BluePearl Pet Hospital Richmond

It is unfortunate that you have to give a single star. We laid our best friend to rest Sunday after spending hours at this “emergency vet hospital” being ignored and told he was “stable” by an unqualified receptionist and having never been seen by any other staff. He was unable to stand, disoriented, and howling in pain. At one point they took him back and promptly brought him back saying his howling was disturbing to an anxious cat. We arrived at 8:30pm and left at 1:30am untouched. I sat in the parking lot of his regular vet with him the next morning only to be told it was too late. He was never triaged, never assessed, never attended to at this place. By the time we had him looked at he was in organ failure. As a healthcare professional I could not fathom the lack of care we were offered. Do not take your pet to this place.

posted: 11/05/2024

Just want to start this review off with my acknowledgement that many vet offices and emergency vet hospitals are understaffed and I understand how stressful that can as a work environment, especially when many patients are there in their worst hours. My cat had been having stomach issues for awhile and has been seen for this issue at my normal vet River City Vetinary Hospital. Over the weekend unfortunately he was having more stomach issues, and not wanting to wait until Monday I decided to bring him in to Blue Pearl, as well as book the next appointment possible for River City on Tuesday (today). I was told its $140 just to be seen at Blue Pearl, and I had to fill out an intake form as well. I filled that out online and went straight to Blue Pearl. When I walked in I was asked what was wrong, because its a more nuanced issue to explain I let the receptionist know that I had filled in the intake form and she then rudely interrupted me and asked sternly again what was wrong with him. Not major issue but was definitely a sign of what the attitude and demeanor of each of the workers there would give me. I noticed that there were multiple open patient rooms with the lights off, but was made to wait in the waiting room for over 1.5-2 hours. A nurse randomly came out to the lobby and asked that I go over again what his symptoms were, even though I had already explained this on the intake form in detail, then they took him to the back just to get his vitals checked. When we finally got a room, it took another 2 hours for us to be seen by Dr. Armstrong. I felt rude having to do it, but had used the buzzer in the rooms to try and get some information as to how long it would be until we were seen by the vet, each time I was told there were more important emergencies going on and that noone could help me, which again, I understand places are understaffed but communication would go a long way if you are going to make us wait 4+ hours just to be seen. When Dr. Armstrong came in she seemed nice enough but was talking really fast, using only medical vocabulary that was hard to follow, was a bit condescending and skipping over important details about how much some of these services would cost, what exactly they were for, etc. I asked that she explain some of the tests she wanted to do and asked for the prices of each. I accepted all treatment offered because, well, I had waited 4 hours and if they were going to make my cat better thats what I will do. I was charged $150 for subcutaneous fluid injection, of which is $30 at River City vet. I was charged $72 for proviable forte, of which is $30 at river city vet (and even cheaper online). $140 just to walk in the door. The total bill came out to $530+ and really all that was done was a fluid injection, fecal testing ($111) and anti-naseau medication ($60). When I pushed back on the pricing I was told I am looking at $2-3k in further testing anyways, again if it helps then I will pay whatever. I just feel like they purposefully wait you out so that you are exhausted by the time they try and hit you with the bill. I mean Dr. Armstrong must know that charging $150 for fluid injection is insane, and to sit their and judge me for even asking felt very wrong. They charge almost double to triple (or 5x more) for the same services you can get down the street. After I agreed to their services, I was told that I can wait in the lobby and they would be right out while they administer his treatments. Keep in mind they take your pet to the back and do not even check vitals or have them with you. When Dr. Armstrong came in my cat was still in the back with the nurses (I guess). It was another hour - hour and a half til they brought him out. While I was waiting for him to be brought out, Dr. Armstrong came out to talk to one of her other patients who I guess has a relationship with her. That person was helped immediately. Also want to mention there was no AC in the building, the floors are noticeably dirty, and also found out this is owned by the Mars corporation, which explains the price gouging

posted: 01/28/2025

This place is all about the money. Went in with my dog that was attacked by a neighbors dog and sat in a room waiting for over two hours without being seen. Walked out to the front desk and they said they would be in shortly. Waited another 30 minutes before the vet tech came to get him and then brought him back saying it would be several hours before they could do the surgery. Total of 5 hours here. $1250 later not happy about the care they gave my dog. This would be my last resort to go back to. Wish this place would be more reputable.

posted: 12/27/2024

Everyone at Blue pearl is amazing! I came a few weeks ago with a kitten we found in an engine bay at my work to make sure he was healthy fully ready to pay the exam fee. They waived the fee after doing the exam and giving the baby the all clear. Sunday morning I brought our dog when he had severe diarrhea. He was immediately seen and checked in. They went over all the costs with me and options. He then spent the night there as was recommended by the vet, and while he wasn’t happy about it I was positive he was in the best of hands. They were very thorough with their exam and alerted me to a mass on his spleen that had nothing to do with issue that brought him. Thank you to everyone at Blue Pearl for everything!

posted: 10/22/2024

I really appreciated that even though Blue Pearl was at capacity when I called, they texted me a list of alternative emergency vets! They ended up fitting me in that evening and my dog received excellent care and the vet was extremely thorough while explaining my dog’s surgery. I did wait quite a bit but was checked on and apologized to. The receptionist’s calm and caring manner was really appreciated in a place that deals with mostly panicked people. Would love to see more people working there so the wait isn’t so long but would definitely recommend!

posted: 10/23/2024