Where is Blakehurst Vet located?

We’re at 1002 King Georges Road, Blakehurst NSW 2221. Parking and the main entrance are at the rear of the building. We’re conveniently located for families across the St George and Sutherland Shire area, including Hurstville, Sylvania, Kogarah, Rockdale and Cronulla.

What are your opening hours?

We’re open Monday to Friday 8:30am–6:30pm and Saturday 9:00am–5:00pm. We’re closed Sundays and public holidays.

How do I book an appointment?

You can book online through our website 24/7, or call us on (02) 9547 2750 during opening hours. Same-day appointments are usually available for urgent matters.

Do you accept new clients?

Yes, we’re always welcoming new patients and their families. We’re an independent, family-owned practice and we take the time to get to know your pet properly from the very first visit.

What animals do you treat?

We primarily treat dogs, cats and bunnies and some birds.

What services do you offer?

We offer a full range of veterinary services including wellness exams and vaccinations, surgery, dental care, diagnostics and imaging, puppy and kitten care, allergy and dermatology consults, chemotherapy, and palliative care. We also have an on-site lab and pharmacy.

Do you offer same-day appointments?

Yes. We know that when your pet is unwell, waiting isn’t easy. Same-day appointments are usually available, and urgent cases are always given priority. Call us on (02) 9547 2750 and we’ll do our best to see you that day.

What are your consultation fees?

Please call us on (02) 9547 2750 for current fee information. We accept cash, Visa, Mastercard and Amex. We also accept claims through all major pet insurance providers.

Do you offer puppy and kitten care?

Yes. We provide health checks, vaccinations, parasite prevention and desexing advice for new puppies and kittens. We also run free Puppy Play sessions for pups aged 10–14 weeks who have seen our vet for a consult. This is a great way for your new dog to socialise in a safe environment before heading to the dog park.

What happens if my pet needs emergency care after hours?

We refer after-hours emergencies to two specialist and emergency clinics. SASH Alexandria is available on (02) 8913 4000, and VSOS Miranda can be reached on (02) 8376 8767. If you’re unsure whether your pet needs emergency care, call one of these clinics directly and they can advise you.

Do you offer cat boarding?

Yes — through Hotel for Cats, our purpose-built luxury cat boarding facility located on-site at King Georges Road. It’s co-owned by Dr Hamish Bathgate and has been operating since 2009. Cats stay in private, climate-controlled suites with personal attention and the peace of mind of having a vet on the premises. You can find out more at hotelforcats.com.au.

Is Blakehurst Vet an independent practice?

Yes. We’re independently owned and have been part of this community for over 30 years. Dr Hamish Bathgate has owned the practice since 2007. Being independent means every decision we make is based entirely on what’s right for your pet — not corporate targets or shareholder interests.

How do I know if my pet needs to see a vet?

If your pet is showing any of the following signs, we recommend booking an appointment: vomiting or diarrhoea lasting more than 24 hours, loss of appetite, lethargy, difficulty breathing, limping, unusual lumps, excessive scratching or hair loss, or changes in drinking and urination habits. When in doubt, call us on (02) 9547 2750 and our team can help you decide whether your pet needs to be seen.

Do I need to go to a specialist or emergency centre if my pet seems really unwell?

Not necessarily — for most urgent situations, including pets that seem suddenly unwell, in pain, or have had an accident, we’d encourage you to call us first on (02) 9547 2750. Same-day appointments are usually available and urgent cases are always given priority. If we assess that your pet needs specialist or emergency care beyond what we can provide, we’ll refer you straight away to SASH Alexandria on (02) 8913 4000 or VSOS Miranda on (02) 8376 8767. Outside of our opening hours, please contact either of those clinics directly.

If my pet needs chemotherapy, can that be done at Blakehurst Vet or do I need to go to a specialist centre?

In many cases, chemotherapy can be done right here at our clinic. Dr Hamish Bathgate has been treating cancer patients for many years and offers individualised chemotherapy treatment without the need to travel to a specialist centre. Whether we can manage your pet’s treatment here does depend on the specific diagnosis. We’d recommend booking a consultation with Dr Hamish so he can discuss your pet’s situation and advise the best path forward.

Can Blakehurst Vet help with end of life care and decisions?

Yes, and it’s one of the most important things we do. Our vets and nurses will support you and your pet through every stage of the end of life process — from palliative care to keep your pet comfortable, through to the final goodbye and aftercare arrangements including cremation. We know these conversations are never easy, and we take the time to make sure you feel supported and confident in the decisions you’re making. If you’d like to talk through your pet’s situation, please book a consultation or call us on (02) 9547 2750.

Why is a professional dental scale and polish so expensive for pets?

Unlike a human trip to the dentist, pet dental procedures require a general anaesthetic — your pet can’t be asked to sit still and open wide. That means the cost includes not just the dental work itself, but pre-anaesthetic blood tests, anaesthesia, continuous monitoring by a trained nurse throughout the procedure, and recovery care. It’s a full clinical procedure carried out in our surgical suite, not just a clean. It’s also worth knowing that we can’t always predict the full extent of what’s needed until your pet is under anaesthetic — issues like tooth extractions often only become apparent once we can properly examine the mouth, so the final cost can sometimes be higher than the initial estimate. We’ll always contact you during the procedure if additional work is needed before going ahead. The good news is that regular dental care can prevent far more costly problems down the track, including infections and systemic illness linked to poor dental health. If you’re not sure whether your pet actually needs a scale and polish, our nurses offer free dental checks — it’s a great first step before committing to the full procedure. Give us a call on (02) 9547 2750 to book one.

Can I request a specific vet?

Yes, you’re welcome to request a specific vet when booking. We’re a small, stable team so in most cases we can accommodate your preference, though availability will depend on the day. If continuity of care is important to you — particularly for ongoing conditions or nervous pets — just let us know when you book and we’ll do our best to arrange it.

Do you offer payment plans?

We don’t offer in-house payment plans, however we do accept Afterpay, which allows you to spread the cost of treatment over four fortnightly instalments. We accept cash, Visa, Mastercard and Amex. We also have Gap Only.

When should I bring my new puppy or kitten in for their first visit?

As soon as possible — ideally within the first week or two of bringing them home. The first visit allows us to give your new pet a full health check, start their vaccination schedule, discuss parasite prevention, and answer any questions you have about feeding, behaviour and development. It’s also a great chance for your puppy or kitten to have a positive first experience at the vet while they’re young and still forming their impressions of the world.

What is Puppy Play and how do I book?

Puppy Play is a free socialisation session we run for puppies aged 10–14 weeks. It’s an hour of supervised play with other pups in a safe environment — a great way for your dog to build confidence and social skills before heading to the dog park. It’s free for Blakehurst Vet patients. Call us on (02) 9547 2750 to find out when the next session is and to reserve a spot.

At what age should I desex my pet?

For most dogs and cats we generally recommend desexing between four to six months of age, though the ideal timing can vary depending on the breed and size of your pet — particularly for larger dog breeds where later desexing may be advisable. We’ll discuss the best timing for your individual pet at your puppy or kitten consultations. If you have an older pet that hasn’t been desexed, it’s never too late — book a consultation and we can talk through the options.

How often should my pet have a health check?

We recommend an annual health check for all pets as a minimum. For older pets — generally dogs and cats over seven years — we recommend six-monthly checks, as health can change quickly as pets age and early detection makes a significant difference to outcomes. Annual visits also keep vaccinations up to date and give us a chance to pick up on subtle changes that might not be obvious at home. If you’re unsure when your pet is due, give us a call on (02) 9547 2750.