Signs Your Pet May Require Immediate Emergency Care
If you're unsure, call our 24/7 emergency hotline—our experienced team is always ready to assist you.
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Breathing Difficulties - Abnormally Harsh or Rapid Breathing
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Difficulty Urinating
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Straining to urinate
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Cats going in and out of litter box etc.
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Extreme Pain or Discomfort
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Trauma-related Injuries
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Road Traffic Accidents
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Fall from Height etc.
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Exposure or Ingestion of Toxins
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Sudden Collapse or Loss of Consciousness
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Intense Weakness in Limbs
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Severe Lameness
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Seizures
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Bloat
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Severe Vomiting
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Severe Diarrhoea
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Loss of Appetite
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Heat Stress or Heat Stroke
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Difficulty giving birth (Dystocia)
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Acute Disorientation
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Bleeding
- Blood in vomit or stools
- Coughing up blood
- Significant bleed from wounds
3 Simple Steps to Care
You and your pet will receive immediate assistance as needed.
1. Call Our 24/7 Emergency Hotline 6931 0095
Please reach out to us for immediate assistance before visiting so we can help out right away.
2. Walk Right In Anytime
No appointment needed; we’re here 24/7. Your Pet will be assessed upon arrival & cases will be seen based upon urgency.
3. Consult with Our Vet
Discuss treatment options for your beloved pet.
Our Procedure & What to Expect
1. Immediate Triage
At our emergency hospital, a nurse will triage your pet to assess its condition and prioritize care. Critical cases receive immediate attention. If your pet is severely unstable, a STAT form may be provided to discuss a resuscitation plan while the vet works to stabilize them.
3. Emergency Consultation
During the consultation, the emergency vet will discuss your concerns, review your pet's history, and assess its condition. Using in-house diagnostics like ultrasound for FAST scans, X-rays, and our rapid IDEXX lab for blood and urine tests, the vet can quickly evaluate your pet and recommend treatment options.
5. Hospitalisation in the ICU
ICU patients receive 24/7 monitoring from skilled vets and nurses to ensure top-quality critical care. Treatment plans are personalized and reassessed each shift. Once stable, the vet will discuss discharge, follow-ups, and ongoing care. If needed, medical records will be sent to your primary care vet for continued management.
2. What goes on in the treatment area?
As you complete the registration form, a nurse will assess your pet. If urgent care is needed, an emergency vet will be notified immediately. Pets are prioritized by condition—stable pets wait with their owners, while those needing oxygen or temperature support are monitored in the treatment area. Wait times may be longer if a critical patient arrives and requires immediate attention.
4. Diagnostics
Same-day diagnostic tests, including X-rays and blood tests, help assess your pet’s condition. Scans like ultrasounds, echocardiograms, and CT scans are scheduled once your pet is stable. After reviewing the results, the vet will discuss findings and recommend a treatment plan, which may involve outpatient care or hospitalization based on their advice and your decision.
6. Visitations & Communications
Visitation and discharge times for critically ill patients are discussed daily, based on treatment needs and ER demands. Owners will receive at least one update call every 12 hours about their pet's condition and next steps. Please note, delays may happen if emergencies arise in the ER.
Our Fees
Emergency Consultation: $165+GST
Public Hol. Consultation: $250+GST
Please note prices stated do not include treatment or diagnostics costs.
For hospitalized patients, an initial deposit of 50% of the initial estimate will be required.
Answering Pet Owners' FAQs for Surgery
Your pet has been referred by your veterinarian to the Surgery Department
at Westside Veterinary Emergency and Referral Hospital.
Here are some FAQs that may help as you prepare for the upcoming appointment:
Do I have to make an appointment?
The Surgery Department operates on a referral-only basis. Once your veterinarian has made a referral to us, we will contact you directly within 24 hours to schedule an appointment.
You do not need to make an appointment if your pet has been seen by, admitted and subsequently transferred from the Emergency and Critical Care department. The Surgery team will collaborate with the Emergency and Critical Care department, and a surgical consultation will be arranged, either in-person or via phone call.
My pet has just been referred for surgery by my veterinarian, what happens next?
Your veterinarian has just made a referral to our Surgery Department. Once our team at Westside Veterinary Emergency and Referral Hospital has received the referral form, we will contact you directly within 24 hours to schedule an appointment.
Please contact us via phone (6931 0095) or email (info@westsideemergency.com.sg) if you have not heard from the team after 24 hours.
What to expect during my appointment?
The consultation with the specialist surgeon will be in the morning.
An in-person consultation together with your pet is preferred. If you are unable to be present for the appointment and a family member, carer or a friend is able to bring your pet in for the appointment, a phone consultation with you at that time may also be performed.
During the consultation, an examination and assessment of your pet will be performed, treatment and management options and their associated prognosis and costs will all be discussed with you, allowing you to make an informed decision about your pet.
When is surgery going to be performed?
In most cases, following the consultation in the morning, surgery is performed that same afternoon. If you prefer to have surgery scheduled for a different day, please inform our team when making the appointment.
If your pet requires diagnostics initially, or further planning for more complex cases, or are pending any diagnostic results, surgery may be scheduled for a different day. Your surgeon will discuss this with you during the consultation.
Do I need to fast my pet before the appointment?
Yes, please fast your pet from midnight before the appointment (i.e. no food after dinner – this also means no treats or snacks). Your pet may drink a small amount of water.
Can I groom or bathe my pet?
Please avoid grooming or bathing your pet at least 2 days prior to your appointment.
My veterinarian has prescribed some medications for my pet that I usually give in the mornings, should I still give it before the appointment?
If the medication is a pain relief, especially one that requires to be given with food, you do not need to give it in the morning of the appointment. If your pet is admitted for surgery, the Surgery team will be administering stronger pain relief intravenously to ensure that your pet remains comfortable throughout their stay.
If the medication is an ongoing prescription such as heart medication, please continue to give it as per usual.
It is best to contact us if you are unsure.
How long does my pet need to be in hospital for?
Most pets are hospitalised overnight after their surgery. This ensures a smooth recovery following their general anaesthetic and surgery, which would include round-the-clock nursing care (feeding, toileting etc), the administration of intravenous pain relief and constant monitoring through the night. The Emergency and Critical Care team is fully staffed 24/7 to look after your pet.
Your pet may be discharged the next morning if there are no unexpected complications.
Diagnostic imaging and simple procedures like biopsies are usually outpatient procedures.
How much is a specialist consultation and is a deposit required?
A specialist surgical consultation is $200 (excluding GST). The estimated cost of surgery would vary for every individual and this will be discussed with you during the consultation.
A 50% deposit of the estimated cost of surgery is required on admission of your pet.
I am worried about my pet's condition; can I be seen earlier? What if my pet requires urgent specialist surgery out of hours?
If you are worried about your pet, please bring your pet in to be assessed by our Emergency and Critical Care Department.
The Emergency and Critical Care Department operates 24/7 – no appointments are necessary but a call prior to making your way down is recommended.
Your pet will be assessed, admitted and stabilized as required after the emergency consultation. The surgeon will be contacted by the team should your pet require urgent specialist surgery afterhours.
Operating Hours:
24 hours 7 days a week
(incl. public holidays)
#86 Serangoon Garden Way
Singapore 555982
☏ 6931 - 0095
It is highly encouraged to call prior to visiting the clinic so the team can be better prepared for your pet's arrival.
