When Your Pet Needs Hospital Care
When your pet is unwell or in for a procedure, they’ll receive expert care from our team of veterinarians and veterinary nurses. Our reception team will confirm your details and provide an estimate of costs.
Veterinary Care and Treatment Planning
Your veterinarian will create a tailored treatment plan, which may include intravenous fluids, laboratory tests, medications, non-surgical procedures, anesthesia, X-rays, ultrasound, or intensive care such as oxygen therapy. At Pittwater Animal Hospital (PAH), we are also equipped to perform complex surgeries in-house. Throughout their stay, our nursing team continuously monitors your pet and communicates any condition changes to the veterinary team. An electronic record tracks your pet’s treatment and progress.
For specialized diagnostic input, we can arrange a VetsNorth specialist consultation on-site at PAH. VetsNorth can provide advanced ultrasounds and case reviews, offering expert recommendations to our veterinarians. Please note that VetsNorth communicates only with our team rather than directly with clients, ensuring seamless care recommendations.
Adjustments to Treatment and Costs
If your pet’s condition changes, we’ll adjust the treatment plan and strive to contact you to discuss any updates and their impact on costs. Although medical and surgical cases can be unpredictable, we prioritize keeping you informed about treatment plans, fees, and expectations.
Overnight Care Options
Our hospital is not staffed 24 hours a day. Very stable pets may safely remain in cages overnight but are unsupervised. However, for continuity of care, we strongly recommend transferring your pet to NEVS (Northside Emergency Veterinary Service) at Terrey Hills for overnight monitoring. NEVS provides 24-hour professional care, which significantly reduces risks compared to unsupervised overnight stays.
NEVS Transfer Services and Capped-Fee Overnight Care
As a NEVS member hospital, PAH patients benefit from a complimentary pickup service for stable animals, which must be arranged before 4 pm on weekdays. If the pickup service is missed, we may ask you to transport your pet to NEVS, with pickup from PAH available between 5 pm and 6 pm. NEVS also offers a capped-fee overnight care option for stable animals, ensuring continuous monitoring. This capped fee includes complimentary ambulance transport from PAH to NEVS and return the following morning.
For pets needing urgent transfer, unstable animals will require paid transport, which may involve a NEVS critical care ambulance and veterinary team or PAH staff escorting the patient to NEVS. This ensures that pets in need of critical support are transferred safely and with proper care.
Morning Transfer Back to PAH
If your pet stabilizes overnight and can return to PAH, NEVS provides a free pet ambulance service mid-morning, along with an updated treatment plan. Your pet will be reassessed, and we’ll discuss ongoing care. For quicker updates, please message via the website or contact reception on 9913 7979.
Specialist and Critical Care Options at Terrey Hills
NEVS shares its facility with The Pet Specialists, allowing for advanced care options. If a specialist referral or extended critical care is necessary, NEVS veterinarians may recommend your pet stay on-site at Terrey Hills. If you’re unsure about next steps, NEVS can contact PAH veterinarians to guide decisions. Additionally, depending on your pet’s condition and needs, we may recommend other specialist veterinarians in Sydney.
Cost Considerations
Veterinary care is resource-intensive, involving skilled professionals, medications, and specialized equipment. While cost estimation can be complex, our team strives to keep you informed. Payment is required throughout treatment and finalized at discharge. For insured pets, owners typically submit claims directly, with GapOnly payment available at some insurers. NEVS and PAH bill separately for treatments.
