Oval Pet Centre's home page
Out of hours 0208 310 7713
Sidcup Surgery 020 8302 1521
Welling Surgery 020 7998 4969
Eltham Surgery 020 3417 6433

Emergencies

What to do if there's an out of hours emergency

If you have an emergency during our opening hours please call us & we will arrange to see your pet as soon as possible.

If you have an emergency whilst we are closed then Vets Now are just a phone call away for FREE veterinary advice when we are closed.

Contact Vets Now on 020 8310 7713.

Vets Now Thamesmead
1c Eynsham Drive
Thamesmead
London, SE2 9RQ

Tel: 0208 310 7713

Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 6:00pm – 8:30am
Saturday: 12:00pm to Monday 8:30am

About Vets Now

Making sure your pet receives the best possible care day AND night!

Pets can have the worst timing, such as falling ill or getting injured late at night or over the weekend. Sometimes those unexpected events can happen when our practice is closed. That’s why we have teamed up with Vets Now, our local ‘out of hours’ vets, to ensure you have access to the best possible care, whatever the time of day or night.

Vets Now provide the equivalent of an A&E or NHS Direct service for your pet. They are highly experienced in dealing with sick pets and emergencies and they are always available out of hours, either on the end of the phone to give FREE advice and guidance, or to see your pet if required.

The vets and nurses at Vets Now are fresh and ready to see and care for your pet, even at 2am (they sleep during the day).

We work very closely together, so following a visit to Vets Now, your pet’s detailed clinical notes will be sent to us. We all understand the importance of your pet as part of your family and will always ensure the best possible care is provided, no matter what time of day or night you call or attend the clinic.

Remember, Vets Now are just a phone call away for FREE veterinary advice.

How the Service Works

If your pet needs to be seen, the Vets Now local team will be ready and waiting to see you. They will assess your pet’s condition and will always fully discuss your pet’s treatment with you.

If your pet needs to stay with Vets Now, they will give you regular updates on their progress. As long as your pet is well enough to travel you can collect them in the morning, otherwise if necessary, ongoing care will be provided by us the next day.

As Vets Now are a separate company from us, you will be asked to pay them directly at the time of treatment. Naturally, the fees are more expensive than daytime fees, reflecting the dedicated Out of Hours service, which is fully staffed throughout the night and over the weekends. Their staff will always fully explain the fees to you and if your pet is insured, this normally covers the costs. Their number one priority is always to provide the best possible care for your pet.

Whilst Vets Now can visit you at home if the vet decides your pet is too ill to be transported, in almost all cases they will ask you to bring your pet to the clinic where they have the specialist facilities on hand to provide the best possible care – and where they are caring for other urgent cases that night.

Vets Now are just a phone call away for FREE veterinary advice when we are closed.

Tips in an Emergency

Here is some simple advice from us and Vets Now in case your pet needs attention during the night or over the weekend:

  • Try to stay calm – it will help you AND your pet.
  • Take care when moving or transporting your pet.
  • If your pet is bleeding, try to wrap the bleeding area with a towel or blanket applying gentle pressure to the wound.
  • If you are transporting a large pet, a board or a blanket used as a stretcher could aid you. Smaller pets may be easier to transport in a cage or carrier.
  • If you suspect that your pet has mistakenly eaten something harmful, contact Vets Now ASAP and if possible tell the vet what it is. If the packaging is still available, take it with you to the clinic.

If your pet is already on medication, take it with you in its original packaging.