Emergency & Urgent Veterinary Care – Northern Beaches

• Emergency Care: Life-threatening conditions requiring immediate intervention. Examples include seizures, breathing difficulties, collapse, paralysis ticks, snake bites, road accidents (hit by a car), bloat (GDV), pale gums and allergic reactions (bee sting).
• Urgent Care: Non-life-threatening but still serious conditions that need prompt attention, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, sudden lameness, eye injuries, or wounds.

If you are unsure which applies, always call us immediately our team will help guide you.

If you’re unsure, call us right away our team will help guide you.
You should bring your pet to Allambie Vet urgently if they experience:

• Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, or collapse
• Signs of paralysis tick poisoning (wobbly back legs, gagging, change in bark, vomiting)
• Seizures or loss of consciousness
• Trauma (e.g. hit by car, fall, bite wounds, accidents)
• Suspected toxin ingestion (rat bait, snail bait, chocolate, grapes, human or pet medication)
• Heatstroke or overheating
• Abdominal bloating or retching without producing vomit (possible GDV/bloat)
• Severe vomiting, diarrhoea, or vomiting blood
• Straining to urinate/defecate, especially in male cats (possible urinary obstruction)
• Inability to walk, sudden paralysis, or severe weakness
• Persistent pain, drooling, or distress after eating a bone or foreign object

For less critical but urgent cases (such as wounds, eye injuries, lameness, ear infections, or sudden appetite loss), please call us for a same-day urgent appointment.    Book Urgent Appointment Here

On average, wait times are minimal at Allambie Vet as we prioritise emergency cases.
When you arrive, your pet will be triaged immediately by our experienced veterinary team.

• Pets in a critical condition are seen and treated right away.

• Pets who are unwell but stable will be cared for by the next available veterinarian, ensuring treatment as soon as possible.

This approach means every patient receives timely and appropriate care based on their urgency.

Check-In & Triage
When you arrive, our experienced team will assess your pet’s condition and priorities based on urgency. Critical patients are treated immediately, while stable patients are seen by the next available vet.

Examination & Treatment
A veterinarian will consult with you, perform diagnostics if needed (blood tests, x-ray, ultrasound), and begin treatment. Our hospital is equipped for oxygen therapy, monitoring, emergency surgery, and stabilisation.

Next Steps
Depending on your pet’s condition, they may:

• Be treated and discharged with medications and home care advice
• Be admitted for hospital care and monitoring
• Be stabilised for safe transfer to a specialist centre if required

Throughout, we ensure clear communication so you know exactly what’s happening and what to expect.

• ECC-Certified Veterinarians – Several of our vets, including Dr Kate and Dr Faon, hold postgraduate Emergency & Critical Care (ECC) qualifications.
• Advanced Equipment On-Site – In-house blood testing, digital x-ray, high-level ultrasound (abdominal & echocardiogram), oxygen therapy, ventilators, and fully equipped surgical facilities.
• Immediate Stabilisation – We can treat seizures, collapse, trauma, tick paralysis, toxin ingestion, and breathing difficulties on the spot.
• Team-Based Care – Your pet benefits from the collective knowledge of 10 vets and a highly skilled nursing team.
• Continuity & Compassion – Your pet is cared for by the same trusted team who already know their history, quirks, and health needs. This allows us to provide more personalised, less stressful treatment, with honest recommendations that always put your pet’s wellbeing and your family’s peace of mind first.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
“When our Labrador suddenly collapsed, Allambie Vet saw him immediately. The team’s calm, compassionate care saved his life. They performed an ultrasound that diagnosed a bleeding spleen, and within an hour he was in surgery with a highly experienced vet. Everything was explained clearly during such a stressful time. His results thankfully came back as a benign tumour. We’ll never forget their kindness and support.” – Sarah, Northern Beaches

Yes. We can process claims directly with most major pet insurers, helping reduce upfront costs during stressful times. Many insurers also offer pre-approvals, which means we can submit urgent pre-approval requests for emergency and urgent care to give you financial peace of mind while your pet receives treatment.

If your pet becomes critically unwell outside of our opening hours, please contact:

• Northside Emergency Veterinary Service (NEVS) – Terrey Hills
  📞 9452 2933

• Animal Poisons Helpline – 1300 869 738 (AU)
  A free 24/7 service providing expert, evidence-based advice for pets who may have been poisoned.

For all other situations, please attend your nearest 24/7 emergency hospital.