FAQs

What if I have an emergency after hours?

We are contactable 24/7 every day of the year. If you have an emergency, we can see your horse, assess, treat and even perform surgery at any time of the day or night if it is required. We have a team of experienced vets, surgeons and nurses on call at all times. There is a minimum fee of $324.50 to have your horse seen out of normal business hours. Additional fees apply to have your horse examined at your property.

If you have an emergency or a situation that needs immediate attention phone 5448 5331.

What area does your ambulatory service cover?

During business hours, Bendigo Equine Hospital provides ambulatory services to Greater Bendigo and surrounds. Travel beyond these regions is occasionally undertaken by prior arrangement depending on location and availability of veterinarians. If a veterinarian is unable to attend your property, there will always be an option to present your horse to the Bendigo Equine Hospital.

Selective ambulatory services for Murchison and Nagambie areas are offered, but may be subject to the availability of veterinarians, particularly in the busy stud season (August to February).

What should I do when I arrive at the hospital?

On arrival to the hospital with a float, please pull up at the float entrance (entry via Ross Street) and call reception on 03 5448 5331. A member of our admin team will direct you through the gates, and also send one of the hospital nurses out to meet you, and help unload and check in your horse. Depending on how busy the hospital is, we may put your horse in a stable while we’re waiting for the attending vet to become available.

If you are attending the site in a vehicle only, you are able to park on the gravel at the front entrance of the clinic and report to reception.

What should I expect during my consult?

At the beginning of your consult, you will meet with a member of our veterinary team to discuss the history and the plan for your visit. This is a great time to let us know if there is anything that may change our plan slightly, such as previous drug reactions, upcoming competitions, and preference for your horse not to be clipped. During the consultation process you may be able to stay with your horse if circumstances allow. For procedures where safety restrictions apply, for example radiographs, you will not be able to be present. If the hospital is extremely busy you may be asked to wait outside while we assess your horse, but the attending vet will be in constant communication with you during the vetting process. There may also be procedures where we will need to remove your horse’s shoes.

Who will be present during the consult?

During your consultation a number of people will be assisting. This will include a veterinary specialist who has extensive training in equine medicine or surgery, a veterinary nurse and perhaps a veterinary intern. Occasionally, we may have student vets on placement that may be involved in minor procedures (with your consent).

The handling of your horse will be performed by one of our trained veterinary nurses. This is for safety reasons and consistency of procedures, because they know exactly what our veterinarians require. It will also allow you to concentrate on what the veterinarians are doing and what they are explaining to you.

What happens if my horse is admitted?

It is often necessary for your horse to be admitted to the hospital either as part of the examination process or for further treatment and monitoring. Your horse will be placed into a stall and feed and hay will be provided. We can accommodate for a number of different feeds however if your horse has a special diet, please make the nurse aware and we can discuss the best course of action. We will use our own head collars and lead ropes while your horse is with us; however, if your horse has rugs, we are happy to ensure they are put on as required. Please do not forget to label your rugs.

Can I visit my horse? What are the rules?

Visiting your hospitalised horse is possible during office hours. Please just call ahead and inform the reception staff of your visit. It is important that we maintain a level of care for all of our patients in the hospital as well as ensuring the safety of all people while within the hospital. For this reason, we ask that individuals visiting their horse follow these rules:

All visits must be pre-booked with reception. We may or may not be able to cater to the times you wish to visit your horse; this will depend on the workload of the hospital on the given day and time.

Whilst visiting the hospital all clients must wear appropriate clean clothing and footwear, including closed-toe shoes.

Clients must first check in at reception. Please do not go directly to the stables.

Clients must remain with their horses during their visit.

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Clients should not remove their horse from the stall unless given permission by the attending veterinarian. Clients must obey all signage and not enter any area marked as restricted. This includes stalls that have increased biosecurity measures.

To protect the privacy of our clients we ask that visitors do not walk around the clinic unattended, visit other patients, take photographs of other patients or read charts of any patients. Any client doing so will be asked to leave immediately.

Who will care for my horse while in hospital?

During your horses stay in hospital a team of vets and veterinary interns on rotating shifts will monitor and treat your horse. The duration and frequency of monitoring depends on the type and severity of the condition for which each horse is hospitalised. The care and treatment of your horse is of upmost importance to us and we ensure that all steps are taken in maintaining the comfort of your horse.

Payment of account

Your account must be paid in full at the time of the consultation or on discharge from surgery or the hospital. There are a number of payment options available so please talk to our office to discuss.