Hospitalisation, Continuing Care & Recovery

Many pets require hospitalisation, monitoring, and nursing care following surgery, illness, injury, or medical treatment. This may involve recovery after procedures performed at our hospital, or ongoing care following treatment at an emergency or specialist referral hospital.

Patients recovering from surgery performed at our hospital are monitored closely by our veterinary and nursing teams throughout their recovery period. Depending on the nature of the procedure or illness, this may include pain relief, intravenous fluid therapy, medication administration, wound care, assisted feeding, repeat monitoring, and supportive nursing care to help ensure a smooth recovery.

Some pets may also transfer back to our hospital following treatment or stabilisation at an emergency or specialist referral centre so they can continue recovery closer to home. This type of ongoing veterinary recovery care can be an important part of helping pets recover after surgery, emergency illness, trauma, or specialist treatment.

In many cases, the preferred option for critically ill or unstable patients is continued hospitalisation at a 24-hour emergency or specialist referral centre where overnight monitoring and intensive care are available. However, in some situations, clients may elect for ongoing recovery and monitoring to continue with us following discussion with the treating veterinary teams and an understanding of the differences in level of care and monitoring available.

We work closely with emergency centres and specialist hospitals to help provide continuity of care wherever appropriate.

CONTINUING CARE AFTER EMERGENCY OR SPECIALIST TREATMENT

Many pets seen at emergency or referral hospitals require ongoing care over the following days. This may include:

  • Intravenous fluid therapy

  • Pain management

  • Medication administration

  • Assisted feeding and nutritional support

  • Wound and bandage care

  • Monitoring of vital signs

  • Repeat blood tests or imaging

  • Recovery following surgery or illness

  • Post-operative recovery monitoring

  • Medical recovery care following emergency treatment

  • Supportive nursing care for unwell or recovering pets

Where appropriate, pets may transfer back to our hospital during the recovery phase, with treatment plans and recommendations provided by the emergency or specialist team.

COMMUNICATION WITH REFERRAL & EMERGENCY HOSPITALS

Continuity of care is important during recovery. Our veterinarians communicate directly with emergency and referral hospitals to help ensure your pet’s ongoing treatment plan continues as smoothly as possible.

We regularly assist in the ongoing management and recovery of:

  • Post-surgical patients

  • Medical hospitalisation cases

  • Orthopaedic recovery

  • Gastrointestinal disease

  • Pancreatitis

  • Diabetic monitoring

  • Urinary obstruction recovery

  • Neurological conditions

  • Toxicity cases

  • Complex wound management

  • Recovery following emergency surgery

  • Ongoing monitoring after specialist procedures

MONITORING & NURSING CARE

Hospitalised patients are closely monitored by our veterinary and nursing teams throughout the day. We understand that being away from home can be stressful for pets, so we focus on providing compassionate care alongside medical treatment.

Our hospital provides monitoring and inpatient care between 8:00am and 8:00pm Monday to Friday, and until 2:00pm on Saturdays. Overnight monitoring is not available, and some patients may be more appropriately managed at a 24-hour emergency or specialist hospital depending on the nature and severity of their condition.

While many pets recover well with daytime hospital care and monitoring, transfer back to a general practice hospital may not be suitable for every patient. Our team will discuss the most appropriate care options for your pet so you can make an informed decision regarding their ongoing treatment and recovery.

Our team can also provide updates regarding your pet’s progress, appetite, comfort, and recovery during their stay.

HELPING MAKE RECOVERY EASIER

Continuing recovery care with your regular veterinary hospital can often:

  • Reduce travel time for families

  • Allow easier communication with your veterinary team

  • Support continuity of care

  • Help reduce the cost of extended emergency hospitalisation where appropriate

  • Allow ongoing post-operative and recovery monitoring closer to home

Every patient is different, and we will always discuss whether continued care at our hospital is suitable for your pet’s individual condition.

YOUR PET. YOUR DECISION.

We believe pet owners should feel informed and supported throughout their pet’s treatment and recovery. Our team is happy to work collaboratively with emergency hospitals, specialists, and families to help achieve the best possible outcome for your pet.