04/03/2026
Most pet owners never expect to need emergency care, until they’re standing in a waiting room, hearts racing, wishing they were anywhere else. Emergency vets are here for the moments that simply can’t wait. We provide short-term, urgent care, then work closely with your regular family vet to ensure a smooth handover and continued support once the crisis has passed.
Recently, beautiful Meg, a gentle Maremma, reminded us just how important that partnership is.
Meg first visited her regular family veterinarian after developing a limp. On closer examination, they noticed significant reddening and cellulitis over her hip and hind leg. Concerned about how quickly things were progressing, they transferred Meg to us at Nexus Emergency Vet for further assessment and urgent care.
When Meg arrived, she was feeling very sorry for herself. Our team quickly discovered that beneath the swelling was an extensive abscess. Dr Hailey performed a procedure to drain the infection, removing a staggering 1.5 litres of purulent fluid from her hip and leg. The relief of pressure alone made a significant difference to her comfort.
Meg stayed with us for three days as she was still feeling poorly and wasn’t interested in eating. When the abscess began to reform, she required ongoing intensive management and a second procedure. Dr Lucy placed a nasogastric tube to ensure Meg received adequate nutrition while she recovered, and she was started on multiple medications to support her body as it fought the infection.
With dedicated nursing care, careful monitoring, and lots of TLC, Meg gradually began to brighten. Once stable, she was transferred back to her regular family veterinarian for ongoing care and follow-up, with a thorough handover including her clinical findings, medications administered, condition at discharge, and recommendations for next steps.
Emergency care doesn’t replace the relationship between a pet owner and their family vet, it supports it. Meg’s journey is a perfect example of how teamwork between clinics ensures patients receive urgent treatment when they need it most, before returning to the people who know them best for long-term care.
We’re wishing Meg a smooth and steady recovery back home where she belongs.
You can read more about what emergency veterinary care involves by following the link to our most recent newsletter --> https://nevh.com.au/role-of-an-emergency-vet/