Information on what pet owners can typically expect at our specialist hospital including the emergency vet process and appointments with a specialist vet. If you have questions or concerns always feel free to contact us.

What to Expect

Referral Patients

Your general practice veterinarian may refer you and your pets to NSVSC for a variety of reasons. Typically, you will have a consult with the appropriate specialist, who will work with you and your regular vet to devise a diagnostic and treatment plan.

Depending on the complexity of the case, you may return to NSVSC for follow-up appointments, or you may be directed back to your regular vet. In any case, your regular vet will receive both verbal and written reports detailing clinical findings, procedures, diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Where appropriate, additional information of interest will be provided – useful references, comparisons with similar conditions in humans, prognoses, etc.

Emergency Patients

If you are in an emergency situation now please come directly to 63 Herbert Street, Artarmon. If possible, please call ahead on 02 9436 4884 and advise that you are on your way.

For more general information, when presenting to the emergency service, an initial assessment and/or brief examination of your pet will be performed by a veterinarian or experienced nurse to determine whether or not your pet is in a stable condition. Pets determined to be stable may remain with you until a veterinarian is available for a full consult. Less stable or critical pets will be taken immediately to the treatment area of the hospital (which is closed to anyone other than staff) for further evaluation and urgent treatment. The veterinarian will consult with you as soon as they have assessed your pet.

Common Emergency Services & Procedures

Canine and feline blood bank
In house laboratory diagnostics for immediate critical results
Imaging – radiographs, CT, ultrasonography, endoscopy, MRI
Emergency medical treatment including management of diabetic crises, neurological events, tick paralysis, toxicities, urethral / ureteral obstruction, etc.
Emergency surgical procedures including wound repair, GDV (bloat), foreign body removal, caesarian sections, spinal surgery, etc.
In-hospital pharmacy
Top of the line ventilation / respiratory therapy capabilities
Advanced monitoring capabilities for critical cases
Highly skilled and experienced team of veterinarians and nurses to provide exceptional levels of care in stressful situations
Liaison with veterinary specialists for comprehensive case management

Specialist Process

Your appointment with a specialist vet will be referred from a primary care vet. The specialist will do an initial consultation to find out more about your pet’s situation and to discuss the best medical work – just like human medical specialists do.

If you need to get a referral you can contact our primary care facility North Shore Vet Hospital (link to www.northshorevet.com.au) or a veterinarian local to you.

We perform surgery Monday to Saturday and are staffed 24/7 for out-of-hours emergency.

If surgery is required you pet will typically be fasted for 24 hours, then kept with us for 24 – 48 to perform procedures and monitor recovery. Our staff will let you know admission procedures and if there are any requirements specific to your pet.

Where needed there will be follow-up appointments to check progress or we will direct you back to your primary care vet.

If you have questions or concerns always feel free to contact us

Your Pet Could Be a Hero!

Blood Donor Program

Your dog or cat can provide life-saving assistance to another pet that is sick or injured. Due to the nature of cases we see, the demand for blood products is always high. Unlike for humans, dogs and cats do not have a blood bank. We rely on the help of willing canine and feline volunteers to help those animals in need. Give your pet the chance to be a hero!

There are benefits to being a blood donor, such as free laboratory tests to ensure the pet’s health status and the safety of the blood for donation, a complete physical exam, and a gift of gratitude for you and your furry friend.

Our furry heroes must have certain physical and temperamental characteristics to be considered for the blood donor program. These include:

Good disposition and able to tolerate venipuncture and restraint
Weigh at least 22kg (dogs) or 4.5kg (cats)
Never have received a blood transfusion
Ideally 1-8 years of age
Current vaccination status
On heartworm preventative
Should not be taking any medications that could pose a problem for the recipient
Be of good general health

If your pet meets the above criteria, an examination and comprehensive blood tests will be performed to ensure suitability.

To enroll your pet in NSVSC’s blood donor program, or for more information, submit the form below and one of our nurses will be in touch.