Your Guide to After-Hours Vet Care in Canterbury
Posted in: Companion Animals, Dairy Animal Services
Pet emergencies have a habit of happening outside business hours. Whether it’s a dog that’s eaten something it shouldn’t have, a cat that’s come home injured, or a cow calving with complications in the early hours, knowing in advance what to do and who to call makes a stressful moment a lot more manageable.
How After-Hours Care Works at Aorangi Vets
Aorangi Vets provides emergency cover for our clients across Timaru, Geraldine, Fairlie, Lake Tekapo and the surrounding Canterbury region. The best first step when you have an urgent concern outside of clinic hours is to call your usual clinic number – you’ll be directed to the emergency service from there.
- Highfield Timaru: 03 687 9378
- Geraldine: 03 693 1163
- Fairlie: 03 685 8407
Save these numbers in your phone now, before you need them.
What Counts as a Veterinary Emergency?
Not every concern needs an after-hours call – but some situations absolutely do. Here’s a quick guide.
Call us immediately if your pet is:
- Having difficulty breathing, choking, or persistent coughing
- Showing signs of suspected poisoning – chocolate, grapes, rat bait, medications, or toxic plants
- Collapsed or unconscious
- Having seizures, especially repeated or prolonged ones
- Straining to urinate without producing urine, particularly in male cats. This may indicate a blocked bladder or other serious conditions, and needs urgent attention
- Showing a severely distended or rigid abdomen, especially in larger dogs – possible bloat (GDV)
- Bleeding heavily or has an obvious serious injury
- In birthing difficulty – prolonged straining without delivery
For farm animals, call us if you have:
- A difficult calving, lambing, or kidding where delivery isn’t progressing
- A prolapsed uterus following birthing
- Sudden severe lameness or an animal that can’t bear weight
- Signs of milk fever, grass staggers, or clostridial disease
- Bloat – particularly frothy bloat, which can deteriorate very quickly
What to Do While You Wait
Once you’ve called and help is on the way, a few simple things make a real difference:
- Keep your pet calm and restrict movement – especially if you suspect a fracture or spinal injury
- For bleeding wounds, apply gentle, firm pressure with a clean cloth
- Don’t offer food or water unless instructed to – particularly if surgery may be needed
- Don’t give any human medications
For large animals, if possible, move them to a yard ahead of our arrival – it makes examination and treatment significantly easier. For a prolapse, keep the tissue clean and moist with a damp sheet and prevent the animal from lying on it if possible.
Common After-Hours Calls We Receive
“My dog has eaten chocolate”
One of our most frequent after-hours calls, particularly around Easter and Christmas. The risk depends on the type of chocolate, the quantity, and your dog’s size – dark chocolate is significantly more dangerous than milk chocolate. When you call, have that information ready. Our chocolate toxicity blog post can also give you a rough initial guide, but always call if you’re unsure.
“My cat has been in a fight”
Cat fight wounds can be painful and shouldn’t be ignored. Initial home care – gently cleaning and bathing the wound – is useful while you assess the situation. If swelling develops around the wound, or your cat is unwell, not eating, or very lame, they may need an emergency visit. If your cat seems otherwise comfortable, a visit during usual clinic hours can assess the wounds and provide any medication required.
“My dog has been limping since yesterday”
If your dog is still bearing some weight and isn’t in obvious distress, this one can usually wait until the clinic opens. If it’s completely non-weight-bearing or in significant pain, call us rather than waiting.
Be Prepared Before an Emergency Happens
The best time to think about emergencies is before you’re in the middle of one.
- Save your clinic’s after-hours number in your phone now
- Have a basic pet first aid kit at home – gauze, adhesive bandage, a digital thermometer
- If you have livestock, make sure everyone on the property knows who to call and where the number is
What is the after-hours number for Aorangi Vets in Timaru?
Call your usual Aorangi Vets clinic number outside of business hours and you’ll be connected to the after-hours service. Clinic contact details for Highfield Timaru, Geraldine, and Fairlie are all listed at aorangivet.co.nz/clinics-contact. Save the number in your phone before you need it.
Does Aorangi Vets provide after-hours cover for farm animals as well as pets?
Yes. Our after-hours service covers both companion animals and rural clients. Calving difficulties, prolapse, acute illness in livestock – all of these are part of our after-hours cover across Canterbury.
Is there an emergency vet in Timaru?
Aorangi Vets provides after-hours emergency care for clients in Timaru and across Canterbury. For situations that require specialist emergency facilities beyond what we can provide locally, the nearest 24-hour veterinary hospital is Rangiora Vet Centre. Please note we are not members of the Christchurch after-hours clinic and are unable to refer there. We’ll always advise you honestly on the best course of action when you call.
My cat was in a fight last night – can it wait until the clinic opens?
It depends on how your cat is doing. Gently clean and bathe the wound and keep a close eye on them. If swelling develops around the area, or your cat is unwell, not eating, or very lame, call the after-hours line – they may need to be seen urgently. If your cat seems comfortable and is eating and moving normally, a visit during usual clinic hours is fine to assess the wounds and provide medication if needed.
Is there an additional charge for after-hours vet visits?
Yes – emergency consultations carry an additional fee on top of standard consultation and treatment costs. It’s worth knowing this in advance, though in a genuine emergency, the right call is always to seek prompt care.
What should I do if my pet needs urgent care and I can’t reach the vet immediately?
Keep your pet calm, warm, and as still as possible. Apply gentle pressure to any bleeding wound with a clean cloth. Do not give human medications. Try the clinic number again – after-hours lines are monitored.