Find an Emergency Vet in Sydney — Open 24/7 Including Public Holidays
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What is an emergency?
Recognising a pet emergency can be difficult, but if you notice any of the following signs, seek advice from an emergency vet.
- Breathing difficulties (heavy panting, gasping, or choking).
- Severe vomiting or diarrhoea, mainly if it contains blood.
- Sudden lethargy, weakness, or unconsciousness.
- Any involuntary shaking, twitching, or prolonged seizure activity.
- If your pet has consumed chocolate, rat bait, medications, toxic plants, or other harmful substances.
- Deep wounds, uncontrolled bleeding, or visible broken bones.
- A swollen or bloated abdomen (could indicate a life-threatening condition like GDV or bloat).
- Difficulty urinating as it can signal a urinary blockage, which is a medical emergency.
- Swelling, redness, loss of vision, or any other eye injuries.
- Any sudden or extreme pain, whining, limping, or refusing to move.
Not sure if it’s an emergency? It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Contact us immediately for guidance.
What Happens During an Emergency Visit?
We follow a structured emergency treatment process to ensure your pet receives the best care possible and potential referral once they are stabilised or transfer.
Step 1: Assessment
When you arrive at our one of our hospitals, our veterinary team will assess your pet’s condition quickly. This initial triage process prioritises the most critical cases, just like in a human emergency room.
Pets experiencing life-threatening conditions will receive immediate attention. However, if your pet’s condition is stable, you may need to wait briefly while more urgent cases are treated.
Priority to be seen:
Immediate Life Threatening Conditions
Cardiac arrest
Not Breathing
Unresponsive
Active seizuring
Collapse
GDV (Abdominal Bloat)
Uncontrollable bleeding
Imminent Life Threatening Conditions
Poison/Toxin
Heat Stroke (especially for brachycephalic breeds)
Excessive bleeding
Hit by vehicle
Difficulty breathing
Birthing Difficulties
Semi-urgent Care Required
Minor wound
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Lethargy
Eye injury
Possible fractures
Recent seizures
Allergic reaction
Toxin ingestion
Step 2: Examination and Diagnosis
A veterinarian will conduct a thorough physical examination to identify distress, injury, or illness signs. These tests help us quickly diagnose the issue and determine the best course of action for treatment.
Depending on the symptoms, we may perform additional diagnostic tests, such as:
- Blood tests to check organ function, infections, or toxins.
- X-rays to examine bones, lungs, and internal injuries.
- Ultrasound scans to detect issues with the abdomen, heart, or internal bleeding.
- Urine analysis to identify infections, kidney issues, or metabolic disorders.
Step 3: Emergency Treatment
If your pet’s condition is critical, we provide immediate emergency care. If required, we will stabilise your pet for transport to an emergency veterinary hospital for more advanced treatment depending on the severity of the issue. This may include:
- Oxygen therapy for pets struggling to breathe.
- Pain relief and sedation for severe injuries or trauma.
- IV fluids to treat dehydration, shock, or poisoning.
- Wound management for deep cuts, bites, or burns.
- Anti-seizure medications for pets experiencing convulsions.
- Induced vomiting or activated charcoal for poisoning cases.
Our goal is to stabilise your pet as quickly as possible so they can move on to further treatment either internally or externally, or move them to recovery.
Step 4: Advanced Treatment, Scans, or Surgery
If your pet requires more intensive care, we proceed with advanced treatments that include, but are not limited to:
- CT scans or MRIs for neurological issues or complex injuries (referred to an emergency hospital)
- Blood transfusions for pets suffering from severe blood loss or anemia (services either at our Green Square Location or external hospital)
- Emergency surgery for conditions like internal bleeding due to a ruptured spleen, fractures, or bowel obstructions. Learn more about spleen removal in dogs and when it’s necessary. (Can be internal or external depending on procedure and severity).
- Specialised treatments for poisoning, snake bites, or toxic ingestion (Referred to emergency hospital)
Our vets are trained to handle a wide range of urgent conditions and will act swiftly to give your pet the best chance of recovery. We will never detriment your pet’s care and will refer as required, working with local emergency veterinary hospitals to transport your pet via their own ambulance service or stabilising your pet for you to take them.
Step 5: Careful Monitoring
For pets that need ongoing care, we provide continuous monitoring during business hours and can have a vet or a nurse drop by for check-ups throughout the evening. We can even organise overnight care at a local emergency veterinarian, depending on the severity of the condition. They will receive ongoing medication and pain management to keep pets comfortable.
Some pets may also need extended hospitalisation to ensure they are stable before going home.
Step 6: Discharge and Aftercare
Once your pet has recovered enough to return home, we provide:
- Medication guidelines (antibiotics, pain relief, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.).
- Wound care and bandage changes if applicable.
- Dietary recommendations for a smooth recovery.
- Follow-up appointments to monitor healing and progress.
- Assist with seeking further specialist appointments with either our own Internal Medicine Specialist, Dr Avril Lim or external specialists as required.
If your pet requires ongoing care, we’ll schedule post-treatment consultations to ensure their full recovery.
Why Choose Us?
When your pet needs urgent medical attention, you need a vet you can trust to treat and stabilise your pet while also understanding when we need to refer.
Our hospitals are open daily, including some public holidays, so your pet gets immediate care when it matters most. Located in a convenient Sydney locations (Wolli Creek, Green Square and Rhodes), it is easily accessible for pet owners who need urgent veterinary assistance.
Bayside Vets specialises in handling critical and life-threatening conditions, from sudden illnesses to severe injuries. Our team provides comprehensive emergency care under one roof, equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment facilities, including imaging, internal medicine specialist, blood service, and on-site surgical suites.
Beyond our expertise, we pride ourselves on delivering compassionate care and treating every pet as our own. Explore our full range of veterinary services to see how we can help your pet at every stage of their health journey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Animal Emergency in Sydney
Yes! We work closely with emergency hospitals across Sydney to ensure your pet gets timely and appropriate care.
Costs depend on the severity of the condition and the treatment required. Contact our team at Bayside Vets for an estimate.
Call us immediately and, if possible, provide details on the substance your pet consumed. Some toxins require urgent treatment to prevent serious harm.
Emergencies are handled on a walk-in basis, but booking ahead where possible can help us prepare for your pet’s arrival.
We primarily treat dogs and cats but may be able to assist with other small pets. Contact us for details.
Yes, we provide after-hours vet services for less urgent concerns. Book a vet appointment online and schedule a visit today.