MARS Animal Referral Hospital Services

Our referral animal hospital is superbly equipped with a comprehensive range of the latest medical equipment to provide world-class clinical care for your pet. To get access to specialist vets near you who provide small animal surgery, internal medicine and oncology care, please remember that a referral is required from your primary veterinarian.

Find your MARS vet specialist in Melbourne.

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Surgical services

Orthopaedics

Orthopaedic surgery focuses on bones, joints, and supporting structures like tendons and ligaments. If you require specialised care for your pet, consult our orthopaedic vet or veterinary orthopaedic surgeon.

Soft Tissue Surgery

Soft tissue surgeries encompass procedures involving structures other than bones or the nervous system. For issues with soft tissues, such as organs and muscles, our expert vet surgeons provide expert care.

Surgical Oncology

Oncologic surgery addresses the surgical removal of cancerous tumours in pets. MARS provides superior oncology vet surgery services in Melbourne in conjunction with our on site oncology team for an all rounded oncology approach.

Neurosurgery

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) in dogs are often caused by intervertebral disc disease (IVDD, disc rupture), while trauma is a common cause in cats. Symptoms vary widely, from neck or back pain to difficulty walking. IVDD surgeries are one of the surgeries our team performs.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) utilises smaller incisions to reduce patient discomfort and promote faster healing. Our animal surgeons are skilled in these advanced procedures.

Diagnostic imaging

Digital Radiographs

High-quality x-ray images help diagnose fractures and identify abnormalities in the chest and abdomen. Our veterinary imaging specialists use these imaging techniques in the management of many types of cases.

Fluoroscopy

When vets need to investigate airway, swallowing or gastrointestinal concerns, our veterinary imaging specialists provide fluoroscopy for dogs & cats, with clear interpretation & treatment planning support.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is commonly used to examine the abdomen and can also assess the chest, muscles, and tendons. Consider utilising ultrasound for dogs and cats to obtain detailed diagnostic information beyond routine evaluations, ensuring thorough assessments and tailored treatment strategies.

CT Scans – Computed Tomography

Used for surgical planning in cases such as complex orthopaedic procedures, fracture repairs or oncology surgery. When considering advanced diagnostic imaging, incorporating a dog CT scan or a CT scan for a cat can provide precise details essential for successful treatment strategies.

Referral MRI Scan

MRI services are available through our sister hospital, Geelong Animal Referral Services (GARS). We are extremely fortunate to offer access to one of the few dedicated veterinary MRI machines in Victoria. This advanced technology enables exceptional non-invasive diagnostics, critical for accurate medical, surgical, and neurological diagnosis and treatment.

Internal medicine

Gastrointestinal Disease

We offer advanced diagnostics in the workup of gastrointestinal disease including bloodwork, abdominal ultrasound, videofluoroscopic swallow studies gastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy and biopsy
We also provide faecal microbiota transplants as a management tool for select cases of chronic gastrointestinal disease in both cats and dogs.

Respiratory Disease

We provide workup for all types of respiratory disease, including chronic cough, pleural space disease, feline inflammatory airway disease, nasal disease, and aerodigestive disorders. Services we offer in the workup of respiratory disorders include videofluoroscopy, CT scan, rhinoscopy, racheobronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage

Immune-Mediated Disease

We diagnose and treat many types of immune-mediated disease including Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis (IMPA), Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopaenia (ITP), Immune-Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia (IMHA), Vasculitis, and other autoimmune skin diseases. Many of these conditions can be triggered by complex underlying conditions, so a detailed assessment of history and health screening with addressing of possible triggers is often indicated.

Urinary Tract Disease

We diagnose and manage a variety of both upper and lower urinary tract disorders. Specific diagnostics include CT with excretory urography, ultrasound, retrograde contrast urethrocystogram, cystoscopy and biopsy. We provide ongoing management for conditions such as chronic kidney disease, feline lower urinary tract disease, incontinence disorders and subcutenous ureteral bypass systems.

Neurology

We diagnose and treat a variety of neurological disorders including steroid responsive meningitis arteritis (SRMA), seizure disorders,
meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO), vestibular disease, neuromuscular junction disorders such as myasthenia gravis and lower motor neuron diseases such as polyradiculoneuritis. Specific diagnostic testing offered includes bloodwork, CT scan, cerebrospinal fluid taps and specific infectious disease testing.

Infectious Disease

The diagnosis of infectious disease involves careful history taking including travel history, as well as a tailored diagnostic and management plan. We manage and treat a variety of complex infectious diseases including but not limited to: atypical bacterial infections such as Mycobacteria and Leptospirosis, Fungal infections including Sinonasal and Systemic Aspergillosis and Cryptococcosis and Viral infections such as Feline Infectious Peritonitis.

Endocrine Disease

We diagnose and treat a variety of endocrine diseases including Addison’s Disease, Cushing’s disease (Pituitary and Adrenal dependent), Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetes Insipidus, and Hypo- and Hyperparathyroidism
Diagnostics may include blood testing, ultrasound or CT scan.

Haematological Disease

Diagnostics for haematological disease may include bone marrow biopsy, blood tests
and imaging. Blood transfusions for both dogs and cats can be arranged as
required.

Cardiovascular Disease

We see and manage a variety of cardiovascular conditions from mitral valve disease to congenital heart conditions, dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats as well as arrhythmias and endocarditis. We provide basic heart ultrasound and ECG assessment, while full echocardiography can be arranged in consultation with a travelling cardiologist or radiologist.

Hepatobiliary

We provide workup and management of a number of hepatobiliary diseases including but not limited to portosystemic shunt, chronic active hepatitis, infectious cholangiohepatitis, gall bladder mucocoele and extra-hepatic bile duct obstruction.
Diagnostics offered include blood tests, abdominal ultrasound, cholecystocentesis, liver aspirate and biopsy, and CT scan.

Oncology

Veterinary Oncology

MARS offers comprehensive cancer care for pets, combining advanced diagnostics, personalised treatment plans, and compassionate support to ensure the best possible outcomes for dogs and cats facing cancer.

Oncology Surgery

Surgical intervention is often the most effective treatment for solid tumours. MARS’s expert surgical team utilises advanced techniques, including Near-Infrared Fluorescence (NIRF) Lymphatic Imaging, to enhance tumour removal and improve recovery times.

Cancer Diagnostics

Accurate diagnosis is crucial in cancer treatment. MARS employs state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to identify cancer types and stages, enabling the development of targeted and effective treatment plans.

Oncology Treatments

Beyond conventional therapies, MARS provides cutting-edge medical treatments tailored to each pet’s specific cancer type, aiming to maximise efficacy while minimising side effects.

Chemotherapy

MARS offers chemotherapy protocols designed to treat various cancers in pets, focusing on maintaining quality of life and managing side effects through individualised treatment plans.

Targeted Cancer Therapy

Utilising therapies that specifically target cancer cells, MARS aims to reduce harm to healthy tissues, offering treatments that are both effective and have fewer side effects compared to traditional methods.

Immunotherapy

MARS provides immunotherapy options that stimulate a pet’s immune system to recognise and combat cancer cells, offering a personalised approach to cancer treatment.

Electrochemotherapy

This treatment combines chemotherapy with electrical pulses to enhance drug uptake by cancer cells, particularly effective for treating skin and subcutaneous tumours in pets.

Palliative Care

Focused on comfort and quality of life, MARS’s palliative care services address pain management and symptom relief for pets with serious illnesses, supporting both pets and their families throughout the treatment journey.

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