vetICU is a dedicated animal emergency and critical care service within the small animal specialist hospital. Being an emergency service there is no appointment system and emergency cases will be triaged and seen in their order or urgency. We aim to keep waiting times as short as possible but as this is an emergency service we see patients in order of urgency.

Ideally you should call ahead so we can be as prepared as possible to care for you sick or injured pet. vetICU operates Monday to Friday from 5:00pm to 8:00am and 24 hours on the weekend and public holidays if your local veterinary clinic is closed. The front door will be locked after hours for security reasons so as you arrive, please press the doorbell and we will attend to you promptly. If you cannot transport your pet to SASH we can arrange for an ambulance to come to your home.

vetICU is staffed by experienced, dedicated and caring emergency veterinarians. Whilst vetICU operates within SASH, it is not a specialist service. If required, the appropriate specialist can be called in after hours for advice or to attend to your animal.

Our emergency team comprises Dr. James Radecki, Dr. Ilze Nel, Dr. Lisa Chimes, Dr. Yvonne van der Veek and Dr. Miriam Meek .

If your pet visits vetICU it is practice policy that your regular veterinarian is notified of your attendance by fax by the following morning and we make every attempt to speak to your veterinarian by telephone. Once your pet has been treated and is stable they can be discharged from hospital. If there is a need for ongoing care you can elect for this to be completed at your regular veterinary hospital.

Some examples of serious emergencies requiring immediate assessment and care:

Any difficulty breathing or excessive coughing

Collapse, weakness or severe lethargy

Paralysis or inability to get up or walk normally

Excessive vomiting or diarrhoea

Sudden abdominal distension or bloating

Trauma such as being hit by a car, or falling off a balcony or dog or cat fights

Ingesting a poison such as rat bait, snail or slug bait, antifreeze, prescription medication, chocolate, macadamia nuts or grapes, raisins or sultanas

Distress or drooling after eating a bone or ingesting a fishhook

Snake bites

Having paralysis ticks attached

Heat stroke

Inability to urinate

Any condition causing excessive pain

If you are ever worried about your precious pet after hours, please do not hesitate to call vetICU on 9889 0289 or rush your sick or injured pet straight in. For patients in extreme distress or for pets that cannot walk or are in serious discomfort please use our emergency drop off zone located directly outside the front door (map).
If you are concerned about a poison or toxin you pet may have ingested, you can also get advice by calling the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 24 hours a day.

Directions on how to get to SASH, please see the maps on the Contact page.