BluePearl Pet Hospital
Fort Myers, FL
Emergency Medicine

24/7 Emergency and Specialty

Pet emergency medicine by BluePearl.

Pet emergencies can be scary – we’re here to help you handle them.

We understand that seeing your pet sick, hurt or in distress can be stressful – especially if you don’t know what’s wrong. Fortunately, our experienced ER clinicians are prepared to take action and help.

A vet tech examines a dog and is delighted

Common pet emergencies.

A BluePearl anesthesiology and pain management vet prepares to fix an anesthetic facemask on a yellow lab while a vet tech helps hold the dog on the exam table.

Acting quickly in an emergency may save your pet’s life.

If your pet is experiencing an emergency, you’ll have an entire veterinary team helping them so you can get back to what matters most – spending precious moments together.

  • Accidents, injuries and trauma (hit-by-car, animal attacks, etc.)
  • Bleeding 
  • Bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus, or GDV)
  • Collapse or unresponsiveness
  • Complications from chronic diseases 
  • Difficulty breathing 
  • Straining to urinate
  • Ingestion of medications, poisons or objects 
  • Seizures
  • Vomiting and diarrhea

Our emergency team.

Experience makes all the difference. 

Our emergency team is made up of veterinarians, vet technicians and assistants, and support staff with rigorous training and experience in specialty medicine. The team works hand in hand to provide the comprehensive, compassionate care your pet needs and deserves. Because we’re a multidisciplinary hospital, the team can consult the expertise of other specialty departments, too.

Weston Heintz

DVM

Emergency Medicine
On the job

Dr. Weston Heintz finds management of traumatic injuries and other intensive care cases particularly rewarding.

Education
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
  • Bachelor of Science, Biology & Chemistry, Graceland University, Lamoni IA
Off duty

Dr. Heintz enjoys woodworking, fishing and hiking. Milo, a black mouth cur, is his furry family member.

Chelsea Huffman

DVM

Emergency Medicine
On the job

Dr. Chelsea Huffman is especially interested in toxicity cases as well as wound and laceration repairs.

Education
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
  • Bachelor of Science, Biology, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
Off duty

Dr. Huffman enjoys spending time with friends and family outdoors, playing basketball and drawing. She has a Saint Bernard named Athena, a pit bull mix named Boop and a rosy boa named Petunia.

Jonathan Levine

DVM

Emergency Medicine
Education
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Veterinary Partners, New York NY
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Western University, Los Angeles CA
  • Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Science, University of South Florida, Tampa

Jennifer Meredith

DVM

Emergency Medicine
Education
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
  • Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins

Patti Sages

DVM

Emergency Medicine
On the job

Dr. Patti Sages enjoys all aspects of emergency medicine.

Education
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Veterinary Emergency Clinic and Referral Centre, Toronto, Ontario
  • Clinical Rotation, Cornell University, Ithaca NY
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, West Indies
  • Bachelor of Science, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Miami, FL

What to expect.

We know an unexpected trip to the emergency pet hospital can be stressful, and we want you to be prepared so you have one less thing to worry about. Our entire BluePearl team will be with you every step of the way.

Before your visit

  • If possible, call us before arriving so we can discuss your pet’s condition, help you with directions and prepare our team.
  • Collect your pet’s medical records, current medication or any historical information.
  • If your pet has eaten something potentially toxic, bring the substance with you if it’s safe to do so.

During your visit

  • When you arrive, let us know if you need help bringing your pet in from the car, and we’ll be ready to assist you.
  • Our team will perform an initial triage exam on your pet to assess their condition.
  • To stabilize your pet, we may need to administer IV fluids, pain medications, oxygen therapy and sometimes blood or plasma transfusions.
  • Before you leave, you’ll receive discharge instructions and a list of any recommended medications.

After your visit

  • We’ll let your family veterinarian know about your pet’s condition and the treatment they receive at BluePearl. This communication is key in the ongoing management of your pet’s care.
  • You know your pet better than anyone, and you play a crucial role in any follow-up treatment necessary. If you have any concerns about providing care at home (such as giving medication or monitoring your pet’s symptoms), let us know – we’re here for you.