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Pet Emergency and Critical Care

If your pet is ever in need of emergency vet attention or you are simply worried about their health, call or bring them into one of our animal emergency centres. Our experienced team of emergency veterinarians and nurses can diagnose your pet and provide the proper care.

No appointment is necessary; please just visit us or call ahead.

Remember, our highly experienced team of vets are here for you when you need it the most – 24 hours, 7 days a week, across the country.

 
 
 
 

We take pride in our specialty services

 

Animal emergency and critical care vets treat animals with urgent, life-threatening conditions. Highly experienced in diagnosing and managing severe medical problems, they carry out continuous monitoring and perform complex surgeries in the event of a pet emergency. Our veterinarians work with the most cutting-edge technologies alongside a collaborative team of specialists and nurses to support pets in critical conditions.

Pets might require animal critical care for various reasons, including sudden trauma (e.g. being hit by a car), severe infections, or respiratory distress. Our emergency teams have the ability to rapidly assess and treat these situations to give your pet the best chance of recovery.

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There are several different health issues that might require a visit to an emergency vet. As these conditions tend to develop suddenly, your pet will need immediate attention to prevent further complications or even death. Some of the most common reasons for emergency and critical care include:

  • Trauma: Fractures, internal bleeding or wounds caused by accidents (e.g. vehicle collisions or falls). Immediate care is necessary to manage pain, control bleeding, stabilise your pet, and monitor for further issues.

  • Severe infections: Bacterial or viral infections like sepsis or parvovirus can escalate quickly if not treated promptly. Emergency care can include intensive fluid therapy, antibiotics, close monitoring and more.

  • Respiratory distress: Difficulty breathing due to conditions like pneumonia, heart disease or obstruction of the airway can be fatal without emergency intervention. Oxygen therapy and airway management can be used in these situations.

  • Toxins: Pets can accidentally ingest toxic substances like chocolate, human medications, household chemicals or dangerous plants. Fast action is needed to minimise the impact on your pet’s organs.

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  • Post-operative complications: After surgery, some pets can experience complications like infection or bleeding. Emergency care helps manage these issues so your pet recovers as expected.

  • Severe allergic reactions: Allergic reactions to bites, stings and food can cause anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening condition that demands immediate care.

If any of these scenarios arise, it’s vital that you visit an animal emergency vet as soon as possible. The faster your pet gets treatment, the better their chances of survival and recovery.

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Our 24-hour emergency vet team are available round-the-clock to deliver immediate care to pets in need. We have state-of-the-art equipment and a team of highly trained veterinarians ready to manage all types of emergencies. Some of the services we offer include:

  • Emergency surgery: Our surgeons are on-call to perform life-saving procedures – everything from repairing fractures and removing obstructions to managing internal bleeding.

  • Intensive-care monitoring: Pets in critical condition are monitored continuously in our ICU, where vets and nurses track your pet’s vital signs, administer medications and provide round-the-clock support for as long as needed.

  • Advanced diagnostic tools: We use diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, ultrasounds, blood tests, and more, to quickly diagnose the cause of the emergency and determine the best treatment plan.

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  • Pain management: Managing pain is a top priority in emergency care. Our vets use a range of pain relief methods, including medication and supportive therapies, to keep your pet comfortable during their recovery.

  • Fluid and oxygen therapy: Some emergencies require intravenous fluids or oxygen therapy to stabilise your pet and support their vital functions.

With 20 of our clinics across Australia providing emergency and critical care services, AREN Network is here to give your pet the most expert care whenever needed. Some of our emergency clinics include ARH Homebush, ARH Brisbane, ARH Canberra, AEC Frankston, AEC Moorabbin and AEC Gold Coast. You can find your closest vet emergency hospital here.

 

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When visiting an emergency animal hospital, it’s important to know what to expect so you can achieve the best possible outcome for your pet:

  • No appointment needed: Emergency situations don’t require prior bookings. Simply bring your pet in or call ahead to let the team know you’re on your way.

  • Immediate triage: Upon arrival, one of our emergency vets will assess your pet’s current condition through a process called triage. They will be able to determine the severity of the issue and prioritise any specific treatments based on the urgency of their case.

  • Emergency treatment: Depending on the condition, treatment could start immediately, including medications, surgery, or simply supportive care such as IV fluids and oxygen.

  • Continuous monitoring: Pets in critical condition will be admitted to our ICU, where they will get constant care and monitoring by our veterinary team. You will be updated regularly on your pet’s status.

Our highly experienced team of veterinarians are here for you and your pet. With 24-hour emergency vet services available seven days a week, you can find your nearest pet emergency care facility online.

 

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How AREN’s specialist can help

saving care when it matters most. Our critical care team provides round-the-clock monitoring and advanced treatments, ensuring the highest level of support for pets in urgent and complex situations.

ARH Homebush

Our Animal Referral Hospital in Homebush is a multi-disciplinary hospital providing specialist and emergency care from a central Sydney location.

ARH Brisbane

Animal Referral Hospital Brisbane provides specialist veterinary services, including emergency and critical care, surgery, medicine, oncology and neurology.

VRH (Veterinary Referral Hospital Dandenong)

Our Veterinary Referral Hospital is a new, state-of-the-art veterinary hospital providing 24-hour pet emergency and specialist services to pets in need.

Greencross Vet Hospital

Our Greencross Vet Hospital at the University of Melbourne provides emergency, GP and specialist services.

CARE

Our Centre for Animal Referral and Emergency provides specialist and emergency services in Melbourne, Victoria.

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Meet our emergency & critical care team

 

Our Network

Our Animal Referral & Emergency Network is the largest specialty and referral network in Australia, consisting of more than 20 sites. With more than 1,200 dedicated team members, including approximately 600 nurses and almost 400 veterinarians (including specialists and registrars), we provide exceptional care for your pets. Count on us for expert medical attention and comprehensive veterinary services.