About WAEC

At the Western Animal Emergency Centre (WAEC) we strive to provide excellence in after-hours emergency care for our clients and referring veterinary clinics.

We have staffed our practice with veterinarians, veterinary nurses and veterinary technicians with expertise in emergency and critical care.  Veterinarians and veterinary nurses are on-site at all times to care for your animal while you can relax at home and receive some well needed sleep. 

In addition we have support after-hours from Surgical & Medical Specialists, Radiologists and Anaesthetists who are ready to come in at short notice for those extra care patients.
We operate out of the University Of Queensland Small Animal Clinic and Hospital.  Our hours are from 6pm to 8am Monday to Friday, and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays.

Services we provide:

• In-house laboratory services
• Diagnostic imagining:  Ultrasound, X-ray, Endoscopy and CT
• 24hr Veterinary and nursing care
• Intensive care including patient ventilator support, blood transfusions and 1 on 1 nursing care for our intensive care patients
• Telephone advice for clients and referring veterinarians

Students:

As The Western Animal Emergency Centre provides a learning environment for UQ veterinary students, we often have students in their final years of training in the hospital.

For your information:

• Students  in the clinic are here to observe and learn only
• Any patient care that is done by students is conducted under strict veterinary supervision
• Under no circumstances are any surgeries or invasive procedures conducted by students

Most patients admitted to WAEC will be admitted to the intensive care unit, to allow constant monitoring and round-the-clock care.  The next weekday morning, your pet’s care will be transferred to one of our ICU vets / medical or surgical specialists, who will work with your regular veterinarian to devise a plan of care or discuss further treatment that may be required.  In many cases, transfer back to your regular vet that day is indicated, and the emergency vet should discuss this option with you overnight.

Western Animal Emergency Centre In The Future:

As you may be aware the UQ Veterinary Teaching Hospital has now opened at the UQ Gatton campus.  This means that all veterinary students will have their lectures and much of their practical experience conducted there.

The Clinic and Veterinary Teaching Hospital (our General Practice, Referral Centre and Emergency Centre) remains at St Lucia.