BluePearl Pet Hospital
Berks
Shillington, PA
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.

Casey Dignan

VMD

Emergency Medicine

Rebecca Tuchinsky

DVM

Emergency Medicine
Education
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
  • Bachelor of Arts, English Literature and Pre-Veterinary Studies, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Gina Watzka

DVM

Emergency Medicine
On the job

Dr. Gina Watzka’s clinical interests include anesthesia, internal medicine, preventative medicine, and pain management.

Education
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison
  • Bachelor of Science, Wagner College, Staten Island, NY
Off duty

Dr. Watzka enjoys gardening, playing the clarinet and bassoon, and working on arts and crafts projects. She loves spending time with her family, including her three cats: Fraidy Cat, Pearl and Captain Crunch.

Kristen Woltman

DVM

Emergency Medicine
On the job

Dr. Kristen Woltman chose the veterinary profession at the age of 8 due to her love of animals and desire to help. She believes that pets are an extension of one’s family and values the opportunity to develop a relationship with both owners and pets.

Education
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Michigan State University, East Lansing
  • Clinical Rotation, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies
  • Bachelor of Science, Equine Science and Management, Delaware Valley College, Doylestown, PA
Off duty

In her spare time, Dr. Woltman enjoys hiking, yoga, and horseback riding.

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.