What happens in a pet emergency?

Knowing what to expect at SVES during an emergency will make the process easier for you and your pet.

Call ahead if you can

While we know you may not be able to call us during an emergency, it’s always for the best if you can so we can prepare for your arrival.

Arrive at our hospital in Rosebery

We have parking onsite available 24/7 and street parking available on Botany Road afternoons and weekends.

Once welcomed by our receptionists, one of our veterinary nurses will triage your pet, followed by a full examination by a veterinarian.

Determine treatment

Once we’ve assessed the issue, we will create a treatment plan for your pet. We’ll also share your pet’s medical history with your regular veterinarian to ensure seamless and integrated care.

If you have an after hours pet emergency, please come to Sydney Veterinary Emergency & Specialists right away.

What is an emergency situation?

The following are considered emergency situations. If your pet has had an accident or is displaying any of these symptoms, they require immediate care and should be brought to our hospital right away.

  • Severe or nonstop bleeding
  • Clear signs of extreme anxiety or pain
  • Breathing difficulty, choking or repeated coughing or gagging
  • Seizures and/or staggered movement
  • Nosebleeds, bleeding from mouth or rectum, or blood in urine
  • Inability to urinate or defecate, or pain associated with either urinating or passing faeces
  • Eye injury
  • Confirmation or suspicions of your pet ingesting something poisonous, including chocolate, antifreeze, rodent poison or xylitol
  • Broken or fractured bones, inability to move leg(s) or evidence of lameness
  • Heatstroke or other evidence of heat stress
  • More than two episodes of severe vomiting or diarrhoea in a 24-hour window
  • Refusing to drink water for 24 hours or more
  • Unconsciousness

Our 24–hour animal emergency hospital provides the following services:

  • Emergency surgery
  • Hospitalisation
  • Intravenous fluids
  • Laboratory testing – this is performed on–site with immediate results so we can get results for your pet without delay.
  • Ultrasounds
  • X-Rays (Radiographs)
  • Critical care – we provide life support, including mechanical ventilation, for severe lung diseases and tick paralysis

If you can, it is always best to call ahead so we can prepare for your arrival. However, we recognise that may not be possible in an emergency situation.

If your situation does not allow you to call in advance, do not hesitate — bring your pet to our hospital for immediate care.

We are open 24/7, 365 days a year.

A veterinary emergency hospital is just like an emergency room at a human hospital — it can be hard to predict, and waiting is sometimes required.

We prioritize the cases we see by medical need, but we cannot predict the cases that will arrive at our clinic.

We have a comfortable waiting area, with tea/coffee facilities and bathrooms, and will do our best to keep you updated about your pet’s status and any wait times you may experience.

Yes! Your regular vet will be updated with medical history and files to ensure your pet receives care that is integrated and seamless.