Urgent veterinary care when your pet suddenly becomes unwell, injured or distressed.
When something is wrong with your pet, it can be difficult to know whether to wait, book a normal appointment, or seek emergency care straight away.
At The Village Vet, our team can assess and manage many urgent cases during opening hours. If your pet needs overnight monitoring, intensive care or 24/7 emergency support, we will help stabilise them and refer you to a trusted emergency hospital.
Call us immediately if you are worried.
Pymble: (02) 9499 4010
Killara: (02) 8350 5678
If your pet is struggling to breathe, collapsing, unconscious, bleeding heavily, or deteriorating rapidly, go straight to a 24-hour emergency hospital.
What should I do in a pet emergency?
If you think your pet is having an emergency, call us straight away. Our team can help you decide whether your pet should be seen at The Village Vet, monitored at home, or taken directly to a 24-hour emergency hospital.
When you call, we may ask:
- What has happened
- When the problem started
- Whether your pet is breathing normally
- Whether they can stand or walk
- Whether there has been vomiting, bleeding, collapse or pain
- Your pet’s age, breed and medical history
Please do not wait for symptoms to become severe before calling. Early advice can make a big difference.
Signs your pet needs urgent veterinary care
Some signs should always be treated seriously.
Call a vet urgently if your dog or cat has:
- Difficulty breathing
- Collapse, weakness or inability to stand
- Seizures or repeated tremors
- Heavy bleeding or deep wounds
- Pale, blue or grey gums
- Severe pain or distress
- A swollen or bloated abdomen
- Repeated vomiting or unproductive retching
- Sudden paralysis or inability to walk
- Heatstroke symptoms
- Trouble urinating, especially in male cats
- Eye injuries or sudden vision changes
- Labour difficulties or pregnancy concerns
If you are unsure, call us. It is always better to check early.
Emergency conditions we can help assess
At The Village Vet, we can help assess and manage many urgent situations during opening hours, including:
- Sudden illness or collapse
- Breathing problems
- Wounds, bites and injuries
- Painful limping or suspected fractures
- Vomiting, diarrhoea or dehydration
- Seizures or neurological signs
- Eye injuries
- Heatstroke
- Urinary problems
- Allergic reactions
- Painful abdomen or suspected bloat
- Complications after surgery
- Sudden deterioration in senior pets
For poisoning or tick paralysis, we may begin urgent assessment and stabilisation, but these also have dedicated pages with more detailed information.
If your pet has eaten something toxic, visit our Pet Poisoning & Toxicity Treatment page.
If you have found a tick or suspect tick paralysis, visit our Paralysis Tick Treatment page.
When should I go straight to a 24-hour emergency hospital?
Some emergencies need immediate 24-hour care, especially if your pet may need oxygen, intensive monitoring, surgery, blood transfusions or overnight support.
Go straight to a 24-hour emergency hospital if your pet is:
- Struggling to breathe
- Collapsed or unconscious
- Having repeated seizures
- Bleeding heavily
- Unable to urinate
- Severely bloated or retching without bringing anything up
- Hit by a car
- Rapidly deteriorating
- Showing pale, blue or grey gums
- In extreme pain
- Weak or paralysed and worsening quickly
During opening hours, you can call us, and we will help guide you. If your pet is critical and every minute matters, heading directly to a 24-hour hospital may be safest.
How The Village Vet supports emergency cases
Our role is to assess your pet quickly, stabilise them where possible, and make sure they receive the right level of care.
Depending on your pet’s condition, emergency care may involve:
- Physical examination and triage
- Pain relief
- Oxygen support
- IV fluids
- Blood tests
- Diagnostic imaging
- Wound care
- Medications
- Monitoring
- Referral for overnight or specialist emergency care
We will explain what is happening, what your pet needs, and whether they can be treated with us or should be transferred for 24-hour monitoring.
Emergency referrals and overnight care
The Village Vet is not a 24-hour hospital, so some pets need referral for ongoing emergency or critical care.
We work closely with trusted emergency hospitals, including NEVS in Terrey Hills, when pets require overnight monitoring, intensive care or treatment outside our opening hours.
Where possible, we will help stabilise your pet first and communicate clearly with the emergency team so your pet’s care continues as smoothly as possible.
How to prepare for a pet emergency
Emergencies are stressful, but a little preparation can help you act quickly.
We recommend:
- Saving The Village Vet’s phone numbers in your mobile
- Knowing your nearest 24-hour emergency hospital
- Keeping your pet’s medical history accessible
- Keeping medications, toxins and dangerous foods out of reach
- Using year-round parasite prevention
- Having a secure carrier for cats and small pets
- Calling ahead whenever possible so the team can prepare
The Village Vet
At The Village Vet Clinics, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality vet services. Throughout all stages of your pet’s life, our compassionate and experienced team ensures your pet receives the best possible care. With cutting-edge equipment and a full range of facilities under one roof, you can trust us to offer expert recommendations and treatments tailored to your pet’s unique needs, no matter what your financial circumstances are. We strive to help your beloved pets live life to the fullest.
Why Choose us as your Vet?
Truly personal, Non-corporate care
Independent, family-owned, and community-driven. No corporate agendas. Just honest, personalised care tailored to each family’s individual needs and budget.
State of the art facilities
Advanced diagnostic imaging, surgical technology, in-house labs, and everything you’d expect from a much larger hospital. All delivered with genuine warmth and personal attention.
Fear Free-Inspired Care & Certified Calm Clinic
Every visit is designed to minimise stress and anxiety. Purpose built clinic designs, gentle handling, calming techniques, and a team trained in low-stress care makes all the difference.
Award winning
Three time Local Business Award winners and recognised as one of Australia’s Top 3 veterinary practices in 2025 & 2026. Our reputation is built on trust, consistency, and authentic client relationships.
What Pet Owners Say
Blake Haymen
Thank you to the incredible team at The Village Vet Pymble.
Both of our dogs have visited several of the lovely vet staff over the years but I’d like to send an extra special thank you to Elle.
She has been absolutely incredible with her kind, thoughtful & expert approach to managing the needs of both of our dogs but in particular our gorgeous 15 1/2 year old Bonnie in recent times.
Going above & beyond one afternoon when she should’ve been going home meant the world to us & I believe gave us more time with her.
I’d like to thank Elle for her genuine compassion for not only Bonnie but also our family. You definitely get to see us when we are most vulnerable & you managed it beautifully.
Your follow up after her passing & on-going advice for Max’s welfare is much appreciated.
Thank you again, we are truly grateful.
Jae Yun Park
I’m so happy with the team at The Village Vet Pymble!
Everyone there is genuinely lovely — warm, reassuring, and clearly passionate about animals. They always take such great care of my pets and make us both feel welcome every time we visit.
The vets explain things in a really easy, helpful way, and the nurses and reception team are always kind, patient, and ready with a smile. It honestly feels like visiting friends who just happen to be amazing at looking after animals.
Couldn’t ask for a better vet clinic. Highly recommend them! 💛🐾
Beau Vella
Have been going here for well over 10 years and wouldn’t trust anyone else with my fur children. Friendly, extremely professional and knowledgeable.
Jane
I would highly recommend The Village Vet for all your veterinary needs. The care we’ve received for Rocky and Sunny has always been exceptional.
Mara Spessot
Love the feeling of joining an extended family who remembers your name, your pet’s name and cares. Such a friendly local practice and vibe.
Jenny Hafeez
I’ve been taking my cat to The Village Vet for many years now and would highly recommend their practice (both Pymble and Killara) to anyone. We regularly see Martine, who is amazing, but have also seen a number of the other vets as well who have also all been equally amazing. All the staff are so helpful and caring and go out of their way to provide advice and assist in any way possible. They are all extremely knowledgeable, very friendly, and they clearly all really love animals – my cat is always treated with the greatest care and respect. Excellent service, excellent staff – wouldn’t go anywhere else!
David Han
I can’t recommend Martine and her veterinary team highly enough! From the moment you walk in, it’s clear that they are genuinely passionate about the health and well-being of your pet. Their knowledge and expertise is exceptional—they take the time to be thorough and ensure every concern is addressed with care and professionalism.
Their state-of-the-art facilities complement their exceptional veterinary skills to provide top-tier treatment. The entire team always goes above and beyond to make sure your furry friend receives the best possible care. I also love that they participate in sustainable initiatives to help protect the environment :)
If you want a veterinary team that treats your pet like family and delivers outstanding care every step of the way, Martine and her team are simply the best!
Mika Haung
The vet and receptionist were so considerate and caring. I was so stressed but they made me and my cat feel welcome and reassured. I am so glad I chose this clinic, will definitely be back.
Andrew Miller
We’re so grateful to The Village Pymble Vet for their care and compassion during our beloved dog Dyson’s final days. Dr Anabel Thomas was incredibly kind, empathetic, and professional — her clear communication and gentle support meant the world to us. Thank you, Dr Thomas, and the entire team. You are a true credit to your profession.
Maryam Scott
Such a fabulous Veterinary Clinic, I’ve met 5 of the Vets so far + 3 of the reception staff over the few weeks,( had a puppy spayed ,so multiple visits), very impressed how each take time to explain, and reassure all my concerns.
Kel R
Great vets with wonderful support and service. My dog and cats don’t fear going – in fact they love it. Every staff member I’ve interacted with is helpful and happy. The locations is great, easy parking and access.
Richard Wickman
The best experience I’ve ever had at a vet. They are incredibly helpful, kind, patient & clear about everything. Will definitely be back in the future; thank you all !
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Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Vet Care for Dogs and Cats
A pet emergency is any situation where your dog or cat is suddenly unwell, injured, in pain, struggling to breathe, collapsing, bleeding, having seizures, unable to urinate, or rapidly deteriorating. If you are unsure, call us for advice. It is always better to check early.
If your pet is stable enough, call us first so we can prepare and advise you on the safest next step. If your pet is struggling to breathe, collapsed, unconscious, bleeding heavily or deteriorating quickly, go straight to a 24-hour emergency hospital.
Yes, we can assess and treat many urgent cases during opening hours. This may include stabilisation, pain relief, IV fluids, blood tests, imaging, wound care and medications. If your pet needs overnight monitoring or intensive care, we will refer you to a 24-hour emergency hospital.
Go directly to a 24-hour emergency hospital if your pet is struggling to breathe, collapsed, unconscious, having repeated seizures, unable to urinate, bleeding heavily, severely bloated, hit by a car, or rapidly worsening. These cases may need intensive monitoring or treatment that cannot wait.
Bring your pet’s regular medications, any relevant medical history, and any information about what happened. If your pet may have eaten something toxic, bring the packaging or product label. For cats and small dogs, use a secure carrier if possible.
Because The Village Vet is not open 24 hours, after-hours emergencies should be taken to a 24-hour emergency hospital. During opening hours, call us and we can help guide you. For critical cases, heading straight to an emergency hospital may be safest.
We can provide urgent assessment, stabilisation and treatment during opening hours. Pets needing round-the-clock monitoring, oxygen support, ventilation, blood transfusions, intensive care or overnight treatment will be referred to a 24-hour emergency hospital.
Vomiting or diarrhoea can become urgent if it is repeated, severe, bloody, associated with collapse, pain, bloating, weakness, dehydration or if your pet is very young, elderly or has other health issues. If you are unsure, call us for advice.
Book Your Pet’s Emergency Vet Care for Dogs and Cats Appointment
📅 Book online here or call us to secure an appointment:
📍 Pymble Clinic: 9499 4010
📍 Killara Hospital: 8350 5678
