I am extremely disappointed in our experience at BluePearl Pet Hospital. We brought our 15 week old puppy, Disco, in during an emergency and spent approximately 5 hours there terrified and looking for answers.
The communication throughout the visit was incredibly confusing and inconsistent. We were verbally told by the veterinarian that Disco “could have pneumonia or pancreatitis,” but that additional testing would be required to confirm either diagnosis and that those tests would not be performed. However, when we received the discharge paperwork, it clearly stated that Disco had been diagnosed with BOTH pneumonia and pancreatitis. Nobody properly explained how those diagnoses were made, especially after we had just been told they were unconfirmed possibilities. We brought her in because she had been vomiting and having diarrhea.
A chest x-ray was performed, yet no abdominal imaging such as an ultrasound or equivalent imaging was done, despite concerns that she may have ingested something toxic. As frightened pet owners trying to make informed decisions for our tiny 15 week old puppy, it was incredibly upsetting to receive conflicting information and leave without clear answers or explanations.
What made things even more concerning was that Disco was prescribed an antibiotic despite nothing definitive apparently being found. After following up with our regular veterinarian, we chose not to fill or give the antibiotic prescription. Several days later, Disco is still acting and feeling 100% normal. (She was back to her normal self as soon as we got home from bluepearl after 5 hours of being away).
It was also confusing that throughout the visit, nobody mentioned hearing coughing, breathing distress, or concerning lung sounds from Disco, yet pneumonia was still listed as a diagnosis in her paperwork.
To make matters worse, when Disco was finally released back to us after hours of waiting, she was covered in vomit and feces. We had brought her into the hospital wrapped in a blanket, yet she was handed back to us filthy and shaking with nothing to even wrap her in for the ride home. That moment was honestly heartbreaking as pet owners already terrified and emotionally drained.
We understand emergency veterinary hospitals are stressful and busy environments, and we appreciate the technicians and staff members who tried to comfort us during a very emotional day. However, the lack of communication, consistency, transparency, and overall compassion from the veterinarian left us feeling confused, dismissed, and unsure what information we could actually trust.
Thankfully Disco recovered, but this experience was emotionally exhausting (extremely expensive at over $1000) and not the level of clarity or care we expected during an emergency situation involving a young puppy.
Jazzy had her yearly Service Animal eye screening today, thanks to the amazing volunteers at Blue Pearl Pet Hospital, the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) and Epicur Pharma that organized this event👏🏻🫶🏼🐕🦺
We went to Blue Pearl Vet Hospital in Pa & Jazzy did absolutely amazing with being dilated and her exam👀
Her entire exam results were normal findings and they gave her this cute handkerchief too🫶🏼
Of course we had to stop on the way home at Starbucks for a pup cup, squinty eyes and all😉
Thank you to everyone who volunteers to make this event accessible for all service animal teams, it’s very much appreciated🙏🏻
The best vet hospital ever!! This place was super nice, just like an urgent care for humans lol, I’ve never seen anything like it! I am not from around the area and had to find a last minute hospital with openings for an emergency surgery for my female, and the staff was so nice and caring. I was a nervous wreck and everyone was so sweet and took such great care of my dog. I’m so thankful for them. Highly recommend!!
