Summer Street Vet Clinic

Frequently Asked Questions

(FAQ)

Book Online

(02) 6360 4553

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Visit Us

53 Summer St,
Orange, NSW 2800

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Hours

Mon – Fri: 8:30am – 6pm
Sat: 8:30am – 12pm

FAQ

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Do I need to book an appointment, or do you accept walk-ins?

We try to see all patients by appointment only and do not generally offer walk-ins. Appointments can be booked by calling the clinic or using the online booking link on our website. If your pet is experiencing an emergency, please call us immediately on 63 604553 and head straight to the clinic. This allows our team to prepare for your arrival and ensure your pet receives appropriate care as quickly as possible.

Do you offer same-day appointments for sick pets?

Yes. We always structure our appointments so that we have time available throughout the day to offer same-day appointments for sick or injured pets. If your pet is unwell, please call the clinic as early as you can so we can assess the situation and arrange the earliest available appointment.

Do you offer a mobile vet service and can you do house calls?

Yes. With prior notice, we are able to offer home visits both for routine care such as check ups and vaccinations and for also, if requested, for home euthanasias. We do however advise that emergency cases, sick and injured animals are best seen at the clinic though. If you are unsure if a house call is appropriate, please call us for advice on 63 604553.

If needed, we can also arrange to collect your pet from your home to bring them to the clinic for treatment.

Are you open on weekends?

Yes, we are open for consultations every Saturday morning till midday. Please book either though our website or by calling 63 604553 to make an appointment.

For the remainder of the weekend we are closed except for emergencies. If required, please contact us after midday Saturday by calling our after hours mobile number.

What should I do if my pet needs help after hours?

If your pet needs urgent veterinary care after hours, please call the emergency number listed on your Summer Street Vet Clinic fridge magnet. If you no longer have your magnet, please pop into the clinic during business hours and we’ll be happy to provide you with another one.

What should I bring to my pet's first appointment?

Please bring any relevant paperwork, including your pet’s vaccination history, microchip information, and any previous medical records or medications. These details help us get to know your pet and provide the best possible care from their very first visit.

Can you help with nervous or anxious pets?

Yes, absolutely! We understand that some pets can feel nervous or anxious when visiting the vet, and our team will do everything we can to make their visit as calm and stress-free as possible. Please let the receptionist know when you book your appointment so we can tailor our care to best meet their needs.

If your pet struggles with anxiety at home on daily basis, we also offer behavioural consultations to discuss management options and develop a plan specific to their requirements.

My pet is vomiting or has diarrhoea. Should I call the vet?

If your dog or cat is vomiting or has diarrhoea, we recommend making a same-day appointment so they can be assessed by one of our veterinarians.

My pet is constantly itchy, licking, or scratching. Should I book an appointment?

Yes, absolutely. If your pet is itchy, licking at their feet or belly, or scratching, we recommend booking an appointment.

There are many possible causes, including allergies, fleas, skin infections, and ear infections. Early treatment can help relieve your pet’s discomfort and prevent the problem from getting worse.

My pet is shaking their head, I think they have sore ears. Does this need a vet check?

Yes. Ear problems are painful so if your pet is shaking their head, scratching at their ears, or has smelly, wet ears, we recommend booking an appointment as soon as possible.

Ear problems can be caused by infections, allergies, ear mites, or foreign material in the ear. Early diagnosis and treatment can help keep your pet comfortable and prevent the condition from progressing.

My pet is limping. Should I wait and monitor, or see a vet?

Yes, we recommend booking an appointment if your pet is limping. Even a mild limp can be a sign of pain or an underlying injury. A veterinary examination allows us to identify the cause, provide appropriate pain relief if needed and recommend the best treatment to help your pet recover as quickly and comfortably as possible.

I found a lump or bump on my pet. Should it be checked?

Yes, we definitely recommend booking an appointment if you notice a lump or bump on your pet. Many lumps are harmless, but some require further investigation. Having any new or changing lump examined early gives us the best chance to diagnose any serious problems early and start appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

My cat is straining to urinate. What should I do?

If your cat is straining to urinate, please call the clinic immediately and book an appointment as soon as possible. This is an emergency in male cats as they can develop a life-threatening urinary blockage.

Female cats should also be examined promptly, as straining can indicate a urinary tract infection or other urinary problem that requires urgent treatment.

My pet has eaten something it shouldn't have. What should I do?

If you think your pet has eaten something poisonous, please call the clinic immediately on 63 604553 and bring them in as soon as possible. The sooner your pet is treated, the better the outcome can be. If possible, bring the packaging or information about what they have eaten to help our team provide the most appropriate treatment.

I think my pet has been bitten by a snake. What should I do?

A suspected snake bite is an emergency. If you think your pet has been bitten by a snake, bring them to the clinic immediately and call us on your way. Keep your pet as calm and still as possible, as movement can speed up the spread of venom. If it is safe to do so, take note of what the snake looked like or take a photo from a safe distance—do not attempt to catch or kill it.

How often should my pet have a health check?

For most pets under 7 years of age, we recommend a routine health check every 12 months. For older pets or those with chronic illnesses or arthritis, more frequent check-ups maybe necessary. Regular check-ups help us detect health problems early and keep your pet up to date with preventative care.

For senior pets, we recommend health checks every 6 months, as they are more prone to age-related conditions that can benefit from early diagnosis and treatment.

What vaccinations does my puppy or kitten need?

We recommend a C5 vaccination for puppies and an F3 vaccination for kittens as part of their routine preventative healthcare.

A C5 vaccination for dogs protects against canine distemper virus, canine hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and Bordetella (kennel cough). An F3 vaccination for cats protects against feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia virus.

Your veterinarian will discuss the appropriate vaccination schedule for your puppy or kitten and any additional protection they may need based on their lifestyle.

How often should my pet have a dental check?

We recommend your pet’s teeth are checked during their routine 12-monthly health check. Dental disease is very common in pets and can develop without obvious signs.

If you notice bad breath, difficulty eating, red or bleeding gums, loose teeth, or changes in your pet’s behaviour, we recommend booking an appointment as soon as possible for a dental assessment as untreated dental disease can cause kidney and heart problems as well as pain.

Can you do dental work on my pet?

Yes, dental work is absolutely vital to maintain your pet’s overall health and keeping them happy and pain free. We routinely clean pets’ teeth by using an ultrasonic machine to scale and polish them. Starting regular cleaning at a younger age and feeding an appropriate diet will help keep your pet’s teeth healthy but in cases where teeth are loose or there is exposure of bone or decay, we can also extract teeth if required.

When should I desex my puppy or kitten?

The ideal time to desex your pet can depend on their age, breed, size, and individual health needs. We recommend discussing the best time to desex your puppy or kitten with your veterinarian, who can provide advice based on your pet’s individual needs.

What parasite prevention does my pet need?

Regular parasite prevention is an important part of keeping your pet healthy. We recommend protection against fleas and worms all year round. While ticks are not commonly found in our local area, we still encourage tick prevention, especially for pets that travel outside the region. Tick prevention is essential if you are visiting coastal areas or other locations where ticks are more common.

Do you offer blood tests, X-rays, or other diagnostics?

Yes. We offer a range of diagnostic services to help assess and treat your pet, including in-house blood testing, X-rays, and ultrasound. We also work with external laboratories for specialised testing, including histopathology and other samples that require further analysis. These services help our veterinarians make accurate diagnoses and provide the most appropriate treatment plan for your pet.

What types of surgeries can you do there?

We perform a variety of surgeries from routine desexings and stitch ups through to more complicated surgeries eg orthopaedics (including fracture repairs, cruciate repairs and patella surgeries) and advanced soft tissue surgeries such as anal gland removals, exploratory laparotomies, caesareans and lump removals etc.

Any questions?

If you have any additional questions for Summer Street Vet, please get in touch.