Whether your beloved pet is getting surgery, endoscopy, or an MRI scan at SASH, rest assured that they are cared for, not by one, but a team of world class experts.
SASH is a special and unique veterinary hospital in Australia which provides three areas of strengths, which when combined, is capable of providing gold standard health care for the best possible outcome for your pet:
- World-class veterinary specialist
- Broad range of specialist departments
- Cutting edge facilities
SASH has world-class veterinary specialist
Ten or more years of training is required to become a veterinary specialist. Vets that specialise in a discipline (eg. surgery, internal medicine, oncology, etc) acquire great depths of knowledge to become leading experts in that field. SASH’s specialists are not only among the brightest in the country, but also the world, including those that have trained in Australia, the USA, and Europe. Global expertise ensures that SASH veterinarians have a diverse set of skills and experience with a broad range of complex and rare cases.
Broad range of specialist departments
Specialising brings the benefit of having depth, but there is only so much information a single individual can hold. This is why SASH also has one of the broadest ranges of specialist departments in Australia.
With over a dozen different types of specialists at SASH, owners can have peace of mind that their beloved pet has access to not only the depth of knowledge provided by a single specialist, but the breadth of knowledge only possible from the collaboration from a team of specialists. For example, a single surgery patient may be overseen by five or more specialists working as a team.
Although owners often communicate with a single veterinarian, it is important to note that there are a number of other specialists working behind the scenes to care for a single patient. Examples include:
- Anesthesia – Anaesthesia is one of the riskiest parts of surgery, but anaesthesia specialists (Anaesthetists) can significantly reduce that risk through their expert knowledge about the subject. With Anaesthetists caring for patients, safer outcomes and improved welfare can be expected.
- Diagnostic Imaging – SASH’s in-house team of Diagnostic Imaging Specialists, are essential for acquiring and interpreting advanced diagnostic imaging. Radiologists ensure that things are not missed when reviewing images such those captured from CTs and MRIs.
- Pathology – SASH is one of the only veterinary hospitals to have its own pathology specialist (Pathologist), who can run a number of complex lab tests to help with the diagnosis of diseases. Without the need to send some samples to an external laboratory, SASH is able to acquire test results in a much shorter time for urgent cases.
- Critical Care – In the event that your pet requires very intensive care, due to a life-threatening condition, SASH’s critical care specialists (Criticalists) can manage the patient’s around-the-clock care.
- Sports Medicine & Rehab – A full team of Sports Medicine Vets and Rehab Therapists are available to improve and speed up the recovery of patients from several complex surgeries.
Cutting edge facilities
Having depth and breadth of knowledge is important, but so is acting on the knowledge. This is why SASH has, and will continue to, invest in cutting edge facilities and the latest treatment technologies, equivalent to those you would find in a human hospital.
Examples of facilities available on-site at SASH includes:
- CT scanner – a 64 slice scanner used to visualise and diagnose a number of conditions including cancers and physical trauma
- High field MRI – 1.5 Tesla scanners used to visualise and diagnose spinal and brain conditions
- Linear accelerator – Used for radiation therapy for cancer treatment, this stereotactic unit is the only one of its type for dedicated veterinary use in Australia.
- Underwater treadmill – Used for hydrotherapy rehab, this piece of equipment is an important tool for recovery from some surgeries and/or injuries
- Dialysis & extracorporeal therapies – Using specialised machines, SASH specialists are able to remove toxins and unwanted molecules from a patient’s blood. For specific conditions and poisonings, this treatment can be lifesaving.
Checklist for pets receiving procedures
If you are looking for a veterinary hospital to perform a procedure, be sure to ask the following questions:
- Will my pet’s case be overseen by a specialist to ensure most up to date knowledge and skills?
- If anaesthesia is required (e.g., for surgery or endoscopy), will the anaesthesia plan be designed and overseen by an Anaesthetist?
- If diagnostic imaging is required, will advanced imaging be acquired and interpreted by a Radiologist
- If lab testing is required, will it be interpreted by a Pathologist?
- If my pet is staying overnight, will it be cared for by a team of veterinarians and nurses?
- If my pet is seriously ill, or something unforeseen happens, will a Criticalist take care of my pet?
- If my pet requires rehab, will it be performed by trained Sports Medicine Vets and Rehab Therapists?
