Quick Summary
Bayside Animal Hospital provides emergency veterinary care across three Sydney locations — Wolli Creek, Rhodes, and Green Square — Monday to Friday including most public holidays. Walk-ins are welcome. For life-threatening emergencies outside business hours, we work with trusted 24/7 referral partners including SASH, ARH Homebush, and NEVS. Call us now: Wolli Creek 02 7901 0837 | Rhodes 02 7204 8119 | Green Square 02 7258 9553.
What Our Clients Say About Emergency Care
Rated by Sydney pet owners on Google across our Wolli Creek, Rhodes and Green Square clinics.
Find an Emergency Vet in Sydney
Open Monday to Friday Including Public Holidays
Wolli Creek
Mon–Fri 8am–7pm · Sat 10am–5pm · Sun closed
Rhodes
Mon–Fri 8:30am–7pm · Sat–Sun 10am–5pm
Green Square
Mon–Fri 8:30am–7pm · Sat–Sun 10am–5pm
Need Emergency Care After Hours?
Bayside Animal Hospital operates Monday to Friday including most public holidays. If your pet needs urgent care outside these hours, we recommend contacting one of our trusted 24/7 emergency referral partners below:
SASH — Small Animal Specialist Hospital
North Ryde: 1300 252 273 | Prospect: (02) 8378 3000
Available 24 hours, 7 days a week for critical and specialist care.
ARH — Animal Referral Hospital, Homebush
(02) 9758 8666 | 250 Parramatta Rd, Homebush NSW 2140
24/7 emergency and specialist services including ICU, neurology, and surgery.
NEVS — North Eastern Veterinary Specialists, Terrey Hills
After-hours emergency and specialist referral facility for the northern Sydney area.
If you call us during business hours and your pet’s condition requires specialist or after-hours care beyond our capabilities, we will stabilise your pet, coordinate transfer, and liaise directly with the receiving team so the handover is as smooth as possible.
What is a Pet Emergency?
A pet emergency is any sudden illness or injury that requires immediate veterinary attention to prevent serious harm or death.
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.
Common Household Toxins — What to Do If Your Pet is Exposed
If you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic, call us immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear — many toxins cause irreversible organ damage within hours. Where possible, bring the packaging or take a photo of the substance.
| Toxin | Risk Level | Dogs | Cats | First Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Chocolate / Baking Chocolate | HIGH | Yes | Yes | Call vet immediately with type + amount eaten |
| Xylitol (sugar-free gum, peanut butter, some meds) | HIGH | Yes — severe | Low risk | Emergency — causes rapid blood sugar crash in dogs |
| Rat / Snail Bait | HIGH | Yes | Yes | Emergency — bring bait packaging; treatment is time-critical |
| Grapes & Raisins | HIGH | Yes — kidney failure | Possibly | Call vet immediately — even small amounts are dangerous |
| Lilies (Easter, Tiger, Day) | HIGH | Moderate | Yes — fatal | Emergency for cats — all parts of the plant are toxic |
| Paracetamol / Ibuprofen | HIGH | Yes | Yes — fatal | Emergency — cats cannot metabolise paracetamol at all |
| Onion & Garlic | MODERATE | Yes | Yes | Call vet — causes red blood cell damage; cooked forms equally toxic |
| Macadamia Nuts | MODERATE | Yes | Low risk | Call vet — causes weakness, vomiting, hyperthermia in dogs |
| Avocado | MODERATE | Yes | Yes | Call vet — flesh, skin, and pit can all cause toxicity |
| Tea Tree Oil / Essential Oils | MODERATE | Yes | Yes — severe | Do not apply topically. Call vet if ingested or skin exposure occurs |
This table is a general guide. If in doubt, always call your vet — it is always better to check than wait. Animal Poisons Helpline: 1300 869 738 (available 24/7 in Australia).
What Happens During an Emergency Visit?
We follow a structured emergency treatment process to ensure your pet receives the best care possible. Our team will assess your pet’s condition upon arrival and prioritise cases based on clinical urgency — just like a human emergency department.
| Priority Level | Conditions | Expected Wait |
|---|---|---|
| IMMEDIATE Life-threatening |
Cardiac arrest, not breathing, unresponsive, active seizure, collapse, GDV (bloat), uncontrollable bleeding | Seen immediately |
| IMMINENT Likely life-threatening |
Poison/toxin ingestion, heat stroke (especially brachycephalic breeds), excessive bleeding, hit by vehicle, difficulty breathing, birthing difficulties | Seen within minutes |
| SEMI-URGENT Requires care |
Minor wounds, vomiting/diarrhoea, lethargy, eye injuries, possible fractures, recent seizures, allergic reaction, toxin ingestion (stable) | May wait while critical cases are treated |
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.
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.
How Much Does Emergency Vet Care Cost in Sydney?
Emergency vet costs depend on the nature and severity of your pet’s condition. We will always provide a clear estimate before proceeding with treatment so there are no surprises. Below is a general guide to what you can expect:
| Service | Indicative Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency consultation / triage | From $150–$250 | Varies by time and urgency level |
| Blood tests (in-house) | From $180–$350 | Depending on profile required |
| X-rays / radiographs | From $250–$450 | Sedation may add to cost |
| Ultrasound | From $350–$650 | Abdominal or cardiac |
| IV fluids / hospitalisation | From $300–$800/day | Includes monitoring and medication |
| Emergency surgery | From $2,000+ | Dependent on procedure; quote provided beforehand |
Pet insurance can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. We accept payment plans — ask our team at the time of your visit. For a more accurate estimate, call us before you arrive and describe your pet’s symptoms.
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.
Our Emergency Veterinary Team
Our emergency care is led by vets with specialised qualifications in small animal emergency, critical care, and internal medicine — credentials that set us apart from general practices.
Dr Amy Zahn
BSc DVM GCertSAECC
Veterinarian — Emergency & Critical Care Trained
GCertSAECCSmall Animal EmergencyCritical Care
Dr Zahn holds the Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care — the most directly relevant qualification for emergency vet practice.
Dr Avril Lim
BVSc MVS MANZCVS DACVIM-CA
Senior Veterinarian — Internal Medicine Specialist
DACVIM (Board-Certified)Internal MedicineEndocrinologyEnglish, Mandarin & Malay
DACVIM certification is the highest internal medicine credential in veterinary medicine — directly relevant to complex emergency cases involving organ disease, toxin exposure, or multi-system failure.
Dr Don Chan
BVSc (Hons) MVM MANZCVS JP
Veterinary Director
Veterinary DirectorMANZCVSCompanion Animal
As Veterinary Director and ANZCVS member, Dr Chan sets the clinical standard for all emergency protocols at Bayside Animal Hospital.
Pet Insurance & Payment Options
Does Your Pet Insurance Cover Emergency Vet Visits?
Most comprehensive pet insurance policies in Australia cover emergency veterinary consultations, diagnostics, and treatment for accidents and illness. We work with all major Australian pet insurers including PetSure, Medibank Pet Insurance, Petplan, RSPCA Pet Insurance, Bow Wow Meow, and others.
How to use your pet insurance at Bayside:
- Pay for treatment at the clinic at the time of your visit
- Request an itemised invoice from our team — we will provide all documentation your insurer requires
- Submit your claim directly to your insurer with the invoice
- Most insurers process reimbursements within 5–10 business days
Not sure whether your policy covers a specific treatment? Ask our team — we can advise on what documentation your insurer is likely to need and help you prepare your claim.
Emergency Vet Care Across Inner-South and Inner-West Sydney
Our three clinics are strategically located to serve pet owners across Sydney’s inner south, inner west, and inner north-west. We regularly see pets from the following suburbs:
- Wolli Creek
- Rhodes
- Green Square
- Waterloo
- Mascot
- Arncliffe
- Rockdale
- Marrickville
- Alexandria
- Rosebery
- Erskineville
- Meadowbank
- Concord
- Newtown
- Zetland
- Tempe
If you’re unsure which clinic to head to, call any of our numbers and our team will direct you to the nearest available location.
Frequently Asked Questions About Animal Emergency in Sydney
Costs depend on the severity of the condition and the treatment required. See our cost guide above for indicative ranges, or contact our team at Bayside Vets for an estimate before you arrive.
Call us immediately and, if possible, provide details on the substance your pet consumed. Some toxins require urgent treatment to prevent serious harm. Refer to our toxin quick-reference table above for guidance on common household toxins.
Emergencies are handled on a walk-in basis — no appointment needed. Walk straight in and our team will triage your pet immediately. If your situation is urgent but not life-threatening, booking ahead where possible helps us prepare for your 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.
Bayside Animal Hospital is open Monday to Friday including most public holidays during business hours — we are not a 24/7 emergency facility. If your pet needs urgent care outside these hours, we recommend contacting SASH (North Ryde or Prospect), the Animal Referral Hospital (ARH) in Homebush, or NEVS in Terrey Hills — all of whom provide 24-hour emergency care and are trusted referral partners.
It depends on the type of chocolate and your dog’s body weight. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most dangerous — even small amounts can cause rapid heart rate, seizures, and in severe cases, death. Milk chocolate is lower risk but still harmful in larger quantities. Call us immediately with the type of chocolate, approximate amount eaten, and your dog’s weight so we can advise whether to come in straight away.
GDV (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus), commonly called bloat, is one of the most life-threatening conditions a dog can experience. The stomach fills with gas and twists, cutting off blood flow to vital organs. Symptoms include a visibly swollen, hard abdomen, unproductive retching, restlessness, and rapid or laboured breathing. GDV is always an emergency requiring immediate surgical intervention — do not wait and see. Call us or head to your nearest emergency vet right away.
Cats are experts at hiding pain. Signs to watch for include hiding or withdrawing from the family, reluctance to move or jump, changes in breathing, a hunched posture, vocalising (yowling or growling), not grooming, squinting or keeping one eye partially closed, and refusing food or water for more than 24 hours. If you notice any of these signs, call us — it is always better to check.
If your pet requires advanced specialist treatment such as a CT scan, MRI, or blood transfusion not available at your location, we will stabilise your pet and coordinate a seamless transfer to a specialist facility or after-hours emergency hospital. We work closely with SASH, ARH, and local specialist centres and will liaise directly with their teams on your behalf so you don’t have to manage that handover yourself in a stressful moment.
Is Your Pet Facing an Emergency?
Walk-ins welcome. Mon–Fri including most public holidays. Call your nearest clinic now.
Wolli Creek — 02 7901 0837 Rhodes — 02 7204 8119 Green Square — 02 7258 9553