BluePearl Pet Hospital
Overland Park, KS
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.

Richmond Aarstad

DVM

Emergency Medicine
On the job

Before joining BluePearl, Dr. Aarstad worked in Arizona for several years as medical director of an emergency animal hospital and as a primary care veterinarian.

Education
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Mesa Veterinary Hospital, Mesa AZ
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan
  • Bachelor of Science, Kansas State University, Manhattan
Off duty

Dr. Aarstad enjoys spending time with his family and his dog, Lightning. His hobbies include hiking, camping, bird watching, hunting, fishing and working on his house.

Mary Gardner

DVM

Emergency Medicine
On the job

Dr. Mary Gardner provides compassionate care for pets with urgent medical needs. She transitioned to emergency medicine around four years ago after spending over five years in general practice and has found her home treating the emergent needs of the pets in the greater KC area.

Education
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan
  • Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Kansas State University, Manhattan
Off duty

Outside of work, Dr. Gardner enjoys spending time outside, reading and cheering on her favorite sports teams: the Chiefs, Current, Royals and Sporting. She has two girls at home who keep her busy with their many sports and extracurriculars. She also loves spending time with her cat, recently rescued dog and brand new snake.

Shara Grauberger

DVM

Emergency Medicine
On the job

Dr. Grauberger enjoys all aspects of emergency medicine.

Education
  • Internship, Surgery, Indiana
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Mississippi State University
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan
  • Bachelor of Science, Kansas State University, Manhattan
Off duty

Dr. Grauberger enjoys gardening, cooking and family time. Her family’s typical vacation time includes hiking, snow skiing, fly fishing and any Rocky Mountain experience.

Jason Gregory

DVM

Emergency Medicine
On the job

Dr. Jason Gregory is passionate about all cardiac-related diseases and is pursuing advanced training in cardiology. In the meantime, he enjoys almost all facets of emergency medicine, especially acute respiratory crises and congestive heart failure.

Education
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Kansas State University, Manhattan
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan
  • Bachelor of Science, Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan
Off duty

Dr. Gregory is a Kansas City native and big hometown sports fan. After spending two years practicing in the northeast, he decided he was ready for more familiar scenery. When not on the clinic floor, he enjoys staying active through weightlifting and getting outdoors. 

Kimberly Gugler

DVM

Emergency Medicine
On the job

Dr. Kim Gugler is excited by all aspects of emergency medicine but especially enjoys caring for trauma and toxicology patients. She is passionate about educating owners to make the best possible decisions for their pet and their families.

Education
  • Residency, Emergency & Critical Care, Dovelewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital, Portland, OR
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Arboretum View Animal Hospital, Downers Grove, IL
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan
  • Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA
Off duty

Dr. Gugler is always eager to enjoy the outdoors with her husband and son. She frequently spends weekends camping, hiking and playing in the dirt in her vegetable garden. She loves watching her plants grow and then sharing the resulting salsa and spaghetti sauce.

Hayley Hunt

DVM
On the job

Dr. Hayley Hunt finds cardiac and respiratory cases extremely interesting. She enjoys emergency surgery such as splenectomies, GDVs and critical lacerations.

Education
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames
  • Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Off duty

Dr. Hunt is a huge Arkansas Razorback football fan. Her favorite hobby is horseback riding, and she has four dogs: three Labradors and one English bulldog who runs her life!

Todd Odle

DVM

Emergency Medicine
On the job

Dr. Odle enjoys all aspects of emergency medicine.

Education
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center, Overland Park KS
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan
Off duty

When not at the hospital, Dr. Odle enjoys the outdoor life.

Kaylee Visser

DVM

Emergency Medicine
On the job

Dr. Kaylee Visser’s areas of interest include trauma cases, pain management and intervertebral disc disease. She has a special place in her heart for small geriatric patients and her favorite dog breed is Chihuahuas.

Education
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan
  • Bachelor of Science, Animal Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan
Off duty

Dr. Visser has an Australian Kelpie dog named Ava and two orange female cats named Velma and Daphne. She loves playing sports, traveling and watching the Chiefs.

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.