What constitutes a veterinary emergency? 

Any sudden, unforeseen injury, illness or complication in an animal demanding immediate or early veterinary treatment to save life or to provide timely relief from unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress.

Why do we refer small animals after 10 pm?

Providing vet services after hours is very taxing on the staff involved, that same vet has to see inpatients  (they could be yours) the next morning, and allowing them to get some rest is key to good decision making the next day.

What if the vet is already busy on a call?

The duty vet will triage calls based on urgency. If they are on a call or uncontactable (out of range) please leave a message for farm animals and they will return your call ASAP, or call ARC for small animal cases.

Why does it cost more after hours?

Providing skilled staff after hours is difficult and expensive. Current shortages in vets throughout NZ have only exasperated this problem.