When your pet is suddenly unwell or injured, it can be hard knowing what to do. Find information about urgent care at our North Melbourne animal hospital, signs to watch for, first aid you can provide on the way to a vet, and where to get help after hours.
Emergency care
Open
No booking is needed for emergencies. If you can, call us before you arrive so our team knows you’re coming.
Emergency care
Find out which signs need urgent attention, what to expect when you arrive and how to prepare for the trip.
After hours clinics
Locate a 24-hour emergency clinic when our North Melbourne emergency department is closed.
Pet first aid
Learn simple first-aid steps you can take while arranging urgent veterinary care.
Our emergency team cares for pets with sudden illness and injury every day of the year. When you arrive, a triage nurse will assess your pet. Pets with the most urgent needs are seen first, and our team will explain what happens next.
Pathology, ultrasound, X-ray and CT are available on site to help us investigate what is wrong and plan your pet’s treatment. We care for dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, reptiles and wildlife.
No. You can walk in during opening hours. If you can, call us on on 03 9328 3021 before you arrive so our team can prepare for your pet. You can also call if you’re unsure whether your pet needs urgent care.
Our emergency department is open from 8:00am to 10:00pm every day of the year, including public holidays.
Our emergency department is at Lort Smith Animal Hospital, 24 Villiers Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051. Parking is available on site.
If it is safe and easy to do so, bring your pet’s medication, any relevant medical history and anything that may help us understand what happened, such as packaging from something they may have eaten. Bring cats and small pets in a secure carrier, and dogs on a lead or harness. Do not delay leaving to collect these things.
Please contact one of the 24-hour emergency clinics listed on our after hours clinics page.
An emergency consultation is $195, or $165.75 for Health Care and Pension Card holders. Tests and treatment cost extra. Before going ahead, your vet will explain what they recommend, the likely costs and the options available, so you can make an informed decision for you and your pet.
Lort Smith’s emergency vet in North Melbourne treats dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, reptiles and wildlife every day of the year, from 8:00am to 10:00pm, including public holidays. You don’t need to book. Call 03 9328 3021 or come to our animal hospital at 24 Villiers Street, North Melbourne.
As Australia’s largest not-for-profit animal hospital, choosing Lort Smith means your pet receives quality care while helping us support families doing it tough who rely on our services to care for their pets.
