BluePearl Pet Hospital
Tampa, FL
Surgery

24/7 Emergency and Specialty
Emergency:
24/7
Specialty:
Call for appointment

Pet surgery by BluePearl.

Precision care for what matters most – helping your pet live a longer and better life.

We understand that seeing your pet experience an emergency or condition that requires surgery can be stressful. Fortunately, our veterinary surgery team is made up of experts in performing complex procedures using the latest state-of-the-art techniques and equipment, and we’re here to help. 

Our commitment is not just to delivering highly advanced surgical care; it’s to enhance the well-being of your pet and be with you every step of the way.

A veterinary surgeon examines a dog

Conditions we treat.

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.

If your pet has a condition or injury that requires advanced care and procedures, you’ll have an entire surgery team helping to improve your pet’s quality of life so you can get back to what matters most – spending precious moments together.

  • Cancer
  • Chronic diseases like ear or respiratory tract infections
  • Congenital conditions like dysplasia or heart defects
  • Emergencies like swallowing a foreign body
  • Hernias
  • Trauma or injuries, including fractures, ligament and tendon injuries

Services we offer.

Your pet will receive unparalleled medical care during their time at the hospital (and they’ll be spoiled with love and attention, too).

Advanced diagnostics

Your pet can’t tell us what’s wrong, so we use sophisticated diagnostics and imaging tools to uncover the source of the problem.

  • Biopsy
  • Radiography (x-rays)
  • Ultrasound

Treatment plans

Just as no two patients are the same, neither are their treatment plans. Our surgery team has experience with a range of advanced procedures and minimally invasive options to get your pet on the path to wellness, including:

  • Orthopedic surgery (for the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons)
  • Soft tissue surgery (for non-bone tissues and internal organs)

Our board certified specialists and surgery team.

Experience makes all the difference. 

Our surgery 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.

Helga Bleyaert

VMD, DACVS
Board Certified in Veterinary Surgery

Surgery
Servicing locations

On the job

Dr. Helga Bleyaert has extensive experience and specialized training in minimally invasive surgical procedures such as arthroscopy and laparoscopy. She also has completed specialized training in total hip replacement, TPLO procedure for ACL tears, as well as numerous other orthopedic and soft tissue procedures.

Education
  • Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
  • Residency, Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Marion DuPont Equine Center, Leesburg VA
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Off duty

Dr. Bleyaert enjoys horseback riding, boating and woodworking in her garage.

Nicholas Olson

DVM

Surgery
Servicing locations

On the job

Dr. Nicholas Olson is most interested in fracture repair, minimally invasive techniques, such as arthroscopy and laparoscopy, and cranial cruciate ligament disease.

Education
  • Residency, Small Animal Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Tampa, FL
  • Internship, Small Animal Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Tampa, FL
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Tampa, FL
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
  • Bachelor of Science, Sport Management, University of Florida, Gainesville
Off duty

Dr. Olson enjoys traveling, camping and cheering on the Florida Gators with his wife and two children.

Publications & Articles

Elena Pfisterer

DVM
On the job

Dr. Elena Pfisterer is a resident in our surgery service. Dr. Pfisterer’s professional interests include complex fracture repair, angular limb deformities, total hip replacements, and thoracic surgery.

Education
  • Internship, Small Animal Surgery, Carolina Veterinary Specialists, Charlotte, NC
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Nashville Veterinary Specialists, TN
  • Clinical Rotation, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies
Off duty

Dr. Pfisterer has a fiancé who is also a veterinarian, and two cats at the head of the household: Fetty and Savannah.

Michael Reems

DVM, MS, DACVS
Board Certified in Veterinary Surgery

Surgery
Servicing locations

On the job

Dr. Michael Reems is particularly interested in both surgical oncology, including cancer removal and reconstruction, and minimally invasive surgery such as arthroscopy, laparoscopy and thoracoscopy. He has performed urinary bladder stone, lung lobe tumor, adrenal gland/mass, cryptorchid retained testicle, and gall bladder removals minimally invasively, in addition to prophylactic gastropexy fixation of stomach for prevention of gastric-dilatation volvulus and laparoscopic liver biopsy. He has also completed specialized training in circular external skeletal fixation fracture repair, tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA), and tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) procedures for anterior cruciate ligament tears.

Education
  • Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
  • Residency, Surgery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
  • Master of Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
  • Internship, Surgery, Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, Houston, TX
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Animal Medical Center, New York City
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
  • Bachelor of Science, Davidson College, North Carolina
Off duty

Dr. Reems volunteers examinations and surgical treatments for service dogs. He enjoys spending time with his wife, a criticalist at BluePearl, cat Fat Bobby, and dogs, Emma and Maggie. His favorite pastimes include saltwater fishing, mountain biking and fly fishing.

Kelsey Schaul

DVM
On the job

Dr. Kelsey Schaul is a resident in our surgery service. She finds fracture repairs and treating cranial cruciate ligament disease particularly gratifying.

Education
  • Internship, Small Animal Surgery, BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital, Kirkland, WA
  • Internship, Small Animal Surgery, Veterinary Specialty Center, Buffalo Grove, IL
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia
  • Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Off duty

Dr. Schaul enjoys hiking and camping (when it’s not too hot!) and getting out on the water for boating and swimming. She lives with her husky, Kira, and cat, Tippy.

Publications & Articles

What to expect.

We want you to be prepared for your pet’s visit to the surgeon, 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

  • Make a consultation appointment by calling us directly or via referral from your pet’s primary vet. 
  • We’ll request records from your primary or emergency vet before your visit and collaborate with them to discuss your pet’s history and current condition.

During your visit

  • When possible, we’ll examine your pet with you by their side to make them more comfortable. If additional tests are needed, we’ll discuss those options with you.
  • You’ll have plenty of time and opportunity to ask questions as we go over your pet’s diagnosis and treatment plan options together.
  • If appropriate, we’ll schedule your pet’s procedure and make sure you’re aware of any symptoms you should watch out for at home. 

After your visit

  • Our team will continue to partner with your primary veterinarian as part of the ongoing management of your pet’s care.
  • You know your pet better than anyone, and you play a crucial role in their treatment plan. If you have any concerns about providing care at home (such as giving medication, maintaining a specific diet or monitoring your pet’s symptoms), let us know – we’re here for you.