Pets Er - Elizabeth Drewer DVM

Pets ER, with Dr. Elizabeth Drewer, DVM, as a key figure, is a specialized "Pet Hospital" dedicated to providing emergency and urgent veterinary care for dogs and cats. Located at 402 Punkin Ct, Salisbury, MD 21804, USA, Pets ER serves as a vital resource for pet owners on the lower Eastern Shore when their regular veterinarians are closed. The facility's primary mission is to provide quality emergency services, focusing on critical and acute illnesses and injuries that require immediate attention outside of standard business hours.

The environment at Pets ER is primarily geared towards handling emergency situations. This implies a functional, efficient, and well-equipped setting designed for rapid assessment and treatment of urgent cases. The hospital re-opened in a new, larger facility at 402 Punkin Court in 2018, indicating an upgrade in capacity and potentially in the modernity of its equipment and layout. As an emergency center, the environment would prioritize medical functionality, cleanliness, and the ability to triage and stabilize critically ill or injured animals. While the focus is on urgent care, the critical nature of the cases often means a fast-paced and high-pressure environment. However, specific direct details about the comfort of the waiting area or exam rooms from broad public reviews are not extensively available. It is important to note that the emotional atmosphere can be greatly influenced by the stressful circumstances under which clients visit an emergency hospital.

Pets ER, under the leadership and expertise of veterinarians like Dr. Elizabeth Drewer, offers a range of services specifically tailored for emergency and urgent care. Their services are designed to address conditions that are sudden, severe, or potentially life-threatening. Key services include:

• Emergency & Urgent Care: This is the core service, providing immediate medical attention for a wide array of emergencies, including trauma, acute illnesses, sudden declines in health, poisoning, and more.
• Diagnostic Services: The facility is equipped with advanced diagnostic tools essential for emergency situations. This includes digital radiography (X-rays) for rapid imaging of bones and internal organs, and in-house laboratory capabilities for quick blood work, urinalysis, and other diagnostic tests. The goal is to provide timely and accurate diagnoses to guide immediate treatment.
• Surgical Services: Pets ER is equipped with a full surgical suite, including surgical staplers, for emergency procedures. Surgeries are performed when a delay could be detrimental to the pet's health, addressing conditions like lacerations, foreign body removal, and other acute surgical needs.
• Anesthesia & Pain Management: Anesthetic services are provided for diagnostic procedures, treatments, and surgeries, with careful monitoring to ensure patient safety. Pain management is also a crucial aspect of emergency care, ensuring comfort for injured or ill animals.
• Hospitalization & Intensive Care: For critically ill or injured patients, a monitored hospitalization area is available for continuous care, fluid therapy, oxygen therapy, and close observation.
• Pharmacology: A fully stocked in-house pharmacy ensures immediate access to necessary medications.
• Electrocardiography (ECG): For assessing heart function in critical patients.
• Dietary Counseling: While not a primary emergency service, initial dietary advice may be given post-stabilization.

It is important to note that Pets ER focuses exclusively on emergency and urgent care and does not perform routine procedures such as vaccinations or regular check-ups. Their role is to provide care when primary veterinarians are unavailable, and they will typically encourage clients to follow up with their regular vet for non-emergency conditions or long-term care plans. They operate on a triage basis, meaning that the most critical and unstable patients are examined and treated before more stable or non-critical patients.

The features of Pets ER, while primarily focused on providing essential emergency care, present a mixed picture based on client experiences. On one hand, the clinic provides a crucial service as the primary after-hours emergency veterinary facility in the Salisbury area, especially given that the next closest emergency clinic might be hours away. They are open nights, weekends, and all major holidays, ensuring continuous availability for urgent situations. The facility is well-equipped with modern diagnostic tools (digital X-ray, ultrasound, in-house lab, endoscopy) and a full surgical suite, indicating a strong capability to handle complex medical and surgical emergencies. Dr. Elizabeth Drewer is the owner of the clinic, suggesting a personal investment in its operations and standards. The practice has been in operation for many years, indicating a sustained presence in the community.

However, some client reviews highlight significant concerns regarding the compassion and communication provided during highly sensitive and emotional situations, particularly involving end-of-life care. One review described a distressing experience during euthanasia, where the owner felt a lack of compassion and was prevented from being with their pet during crucial moments. This suggests that while the medical aspect of care may be competent, the emotional support and client communication in highly stressful circumstances may vary or fall short for some individuals. Other reviews also mention long wait times due to other emergencies, which is common for emergency facilities but can be frustrating for pet owners. Some reviews also cite high costs, which is typical for specialized emergency veterinary services.

Regarding promotional information, emergency veterinary hospitals typically do not offer the same types of promotions (like new client discounts or wellness packages) as general practices, given the nature of their services. Their role is to be available when urgent needs arise. However, Pets ER does accept various payment solutions to help manage unexpected costs. They accept pet insurance (recommending that owners have it for unexpected accidents and illnesses) and work with treatment financing solutions like CareCredit and Scratchpay, which allow clients to space out payments over time. This is a crucial feature for pet owners facing large, unexpected veterinary bills.

For emergency assistance, individuals should contact Pets ER directly at (410) 543-8400 or +1 410-543-8400. They encourage calling before coming to the clinic to allow staff to prepare for the pet's arrival, but they do accept walk-in patients in emergencies. Their operating hours are specific to after-hours and weekend care: Monday through Thursday from 6:00 PM to 7:00 AM, and open 24 hours from Friday at 6:00 PM through Sunday, and all major holidays. This critical availability ensures that pet owners on the Eastern Shore have access to veterinary care for emergencies when their primary veterinarian is unavailable.