Southern Animal Health

We've been going to SAH for a few years for all of our foster dogs and they have always been wonderful. We now have an adopted rescue and he loves the vet! The vets have been efficient, honest and friendly, and the reception staff have always been friendly as well.
We are moving away from the area next year, but we will definitely continue coming to SAH!

Money hungry and careless, do not recommend this clinic at all. I was made to wait with my cancer stricken paralysed crying in pain cat that needed to be seen and put to sleep urgently in waiting room for an hour because I had no appointment! Other non urgent customers went through to see vet while I was made to wait! The other customers looked at me in disbelief that my cat was crying in pain while they were ushered into their appointments. Trying to do what’s humanly right by my cat and yet the staff have no respect for this. I am so traumatised by what happened and to add insult to injury they wanted payment upfront so I did not leave without paying! Disgusting end to a beautiful life. The vet was wonderful however front desk dark haired you know who you are stay away from her and this clinic! Disgusting front desk, disrespectful and rude with no understanding or compassion for life

My pug visited the clinic multiple times and was prescribed a combination of different medications of which did not help.

He was inevitably hospitalised and kept overnight.

Four days after discharge I have received no follow up on his condition.

Communication was extremely poor throughout the entire process and I felt the care factor was minimal considering the ongoing issues we were experiencing.

We still have no concrete diagnosis and I will be going elsewhere if the issue continues.

I don't often write reviews but would like to warn people so they do not have the same stressful and disappointing experience, especially in relation to their much loved pets.

EDIT: we ended up seeking a second opinion and within 2 hours the new clinic diagnosed our pug with terminal cancer. The cancer had spread everywhere. We had to put him to sleep. It is mind-blowing that this was not picked up upon hospital admission to Southern Animal Health.

I also received several highly distressing emails following this review from the clinic, which placed blame on me for the failings of the clinic. Very much in line with the responses you see on the other critical reviews. Despite my many attempts to call and speak with a senior staff member I have received no return call and eventually received an email which terminated service with me.

I informed the clinic manager that my dog was terminal and have not received any response whatsoever.

I strongly urge anyone to reconsider attending this practice as I am completely traumatized and heartbroken from the experience.

I visited Southern Animal Health in 2021 with my 13-year-old pugalier, who's had chronic ear yeast infections. After paying for tests, fees, and medications, they assured us we could just call for future medication. However, when the issue recurred later, they insisted on redoing all the tests. Money hungry vet clinic with high prices, better to look elsewhere.

Wonderful and caring people that work here!
Thank you SO much for the support you gave me

This practice is amazing! They go above and beyond to give pets the best of care and the communication from the Vets to owners is just incredible. The nurses are compassionate and caring, nothing is too much trouble and I can not recommend SAH highly enough!

My dog was sent home and passed away 14 hours later. He was only 8. The veterinarians don’t show the appropriate care at this practice. Please avoid it for the sake of your pet.

The team at SAH are thorough, professional and really know their stuff. I always walk away knowing our girl is in great hands and really appreciate their process and honesty. I highly recommend - you won't be disappointed. Keep up the good work guys!

Fantastic experience treating a cat with urinary obstruction/FLUTD/PU surgery. Thank you to the entire team for helping my cat Maximus!

Backstory: My cat was required a catheter and inpatient stay twice within a week at another vet hospital due to urinary obstruction. The second time he was blocked, the previous vets were not forthcoming or clear about what the problem was but recommended PU surgery (and were strongly hinting at euthanasia, citing how sad and stressful this disease is for both the cat and owner). I became frustrated with substandard service at this other vet and questioned if they had the skills and knowledge to help my cat. I had started to grieve as it seemed hopeless and never ending.

I sent a bunch of emails to various surgical veterinarians in Melbourne. Tamara from Southern Animal Health called me shortly after with a quote and surgical availability in a couple of days.

The receptionist was very friendly, as was the initial vet Dr Daniel that I consulted with. It was clear that the vet had familiarised himself with notes and history from the previous animal hospital. Before surgery I received a call from the Dr Marcus expressing some concerns and theories based off the reports from the other vet. He was highly knowledgeable and forthright that surgical risk/risk of complications post surgery/cost could potentially be avoided as he may recover with a course of antibiotics, anti inflammatories, and other medications.

He gave me some time to think it through but I opted to proceed with the PU surgery as I believed it would improve his overall quality of life and reduce his psychological distress - resulting in lowered overall stress in a multi cat household and lowered risk of future large vet bills associated with blockages.

They respected and supported my decision. After surgery they provided me with regular telephone updates about my cat and his recovery.

I felt 100% confident that the vet nurses, veterinarians, and surgeons were highly educated, trained, and competent at their jobs. Despite the travel distance, I will continue to take my cats here for treatment and routine care as I fully trust their expertise and level of care.

Not once did I feel as though they were trying to gouge me for money - quite the opposite, they were extremely generous with their time and treatment. I am very thankful for that. They went above and beyond to treat my cat, I feel as though they actually cared and were invested in him recovering.

Their surgical fees for the PU were less than 50% of those at a large not for profit animal hospital in North Melbourne. The quote for a potential cystotomy was also significantly cheaper.

I would highly recommend them as a regular vet, but also in an emergency or when looking for a skilled but affordable surgeons.

The whole team is wonderful and I cannot thank them enough.

The Only Reason I went there was due to an Animal Rescue that was given Reduced Neutering prices. I then entrusted them to be able to help with health issues I have with my Assistance Dog
Not only was the Vet 'Terrified' of my Bull Arab X, he has exacerbated one of his skin problems! I also had to pay a $92 Pre-appointment Fee, but they had to be 'reminded' of said Fee at Checkout

Girls and vets are very professional, very friendly, also prices to the procedures are reasonable compared to other places

Dr karin and the lovely nurses looked after my little chloe after she had major surgery, thank you just doesn't cover as to how amazing you all are
Thank you all
️ Chloe ward.

2 stars as they were able to identify the issue with our dog and assist with his care. However the charge for the service they provided was astronomical compared to other vets we've used in the past (there was also some double charging that had to be sorted out, just as well we were paying attention to everything).

I'd recommend going here if you can't get an appointment elsewhere & it's an emergency, but if you do scrutinise your bill very closely.

SAH have always provided the utmost care for our beloved pets and I have always felt safe leaving them there when they have needed to go under sedation.
We have been going to SAH 6 years now when we moved to the area and wouldn't dream to take them elsewhere unless referred by SAH.
A year and 4 months ago our little Callie one night didn't want to go for a walk and stopped eating, as always
SAH squeezed us in the next day and recommended an ultrasound as it sounded like a heart murmur.
The ultrasound was two days later and the wonderful surgeons
found a mass in her stomach and gave me a call as they could arrange to do the surgery then and there which we opted to do.
The surgeons Dr Nick Huton and Dr Karin Davids did such an incredible job, considering the state Callie was in the surgery was performed with clean margins, perfect stitching that she bounced back almost immediately at home.
Along with help from Oncology and the monitoring from the vets it took 1 year and 2 months for the cancer to spread from the metastatic lymph node.
In that year she
had an incredible time pain free, happy, eating and lots of tail wags and the cancer wasn't spreading.

I see a few negative comments about pricing and I find the pricing is very fair considering they can perform complex life saving surgeries in house, ultrasounds in house and so on.
I am sure the all the equipment in house is incredibly expensive to purchase and maintain, vets are not subsidized by the government health care that is the reality. All of the vets
I have met it is obvious their priority is their patients and providing the best standard of care. I appreciate how
empathetically all the vets communicate bad prognosis to clients as I am sure it is such a difficult thing to do and they do it well.

Dr Amelia was so great with us and allowed Callie's sister in the room for euthanasia. I can't imagine how hard it would be to put clients pets to sleep peacefully in such an emotional situation and we appreciate it.

Dr Nick Huton and Dr Nathan Fitzgerald have been so compassionate and helpful in the last month. All the vets including Dr Daniel and Dr Mike thank you too. Thank you to all the lovely nurses and receptionists
that answered my emails/phone calls with care regarding medications and appointments. You all do wonderful compassionate work which we are SO grateful to have the level of care available.
I always receive a follow up call from the nurses after visits for both
my dogs. It is not an easy thing to do as I see how busy it is with nation wide vet shortage and can only imagine each call adds more to the plate.so. 5 stars from me:) love Lauren and Colin

My darling kitty had a reaction to a bite and needed assistance. The vets were very busy but managed to squeeze me in. Staff were super friendly, helpful and the kitty cubby relaxed my tiger before his diagnosis. Cats and dogs are separated into different spaces in the waiting room to reduce anxiety for all animals.

The vet did not waste time during diagnosis and knew exactly the options for Tora (*boy cat). He is improving daily. Best of all I was given options for future treatment and worked out a plan for his recovery with the vet.

I believe that they genuinely care for the welfare of all animals.

My two cats have been looked after so well at this clinic, I cannot speak highly enough of their expertise, efficiency and kindness!

What an excellent care team. We had a sick Burmese and they saw us very quickly. Dr Dan was thorough and patient with our cat, giving him a full review. Their nurse staff also did a follow up call the next day to make sure he was doing better. Prices are
very reasonable compared to other vets that maybe charge more.

The best vet. Helped our pup in a huge crisis. Could not have been more kind, caring and helpful. Straight away I was able to bring my dog down to be attended to with his emergency. They even rang back the next day to check in on him.

We have been attending SAH since we got our lil fur baby, Noodle, since 2009. She has had a few battles along the way. Two operations for removal of bladder stones & found out she has two heart murmurs a few years ago. Every single time we've attended SAH we, the parents & our baby girl have been looked after with the utmost care & compassion! Even during covid I was blown away by their attention to all pets & owners. Due to your care & the information given our fur baby, although 13, is as cheeky & gorgeous as ever! Thank you for everything that you all do. From the wonderful receptionists, caring nurses & amazing vets, THANK YOU? ! I am saddened that hours have been reduced, but I completely understand that there's been a shortage of vets & to keep up your amazing efforts you need to look after yourselves. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas & we will see you in the New Year

Combined vet and animal hospital. Forced to go here a year or so ago when my regular vet was closed when I needed them; and have used it ever since for immunisations and surgery for our family dog.