When your pet faces a complicated health problem, collaborative veterinary care can make all the difference. It brings together your primary veterinarian, veterinary specialists, and you—the pet parent—so your pet gets the care they need, when they need it.
At Sunstone Veterinary Specialists, we work as a team to make care easier, clearer, and more effective for every patient.
What Is Collaborative Veterinary Care?
Collaborative veterinary care means that multiple professionals work together to help your pet. Your primary care veterinarian knows your pet’s health history and often finds the first signs of a problem. When more advanced testing or treatment is needed, a specialist steps in.
At Sunstone, our team includes board-certified specialists, a veterinary fellow, a veterinary resident, veterinary interns, and skilled support staff. We share updates, create custom treatment plans, and keep your regular veterinarian informed.
You are part of this care team too. No one knows your pet like you do, and your dedication helps guide each decision.
Benefits of Collaborative Veterinary Care
- More informed decisions through shared expertise
- Clear communication between care teams
- Consistent follow-up and long-term support
- Treatment plans that adapt as your pet’s needs change
- Stronger relationships with clients and referring veterinarians
Huckleberry’s Story: A Team Effort in Action
Huckleberry, a 3-year-old English Setter, came to Sunstone in 2023 with a suspected liver shunt. He saw Dr. Joshua Elliott, our board-certified internal medicine specialist, who used advanced imaging to confirm the diagnosis.
Next, Dr. Lillian Su, our board-certified veterinary surgeon, performed surgery to place an ameroid constrictor and correct the shunt. After recovery, Huckleberry began follow-up care with Dr. Jani Remsburg, our internal medicine fellow.
When Huckleberry developed new GI symptoms, our team worked together on further diagnostics. A second ultrasound and an endoscopy led to a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). He also had a history of urinary stones and past GI infections, making his case even more complex.
Thanks to strong communication between his care team, his primary veterinarian, and his dedicated family, Huckleberry is now stable and thriving on a treatment plan that works.
Why This Approach Works
Many health issues don’t have a simple fix. Pets with long-term or multi-system conditions—like Huckleberry—need care that adapts over time. Collaborative veterinary care makes that possible.
At Sunstone, our doctors talk to each other every day. We tailor each care plan to the pet’s needs and update referring veterinarians regularly. That means pets get the best of both worlds: expert specialty care and continued support from their trusted family vet.
Working Together for the Pets You Love
Collaborative veterinary care supports pets at every step—from diagnosis to treatment to recovery. Whether your pet needs a one-time consultation or long-term care, our team is here to help.
If you’re a pet parent or a referring veterinarian, we’re ready to partner with you. Together, we can make complex care more connected—and more compassionate.
