Let me first start out by saying if I could give more than 5 dog bones to rate Dr. Johanna Busster and Dr. Lewin, her fairly new Staff Veterinarian protégé, I wouldn’t be able to give enough dog bones. There aren’t enough dog bones in the world!
Sadly we came to meet Dr. Lewin in the final days of our 16 year old cat, Phoebe’s life. We normally would have her seen at Banfield SilverLakes, but due to our poor girls advanced issues and it was an emergency we had to look for another veterinarian. We couldn’t get an appointment at Banfield SilverLakes so a friend suggested we see Dr. Busster at Laguna Isles Animal Hospital. We’ve been taking our Phoebe, Joey and Monica to Banfield veterinarian hospitals for their entire lives and were great for routine scheduled appointments, but for emergencies or out of the ordinary immediate needs they weren’t as flexible as a neighborhood private office. They have a very large practice and limited weekend and late appointments. (We all know issues like to happen beyond M-F and 9-5). I must add here that Dr. Weekes at the SilverLakes Banfield is superb. He was top notch and he was great with our aging “Friends” family, it’s just hard to get into seeing him at times. But this review is about Dr. Busster and her team, I’ll submit a review about Banfield Silverlakes and Dr. Weekes separately.
Dr. Busster and Dr. Lewin helped us care for Phoebe due to her advanced kidney issues and what turned out to be two very large masses on kidneys. They trained us on how to perform a dialysis treatment and prescribed her some new medications. However, we sadly realized her condition was too advanced and she was terribly uncomfortable because of how the masses were sitting on her kidneys. She could not sit or lay comfortably and it was heartbreaking. After a very hard night of her moaning and not eating we knew we had to take her back the next day and make the most difficult decision that any pet lover and parent has to make.
So that is what we did and Dr. Buster and her staff could not have been any more caring, loving and professional. We felt like family members and were reassured we were making the right decision for Phoebe even though it was heartbreaking. She treated us and made us feel as if we were her patient for Phoebe’s entire life.
Dr. Busster explained everything step by step and we were able to stay with Phoebe for every part of the process. We’ve since learned some veterinarian’s don’t allow this. We weren’t rushed afterward and were able to spend as much time as we needed. Dr. Busster follows a Buddhist belief that nothing is rushed and she gives time for your pet’s spirit to move on to their after-life before she takes their earthly body away. It was a very calm and respectful process which helped our family comes to terms with her passing.
Since losing our Joey (17yrs) the month before and Monica (13yrs) in July ‘21, our house just wasn’t the same without having furry friends to share our lives with. So we adopted two kittens, Otto and Eloise this past April and now a new puppy two weeks ago that we’ve named Winston. We knew there was no other office we’d choose for their health care needs other than Drs’ Busster and Lewin, at Laguna Isles (formerly Bow Wow Animal Hospital) for their lifelong care. I’m confident in recommending Laguna Isles to any pet owner who needs a caring/loving, knowledgeable and flexible veterinarian clinic for their animal family members.
Sometimes when you’re not looking for a different solution, another presents itself and going with it is the best decision you could make. Laguna Isles was that change for us. We look forward to having a long, happy and wonderful relationship with them. 🐈⬛🐈🐶
