Fees & Payment Options

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Veterinary Care

Emergency veterinary care is a critical service that ensures your pet receives immediate, life-saving treatment at any time of day or night. Because of the specialized nature of emergency care, costs may be higher than regular veterinary visits. Below, we explain why 24-hour emergency vet services are more expensive and provide pricing estimates for common procedures.

We often get asked how we are so much more expensive than human healthcare, and the answer is simply, there is no medicare for pets. Most human related medical costs like GP visits, radiographs, hospitalisation and emergency surgery are heavily subsidised by the government, pets are not afforded the same luxury.

Why Is 24-Hour Emergency Veterinary Care More Expensive?

Highly Trained Staff Available 24/7 – Our hospital operates around the clock, ensuring that veterinarians, technicians, and support staff are always available to care for your pet. Emergency and critical care specialists often require additional training and certifications.
Advanced Medical Equipment – We use specialised diagnostic tools, such as digital radiography, ultrasound, in-house laboratory testing, and surgical suites, to provide immediate and accurate diagnoses and treatments.
Intensive Care & Monitoring – Some pets require hospitalisation, continuous IV fluids, oxygen therapy, or post-surgical monitoring, which demands dedicated staff and resources.
Emergency Readiness – Unlike regular clinics, we must be prepared for any emergency at any time, requiring extensive resources, medication, and supplies to handle critical situations instantly.
Overnight & Holiday Availability – Emergency hospitals operate outside of regular business hours, including weekends and holidays, which requires additional staffing and logistical support.

Consultation Fees

Note: Additional charges will apply if medication, diagnostics or other services are required.

Routine Surgery Costs

Please note: Additional charges apply for pets that are in heat, pregnant, or have retained testicles (cryptorchid). For pricing on larger dogs desexes, feel free to give us a call!

Emergency Services

Note: These prices are estimates and may vary depending on the complexity of the case and the specific treatments required

Emergency Surgical Services

Note: These prices are estimates and may vary depending on the complexity of the case and the specific treatments required

Payment Options & Financial Assistance

We understand that unexpected veterinary bills can be stressful. To help pet owners manage costs, we offer the following payment options:

Credit & Debit Cards: We accept major credit and debit cards, as well as cash.

Pet Insurance: We are a GAPonly clinic; we are able to process claims from select pet insurance providers on the spot (Note: waiting time does apply, and this service is not available on weekends and after hours).

Third-Party Finance Options: We offer flexible payment options through VetPay, Afterpay, and Zip. Please note that all financing is subject to approval by the individual provider.

Disclaimer:
Third-party financing options are offered by external providers who operate independently of our clinic. These providers may have their own fees, interest rates, terms, and eligibility criteria. We do not receive commissions or act on behalf of any credit provider. Consumers are strongly encouraged to review the relevant terms and conditions and seek independent financial advice to ensure the service meets their personal circumstances before applying.

WellPet Vets do not offer accounts, all services must be paid for prior to discharge.

How to Prepare for Emergency Veterinary Costs

Consider enrolling in pet insurance to offset emergency expenses.
Set up a pet emergency fund for unexpected veterinary costs
Keep up with routine veterinary care to prevent avoidable emergencies.

If you have any questions about our pricing or payment options, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our goal is to provide compassionate, high-quality emergency care while being as transparent as possible about costs.