Emergency Vet Care
If your pet experiences a medical emergency outside of our opening hours, please contact your nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital immediately. We recommend:
Advanced Vetcare
Bundoora Animal Hospital
These emergency centres are fully equipped with advanced diagnostic tools, surgical facilities, and round-the-clock care to ensure your pet receives the very best treatment when it matters most.
Common Pet Emergencies
These emergency centres are fully equipped with advanced diagnostic tools, surgical facilities, and round-the-clock care to ensure your pet receives the very best treatment when it matters most.
- Car Accidents or Trauma
- Heart or Breathing Problems
- Poisoning or Toxin Ingestion
- Snake Bites
- Fight or Attack Wounds
- Collapse or Sudden Illness
What to Expect During an Emergency Visit
Upon arrival, your pet will be promptly assessed by a veterinarian. Once stabilised, the team will provide an initial treatment plan and cost estimate. Please note that emergency care costs can vary depending on the severity of the condition and required treatment.
Throughout your pet’s stay, the veterinarians will keep you updated on their progress. In some cases, your pet may need to be referred to a specialist centre or 24-hour intensive care facility for ongoing monitoring.
We recommend downloading a pet first aid app to your phone or tablet. It offers practical advice to help stabilise your pet before reaching veterinary care.
Snake Bites
Snake bites are a serious and life-threatening emergency, most common between October and March. Pets often encounter snakes in backyards, parks, or bushland. In most cases, snakes will move away if left alone — but if your pet chases or corners a snake, they risk being bitten.
Symptoms can appear within minutes or up to 48 hours after a bite, and your pet may deteriorate rapidly. Seek veterinary help immediately if you see your pet interacting with a snake or showing any of the following signs:
Vomiting or drooling
Weakness, wobbliness, or collapse
Fixed, dilated pupils that don’t respond to light
Difficulty breathing or lethargy
Your veterinarian will begin with a full examination and may perform a clotting test to confirm if envenomation has occurred.
If confirmed, anti-venom treatment will be administered as soon as possible. Your pet may need to stay in hospital for several days for ongoing monitoring, pain relief, and supportive care.
Prompt treatment with anti-venom gives your pet the best chance of recovery.