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Veterinary Referral Hospital (VRH) Dandenong
36 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, VIC 3175
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1300 385 874
4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(381 reviews)

Cant praise the staff enough, but in particular dr Dana (neurologist). In December our 3 year old groodle Eddie woke up paralysed. With visits to three other vets we ended...

Cant praise the staff enough, but in particular dr Dana (neurologist). In December our 3 year old groodle Eddie woke up paralysed. With visits to three other vets we ended up here. And this is where hope for a good future for Eddie began. Meeting Dana, she was a wealth of knowledge and for the week we had to leave Eddie here we knew he was taken care of. The nurses were all so lovely and caring, and let us visit Eddie as often as we wanted and it was never a bother. We are happy to report that due to Dr Dana telling us to not give up on Eddie we now have our boy back to 99% health. Still a bit of strength to gain but upon her recommendation of consistent rehab, Eddie is able to walk around and live a normal life!
Georgia Donovan Kramarski Vargas
a month ago

Could not reccomend more. When trying to get into a vet on a Sunday or have a vet come to my home I was referred to this veterinary hospital to...

Could not reccomend more. When trying to get into a vet on a Sunday or have a vet come to my home I was referred to this veterinary hospital to help find out why my little harvey was so sick. Unfortunately harvey was already suffering from mast cell the was diagnosed 2 weeks before hand, poor harvey just was deteriorating quickly, faster than my eyes coukd comprehend. The staff were beyond helpful, they went out of their way to make sure everything was checked and the vet told me all the facts and we found more underlining issues that other vets did not. Unfortunately harvey had to be put to sleep on that very night and I was completely beside myself, crying down the whole vet office, the staff were so caring, Understanding and most of all allowed me to take my time. They were so accommodating, litrally this review doesn't even begin to show my gratitude. Like it was a really terrible situation for me as harvey was my world for 15 years, and this happened super quick, but my gosh I could not have thanked them more for helping me through such a hard time. Thank you veterinary referral hospital, to all your nurses and vets working night and day, Thank you. Here are some photos of my adorable harvey, may he rest in peace knowing he was loved and that he was cared for up until the very end by all around him.
Elise
4 months ago

Heartfelt thanks to the VRH team for making our Pollys final days as comfortable as they could be. Dr Bonnie kept us informed at every step with multiple daily phone...

Heartfelt thanks to the VRH team for making our Pollys final days as comfortable as they could be. Dr Bonnie kept us informed at every step with multiple daily phone calls and thorough explanations . She respected our wishes and did everything she could to support us while advocating for Polly. Dr Bonnie explored and investigated every avenue for us giving Polly every chance possible. Our family thanks you and your exceptional team for looking after our beautiful Polly. The kindness and compassion from everyone we encountered at VRH was so genuine and supportive. Thank you
Bridget Kihara
a month ago

About VRH Dandenong

Welcome to our Veterinary Referral Hospital at 36 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, where our state-of-the-art facility offers 24/7 emergency and specialist pet services. Our experienced team uses advanced surgical theatres, imaging suites and diagnostic tools to provide exceptional care for animals with complex conditions, working closely with your regular vet to ensure the best treatment outcomes. You can rely on our honest, approachable care, working closely with your local vet to support your pet’s wellbeing. We’re here around the clock!

Our Specialist Services

VRH provides comprehensive referral services for animals with complex conditions requiring specialised expertise, including surgery, neurology, internal medicine, anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging and emergency care. Our advanced facility features surgical theatres, intensive care units and cutting-edge equipment including 1.5T MRI, CT, digital x-ray and ultrasound.

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Our services

VRH prides itself on delivering comprehensive referral and medical services for animals with severe, complex, or prolonged conditions which require specialised equipment or expertise beyond that what can be provided by your general veterinary practice.

Our services include surgery, Internal Medicine, Diagnostic Imaging, Neurology, Anaesthesia, Emergency and Critical Care.

Our hospital features advanced surgical theatres, imaging suites, dedicated canine and feline intensive care units, custom built 1.5T MRI, CT, digital x-ray, ultrasound, fluoroscopy and lots more.

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We take pride in our specialty services

Our specialist practitioners provide world-class medical care in surgery, radiology, pathology, and pharmacy, and will talk you through a range of treatment options for your pet.

 

Led by highly trained specialists, our surgery teams offers a range of complex surgical solutions for dogs and cats.

Our surgical services include soft tissue, orthopaedic, trauma, reconstructive and neurological surgeries. Our specialists take a considered approach to every case and provide a specialised treatment plan that best suits their patients and clients.

Our surgery specialists are happy to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of patients with referring vets, including a radiographic assessment of any case. Referring vets are encouraged to contact us by phone or email if they require advice on a patient.

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Our internal medicine specialists are highly qualified experts in both canine and feline internal medicine.

They work with referring vets to provide the best possible care for patients who are critically ill or have chronic, ongoing health problems. They treat a broad range of cases, including gastrointestinal disease, cardiac and respiratory disease, kidney and liver diseases, endocrine problems, immune-mediated issues, and joint disease.

With their expert knowledge and access to advanced diagnostic equipment, our internal medicine specialists thoroughly investigate the cause of a patient’s illness and create comprehensive, tailored treatment plans.

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Sites within the Animal Referral & Emergency Network have some of the most advanced diagnostic imaging equipment available within Australia. This enables our specialists to obtain the highest quality images required for diagnosis, treatment planning and prognosis of your pet’s condition. Some of the technologies our sites use include:

  • CT
  • High-field MRI
  • Digital radiography
  • Fluoroscopy
  • Ultrasound

Images obtained with this advanced equipment are interpreted by our highly skilled clinicians who are supported by specialist radiologists within the Animal Referral & Emergency Network.

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Our neurology team at VRH specialises in diagnosing and treating disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. With access to onsite high field (1.5 Tesla) MRI and 15 slice CT, along with advanced neurosurgical capabilities, we develop personalised treatment plans to manage multiple conditions.  In particular we specialise in epilepsy, intervertebral disc disease, hydrocephalus, brain tumours, inflammatory brain disease and neuromuscular disorders.

With their expert knowledge and access to advanced diagnostic equipment, our internal medicine specialists thoroughly investigate the cause of a patient’s illness and create comprehensive, tailored treatment plans.

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Our emergency and critical care departments are run by specialists offering a high level of patient care, diagnostics and intensive care medicine. This includes blood transfusions, emergency oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, emergency surgical procedures, blood gas analysis, constant delivery of pain medications, and treatment for heart failure, poisonings and trauma.

Our emergency and critical care specialists are happy to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of critical patients with referring vets via phone or email.

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At VRH, our dedicated anaesthesia team is led by specialist anaesthetists, and delivers expert care for patients across all specialty departments. We create customised anaesthetic plans, utilise advanced monitoring technology, and provide comprehensive pain management to ensure your pet’s comfort and safety throughout their procedure and hospital stay.

With their expert knowledge and access to advanced diagnostic equipment, our internal medicine specialists thoroughly investigate the cause of a patient’s illness and create comprehensive, tailored treatment plans.

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Introducing Our TPLO Surgery Package

We know that facing surgery for your dog can be stressful—especially when it comes to cost. That’s why we’ve introduced our Complete Care TPLO Surgery Package: a comprehensive, fixed-price solution designed to offer clarity, reassurance and exceptional care.

For a transparent price of $7,000*, most costs related to your pet’s TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) surgery are included, even potential surgical complications - giving you peace of mind during a challenging time.

This package is ideal for:

  • Pet owners seeking expert surgical care with predictable pricing and no surprise costs.

  • Referring vets wanting to offer clients an accessible, high-quality surgical option for cruciate injuries.

Terms & Conditions: Additional charges may apply for pets with diabetes or other health conditions. Offer available for a limited time only—contact our team for full details and to check your pet’s suitability.

Terms & Conditions
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Benefits of Donating Blood

Just like humans, pets sometimes need blood transfusions to treat serious illness or injury. These lifesaving treatments are only possible thanks to the generosity of healthy pet donors within our community.

Our nationwide Blood Donor Program enables our veterinary teams to provide critical care when it’s needed most, giving pets a fighting chance when moments matter.

If you think your pet might be able to help save the life of another beloved companion, read on to learn how they can become a lifesaving hero.

On top of the superhero status your pet will claim with their donation, there are also some other benefits to being a part of the program:

· Free initial blood typing test*

· A $100 Petbarn voucher with each donation

· A free full physical exam with each donation*

· A free full blood test once a year + basic blood screening prior to each donation*


* Combined value of over $800. Value may vary by hospital.

Terms & conditions apply. Please give us a call to chat with our friendly team, we’re here to answer any questions and guide you through the process (03) 8721 1414.

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Blood transfusions can mean the difference between life and death for pets facing emergencies or serious medical conditions. They are commonly needed for surgeries, trauma and accident cases, toxin exposure, severe anaemia, immune‑mediated diseases, and clotting disorders.

But unlike human hospitals, veterinary clinics don’t have large blood banks to draw from, they rely almost entirely on the generosity of healthy donor pets. When your dog or cat donates blood, they become part of a small but vital group helping to ensure that every pet has access to lifesaving care when they need it most.

What would a blood donation look like for my pet?

1. You’ll be contacted when your pet’s blood‑donation superpowers are needed.

We only call donors when there’s a pet in need, so every donation truly makes a difference.

2. When you arrive at our hospital, our friendly team will welcome you and admit your pet just like for any routine procedure.

We’ll ask a few questions about your pet’s recent health, and you’ll be asked to sign a consent form.

3. Once admitted, your pet will receive a full health check by our veterinary team.

This includes a pre‑donation blood screening to ensure they are healthy enough to donate safely on that day.

4. If your pet is fit and healthy to donate, they’ll be settled into a comfy bed.

An IV catheter is placed, usually in a front leg, and they’re given a light sedation to help them feel relaxed and calm during the donation.

5. A small area on your pet’s neck will be shaved for sterility, as this is where the donation needle is placed.

6. The donation itself typically takes between 5 and 15 minutes.

Most pets rest comfortably throughout this time thanks to the mild sedation.

7. After the donation, your pet will receive intravenous fluids and some tasty snacks to help replenish their system. They’ll be monitored closely as they wake up from sedation.

8. Once your pet has fully recovered, our team will call you to pick up your little hero.

A quiet, relaxing evening at home on the couch is usually all they need, after all, they’ve earned it!

After donation, your pet’s blood may be used immediately for a patient in urgent need, or it may be stored under carefully controlled conditions so it’s ready the moment an emergency arises.

Whole blood can typically be refrigerated and safely stored for up to 28 days before use, although some hospitals may use it sooner depending on patient needs.

We only call on fit and healthy pets for their blood donation superpowers so your pet must meet certain criteria to donate blood. 

Feline Donors

Please note that only selected hospitals run feline donor programs

· Fit & healthy*

· Between 1-8yrs old

· A relatively cool, calm and collected temperament

· >4kg for cats

· Up to date with vaccinations and preventatives

· Not previously received a blood transfusion

·  Not currently on any medications

·  Free from any underlying health conditions

·  Desexed (females must not have had a litter)

·  Ideally indoor cats (cats will be tested for FIV)

* No underlying conditions that will affect their ability to donate blood

 

How much blood is taken?

· Dogs: Typically, 350 - 450 mL

· Cats: Typically, 40 - 60 mL

How long does a donation take?

Your pet will usually spend a few hours with us on the day of their donation. This allows our team to give them unhurried, attentive care throughout every step of the process.

The actual blood collection is quite quick, typically taking around 5-15 minutes.

Why does my pet need to stay in hospital?

Most donors will receive a light sedation to make sure they are calm and comfortable for the donation. This can mean that they spend a few hours in the hospital with our teams while they monitor their recovery. Don’t worry, our team will send home our little hero’s as soon as they are feeling great again.

Can I take my pet for a walk when they get home from their donation?

Our dedicated teams will provide you with a discharge information sheet that explains how to care for your pet when they get home after a donation.

We advise that your pet skips their afternoon walk and instead spends the evening on the couch resting. Donating blood can zap a bit of their energy so it is important to let them rest and recovery. They can usually return to their normal activities the next day.

Is blood donation safe for my pet?

Yes. The process is designed to be very safe. Pets typically tolerate donations well and return to normal activities the same day.

Our veterinary teams perform a full physical exam, pre-donation blood screen and a full annual blood panel for donors to ensure they are fit and healthy enough to donate blood.

How often can my pet donate?

It is considered quite safe for eligible dogs or cats to donate every three months however, generally speaking, we will only call on your pets donation abilities every 6 months.

Does it hurt my pet?

Our team takes every precaution to make sure the donation process is as painless and stress‑free as possible. The needle may cause a brief, mild sting that lasts only a second, similar to what humans feel during a routine blood draw. To help reduce even that tiny sensation, we typically apply a numbing cream beforehand. Most pets tolerate the needle extremely well with this approach.

Do pets have blood types?

Yes, dogs and cats do have blood types! Cats have three main types: A, B, and AB, and they can only safely receive certain types. Dogs have several blood groups, but the one veterinarians test for is DEA 1, which can be positive or negative. If your pet is eligible to be a blood donor, our team will run a blood‑typing test to find out exactly what type they are.

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