09/02/2025
One of our clients wrote this remarkable review, we were very touched with her honesty, descriptions and explanations about our services. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
We became patients of Meridian Veterinary Services in 2023 when we decided to add integrative/alternative care alongside traditional veterinary medicine for our senior boy. While he ultimately lost his cancer battle in Fall 2024, his quality of life and especially his end-of-life care were exceptional. We have zero regrets about the investment we made in his health and in the ongoing care of our other six dogs (seven total).
Dr. Lipton is in a league of her own. She is stoic and pragmatic, and she will tell you exactly what you need to hear—kindly, directly, and with your animal’s best interests at the center. She cares deeply about educating clients so they can make well-informed decisions. There is no upselling; recommendations come only after she lays out the logic, rationale, and expected outcomes.
Plan to spend real time with her—every single appointment. Our visits routinely run an hour, and several specialized-care appointments have spanned 90 minutes to 2+ hours. She takes a complete history, examines the whole dog, and asks detailed questions to be sure the diagnosis or treatment plan truly fits your pet. After seeing her, the quick “pat, stethoscope, vaccine” routine elsewhere is hard to accept; you’ll realize how much more a veterinary exam can be.
Her follow-through is just as impressive. The staff reliably follows up after every appointment, and Dr. Lipton herself follows up directly in addition to her team—whether the visit was routine, for an illness, or for specialized care. When circumstances warrant, she’ll call in the evening after the office has closed and take the time to talk through next steps without rushing, answering every question until you feel informed and supported.
On cost: she is not cheap—and that’s by design. The fees reflect the depth of expertise, the time invested, and the comprehensive nature of the care. Pricing is transparent, and her team will walk you through estimates before you schedule. Think of it as an investment in your pet’s health; and if the costs don’t match your current budget, they’ll offer alternatives or referrals.
If you ever disagree with a recommendation or have a concern, say so. Tell Dr. Lipton directly where you stand, including any cost constraints. In our experience, she listens, explains the “why,” and will work with you—outlining alternatives, prioritizing must-do vs. nice-to-have, phasing care over time, or offering referrals when that’s best. And a note to future reviewers: posting negativity instead of speaking up just diverts a veterinarian’s time from patients to public rebuttals. Tell Dr. Lipton your concern and you’ll get solutions; post it first and you’ll get a comment thread longer than a Great Dane’s leash. A one-star drive-by isn’t triage—it’s traffic. Choose the path that actually helps your pet.
To those who’ve called her “rude”: that has not been our experience. Direct, yes. Efficient, absolutely. But not rude. What some interpret as brusque is, in our view, a no-nonsense focus on facts, outcomes, and patient welfare. Her lengthy exams and thoughtful follow-ups speak for themselves.
Our family entrusts the care of our seven dogs to Meridian Veterinary Services because we consistently receive thoughtful, evidence-based guidance and gold-standard, individualized care. Dr. Lipton is the rare kind of doctor you come to trust—the kind of person you consider a friend, or at least hope you can stay in touch with even after she retires someday. If you value thoroughness, transparency, and a veterinarian who partners with you to do what’s best for your animal, you won’t find better than Dr. Lipton. Five stars without hesitation.
