Consultations and Unwell Animals
When your pet is unwell it can be a very worrying time. We focus on many factors to help ease this stress, including ensuring we have consultations available to see you urgently/same day, discussing best care in treatment and further testing, and admission to hospital or referral for emergency cases. We have a strong focus on communication and best practice medicine, making sure your beloved family members are well cared for in their time of need.
Unwell and General Consultations
Although we have a large focus on wellness and preventative care, we also cater well for sick pets and general consultations.
We are here for you when you need us, keeping slots free within our day to allow us to see unwell and urgent patients, so you don’t need to wait multiple days for appointments as can be the case at other vet clinics.
Our vets keep up to date with regular continuing education to ensure our medical knowledge and care is up to date, and have a large in-house pharmacy to provide most medications on the spot. If needed and appropriate, we have the ability to admit patients for hospital care or urgent testing.
We have extended open hours until 7pm weeknights to allow our clients to come after work, and will stay back after-hours if needed (additional fees apply), to allow same-day consultations. Some sick patients will still need referral to local emergency services, but some problems can be addressed with us that evening, saving the need for extensive wait periods and costs that can come with visiting emergency.
We welcome new clients. If your pet is not well and your regular vet can’t see you, please give us a call.
Emergencies
Emergencies are unpredictable and need to be seen urgently. Please call us immediately to let us know you are on your way, and our nurses will prepare to triage your pet upon arrival. We’ll assess their condition, and determine next steps, including if they need admission, intensive care, or if referral to an external 24 hour emergency facility is more appropriate. We have an oxygen cage for critical patients to assist with stabilisation, and can perform on-the-spot diagnostics if required such as Xrays.
If we are not open, still call, and our answering machine message will provide details of the nearby emergency centres. They are fully staffed all night and provide excellent emergency care and diagnostics, including emergency surgery if required.
Hospitalisation
Unwell animals may be required to stay in hospital for their treatment, sometimes for a number of days. Hospital treatment often involves the use of intravenous fluids which are administered by a pump, the same as those used in human hospitals. Close monitoring allows the Veterinarian to detect any early changes in your pet and institute appropriate treatment if required.
Dandenong Veterinary Hospital has extended business hours, but is not staffed overnight. Stable and non-critical patients may occasionally stay overnight, but if patients are unwell and overnight monitoring is advised, then we will require that you transfer them to a local emergency centre for overnight care. They can then be transferred back here the following morning for ongoing treatment.
Birds, Rabbits, Rodents and Exotic Pets
Exotic pets are also loved family members. While we can see these patients for consultation, we are not specialists in their medicine and care, and often find that more complicated medical and surgical care requires referral to another Veterinary facility. Please call us to enquire if appointment with us is suitable,
We are very lucky in Melbourne to have a wonderful network of vets around us who specialist in the care of these animals. Below is a list of a few, but feel free to do your own research.
The Unusual Pet Vets, in Frankston – https://www.unusualpetvets.com.au/contact-us/peninsula-clinic/
The Rabbit Doctors, in Coburg North – https://therabbitdoctors.com.au/
The Bird Doctors, in Coburg North – https://www.thebirddoctors.com.au/
Bird Vet Melbourne, in Burwood – https://birdvetmelbourne.com/