Emergency Procedures

Prompt assessment and treatment when your pet needs urgent veterinary care.

When your pet is seriously injured or suddenly becomes unwell, every minute matters.

Our experienced veterinary team provides emergency assessment, stabilisation and a wide range of urgent medical and surgical procedures during our opening hours whenever we have the capacity to do so. If your pet requires advanced care, after-hours treatment, or if we're unable to safely accommodate additional emergencies at that time, we'll recommend referral to an appropriate emergency or specialist hospital.

If you believe your pet is experiencing an emergency, please call us immediately before travelling if it is safe to do so.This allows our team to advise whether we're able to see your pet immediately, prepare for your arrival where appropriate, or direct you to the most suitable hospital if necessary.

What is a veterinary emergency?

Some situations require immediate veterinary attention.

These include:

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Collapse or unconsciousness

  • Severe bleeding

  • Hit by a vehicle

  • Suspected poisoning

  • Seizures

  • Difficulty giving birth

  • Inability to urinate

  • Severe vomiting or diarrhoea

  • Suspected foreign body ingestion

  • Heatstroke

  • Snake bite

  • Tick paralysis

  • Eye injuries

  • Severe allergic reactions

  • Major wounds or fractures

If you're unsure whether your pet's condition is an emergency, it's always safest to contact us for advice.

What should I do before I arrive?

If possible:

  • Call us before leaving home.

  • Keep your pet as calm and comfortable as possible.

  • Avoid offering food or water unless advised.

  • Bring any medications your pet is taking.

  • If poisoning is suspected, bring the packaging or a photo of the product.

  • Transport injured pets carefully using a towel, blanket or carrier where appropriate.

Our team can advise you over the phone if there are any specific steps to take before you arrive.

What happens when I arrive?

Emergency patients are assessed as soon as possible.

Just like a human emergency department, pets are prioritised according to the seriousness of their condition rather than the order in which they arrive.

Your pet's initial care may include:

  • Immediate triage assessment

  • Oxygen therapy if required

  • Pain relief

  • Intravenous catheter placement

  • Blood tests

  • Diagnostic imaging

  • Fluid therapy

  • Stabilisation before further treatment

Once your pet is stable, we'll discuss our findings, recommended treatment options and likely costs with you whenever circumstances allow.

Emergency procedures we commonly perform

Depending on your pet's condition, emergency treatment may include:

  • Wound management

  • Laceration repair

  • Foreign body removal

  • Emergency soft tissue surgery

  • Treatment of bite wounds and abscesses

  • Management of urinary obstruction

  • Caesarean section

  • Stabilisation of trauma patients

  • Treatment of severe infections

  • Management of poisoning cases

Some complex procedures may require referral to a specialist or dedicated emergency hospital after your pet has been stabilised.

If we're unable to safely accept an emergency

While we always do our best to accommodate emergency patients during our opening hours, there may occasionally be times when our veterinary team is already managing multiple critical patients, performing surgery or caring for hospitalised animals requiring intensive treatment.

If we believe another veterinary hospital or dedicated emergency centre can provide more immediate care, we'll recommend that you attend there instead.

This decision is never made lightly. It's based solely on ensuring your pet receives prompt attention without unnecessary delay.

Whenever possible, we'll:

  • Speak with you before you travel.

  • Advise whether we're able to see your pet immediately.

  • Recommend the most appropriate alternative hospital if necessary.

  • Communicate with the receiving hospital where appropriate to assist with the transfer of care.

Our priority is always to ensure your pet receives the right care, at the right place, at the right time.

Our approach to emergency care

Every emergency is different.

Our priorities are always to:

  1. Stabilise your pet.

  2. Relieve pain wherever possible.

  3. Identify the underlying problem.

  4. Discuss treatment options with you.

  5. Develop the most appropriate treatment plan for your pet and your family.

We'll explain what we're seeing, answer your questions and help you make informed decisions during what can be a very stressful time.

When referral may be recommended

Some emergencies require advanced equipment, specialist expertise or 24-hour intensive care.

We may also recommend referral if we believe another hospital is better placed to provide more immediate treatment due to the complexity of your pet's condition or because our team is already managing other critical cases.

If referral is in your pet's best interests, we'll:

  • Stabilise your pet before transfer whenever possible.

  • Forward your pet's medical records, blood test results and imaging.

  • Communicate directly with the referral hospital.

  • Continue to support your pet's ongoing care after discharge.

Referral isn't about handing over responsibility—it's about ensuring your pet receives the right care, at the right time, from the right team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I call before coming?

Yes, if it's safe to do so.

Calling ahead allows us to assess the situation, advise whether we're able to see your pet immediately, prepare equipment if you're coming to us, or direct you to another hospital if that will result in faster care.

Will my pet be seen immediately?

Emergency patients are assessed as quickly as possible.

If several emergencies arrive at the same time, pets with the most life-threatening conditions will be treated first.

Why was I referred to another hospital?

Our priority is always your pet's wellbeing.

Occasionally, our veterinarians may already be performing surgery or managing multiple critical patients, meaning we cannot safely provide the immediate attention your pet requires.

In these situations, we'll recommend another veterinary hospital or dedicated emergency centre that can assess and treat your pet without delay. While we understand this may be disappointing, it's the safest decision for your pet and reflects our commitment to providing timely, high-quality care.

Can I stay with my pet?

In many situations, yes. However, if your pet requires immediate stabilisation or emergency procedures, we may need to take them directly into the treatment area so our team can begin care without delay.

We'll keep you informed throughout the process.

Will you discuss costs before treatment?

Whenever your pet's condition allows, we'll provide an estimate and discuss treatment options before proceeding.

In true life-threatening emergencies, immediate stabilisation may need to begin before every detail can be discussed. We'll communicate with you as soon as possible and keep you updated throughout your pet's care.

Here when your pet needs us most

Medical emergencies are stressful for both pets and their families.

Our experienced veterinary team is committed to providing prompt assessment, compassionate care and clear communication during every stage of your pet's treatment.

Whether your pet can be treated within our hospital or requires referral to a dedicated emergency or specialist hospital, we'll help guide you through the process and work with you to achieve the best possible outcome.

If you believe your pet is experiencing an emergency, please contact us immediately.