Hospital Services

Accredited Veterinary Hospital

Comprehensive Care for Your Animals

At Gambier Vets, we’re a proud family-run business that understands pets are more than just animals — they’re part of the family. That’s why we’re dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality care for both companion and production animals throughout the Limestone Coast.

Our purpose-built, fully equipped veterinary hospital has been carefully designed to meet the health, diagnostic, surgical and wellbeing needs of your animals. Whether your pet is unwell, injured, or simply not quite themselves, our experienced veterinary team can provide on-site diagnostics including in-house blood testing, digital x-rays, ultrasonography, and endoscopy — often delivering same-day answers so treatment can begin without delay.

We’re also equipped with modern surgical theatres, climate-controlled recovery and kennel areas, and an extensive veterinary pharmacy, ensuring comprehensive care is available under one roof.

What truly sets us apart is that Gambier Vets is the first and only practice in the South East to be awarded Veterinary Hospital Accreditation by the South Australian Veterinary Surgeons Board. This accreditation is a mark of excellence, only awarded to clinics that meet rigorous standards in patient care, facility hygiene, equipment, record-keeping, staff training, and clinical procedures.

As part of this accreditation, our hospital is inspected every three years by a board-appointed representative to ensure we continue to meet — or exceed — the benchmarks required of a modern veterinary hospital. This level of oversight and commitment means your animals are receiving care in a facility recognised for its professionalism, safety, and quality.

When you bring your animal to Gambier Vets, you’re choosing a team with trusted credentials, advanced facilities, and a strong community focus. We’re here to provide expert, compassionate care — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Desexing

A Responsible Choice for a Healthier Future

We believe that desexing your pet is one of the most responsible decisions you can make as a pet owner. Desexing (also known as spaying or neutering) offers a range of health, behavioral, and community benefits that help your pet live a longer, happier life.

Health Benefits:

  • Reduces the risk of certain cancers and infections, such as uterine infections and mammary tumors in females, and testicular cancer in males.

  • Helps prevent unwanted litters

  • May reduce hormone-related conditions like prostate disease and false pregnancies.

Behavioral Benefits:

  • Can reduce roaming, aggression, and unwanted sexual behaviors such as mounting and spraying.

  • May help your pet become more focused and easier to train.

Community Impact:

  • Helps control the pet population, lowering the number of stray and abandoned animals.

  • Prevents the spread of disease and reduces competition among feral animals for food and shelter.

When Should I Desex My Pet?

The ideal age for desexing depends on your pet’s species, breed, and individual health needs. Generally, most dogs and cats can be safely desexed from around 6 months of age. Our team will assess your pet and recommend the best timing based on current veterinary guidelines.

Dental Surgery

Let’s keep those tails wagging and smiles healthy!

We understand that your pet's dental health is just as important as their overall wellbeing. Dental disease is one of the most common medical issues we see in dogs and cats and it can cause pain, infection, and long-term health complications if left untreated.

Our veterinary team is experienced in a range of dental procedures, from routine cleanings to advanced dental surgeries. We’re here to ensure your pet stays comfortable, healthy, and pain-free.

When Is Dental Surgery Needed?

While regular dental cleaning is essential, some conditions require surgical intervention, such as:

  • Broken, loose, or infected teeth

  • Advanced periodontal disease

  • Abscesses or facial swelling

  • Oral tumors or growths

  • Retained baby teeth or malocclusions (misaligned teeth)

Your pet may not show obvious signs of dental pain, so we recommend regular check-ups. Some signs to watch for include bad breath, difficulty eating, drooling, pawing at the mouth, or changes in behavior.

Preventative Dental Care

After surgery, we’ll guide you on how to maintain your pet’s dental health through:

  • Regular dental check-ups

  • At-home brushing or dental diets

  • Dental chews and toys

  • Professional scale and polish treatments

If your pet is showing signs of dental discomfort—or it’s simply been a while since their last check-up—contact us today. Early intervention can prevent pain and more serious health issues in the future.

Orthopedic Surgery

Restoring Mobility and Quality of Life

We understand how important it is for your pet to stay active, mobile, and pain-free. Whether it’s due to injury, a congenital condition, or wear and tear over time, orthopaedic issues can have a serious impact on your pet’s quality of life.

Our Veterinary team is highly skilled in diagnosing and performing a range of orthopaedic surgeries, helping pets return to comfortable, active lifestyles.

What Is Orthopaedic Surgery?

Orthopaedic surgery focuses on the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Common procedures we perform include:

  • Cruciate ligament repair (ACL surgery)

  • Fracture repair (pins, plates, or external fixation)

  • Patella (kneecap) luxation surgery

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia treatments

  • Arthroscopy and joint reconstruction

These surgeries can help restore proper function, reduce pain, and prevent long-term complications like arthritis. You may notice signs that your pet is in discomfort, such as:

  • Limping or lameness

  • Difficulty standing, jumping, or climbing stairs

  • Swollen joints or reduced range of motion

  • Decreased activity or reluctance to play

  • Crying out when touched or moved

If your pet is showing any of these signs, a comprehensive orthopaedic assessment is the first step. We may use diagnostic tools like x-rays, CT scans, or joint fluid analysis to determine the best course of action.

Orthopaedic issues don’t have to mean a life of discomfort for your pet. With timely intervention and expert care, many pets make a full recovery and return to their favourite activities helping your pet move freely again.

Laboratory Diagnosis

Fast, Accurate Answers for Your Pet’s Health

We know that your pet can’t always tell you when something’s wrong. That’s why we rely on advanced laboratory diagnostics to help us detect, diagnose, and monitor a wide range of health conditions—often before symptoms are visible.

Our in-house laboratory allows us to deliver fast, accurate results, helping us make informed treatment decisions and give your pet the best possible care.

Laboratory testing plays a key role in:

  • Diagnosing illness and infection

  • Monitoring organ function (especially liver, kidneys, pancreas, and thyroid)

  • Assessing internal inflammation or immune responses

  • Guiding anaesthesia and surgery decisions

  • Detecting parasites, viruses, and bacteria

  • Monitoring chronic conditions and medication effects

  • Establishing healthy baselines for future comparison

Our comprehensive laboratory services include:

  • Blood Tests

  • Complete Blood Count (CBC) – evaluates red and white blood cells, and platelets

  • Biochemistry Profile – assesses organ function, electrolytes, and metabolic health

  • Hormone Panels – for conditions like diabetes, thyroid disease, or Cushing's

  • Clotting Profiles – important before surgery or in cases of bleeding disorders

  • Urine and Fecal Testing

  • Urinalysis – checks for urinary tract infections, kidney disease, or diabetes

  • Fecal Examination – detects intestinal parasites and infections

  • Cytology and Microscopy

  • Skin scrapings, ear swabs, and fine-needle aspirates to identify infections, allergies, or tumors

  • Infectious Disease Screening

  • Heartworm, parvovirus, feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), FIV, and more

In urgent cases, our in-house lab allows us to obtain results within minutes—enabling immediate action when your pet needs it most.

Just like humans, pets benefit from regular health checks, especially as they age or if they have ongoing medical conditions. Routine lab work can catch problems early, making treatment more effective and giving your pet a better quality of life.

Diagnostic Imaging

Seeing What Your Pet Can’t Tell Us

We believe in looking deeper to get the full picture of your pet’s health. Diagnostic imaging is a powerful, non-invasive tool that helps us examine your pet’s internal structures and identify conditions that aren’t visible from the outside.

Whether we’re investigating an injury, illness, or chronic condition, imaging allows us to make faster, more accurate diagnoses—so your pet gets the right care, sooner.

We offer a range of advanced imaging technologies, including:

Digital X-rays (Radiographs)

Ideal for assessing bones, joints, chest, and abdomen

Commonly used to diagnose fractures, arthritis, tumors, and heart/lung conditions

Fast and non-invasive, with immediate results available

Ultrasound

Provides real-time images of soft tissues and organs

Useful for examining the heart, liver, kidneys, bladder, reproductive system, and more

Often used for pregnancy diagnosis, fluid detection, and internal masses

Gentle and pain-free; typically doesn’t require sedation

Dental Radiographs

Essential for evaluating the health of teeth and the jaw below the gum line

Performed during dental procedures to identify hidden issues like root infections or bone loss

Your Veterinarian may recommend diagnostic imaging if your pet:

  • Has persistent lameness or difficulty moving

  • Is showing signs of pain, bloating, coughing, or vomiting

  • Has abnormal blood test results

  • Is pregnant or has suspected internal injury

  • Requires pre-surgical or cancer staging assessment

  • Safe, Stress-Free Experience

We take great care to ensure your pet’s safety and comfort during imaging. Most procedures are quick and painless. Sedation or light anaesthesia may be used if your pet is anxious or needs to stay perfectly still for high-quality images.

Reproduction

Supporting Healthy Breeding and Pregnancy

We understand the importance of safe, responsible breeding and the unique needs of both breeders and pet owners. Our team offers a full range of reproductive services to support every stage of the breeding journey—from pre-mating evaluations to pregnancy care and delivery.

Whether you're an experienced breeder or considering breeding your pet for the first time, we're here to guide you with expert veterinary support and up-to-date reproductive care.

Our Reproductive Services Include:

  • Pre-Breeding Health Assessments

  • Fertility evaluations for both males and females

  • Ovulation Timing and Fertility Testing

  • Vaginal cytology and progesterone testing to determine optimal breeding time

  • Semen evaluation and collection (for natural or assisted breeding)

  • Pregnancy Diagnosis and Monitoring

  • Ultrasound from 3–4 weeks gestation

  • X-rays later in pregnancy to count fetal numbers

  • Nutritional and health support during gestation

  • Whelping and Queening Support

  • Guidance for safe, at-home birthing

  • Assistance with high-risk pregnancies or complications

  • Emergency caesarean section surgery if needed

  • Postpartum Care

  • Health checks for the mother and newborns

  • Lactation and nutrition advice

  • Support for weaning and early puppy/kitten care

  • Responsible Breeding Matters

We are committed to promoting the ethical and health-focused breeding of animals. If you're unsure whether breeding is the right choice for your pet, we’re happy to discuss all options—including desexing and population control—to support your decision.

Soft Tissue

When surgery is necessary, you can trust our experienced veterinary team to provide safe, compassionate, and skilled care.

What Is Soft Tissue Surgery?

Soft tissue surgery refers to procedures that are not related to bones or joints. These surgeries can range from routine to complex, and are often essential for diagnosing or treating a wide variety of conditions. Our team is trained in advanced surgical techniques to ensure the best outcomes for your pet.

Common Soft Tissue Procedures We Offer:

  • Mass & Tumor Removals – Safe removal of lumps or growths for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

  • Bladder Surgery (Cystotomy) – To remove bladder stones or treat infections and obstructions.

  • Gastrointestinal Surgery – Including foreign body removal, intestinal obstruction treatment, and biopsies.

  • Wound Repair & Reconstructive Surgery – For trauma or injury.

Your Pet’s Safety Comes First

Every surgical procedure is carefully planned with a full physical examination, bloodwork, and anesthetic protocols tailored to your pet’s individual needs. During surgery, we use modern monitoring equipment to track vital signs and ensure comfort throughout the process. After surgery, we’ll guide you through recovery, pain management, and follow-up care.

If your pet has been diagnosed with a condition that may require surgery—or if you’ve noticed unusual lumps, limping, or behavior changes—please contact us. We're here to help you understand your options and make the best decision for your pet’s health.