Nights and weekends
We are open every day, at every hour. But this page is not here to describe our door. It answers the question someone asks at three in the morning, looking at their animal: go now, or wait until morning.
Now, or in the morning
Most night calls fall into one of these three groups. They are a direction rather than a rule.
Cannot wait, set off now
None of the signs below waits until morning. What to do in the first minute is set out for each of them on the emergency page.
- Difficulty breathing
- A male cat unable to pass urine
- Swallowing poison or medication
- Seizures
- Road accident or a fall from height
- A swollen abdomen with unproductive retching
- Labour that is not progressing
- Bleeding that will not stop
- Heatstroke
- Sudden swelling or an allergic reaction
Should be seen tonight, but you have a few minutes
Things that should not wait until morning, but do not call for running through the door. Call us and we will decide together.
- Vomiting or diarrhoea going on longer than half a day, especially when water will not stay down. Fluid loss moves fast in a small body.
- A cat that has eaten nothing for a day. In an overweight cat, going without food turns the liver fatty within days, and that becomes a separate illness.
- Squinting, holding an eye closed, or discharge from an eye. The surface of the eye deteriorates quickly, and a wound that deepens overnight can leave a permanent mark.
- Putting no weight at all on one leg.
- A bite wound from another animal. A puncture that looks small from outside leaves a wide pocket beneath it, and infection settles within hours.
- A wound open enough to need stitches. The longer it waits, the harder it is to close.
- Blood in the urine. Being unable to pass urine at all belongs in the group above, so do not wait.
Can wait until morning
Safe to wait does not mean unimportant. These still need to be seen the next day.
- Vomited once, then behaved normally and drank water.
- Scratching, some redness on the skin, but no open wound.
- A broken claw where the bleeding has stopped.
- Ate less at one meal but is drinking and playing.
- A mild limp that eases as the animal walks.
- Planned work: vaccination, neutering, nail trimming.
If you are unsure which side of a line you are on, count it in the group above and call. A few sentences on the phone usually settle it, and having come unnecessarily is better than having come too late.
What we will ask on the phone
Having these ready shortens the call and lets us prepare while you are on your way.
- The species, age and rough weight of the animal.
- What happened and when it started.
- If there is vomiting, diarrhoea or seizure, how many times it has happened.
- Whether the animal is neutered, and whether it takes any regular medication.
- If something was swallowed, what it was. Bring the box or packaging if you have it.
- When the last vaccination and parasite treatment were given.
Coming at night
Call first
The vet on duty is often with an animal. When you call, we prepare, and you do not wait at the door.
Parking
There is on-street parking, and at night it is empty. In an emergency drive right up to the door and we will help you carry the animal.
Bring with you
The vaccination record if you have one, the boxes of any medication, and the packaging of anything swallowed. Note the time it happened.
How to carry
The way an animal is carried can make an injury worse or better. Cats, dogs and birds are covered separately on the emergency page.
What happens at night, and what waits for the day
Done at night
An animal brought in at night is examined first and its condition stabilised. Tests, imaging and, where needed, surgery are carried out at night too, according to how urgent the case is.
Kept for daytime
Planned work is kept for daytime hours: neutering, dental scaling, vaccinations and check-ups. You do not need to come at night for these; call and book a day.