BluePearl Pet Hospital
Malvern, PA
Emergency Medicine

Emergency and Specialty
Emergency:
Sun 7 am- Fri 6 pm
Specialty:
Mon-Fri: By appointment

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 specialist holds a small grey puppy wearing a cone on an exam table.

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.

Morgan Bumgardner

VMD

Emergency Medicine
Education
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Friendship Hospital for Animals, Washington D.C.
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
  • Bachelor of Science, Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Kelly Himeback

DVM

Emergency Medicine
On the job

Dr. Kelly Himeback’s clinical interests include stabilizing and treating poly traumas, toxin ingestions and acute abdomens, such as GDV or septic peritonitis. She loves the feeling she gets when she sees a pet who comes in in critical condition, getting to walk out of the hospital with their family.

Education
  • Residency, Emergency & Critical Care, Cornell University Veterinary Specialists, Stamford, CT
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, VCA Aurora Animal Hospital, IL
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL
  • Bachelor of Science, Biology, Delaware Valley University, Doylestown, PA
Off duty

In her free time, Dr. Himeback enjoys hiking with her two labrador retrievers, spending time with her family, running road races, skiing, biking, reading and baking.

Sirena Melendez

DVM

Emergency Medicine
Education
  • Clinical Rotation, Oregon State University, Corvallis
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies
  • Bachelor of Science, Biology, Immaculata University, Malvern, PA
Off duty

Dr. Melendez enjoys creating art, reading and traveling. She has a cat named Kyo.

Sarah Muhrer

DVM

Emergency Medicine
On the job

Dr. Sarah Muhrer has over 10 years of emergency care experience. She finds multi-trauma cases and toxicities the most gratifying to treat.

Education
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Metropolitan Veterinary Associates, Norristown, PA
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Off duty

Outside of work, Dr. Muhrer loves competing in competitive dog sports with her border collie Epi and rescue dog Cadence. She also has a cat named Artemis and a turtle named Carapace who she has taught to do tricks.

When she’s not with her talented pets, Dr. Muhrer spends her time traveling and playing ultimate frisbee.

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.