Sai Kung Animal Hospital

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most often about emergencies, appointments, costs and caring for your pet. Can’t find what you need? Give us a call — we’re happy to help.

Pet emergency? During opening hours, call us straight away on 2792 2206 so we can prepare for your arrival. Outside opening hours, please contact the nearest 24/7 emergency clinic.

What should I do in an emergency and do you see emergency cases?

Sai Kung Animal Hospital provides emergency services during clinic opening hours and after‑hours nursing care. Overnight emergency veterinary care is available by arrangement only.

If your pet has a life‑threatening emergency outside our opening hours and cannot wait until 8:30 am (eg. collapse, severe breathing difficulty, uncontrollable bleeding, seizure), please contact the nearest 24/7 emergency clinic.

Common emergencies we can treat at SKAH include bleeding wounds, trauma (car accidents, dog attacks, cat fights), heatstroke, snakebite, seizures, blocked bladder, foreign body obstructions, constipation, obstetric complications, pancreatitis, breathing difficulties, collapse, acute lameness, eye injuries, kidney failure, and severe vomiting or diarrhoea. Please call ahead to inform us of your emergency so we can advise accordingly. We also have a consultant specialist surgeon available for advanced surgical procedures if needed.

What are the emergency red flags?

Difficulty breathing, collapse/unconsciousness, severe bleeding, seizures, inability to stand or drink, persistent vomiting, inability to urinate with pain, or eye injury. If unsure, contact us immediately.

Do I need an appointment or can I walk in?

Please call to book an appointment. As most days we have more than one duty vet, we are usually able to fit you in at short notice. Providing the very best care to animals and their humans is what we do best. We can accommodate same‑day, urgent and emergency appointments, but we may be in surgery or handling emergencies, so please call ahead to let us know your pet needs attention.

Can I book via WhatsApp or online?

Phone booking is the quickest way to secure an appointment. Alternatively, you can use our online portal with the phone number you initially registered:

Book online through our client portal

My dog/cat is sick — what should I do?

Call us immediately and we will advise you on the next steps. We offer same‑day appointments so we can diagnose, treat and get your pet back to good health as quickly as possible.

Do you have a specialist surgeon?

Our experienced veterinary surgeons perform common surgeries such as gastrointestinal operations (foreign body removal via gastrotomy/enterotomy, gastric dilatation‑volvulus), urogenital procedures (cystotomy, vulvoplasty), orthopaedics (femoral head and neck excision, luxating patella repair, cruciate surgery, amputation), thyroidectomy and tumour removals.

For more advanced surgeries requiring a board‑certified surgeon, we have a consultant specialist surgeon available for procedures such as TPLO and other advanced orthopaedic surgeries, cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal), SUB, BOS (brachycephalic obstructive syndrome) surgery, jaw fracture repair/removal, advanced tumour excisions, TECA, and perineal urethrostomy/hernia repair.

My cat/dog cannot go to the toilet — what should I do?

Inability to urinate or defecate, especially with signs of pain, straining, vocalising or lethargy, can be life‑threatening (e.g., urinary obstruction). Contact us immediately.

How much does cat or dog desexing cost?

At SKAH we recognise each pet is unique. Costs vary by your pet’s age, breed, current health and required pre‑anaesthetic tests. For example, a brachycephalic breed will require a more specialised anaesthetic protocol and monitoring, which can increase the cost. For some pure‑bred cats we may recommend blood tests to assess heart and kidney function before anaesthesia. Please call to discuss your pet and we will provide an estimate. If you have financial concerns, we can work with you to find the best care within your budget.

What vaccines does my pet need and how often? How much do they cost?

Vaccine plans depend on species, lifestyle and exposure risk. We will review your pet’s history and recommend a personalised schedule, including boosters. Costs vary by vaccine type and any additional services; call us for a quote.

Do you treat hamsters, rabbits or other exotic pets?

We treat many small mammals and exotic species. Please call ahead to confirm available services and any special requirements.

What is the cost of dental cleaning? Is anaesthesia necessary?

Veterinarians strongly advise against home‑visit or “anaesthesia‑free” dental cleanings because they only address visible surfaces and can miss hidden infections, root damage and bacteria beneath the gums. Restraining an animal for scaling and polishing is stressful and unsafe. At SKAH we adhere to Fear‑Free principles and prioritise your pet’s welfare.

Dental costs depend on your pet’s size, age, breed and the degree of dental disease. We will assess your pet, provide an estimate and discuss the procedure before treatment.

Do you offer home visits?

Home visits are not routine but may be possible in special circumstances. Please call to discuss your location and your pet’s needs.

What makes Sai Kung Animal Hospital different from other clinics?

Our staff are Fear‑Free certified and we hold GOLD Cat Friendly Clinic status. We have been voted among the top 5 clinics in Hong Kong by local publications. We focus on working with you to care for your pet holistically, considering your pet’s individual needs, your values and your budget. Located in the heart of Sai Kung, we have served the local community since 2000. Our veterinary team is selected for clinical skill as well as compassion, communication and unwavering care. Check out our Google reviews!

Do you offer acupuncture and laser therapy?

Yes. Our Chief Veterinary Surgeon, Dr Genevieve Touzel, is a board‑certified acupuncturist (IVAS). We also use Class IV MLS laser therapy for conditions such as arthritis, wound care, spinal disease and post‑operative recovery. See our website for more details.

My dog or cat has cancer. Do you offer chemotherapy?

We will work with you to discuss options, expected outcomes and costs for chemotherapy where appropriate. We can liaise with oncology specialists when specialised care is needed.

What are your opening hours?

We are open 7 days a week, 8:30 am – 6:30 pm. Please book an appointment.

We are open most public holidays, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. We are closed on 25–26 December, the first three days of Chinese New Year, and 1 January.

If a typhoon or black rain warning is in place, opening may vary depending on staffing. Check our socials for updates:

FB: saikunganimalhospital  |  IG: skanimalhospital

I am new to Sai Kung. How do I register?

Welcome! You can stop by the clinic, call us on 2792 2206, or register online.

I am worried about bringing my pet into the clinic as he/she is old, struggles to breathe in the heat or has anxiety.

At SKAH we are highly experienced in caring for anxious, elderly or respiratory‑compromised pets. Our staff are Fear‑Free certified and can advise on strategies to minimise stress during transport and on arrival. Where appropriate, we can prescribe mild anxiolytic medication for you to give at home before the appointment.

Our clinic opens at 8:30 am; this early slot is ideal for elderly, overweight, anxious pets or those with respiratory issues.

Still have a question?

Our team is here 7 days a week, 8:30 am – 6:30 pm. Call us or book through our online portal.

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