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Animal Emergency Centre (AEC) Gold Coast
4/492 Scottsdale Drive, Varsity Lakes, QLD, 4227
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aec.goldcoast@aecvet.com.au
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07 5593 4544
4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(496 reviews)

Very grateful we have these 24/7 facilities nearby. My dog was very unwell on a Saturday and I was able to get her in quickly. She deteriorated and they went...

Very grateful we have these 24/7 facilities nearby. My dog was very unwell on a Saturday and I was able to get her in quickly. She deteriorated and they went through many tests over a few days to figure it out and fix. I dont think she would have made it without them. The vets were great at keeping me posted - each would call with updates, test results and estimated costs, every few hours. They gave her wonderful care and it was good they were with her all night too as Id have worried leaving her alone overnight at a regular vet. Costs are high as unfortunately there is no medicare for pets. So I would recommend pet insurance - I ended up paying 20% with my pet insurance.
Kim Hollis
4 months ago

Our first visit to AEC was in mid September for our very unwell 15 year old pup Ruby (regular vet was unavailable). From the emergency call at home to reaching...

Our first visit to AEC was in mid September for our very unwell 15 year old pup Ruby (regular vet was unavailable). From the emergency call at home to reaching AEC within an hour we felt supported and heard. Reception staff, the vets and all of the back end staff turned such a heartbreaking decision for our family into a peaceful and calm end of life for Ruby. Thank you to your whole team for your care, compassion and professionalism. We miss her incredibly but know Ruby is now at peace x
Jenny Stoddart
5 months ago

I gave a score of 10 out of 10 because when my dog ate chocolate late one night over Christmas, the out of hours emergency vet team were absolutely wonderful....

I gave a score of 10 out of 10 because when my dog ate chocolate late one night over Christmas, the out of hours emergency vet team were absolutely wonderful. They were calm, kind and extremely helpful at a very stressful time, explaining everything clearly and making me feel reassured that my dog was in safe hands. Thanks to their quick care and professional advice, she was perfectly fine afterwards. The genuine compassion and support shown by the staff made all the difference, and I am very grateful for their service.
Sarah McGuinness
3 months ago

About AEC Gold Coast

We are your all-hours pet emergency facility located at 4/492 Scottsdale Drive, Varsity Lakes. We are proud to serve our local community with quality veterinary care. Our skilled team is dedicated to providing prompt, compassionate and professional care for your furry companions, ensuring they receive the best treatment during their time of need.

Proud to support Healthy Pets Plus members with emergency consults included as part of their membership (please refer to your Terms and Conditions).

Our Services

Our Animal Emergency Centre is designed to function as an extension of the services already provided by your family veterinarian. We provide round-the-clock emergency and critical care facilities, experienced emergency and critical care veterinarians and nurses, an intensive care unit, diagnostic equipment, x-rays, ultrasound, endoscopy, blood pressure monitoring, respiratory monitoring, a pharmacy, lab services and an isolation room. 

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Prioritising for your pet’s health

Our Animal Emergency Centre is designed to function as an extension of the services already provided by your family veterinarian. We provide 24/7 emergency and critical care facilities, experienced emergency and critical care veterinarians and nurses, diagnostic equipment, x-rays, ultrasound, endoscopy, blood pressure monitoring, respiratory monitoring, a pharmacy, lab services and an isolation room.

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We take pride in our services

Our skilled team is dedicated to providing prompt, compassionate and professional care for your furry companions, ensuring they receive the best treatment during their time of need.

Our consultation rooms are designed to be a simple, soothing environment. They are used for the initial assessment of less critical patients and discussions with owners prior to admitting animals for treatment. More critical cases will be transferred directly to the treatment area upon arrival.

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All hospitalised patients are monitored continuously throughout their stay, with vets and trained personnel on duty at all times. Your companion stays in a comfortable, clean cage visible to all of our staff. We discourage toys and blankets from home – with the high amount of traffic at our hospital, it is difficult to guarantee they will return home.

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Our intensive care unit contains sophisticated monitoring and diagnostic equipment to look after the most critical of our patients.

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We are fully equipped to run full blood profiles, clotting tests, microscopy, urinalysis, blood gases, electrolytes, haematology and more to ensure we obtain fast results, usually within minutes. This enables fast and accurate diagnosis and treatment.

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We are equipped with x-ray machines, ultrasound and endoscopy.

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We have a full range of emergency medication, including blood transfusion products and antiserums for snake bites and paralysis ticks.

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Benefits of Donating Blood

On top of the superhero status your pet will claim with their donation, there are also some other benefits to being a part of the program:

· Free initial blood typing test*

· A $100 Petbarn voucher with each donation

· A free full physical exam with each donation*

· A free full blood test once a year + basic blood screening prior to each donation*


* Combined value of over $800. Value may vary by hospital.

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Blood transfusions can mean the difference between life and death for pets facing emergencies or serious medical conditions. They are commonly needed for surgeries, trauma and accident cases, toxin exposure, severe anaemia, immune‑mediated diseases, and clotting disorders.

But unlike human hospitals, veterinary clinics don’t have large blood banks to draw from, they rely almost entirely on the generosity of healthy donor pets. When your dog or cat donates blood, they become part of a small but vital group helping to ensure that every pet has access to lifesaving care when they need it most.

What would a blood donation look like for my pet?

1. You’ll be contacted when your pet’s blood‑donation superpowers are needed.

We only call donors when there’s a pet in need, so every donation truly makes a difference.

2. When you arrive at our hospital, our friendly team will welcome you and admit your pet just like for any routine procedure.

We’ll ask a few questions about your pet’s recent health, and you’ll be asked to sign a consent form.

3. Once admitted, your pet will receive a full health check by our veterinary team.

This includes a pre‑donation blood screening to ensure they are healthy enough to donate safely on that day.

4. If your pet is fit and healthy to donate, they’ll be settled into a comfy bed.

An IV catheter is placed, usually in a front leg, and they’re given a light sedation to help them feel relaxed and calm during the donation.

5. A small area on your pet’s neck will be shaved for sterility, as this is where the donation needle is placed.

6. The donation itself typically takes between 5 and 15 minutes.

Most pets rest comfortably throughout this time thanks to the mild sedation.

7. After the donation, your pet will receive intravenous fluids and some tasty snacks to help replenish their system. They’ll be monitored closely as they wake up from sedation.

8. Once your pet has fully recovered, our team will call you to pick up your little hero.

A quiet, relaxing evening at home on the couch is usually all they need, after all, they’ve earned it!

After donation, your pet’s blood may be used immediately for a patient in urgent need, or it may be stored under carefully controlled conditions so it’s ready the moment an emergency arises.

Whole blood can typically be refrigerated and safely stored for up to 28 days before use, although some hospitals may use it sooner depending on patient needs.

We only call on fit and healthy pets for their blood donation superpowers so your pet must meet certain criteria to donate blood.

Canine Donors

· Fit & healthy*

· Between 1-8yrs old

· A relatively cool, calm and collected temperament

· >25kg in body weight

· Up to date with vaccinations and preventives including Heartworm

·  Not previously received a blood transfusion

· Not currently on any medications

· Free from any underlying health conditions

· Desexed (females must not have had a litter)

* No underlying conditions that will affect their ability to donate bloodroup.

How much blood is taken?

· Dogs: Typically, 350 - 450 mL

· Cats: Typically, 40 - 60 mL

How long does a donation take?

Your pet will usually spend a few hours with us on the day of their donation. This allows our team to give them unhurried, attentive care throughout every step of the process.

The actual blood collection is quite quick, typically taking around 5-15 minutes.

Why does my pet need to stay in hospital?

Most donors will receive a light sedation to make sure they are calm and comfortable for the donation. This can mean that they spend a few hours in the hospital with our teams while they monitor their recovery. Don’t worry, our team will send home our little hero’s as soon as they are feeling great again.

Can I take my pet for a walk when they get home from their donation?

Our dedicated teams will provide you with a discharge information sheet that explains how to care for your pet when they get home after a donation.

We advise that your pet skips their afternoon walk and instead spends the evening on the couch resting. Donating blood can zap a bit of their energy so it is important to let them rest and recovery. They can usually return to their normal activities the next day.

Is blood donation safe for my pet?

Yes. The process is designed to be very safe. Pets typically tolerate donations well and return to normal activities the same day.

Our veterinary teams perform a full physical exam, pre-donation blood screen and a full annual blood panel for donors to ensure they are fit and healthy enough to donate blood.

How often can my pet donate?

It is considered quite safe for eligible dogs or cats to donate every three months however, generally speaking, we will only call on your pets donation abilities every 6 months.

Does it hurt my pet?

Our team takes every precaution to make sure the donation process is as painless and stress‑free as possible. The needle may cause a brief, mild sting that lasts only a second, similar to what humans feel during a routine blood draw. To help reduce even that tiny sensation, we typically apply a numbing cream beforehand. Most pets tolerate the needle extremely well with this approach.

Do pets have blood types?

Yes, dogs and cats do have blood types! Cats have three main types: A, B, and AB, and they can only safely receive certain types. Dogs have several blood groups, but the one veterinarians test for is DEA 1, which can be positive or negative. If your pet is eligible to be a blood donor, our team will run a blood‑typing test to find out exactly what type they are.

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Flat Rate Consults!

Emergency consults are now at a flat rate of $200.

Available all day, every day, 365 days a year.

This change is part of our ongoing commitment to providing accessible, high-quality emergency care for your patients while supporting you, your pets and your clients with transparent, consistent pricing.

Whether it’s a weekend, public holiday, or after-hours emergency, you can count on us to deliver expert care at a predictable cost.

Reminder; Healthy Pets Plus members receive free emergency consultations all year round as a part of their subscription.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss how this update might benefit you or your clients, feel free to reach out.

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