bring him in or we can't help you. Shame on you guys. Thankfully there were people there that weren't money hungry and actually cared about an endangered animal not dying.

posted: 02/08/2026