For Emergency and Critical Care (ECC), we operate on a walk-in basis. When you arrive at NQ Care, our reception team will welcome you and check you in. We understand this can be a stressful time, and we aim to create a calm, supportive environment for both you and your pet.

For referral cases, appointments are booked in advance through our customer service team. These consultations are scheduled for a specific time, allowing you and your pet to receive dedicated, uninterrupted attention without the need for triage.

After check-in, your pet will be assessed by our veterinary team to determine the urgency of their condition. Patients requiring immediate or life-saving care are prioritised, ensuring those most in need receive prompt attention.

Once your pet is stable or triaged, you will meet with one of our veterinarians for a thorough examination. Where needed, we may recommend diagnostic testing such as blood work, imaging, or advanced diagnostics to better understand your pet’s condition.

Once we have a clear understanding of your pet’s needs, we will walk you through the recommended treatment plan, including procedures, expected outcomes, timeframes, and costs. We encourage questions at every step, so you feel informed and confident in the decisions being made.

Throughout your pet’s care, our team will keep you updated on their progress. For referred cases, we maintain direct communication with your regular veterinarian, providing updates, reports, and treatment summaries to ensure continuity of care.

After discharge, we provide clear home-care instructions and recovery guidelines. We also send a detailed case summary and follow-up plan to your regular veterinarian, ensuring a smooth transition back to their ongoing care.

Referring veterinarians are welcome to contact our clinical team directly for case discussion and handover. Urgent and emergency cases can be phoned through to our Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) team for immediate triage and advice. Non-urgent Internal Medicine and Surgery referrals can be submitted by phone or email, allowing our specialists to review the case and schedule appropriately.

Referrals can be made by accessing our portal here, or via phone or email. Please include relevant clinical history, recent blood work, imaging, and any current treatments.

Urgent and emergency cases are accepted 24/7. Non-urgent referrals are scheduled into our specialist clinics at the earliest appropriate time.

Your patient will be assessed by our Surgery or Internal Medicine Specialist, with a full diagnostic and treatment plan developed in collaboration with the owner.

We provide timely progress updates throughout hospitalisation, including phone calls and written case summaries back to your referring veterinarian

If you’re travelling to Townsville for referral or specialist care, our team is happy to help you find suitable pet-friendly accommodation nearby. Availability, fees, and conditions may vary, so we recommend contacting providers directly to confirm their current pet policies.

Nearby options may include:

• Big4 Rowes Bay Holiday Park – Cabins and powered sites near the waterfront

• Discovery Parks Townsville – Self-contained cabins and caravan sites

• Quest Townsville on Eyre – Selected pet-friendly apartments (conditions apply)

• City Oasis Inn – Budget-friendly accommodation with pet-friendly rooms

• Coral Coast Tourist Park – Cabins and caravan accommodation with designated pet-friendly areas

If you need assistance during your stay, our team is always happy to help.

For pets requiring ongoing monitoring after major surgery, advanced diagnostics, or complex medical treatment, NQ Care offers medical boarding within our hospital. This allows your pet to remain under continuous veterinary and nursing supervision during their recovery.

Our experienced clinical team provides 24/7 monitoring, pain management, medication administration, and supportive care in a calm, controlled hospital environment. This option is ideal for travelling families, patients with intensive post-operative needs, or pets requiring close observation before returning home.

If you think medical boarding may be helpful for your pet, please speak with our team when booking your consultation so we can discuss suitability and include this in your care plan.