EMERGENCY & HOSPITALISATION

HERE WHEN YOUR PET NEEDS US MOST

Emergencies can happen at any time. When they do, you want the peace of mind that your pet is in capable hands. At Gippsland Veterinary Group, we provide year-round emergency care and hospitalisation facilities across our network of seven clinics, with after-hours cover provided by our own experienced team.

Whether it’s a sudden illness, an accident or a life-threatening emergency, we are here to provide expert veterinary care when your pet needs it most.

WHAT OUR EMERGENCY & HOSPITALISATION SERVICE INVOLVES

We offer:

Urgent and critical care for pets with sudden illness or injury
Stabilisation and treatment of emergency cases before referral if required
Advanced in-house diagnostics to guide rapid decision-making

Hospitalisation of stable cases with regular monitoring during normal working hours, limited monitoring after-hours
Specialist referral for complex or unstable cases

Our emergency service covers all types of companion animal cases — from toxicities and trauma to breathing difficulties and collapse.

COMMON EMERGENCIES WE TREAT

Some of the most frequent emergencies we see include:

Toxin ingestion - such as rat bait, chocolate, grapes or household chemicals
Snake envenomation - common in warmer months, requiring rapid antivenom treatment
Severe allergic reactions
Trauma - from motor vehicle accidents or other injuries
Collapse or seizure - from various causes including cardiac or neurological disease
Gastrointestinal emergencies - such as bloat or intestinal blockage

If your pet is showing any of these signs, call us immediately.

ADVANCED EMERGENCY TREATMENTS

We maintain essential emergency medicines and supplies at all times, including:

Snake antivenom and tick antiserum
Stored whole blood and plasma for transfusions
A register of blood donors should fresh blood be required urgently

In critical cases, rapid access to these treatments can be lifesaving.

IN-HOUSE DIAGNOSTIC SUPPORT

Emergency cases often require immediate diagnostics. We have:

Digital radiography - for quick imaging of fractures, chest injuries or abdominal problems
Ultrasound - to check for internal bleeding or organ injury
In-house laboratory testing - including coagulation profiles (rat bait toxicity, snake bite), biochemistry, haematology and lactate levels for severity assessment

These tools allow us to begin targeted treatment without delay.

HOSPITALISATION ACROSS GVG

We are equipped to hospitalise patients at all GVG clinics except Inverloch and Grantville. On Sundays and public holiday weekends, hospitalised patients are centralised at Leongatha and/or Wonthaggi to enable monitoring and treatment by the on-call veterinary team.

Hospital care includes:

Comfortable, species-appropriate wards
Intravenous fluid therapy
Pain relief and medication administration
Regular in-hours and limited after-hours monitoring by trained veterinary nurses and vets
Ongoing communication with owners about their pet’s progress

TRIAGE AND REFERRAL PATHWAYS

While many emergencies can be managed within GVG, some patients require advanced care at 24-hour referral hospitals. This may include:

Patients needing intensive care with overnight monitoring
Complex surgical or medical cases requiring specialist intervention
Highly unstable patients where advanced facilities are in their best interests

We work closely with specialist centres located closer to Melbourne, ensuring thorough handovers for seamless care. Once stable, many pets return to GVG for their ongoing treatment and follow-up.

WILDLIFE EMERGENCY CARE

All GVG clinics are equipped to assess and treat wildlife, excluding injured and orphaned animals that require specialist care. We work closely with trusted wildlife carers to rehabilitate animals suitable for release.

At our Newhaven clinic, we also have a formal arrangement with Phillip Island Nature Parks to treat local, native wildlife such as seabirds and small mammals.

WHY CHOOSE GVG IN AN EMERGENCY?

Experienced team
Our vets and nurses have managed thousands of emergencies and work calmly under pressure

Year-round cover
After-hours support provided by our own vets, not an external call centre

Advanced resources
Antivenom, blood products and modern diagnostic equipment available on site

Multi-clinic network
Shared records mean your pet’s history is accessible no matter which clinic you attend

Trusted referral links
For rapid access to specialist care when needed

FAQS

Do you take walk-in emergencies?

Will my pet be monitored overnight?

What should I do if I find injured wildlife?

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IF YOUR PET NEEDS URGENT CARE

Call your nearest Gippsland Veterinary Group clinic immediately. In a life-threatening situation, time is critical. Our team is here to help, day or night.