Emergency Services.

Gibsons Veterinary Hospital shares an on call service with the veterinarians of the Sunshine coast.

The veterinarians of the Sunshine coast work together to provide an on call service. The aim is to reduce veterinary burnout and to facilitate a long term plan of excellent client care. When you call our telephone number out of hours, there will be a message with clear instructions on how to contact the current clinic which will be providing out of hours service.

The out of hours service goal is to provide care for your pet on an emergency basis. As soon as feasible, the on call vet will request that you go back to your regular clinic for service.

Depending on the clinic on call, you may be required to travel to Gibsons or Sechelt for your on call needs. Luckily, we have an amazing team of dedicated doctors on the coast, who share the on call responsibility and provide excellent care for your pets out of hours.

Please note that the veterinarians are not at the clinic during the night when on call. We may be sleeping, if late at night! During late hours, please refrain from calling us, unless it is a medical emergency.

FAQS - Is it an Emergency?

The following symptoms may constitute a medical emergency. If your pet is showing any of the following symptoms it would be advised to be seen as soon as possible.

  • Repeated vomiting over a short period of time
  • Vomiting or diarrhea with blood
  • Convulsions (seizures)
  • Breathing difficulties (open mouth breathing especially)
  • Ingestion of a foreign material such as a plastic toy, medications, poison, etc.
  • Deep cuts/burns
  • Injury to the eye
  • Sudden collapse or paralysis
  • Animal that is unable to pass urine (especially seen in male cats)
  • Rabbits that are unwilling to eat or do not produce faeces over a 12-24 hour period
  • Car accident, falling from heights
  • Bite wounds
  • Severe bleeding
  • Abdominal swelling with attempts to vomit
  • Pregnant animal unable to pass pups/kittens

If you are concerned with other symptoms your pet has, please do not hesitate to call us as this list is a basic guide only.

What to do next.

In the event of an emergency during our normal office hours please call ahead if possible and proceed directly to our practice.