Geelong Animal Referral Services

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Australia
Newtown, VIC
Geelong Animal Referral Services

Staffed & Accepting Referrals 24/7
(1)

Leading Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Centre

•Surgery •Medicine •Imaging •Anaesthesia •Oncology •Mobile Vet

We believe that our close communication with your local vet is essential in achieving the best care.

18/09/2025

We understand that emergencies can be overwhelming. Our priority is to deliver the highest standard of medical care for your pet while supporting you throughout the process.

Arrival and Check-In:
When you arrive, our reception team will guide you through the check-in process. A triage nurse will promptly evaluate your pet to determine the level of urgency. If you need assistance getting your pet into our hospital, a team member can meet you in the carpark.

Triage/Assessment of Urgency:
Patients are assessed based on the severity of their condition rather than the order of arrival. Critically ill or injured pets are treated first, which may affect waiting times.

Care and Next Steps:
Depending on your pet’s needs, they may go home with a treatment plan, be admitted for monitoring and further care, or referred to one of our internal specialists. We ensure you receive clear instructions for the next steps, and our team will update your regular veterinarian on your pet's treatment at GARS.

Gates close after hours, contact (03) 4219 2169 for a staff member to open them.

17/09/2025

Concerned about your pet?

Geelong Animal Referral Services is staffed 24/7, 365 days. Walk-ins welcome.

Not sure if it's an emergency? Call us anytime for assistance.

Common situations that may require a visit to our emergency department include:
• Severe injuries and trauma
• Breathing difficulties or collapse
• Seizures or neurological crises
• Toxicities
• Poisonings
• Heatstroke and shock
• Post-operative intensive monitoring
• Sudden deterioration in chronic illness

For all other hospital services or hospital departments, please contact GARS on (03) 4219 2169.

07/09/2025

Happy Father’s Day to all those dog dads out there!

We hope you get lots of love from your pets and families today 🤎🐾

05/09/2025

Another 365 days of Geelong Animal Referral Services!

Today we celebrate turning 3!

Thankyou to everyone who has been a part of our journey.

We look forward to what this next year brings!

04/09/2025

When in doubt, reach out!

🚨‼️🏥

Geelong Animal Referral Services offers 24/7 emergency and critical care to pets across Victoria.

GARS ECC is led by two of Australia’s most respected specialists, Dr Nicole Trigg and Dr Sarah Haldane. Their team is trained to handle emergencies, complex multi-system illnesses and ongoing monitoring.

If your pet needs help, call GARS hospital on 03 4219 2169 ANYTIME!

21/08/2025

Another day, another nose job…

This is Pru from , who underwent BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) surgery. Brachycephalic means squashed or short face. Common breeds include Pugs, Frenchies, other bulldog breeds, CKCS and Boston’s.

How does BOAS impact my pet? Imagine trying to breathe with a constant obstruction, like wearing a mask that restricts airflow all day, every day, or in some cases, like breathing through a straw!! That's what many brachycephalic dogs experience. To make things worse, the excess and abnormal tissue in their throat area is the leading cause of sleep apnea. Sleep deprived, no energy and inability to cool themselves properly is the net result.

BOAS surgery can consist of many combinations which may include some of the following; Nostril widening, turbinectomy, palatoplasty, tonsillectomy and sacculectomy. Together they improve air flow, making it easier and safer to breathe and are one of the most successful and life changing procedures that we perform at GARS.

By surgically widening Pru’s nares and shortening her soft palate, Dr Ricky alleviates her breathing difficulty and improves airflow.

At GARS, we customise surgery to each patient to optimize their airflow. The combination of procedures performed in Pru allowed her, to breathe and sleep properly for the first time in her life. It’s a transformative moment, similar to someone finally being able to take a deep, unrestricted breath after years of struggle.

If your dog is showing signs of BOAS (ie noisy breathing, snoring, struggling with heat or even regurgitating), don’t wait – early treatment is the best treatment. The optimal age is 6months-2years of age, but we do perform these life improving and life saving procedures on dogs even over 12years of age.

15/08/2025

Degenerative joint disease (arthritis) can affect nearly any articulating joint in a dog’s body, though it most commonly impacts the hips, elbows and knees (stifles); particularly in large dog breeds and those with underlying joint dysplasia or ligament disease.

In cases of advanced arthritis where medical management no longer provides relief, total joint replacement or partial joint replacement may be considered. These procedures can significantly reduce pain, restore mobility and enhance long-term quality of life.

At GARS, our specialist surgical team offers joint replacement (total or partial) for the hip, knee, ankle, shoulder and elbow. Individual treatment planning is critically important for each patient and determining what will be best for them.

If you’re managing a patient with advanced joint disease, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team to discuss referral or treatment options.

13/08/2025

Say hi to Rubble from !

Rubble was diagnosed with Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD), a developmental condition where the hip joint grows abnormally, leading to laxity (looseness of limb) and, eventually, joint degeneration. While some dogs show signs early, others, like Rubble, remain active until arthritis has already progressed.

Radiographs confirmed significant changes in the shape and structure of the left hip, with cartilage loss and osteophyte formation. A total hip replacement was performed by Dr Ricky. This procedure replaces both the femoral head (ball) and acetabulum (socket) with implants designed to mimic normal joint function and eliminate pain.

Rubble has recovered well postoperatively and will now begin rehabilitation to support a return to full, pain-free mobility.

Total hip replacement remains the gold standard surgical option for dogs with end-stage CHD, offering the best long-term outcomes when other interventions are no longer suitable.

Stay tuned for Rubble updates.

08/08/2025

It’s Fun Scrubs Friday! Happy weekend from the team here at GARS!

If anything happens with your pet over the weekend, we’re here for you.

Our emergency team is available 24/7 for advice or urgent care - contact us on 4219 2169 or visit our website on www.garsvets.com

05/08/2025

This is Kona.

Kona presented to our emergency department after a stick injury during a game of fetch. The stick entered through the base of her tongue and extended into the soft tissues of her lateral neck — a high-risk area containing major vessels, nerves, and the airway.

Dr Ricky carefully explored the retropharyngeal and lateral neck area, where three large wooden fragments (up to 15 cm) and over 30 smaller pieces were carefully removed. The area was flushed extensively to reduce infection risk, and drains were placed to allow post-op drainage.

Kona is now recovering well and her people are so happy to have her safely back at home. Hopefully Kona will stay away from those sticks!

SWIPE to see a video of the stick fragments getting removed 🪾🐶

Address

Units 9/10 7-21 Newcastle Street
Newtown, VIC
3220

Website

https://garsvets.com.au/

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