Expert veterinary care is closer than you think. Need to find specialist vets near you? GARS offers advanced surgery, imaging, and emergency care with cutting-edge technology and expert veterinary specialists. Speak to your primary vet for a referral and give your pet the best care possible.
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Surgical services
Neurosurgery
The most common cause of spinal cord injuries (SCI) in dogs is intervertebral disc disease, while in cats it’s trauma. Symptoms are highly variable, ranging from neck or back pain, to unsteadiness when walking, to inability to walk. IVDD surgeries are one of the procedures our team performs.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) focuses on smaller incisions in an effort to minimise patient discomfort while promoting faster recovery times. For pets requiring such advanced procedures, seeking care from a specialist animal surgeon can ensure optimal treatment outcomes.
Diagnostic imaging
Digital Radiographs
High-quality x-ray images assist in the diagnosis of different types of fractures, as well as changes in the chest and abdomen. We’re proud to have top veterinary imaging specialists.
Fluoroscopy
This can be used to help diagnose a variety of conditions, such as abnormal swallowing and allows for interventional radiology procedures to be undertaken. For comprehensive diagnostic imaging services, consulting vet imaging specialists ensure accurate evaluations and effective treatment planning.
Ultrasound
Ultrasonography is commonly used to examine the abdomen but can be useful for changes in the chest, muscles and tendons. Consider utilising ultrasound for dogs and cats to obtain detailed diagnostic information beyond routine evaluations, ensuring thorough assessments and tailored treatment strategies.
MRI Scans - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
GARS is extremely fortunate to be one of only a few veterinary referral centres in Victoria to have its own dedicated Dog MRI machine onsite. This allows for exceptional non-invasive diagnostics that are critical for medical, surgical and neurological diagnosis and treatment.
Internal medicine
Anaesthesia and Analgesia
Oncology
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy may be used to manage canine or feline cancer, either as a first line of treatment or following a surgical procedure. GARS’ expert veterinary oncologist is available to provide comprehensive services to facilitate cancer diagnosis and develop tailored treatment plans for each pet.
APAVAC Vaccine
This is an individualised cancer vaccine which is made from a patient’s own cancer and used to prime the immune system to help attack the cancer. This technology is used commonly in humans in the fight for cancer and is available through our oncology service.
Electrochemotherapy
This involves the use of intravenous chemotherapy and the use of a small electrical current applied to the tumour to increase the uptake of the chemotherapy into the tumour. This can improve the response of the tumour or treatment and can be used in cases of inoperable tumours or when tumours have not been completely removed.
Emergency and critical care
ECC
Emergency and Critical Care
Emergency and critical care (ECC) covers a broad range of animal vet emergencies. Blood transfusions, mechanical ventilation, blood gas analysis, organ failure management, paralysis, trauma, bloating, seizures, envenomation and toxin treatment are just some of the conditions/procedures seen daily within the GARS ECC department. This department is led by Victoria’s only two ECC specialists located outside of Melbourne. Our 24/7 emergency animal hospital ensures critical care for pets with referrals in urgent situations.