BluePearl Pet Hospital
Levittown, PA
Critical Care

24/7 Emergency and Specialty

Pet critical care 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 critical care clinicians are prepared to take action to provide lifesaving care.

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

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 is experiencing a critical condition, you’ll have an entire veterinary team helping them so you can get back to what matters most – spending precious moments together. 

Common cases that we see in the ICU include:  

  • Post-surgery recovery 
  • Trauma
  • Sepsis
  • Respiratory distress
  • Pneumonia
  • Shock

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.

  • Blood/urine testing
  • Electrocardiography (ECG)
  • Endoscopy
  • Ultrasound
  • Radiography (x-rays)

Treatment plans

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

  • Blood transfusions
  • Electrolyte replenishment
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Breathing support
  • Catheterization
  • Nutritional support
  • IV fluid therapy
  • Plasmapheresis
  • Hemodialysis

Our board certified specialists and critical care team.

Experience makes all the difference. 

Our critical care 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.

Jessica Kielb Basile

DVM, DACVECC
Board Certified in Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care

Critical Care
On the job

Dr. Jessica Kielb Basile’s particular clinical interests include sepsis, treatment of complicated shock cases, abnormal blood sodium levels, and canine trauma.

Education
  • Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care
  • Residency, Small Animal Emergency & Critical Care, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, BluePearl Specialty & Emergency Pet Hospital, Northfield, IL
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
  • Bachelor of Science, Biological Science, Illinois State University, Normal
Off duty

Dr. Basile was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. She has a grey dog named Byrdie and a grey cat named Lou. She enjoys yoga, running and traveling with her husband.

Nolan Chalifoux

DVM, MSTR, DACVECC
Board Certified in Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care

Critical Care
On the job

Dr. Nolan Chalifoux’s passion for critical care is driven by the ability to work as a team, devoting efforts to the sickest patients, nursing them back to health and giving them a second chance. His clinical interests include:

  • Sepsis
  • Respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation
  • Plasmapheresis and hemodialysis for the management of acute intoxication and kidney injuries

 

Dr. Chalifoux is one of few veterinarians in the region to offer plasmapheresis and hemodialysis to pets.

Education
  • Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care
  • Master of Science in Translational Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
  • Residency, Emergency & Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
Off duty

Dr. Chalifoux enjoys spending time with his family and friends, enjoying the Philadelphia restaurant scene and attending live music events. He lives with his partner (also a veterinarian) and their two cats, Swift and Cayenne, and a ferret named Hashbrown.

Publications and articles

Jennifer Morris

DVM, DACVECC
Board Certified in Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care

Critical Care
On the job

Dr. Jennifer Morris enjoys all aspects of critical care medicine.

Education
  • Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care
  • Residency, Emergency and Critical Care, Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care, Las Vegas NV
  • Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Ocean State Veterinary Specialists, East Greenwich RI
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton MA
Off duty

Dr. Morris has two cats.

What to expect.

We want you to be prepared for your pet’s visit to the ICU, so you have one less thing to worry about. Our entire BluePearl team will be with you every step of the way.

How the ICU works

First, your pet will be triaged and cared for by our emergency medicine team. If they require hospitalization, your pet will be seamlessly transferred to the ICU, where our critical care team will stabilize and monitor them around the clock.

We know how difficult it is to be separated from your pet during this critical time, so we’ll keep you updated on their condition and continue to discuss testing and treatment options with you. Once your pet is stable, you’ll be able to give them more love and attention during visiting hours.

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 any follow-up treatment necessary. If you have any concerns about providing care at home after being discharged from the hospital (such as giving medication or monitoring your pet’s symptoms), let us know – we’re here for you.