After-Hours and Emergency Vet Care — When to Call the Vet vs. When to Watch — Learn — Lapdog
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After-Hours and Emergency Vet Care

How to access emergency veterinary care in Australia.

Emergency Vet Options in Australia

Pet emergencies do not keep business hours. Knowing your options before an emergency happens can save critical time.

Your Regular Vet’s After-Hours Service

Many vet clinics have an after-hours phone number that connects to an on-call vet or redirects to a local emergency hospital. Check your vet’s website or voicemail message for their after-hours arrangements. Some clinics partner with a shared after-hours service.

24-Hour Emergency Animal Hospitals

Most capital cities and large regional centres have dedicated 24-hour emergency animal hospitals. These facilities are staffed around the clock with emergency veterinarians and nurses, and are equipped for critical care, surgery, and intensive monitoring. Search for your nearest emergency hospital now and save their number.

Animal Poisons Helpline

1300 869 738 — available 24 hours, 7 days a week, Australia-wide. Staffed by veterinary professionals who can advise on poisoning cases. There is a consultation fee, but the advice can be life-saving.

Regional and Rural Areas

If you live in a regional or rural area, emergency vet access may be more limited. Know the nearest emergency service, plan your transport route in advance, and keep the phone number visible. Some rural vets offer after-hours callout services — check with your local clinic.

Tip

In an emergency, seconds count. Do these three things today:

1. Save your regular vet's phone number (and their after-hours number) in your phone
2. Find your nearest 24-hour emergency animal hospital and save their number and address
3. Save the Animal Poisons Helpline: 1300 869 738

Transporting Your Pet in an Emergency

Getting your pet to the vet safely in an emergency requires some forethought:

Dogs

  • If your dog can walk, lead them gently to the car on a leash
  • If they cannot walk, use a large towel, blanket, or board as a makeshift stretcher — slide it under them rather than lifting them by the limbs or torso
  • Muzzle if necessary — even gentle dogs may bite when in severe pain (but never muzzle a pet that is vomiting, struggling to breathe, or having a seizure)

Cats

  • Use a carrier if possible — a stressed or painful cat can injure themselves or you if loose in the car
  • If no carrier is available, wrap gently in a towel and secure in a box or laundry basket
  • If the cat is struggling to breathe, ensure the carrier has good ventilation and do not wrap tightly

General

  • Keep your pet warm — cover with a blanket
  • Drive calmly — a car accident helps no one
  • Call ahead if possible so the emergency team can prepare
  • If another person is available, have them hold the pet while you drive (or vice versa)
Flashcards

Emergency Contact Flashcards

Front
Animal Poisons Helpline
Tap to reveal answer
Back
1300 869 738 — 24 hours, 7 days, Australia-wide. Staffed by veterinary professionals. Consultation fee applies.
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True or False

Emergency Transport Check

You should always muzzle a painful dog before transporting them to the vet to prevent bites.
True
False
While muzzling can help prevent bites from a pain-stressed dog, you should never muzzle a pet that is vomiting, struggling to breathe, or having a seizure. In these situations, a muzzle can be dangerous or fatal. Use a towel or blanket to wrap the pet gently if you need to prevent biting in these cases.
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Important Question

Do you speak
cat or dog?

Choose wisely. This affects everything.

Dog Woof woof!
Cat Meow meow!