AVOID!! Please go to a privately owned Veterinary, for the sake of your precious pet! Blue Pearl is…read morepart of one the largest companies in the world, MARS, (the candy company). They own over 2000 vet hospitals in the world and their doctors are paid more if they bill you more! Here's part of our story..... Our healthy 2.5-year-old dog Teddy was admitted to BluePearl Sarasota with seizures. Within an hour, while Teddy was alive in their hospital and we sat in the waiting room, BluePearl emailed us an iINVOICE FOR HIS CREMATION (I didn't see the email until 3 days later). The next afternoon, 2 veterinary specialists were called on the phone and both gave the same advice: start antibiotics and steroids if we could not afford the $6000 MRI. The recommended treatment was affordable. We could have done it that afternoon. But we were never told about the recommended treatment! For the next 18 hours, Teddy suffered terribly, frantic, adverse reaction to the drug he was on. His fever climbed to 105.9 degrees. He hadn't slept in over a day. He was disoriented, drooling, hyper-sensitive to every sound and touch -- and the treatment that would have helped him sat in his medical chart, undelivered to us and un-acted on by the vet covering his care, as well as the vet on the overnight shift. On Saturday morning, a different vet sat down, read the chart, saw what the specialists had recommended, and started the antibiotics and steroids. Within 90 minutes,Teddy fell asleep for the first time in 36 hours. Read the shocking information I found out and more about Teddy's Story at TeddysStory.com and share your story.

Walked in at 11pm with our Cavalier who was just miserable whining and crying and dragging herself…read moreeverywhere. It came on suddenly and as expected it was one of her glands. There was no one else there, they took her back right away, expressed the gland and we walked out within 20 minutes. The tech was just wonderful with her! It was the first time EVER we walked out without having to pay an arm and a leg at an emergency vet. They basically did it for free and she was back to her normal self and sound asleep on the ride home. Photo as my co-worker today. Thank you!!!!

We arrived at VEG ER believing our baby girl, Joy, a 13 year old shih tzu, was having an allergic…read morereaction to a vaccine. Her face was swollen, she was uncomfortable, and we were deeply worried. Dr. Jamie Davison conducted a thorough evaluation and helped us understand that Joy may have been reacting to an insect bite. During her examination, she also identified fluid in Joy's uterus, raising concern for pyometra. For those unfamiliar, pyometra is a life threatening uterine infection that can lead to sepsis, organ failure, and sudden death if not treated promptly. I will be honest. Given how frequently "lifestyle treatments" are pushed in veterinary medicine today, I was cautious and protective. We were worried about both the severity of the diagnosis and the cost and risks of surgery. I also considered seeking a second opinion. Dr. Davison did not rush us. She walked us through every step, from bloodwork to ultrasound findings, explaining what she was seeing and why it mattered. She earned our trust gradually and professionally. When we made the decision to operate, her attention to detail stood out. She avoided the large external stitches we have seen in the past, and when prescribing medication, she remembered that I had mentioned Joy does not swallow pills and provided liquid medication instead. Those small considerations made a meaningful difference in her recovery. Further testing of Joy's uterus after surgery confirmed tumors. Removing them likely prevented a catastrophic outcome. What began as a suspected allergic reaction became a life saving intervention. It has been a week, and Joy is steadily returning to her loving, spirited self. If it were not for Dr. Davison's thorough examination and clinical judgment, we might not have discovered the underlying condition in time. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Davison and the entire VEG ER team working that night, including nurse Loni, assistant Fred, and CEC Kalyn. Their professionalism, clarity, and compassion made all the difference.

WARNING STAY FAR AWAY!!! Brought my 11 year old dog into VEG because he was having issues walking…read moreand wasn't eating. I brought him in at 6pm and they ran some tests gave him some meds and put him in a kennel. Last thing the doctor told me was that "no news was good news" At around 12 midnight I get a call saying my dogs heart had stopped and if they wanted me to perform CPR I rush to their location to find my dog dead on their table and them performing CPR After they pronounced him deceased I got a rundown of the nightly events. At 11pm they took him out of the kennel to check on him and in their notes it said "he was unable to walk anymore". I was livid after reading this because why didn't these idiots call me to let me know my dog was in bad shape Instead they put him back into his kennel to die alone and WITHOUT a heart monitor. So from 11 to 1230 there's was no telling how long he was dead for before they found him. On top of that they charged me extra to perform "life saving cpr". These crooks need to be investigated. Please do not leave your pets with these incompetent MFs

My cat was recently put into new meds and was deficating on himself and in pain so I drove to a few…read moreplaces and when I got to beg they told me the precise for the exam, I broke down bc I couldn't afford it, and I was very scared for my cat. They saw that I was stressed and waived the exam fee for me. So so so grateful to these kind people. They ran tests and gave me some pain meds for him that were abt 40 dollars (more on my budget) and sent us on our way. I will never forget their grace in my time of need.

Currently waiting here while my dog is being treated for ingesting a toy he chewed up and ate…read more This is by far the most professional, attentive, and kind vet staff I have ever been around My dog is very reactive and HATES the vet. With all his barking and resistance not a single staff member broke composure, unlike other vets we have been to. They were reassuring "they got this," and it was no problem. Being around people who understand my dog is such relief as a reactive dog owner. Thank you.

I never want to have to visit a pet ER again, but if I did, I would absolutely come back here…read more Dr. Riddick, Marykate, and Jennelle took amazing care of Finn. Jennelle was our main point of contact and truly made the experience so much easier. She kept both Finn and us calm and informed the entire time. Dr. Riddick was clearly very busy that night, but when she got to Finn, she was thorough, reassuring, and took the time to clearly explain what she was seeing, how she would treat it, and potential healing considerations given the location of the injury. Finn needed stitches, and she provided very detailed aftercare instructions. We followed up with our regular vet a few days later just to make sure everything was healing properly, and I'm happy to say Finn healed great and had his stitches removed today. VEG even offered to remove them for free as a follow-up, which we really appreciated, but we opted for our closer vet for convenience. One thing we really loved was being able to stay with Finn the entire time. We could see him throughout the process and even watch as they placed the stitches, which made a stressful situation feel much more manageable. We're so grateful for the care Finn received here and would highly recommend VEG to anyone in an emergency.

*WARNING: STAY AWAY* I brought my sick cat there on 10/9/25 - she was bitten by a tick. When I…read morepicked her up the next day this is what I saw: She was covered in her own urine and feces, withdrawn, & stuck in a cage she couldn't even turn around in. I cried so hard when I saw my baby!! For literally 2 IVs, an antibiotic, and an overnight "stay" VEG ER in St Pete charged me over $8,300 before it was over. Just. Don't. Subject. Your. Beloved Pet. to this torture! My cat still has neurological issues that she did NOT have before we want to these charlatans. Stay away and learn from our horrible experience!!!

Our pup had a large spleen tumor and we were referred to Epic by our local oncologist. Dr Peress…read moreand staff scheduled an emergency surgery, as the spleen could rupture at any time. Surgery was successful; however, the biopsy showed the tumor as hemangiosarcoma, a very aggressive cancer. Yes, the surgery was expensive but the care she received over the 2-3 days was exceptional and worth every cent. We are now 12 weeks post op, and we thank Epic for giving us these additional weeks with our girl Abby. She recently had her 11th birthday, and is doing great.

After many different vet visits and much money spent, the employees at Epic were able to pinpoint…read moremy cat's illness and were helpful and caring enough to help me and my cat through a very difficult situation. I would recommend this hospital to anyone and everyone that has a pet. Even though my news was not positive, they made me feel ten times better knowing that they were in my corner. I pray that they continue the excellent work and God keeps blessing them and everyone who visits there! Thank you so very much!

Our sweet Charlie ended up at the emergency vet with a bladder obstruction that required surgery…read more What started as straining to pee turned into a whirlwind of ER visits, anesthesia, and a major procedure to remove stones from his bladder. I don't usually share personal stuff like this, but I'm making this post for one reason only. If you ever have an emergency with your pet, go to VEG ER for Pets. When we were trying to find a vet to perform the surgery, our VEG doctor sat there and personally called vet after vet to get someone to fit us in. And when we finally found the right place, she stayed on the phone with the surgeon and fully briefed him on Charlie's condition so there was not a single gap in his care. They kept us informed, comforted, and confident that our boy was in the best hands. He made it through surgery like a champ and finally came home but after we got him settled, his temperature dropped and we had to rush him back to VEG. They immediately took him in, warmed him, ran an ultrasound to make sure nothing was wrong, monitored him until he was stable... and didn't charge us a dime. Because of how long this whole process was, and having to go back again, we saw three different doctors at VEG, and every single one of them treated Charlie (and us) with the exact same level of urgency, compassion, and kindness. That consistency in care meant everything to us. Charlie is home now, snuggled in blankets, eating, and slowly getting stronger! If you ever face an emergency with your fur baby, VEG is the place to go. We are beyond grateful and will recommend them to anyone and everyone.

The staff that work here are exceptional. While waiting for treatment for my cat, I witnessed two…read moreseparate families come in with gifts and gratitude (and chick fillet!) to the staff for the care their pets received. I also witnessed the staff have incredible compassion and practice ethically. An elderly woman came in with her cat, concerned about the cats eyes. After a thorough exam, she was told her cat was perfectly healthy and there was nothing to be concerned with. They didn't charge her for the exam, which I could tell was a big stress relief for her. In total I spent 3 hours here and my cat and I received exceptional care. I also witnessed the true hero's that wok here in their element. I highly recommend this place if you are ever in need of emergency vet care. 11/10!

My 6 year old rescue bulldog has a corneal ulcer. His regular vet treated him and after a week…read morethere was little improvement. She simply told me to keep giving him his eye drops, and bring him back in a week for a re-check, and if it hadn't improved she'd probably refer him to a specialist, Now why, if your plan hasn't worked in a week, would i follow it another week before you give up? So i called Beacon and spoke to Ambar regarding bringing him in for a second opinion. Ambar was awesome. She was friendly and professional, she asked good questions and actually listened to my answers and concerns. She was honest, that there may not be anything else they could do except to refer him to a specialist. Well, i was seeking a second opinion so i did recognize that opinion could mirror the first opinion, but Ambar did share the things that made me nervous, and she clearly displayed obvious empathy for my concerns and most importantly for my dog, so after she volunteered an explanation of the costs i decided to take my little buddy to them. When we arrived Ambar came outside to meet us. She talked to my dog, making an obvious attempt (successfully) to put him at ease, and escorted us inside. She was very professional, but also friendly and my dog immediately liked her. I doubt it was more than 10 minutes that we waited before our tech came in the exam room. She introduced herself and her first effort was to calm my dog, Then she got a very thorough background, also asking good questions and listening to my answers. My dog was so comfortable that he sprawled out on the couch next to me and took a nap. She wanted to take my buddy boy in another room to get his vitals but he resisted and she simply said nevermind, he's nervous so we'll get them here. But I insisted and told him it was ok, so he went with her. After she brought him back, She told me the vet would be in shortly after she reviewed the case. Perhaps another ten minutes went by before Dr. Scheppke came in. She, too, introduced herself to my buddy boy, and then she reviewed with me the notes, problems and concerns. Another person who asked good questions and truly listened to my answers. Dr. Scheppke actually sat down on the floor to examine buddy boy, and she was sweet and loving toward him in the way that only a genuine dog lover can be. After the exam, she told be she was going to go write up her plan and would be back shortly to review it with me. It wasn't very long before she was back, and she reviewed her plan, including the costs with me. I had questions which she patiently answered while my buddy boy laid next to me calmly snoring. I approved her plan which included a couple new tests and new meds, and she took my buddy boy off to the treatment room. After treatment Dr. Scheppke came back in to review treatment, explain the things i needed to do at home, and to answer questions. When all was finished, Ambar came back to get us, asking how it went, what were they able to do, making a fuss over Buddy boy, and once again showing she cared. At no point during the visit did anyone make me feel rushed, quite the contrary. EVERYONE acted like they had no concern in the would except for me, and my dog. Rescue dogs often come with emotional baggage, and fears that may appear unfounded, but to the dog, they are quite real. My dog is no exception. At every point during this visit, every single staff member made every possible effort to calm his concerns and avoid his triggers. The empathy they all showed him was heartwarming and obviously quite genuine. When it was time to check out, everything was exactly as Dr Scheppke said it would be, including the cost. Yes, it was pricey but considering the quality of the care we got, i felt it was quite fair. A couple hours later Dr. Scheppke sent me an email which included her written report of the problem, the treatment and the things that i needed to do for him. It was a clear, well written summary on the entire visit. I hope you never need to utilize Beacon's services, but if you do i would recommend them as strongly as I possibly could. Buddy boy, who likes everyone but trusts no one, was so comfortable there that he didn't want to leave, and that's the best review they could get.

I am not saying this is a bad place for pet care and the staff is incredibly kind. And I knew what…read moreI had to pay because they gave me an estimate. My dog had a small mass on her tail removed 2 days prior to this visit. One of the 2 stitches was gone. Of course, it was an hour after my regular vet's office closed. This is the contents of my bill just so people can be prepared. Reminder, this was to replace 1 stitch (suture). And I just found out they aren't the only 24 hour emergency pet care in St. Pete any longer, the is another on 4th St. Exam: $169 Wound care $147 Suture $252 Bandage $126 fell off her tail within an hour Augmentin $136 (available at CVS for $22) Caprofen Injection $106 (available on line multi dose vial for $85) Total bill $938.53 (double what the original procedure cost by my vet) This place is outrageously overpriced, remember this was to replace 1 suture.

Dr. Ormsby was kind enough to follow through with the many questions I had regarding the unexpected…read morepassing of my Harry. Thank you to Dr. Ormsby and staff.

Our Bernese Mountain Dog, Bruno, recently had surgery at our regular vet to remove a tumor in his…read moremouth. Thankfully, everything came back benign. As expected, the surgery affected his appetite, but a few days later things took a concerning turn. By Sunday--four days post-surgery--he had completely stopped eating and drinking and became very lethargic. By that evening, he was barely moving. Having lost a dog years ago to kidney failure, I didn't want to take any chances, so I brought him to Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialists, where I've had good experiences in the past. From the moment we arrived, the team was excellent. The receptionist was kind and attentive, and after the initial exam, Dr. Ormsby came in and immediately connected with Bruno. As soon as she walked in, he perked up. What stood out most was her approach. Instead of ordering a battery of expensive tests, she said, "Let me make him a charcuterie plate." She hand-fed him baby food and a few other items--and he ate. She discussed a kidney test but didn't feel it was necessary based on his symptoms. Instead, she explained that some of his post-surgery medications could be causing gastrointestinal inflammation and treated him accordingly. We followed her guidance at home, and Bruno is now eating again and getting back to his old self. Too often, veterinary visits feel transactional. This was the opposite. They truly cared, and it showed. I'm very grateful we chose Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialists.

Say what you will, when your pet is in danger or having a problem you want someone to be able to…read moretake care of them. The doctors and care team did just that for us when my eldest fur kid had a stroke this past week. They were kind and compassionate, offering what care they could. We could not ask for anything more

We took our cat to this place because his first leg got swollen and he was limping on it. We didn't…read moreknow what happened, so we rushed him in. After 4 hours and $1850 we were told they have no idea what's wrong and we should take him to our regular vet on the next day. I asked if they have at least a guess what could be it and I got a no answer. They gave him some painkillers and anti inflammatory. The next morning he was fine. Swollen was gone, no pain, like nothing ever happened. Our best guess is he got bitten by a wasp or spider. Our friend , who's not a vet, suggested this right away , when we showed her the pictures of his leg. So an inexperienced, not qualified person had the right guess through a photo but this ER after 4 hours and a fortune had no clue. Very disappointed.

My boy loves coming here for daycare!They do fb videos with the playing and have frequent…read moreevents.No issues ever with bathing,boardings,or daycare. Houndstown and so does my boy!

They took care of my mini dachshund yesterday and Sparky made a lot of new friend's and had a great…read moretime