Emergency Pet Care

When your pet is in an emergency situation, the best thing to do is stay calm. At the Ark we understand how stressful these situations can be, and are here to help you get the fastest and best care during times of need. We can attend to your pet quickly and calmly to minimise further stress on them, and support you throughout the process. This page has all the information you need in the case of an emergency, both during opening hours and when the Ark is closed. This page will also provide you with answers to important questions you might have in an emergency.

When the Ark is open:

Take a deep breath and bring your pet straight up to the hospital. There is no need to book an appointment – we will see to your pet straight away – but if possible, please call us to let you know you’re on your way.

When the Ark is closed:

Outside our opening hours, we recommend contacting Northside Emergency Veterinary Service:

Phone: (02) 9452 2933

Address: 335 Mona Vale Road, Terry Hills

If necessary and when your pet is stable, they can be transferred back to the Ark where they are closer to home and you can visit them if suitable.

You know your pet better than anyone else, but it can be difficult to determine if they are in need of emergency care. If you spot any of these symptoms, we recommend that you bring your pet in for treatment straight away:

• Difficulty breathing, rasping panting, pale gums or a blue/purple tongue
• Swollen or bloated abdomen, with or without vomiting
• Inability or straining to urinate or defecate
• Collapse or an inability to stand or walk
• Loss of balance or consciousness, seizures or convulsions
• Vomiting or diarrhoea with blood

• They injest a toxin such as mouse/rat bait, garden pest control products, prescription and over the counter medication or any household cleaning products. PLEASE BRING THE CONTAINER OF THE TOXIN WITH YOU!
• They have a penetrating wound, such as a bite, gunshot or stab wound
• They are experiencing heavy panting and weakness on a hot day – this may be heatstroke
• You find a tick on your pet

Remember that when pets are in pain, they are often scared and confused. This can cause even the gentlest of pets to lash out. The priority in any emergency situation is to keep both you and your pet safe. Read on below for some tips on how to safely handle and care for your pet in an emergency situation.

It’s also important to have your pet’s medical records in a safe and easily assessible place, so you can bring them with you to the clinic. The more we know about your pet, the better we can help them.

If your pet injests any of the following foods, we recommend you treat it as an emergency situation. Since tolerance varies between animals, we would prefer it if you were over-cautious when it comes to these foods:

While some situations are out of your control, here are some things that you can do to minimise the risk that an emergency situation may arise:

• Keep all medications and cleaning products in either a locked cupboard or one that your pet cannot reach.
• Keep any gardening toxins such as snail bait or rat poisons inside a shed that your pet cannot access.
• Refrain from feeding toxic foods to your pet and keep these foods out of their reach.
• Follow a tick prevention program (e.g. Bravecto, Nexgard, tick collars etc) to make sure your pet has protection against ticks. You can always give us a call to discuss the most appropriate and effective tick control for your pet.
• Never leave your pet inside a locked car – even in the colder months. Pets can overheat and suffocate if left alone for too long. Always take them with your or tie them up where they have access to fresh air and clean water.