The earlier bad reviews astonish me, and all I can come up with is since Blue Pearl took over late…read moresummer 2022, things have changed dramatically in the right direction. Here's our story.
We moved from Seattle to Albuquerque June 2022. Our 5-yr old German Shepherd had just been diagnosed with end stage liver disease and had begun needing abdominocenteses, a procedure where accumulated fluid is removed from the abdomen. Every 3-5 weeks, 2-4 liters of fluid would accumulate and have to be removed. We had it done at a Blue Pearl facility in Seattle/Kirkland three times before we moved, and it was very stressful for her until the last time when the vet used a different technique and let me be with her, so we could avoid any sedative or drugs, which is imperative when the liver isn't functioning well.
We got to Albuquerque, and the first new patient appt at our chosen clinic was 10 weeks out, and the ERs in ABQ didn't perform this procedure. Since we'd had so much good care at Blue Pearl in Seattle/Kirkland, we searched for a Blue Pearl locally. The closest were Phoenix and Denver. We chose to drive the 8 hrs up to Denver.
Because fluid accumulation is unpredictable, we can't always go to our vet in ABQ even now. The procedure takes an hour, so the vet can't fit you in between other appts, so we've had to go to Blue Pearl Lakewood 4 times now.
Each time we've seen Dr. Jill Bull, and each time her assistants have been remarkable. All the intake staff and medical staff have been professional, efficient, very compassionate, kind... We've interacted with many different support staff on the phone and in person since last July and have only had good to exceptional experiences with everyone.
Dr. Bull is everything I look for in a vet. On our first visit, she listened to our 3 prior experiences with the procedure and agreed to use the other technique that had worked so well for our dog the last time in Seattle. She cared more for our dog's well-being than doing it the "easy" way.
Dr. Bull is a fantastic vet. She listens, she considers, she's professional, kind, compassionate, clearly skilled in technique, patient and adaptable to situations as they develop. Because our dog was not sedated, and we had to keep her still for an hour, things changed often, and Dr. Bull and her tech (Bree was beyond fantastic) took all in stride and made everything work well. Our dog was calm, and all has gone very well all 4 times despite different circumstances each time.
Our 4th visit was Jan 6, 2023, and Dr. Bull told us she'd recently been made facility director for Blue Pearl Lakewood. Finally, the right person for the right job - she'll still be treating patients, so it's a win-win for all.
I hate HMOs, but back in Seattle during COVID, Blue Pearl was the only place that allowed me inside with my dog, which is why I chose them over everyone else. They were super strict with COVID protocol, but they knew you can only give exceptional care if the animal's person is directly involved, not just talking on the phone as they wait for hours in their car in the outside parking lot.
I have been deeply pleased with Blue Pearl's clearly putting the animal's welfare over their own convenience, and the ensuing care my dog received at Blue Pearl Kirkland/Seattle was excellent as well as at Blue Pearl Lakewood, CO.
I can't say enough good about Blue Pearl, wherever I've gone. Maybe now that they've taken over in Lakewood, the bad reviews will only be about money (ER visits are rarely cheap.) And btw, although the fee is higher at Blue Pearl Lakewood ER for the procedure than at my local vet (not an ER in Albuquerque), it's still very reasonable. (It's half what I was paying at Blue Pearl Seattle.)
