When your patient requires intensive monitoring, advanced life-support, or urgent stabilisation, our specialist-led Critical Care service provides round-the-clock care for critically ill dogs and cats.

We work closely with referring veterinarians across Sydney to ensure rapid admission, collaborative case management, and consistent clinical updates.

Some emergencies are life‑threatening and may require intensive monitoring, advanced treatment, or specialist care in a critical care setting.

Signs you should seek immediate veterinary attention if your pet shows any of the following signs:

• Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, or obvious respiratory distress
• Collapse, severe weakness, or seizures
• Persistent or severe vomiting or diarrhoea, especially if blood is present
• Uncontrolled bleeding or significant trauma (such as being hit by a car)
• Sudden or severe pain, distress, or continuous vocalising
• Ingestion of toxins, medications, or foreign objects
• Abdominal swelling, bloating, or sudden distension
• Sudden paralysis or inability to stand or walk
• Heatstroke or extreme lethargy and unresponsiveness

Traumatic injuries such as car accidents, falls, or bite wounds can result in multiple, life-threatening complications. These patients often require rapid stabilisation, pain management, oxygen support, blood transfusions, advanced imaging, and sometimes emergency surgery, followed by close ICU monitoring.

Difficulty breathing is a medical emergency. Respiratory distress may be caused by heart disease, airway obstruction, infection, trauma, allergic reactions, or fluid in or around the lungs. Patients often require oxygen therapy, continuous monitoring, and rapid intervention to stabilise breathing and oxygen levels, and prevent further deterioration.

Sudden failure of vital organs such as the kidneys, liver, or heart can occur due to toxins, infections, underlying disease, or trauma. These cases often require intensive medical management, including IV fluids, medications, advanced diagnostics and continuous monitoring to support organic function.

Ingestion of toxins, medications, plants, chemicals, or venoms can lead to rapid deterioration. Critical care may be required to manage seizures, breathing difficulties, abnormal heart rhythms, or organ damage. Treatment may involve decontamination, antidotes where available, seizure control, and continuous monitoring to manage complications. Learn more

Severe infections can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening inflammatory condition affecting the whole body. Sepsis often requires aggressive treatment, including IV antibiotics, fluid therapy, cardiovascular support, and close intensive monitoring within the ICU (blood pressure, oxygenation, and organ function).

Some pets require ICU care following complex or high-risk surgical procedures, or if complications arise during recovery. This allows for advanced pain management, wound and drain monitoring, respiratory and cardiovascular support, and early detection of complications during the critical recovery period.

Neurological conditions such as seizures, head trauma, spinal injuries, or sudden changes in consciousness can be life-threatening. These patients often need specialised medications and supportive care to stabilise brain and nervous system function.

Newborn puppies and kittens are particularly vulnerable to temperature instability, low blood sugar, infections, and congenital abnormalities. Critically unwell neonates may require specialised warming, nutritional support, fluid therapy, and close observation in a controlled ICU environment to support survival during this fragile stage of life.

Referral cases: ask your regular veterinarian to refer your pet to our team. We’ll arrange the next steps and guide you through the process.

Emergency care: If your pet is unwell or you’re concerned about urgent symptoms, you can come directly to our hospital – no referral required. Our emergency team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

When your pet requires urgent or critical care, our team provides rapid assessment, stabilisation, and specialist-led treatment in a fully equipped emergency hospital.

We work closely with your regular veterinarian to ensure seamless continuity of care, from initial emergency treatment through recovery and ongoing management, so you and your pet are supported every step of the way.