Emergency and Urgent Care

We appreciate that you know your pet well and will notice when something is wrong. It can be extremely stressful when they are sick or have hurt themselves.

Sometimes it can be hard to know how urgently they require medical assistance, especially if the changes happen late in the day or at the weekend. Could it wait until tomorrow or over the weekend? Here are some general guidelines.

If you are unsure, then please do not hesitate to phone the clinic 03-327-8455

Or the After Hours clinic 03-366-1052 when we are closed

What constitutes urgent care?

An urgent problem is something that may be causing some mild pain or discomfort and that if left for more than 24 hours without care could become worse or more serious. They usually can be treated as an outpatient, without the need for hospital care or a full emergency service.

Reasons to seek veterinary care for your pet within a day can include:

  • Vomiting or diarrhoea with a change in behaviour

  • Pets that have eaten foreign material that day

  • Limping

  • Ear infections

  • Sore eyes or green ocular discharges

  • Blood in urine or faeces

  • Insect stings and allergic reactions with NO CHANGES IN BREATHING

  • Minor wounds or injuries

What constitutes an EMERGENCY?

An emergency is a problem that may be causing significant pain or discomfort or is life threatening. It usually requires a full emergency service and admission to hospital for 24/7 care for as long as needed.

Reasons to seek emergency veterinary care can include:

  • Any form of trauma – significant bite wounds, burns, broken bones, hit by cars etc

  • Breathing difficulties

  • Straining to urinate with no urine production

  • Weak, can’t walk, or collapsed

  • Shock – pale, cold, non-responsive

  • Seizures

  • Needs emergency surgery or has complications post surgery

  • Bloated or non- productive retching (GDV’s in large breed dogs)

During opening hours, we will always do our best to accommodate urgent care needs within the same day, and emergencies will always be treated as a priority.

When a vet is not immediately available due to dealing with another patient, our highly trained nurses will triage your pet to assess their status and urgent care needs, provide first aid and obtain a vet’s care as necessary.

When our clinic is closed, we are supported by The Afterhours Veterinary Centre in the city who will see our clients and their pets for urgent and emergency cases. They have a modern and specialised facility equipped with a team of highly skilled vets and nurses dedicated to your pets care all day and night when we are not available for you.