Business Details
17 Years
experience
Your Trusted Veterinarians in Dapto | Companion Animal Vet
At Companion Animal Vet, we have dedicated ourselves to providing exceptional veterinary care since 2009. Founded by Dr. Matt Young, a local veterinarian deeply rooted in the Dapto community, our hospital combines clinical excellence with compassionate service. Our team of experienced professionals is committed to advancing fear-free practices, ensuring every pet receives care tailored to their unique needs. As a Gold-Level Accredited Cat Friendly Clinic, we specialize in reducing stress for feline patients while offering comprehensive services for dogs, rabbits, and other companion animals.Our values center on treating every pet as part of our family, fostering community connections, and maintaining the highest standards of veterinary medicine through continuous education and innovation. With specialized programs for puppy development, senior pet care, and behavioral support, we aim to be your lifelong partner in pet health. Our clinic's design prioritizes comfort, featuring separate waiting areas, calming pheromone diffusers, and gentle handling techniques to create a positive experience for both pets and owners.
Services
Dog Care
Cat Care
Rabbit Care
Surgical Services
Wellbeing Services
General Services
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- Our team includes specialists in rabbit medicine and surgery
- We implement fear-free handling techniques to reduce pet anxiety
- Gold-Level Accredited Cat Friendly Clinic with dedicated feline care
- Community-owned practice with deep local roots since 2009
- Comprehensive wellness programs for pets at all life stages
Associations and certifications
- Cat Friendly Practice Gold Accreditation
What people say
Very welcoming staff
Extremely knowledgeable
Separate cat waiting area
Stress levels kept low
Terrific setup for animals
Services
Dog Care
Our dog care services address every life stage from puppyhood to senior years. We provide vaccinations, desexing, dental care, behavioral guidance, and nutrition advice. Our fear-free approach ensures stress-free visits while our experienced team offers personalized health monitoring and treatment plans tailored to your dog's specific needs.
Cat Care
As a Gold-Level Cat Friendly Clinic, we specialize in low-stress feline care. Our services include routine check-ups, senior cat management, and behavioral consultations. We maintain separate waiting areas, use pheromone diffusers, and employ gentle handling techniques to create a calming environment that addresses cats' unique medical and emotional requirements.
Rabbit Care
Our rabbit care services combine specialized medical knowledge with species-specific handling expertise. We offer vaccinations, dental care, surgical procedures, and dietary consultations. Our team's extensive experience with rabbit medicine ensures comprehensive treatment for both common and complex health issues affecting these sensitive animals.
Surgical Services
Our surgical department handles routine procedures like desexing alongside complex soft tissue and orthopedic operations. Equipped with modern facilities, we maintain strict anesthetic protocols and post-operative care standards. Our surgical team prioritizes pain management and employs minimally invasive techniques where appropriate to ensure optimal recovery outcomes.
Wellbeing Services
Our preventative care programs focus on maintaining long-term pet health through weight management, parasite prevention, dental care, and tailored vaccination schedules. We provide personalized nutrition advice and early disease detection screenings, emphasizing proactive health management to extend pets' quality of life.
People
Dr. Matt Young
Family Veterinarian and Founder
Established Companion Animal Vet in 2009 after graduating from Sydney University in 1997. Brings over 25 years of veterinary experience and community knowledge to lead our fear-free care approach.
Kirstin Gonczar
Family Veterinarian
Provides compassionate care with focus on feline medicine. Combines clinical expertise with gentle handling techniques to ensure positive patient experiences during consultations and treatments.
Lara Vickery
Family Veterinarian
Specializes in puppy development programs and behavioral consultations. Works closely with pet owners to establish lifelong health foundations through early intervention and education.
Kate Conaty
Family Veterinarian
Focuses on senior pet care and chronic disease management. Utilizes advanced diagnostic tools and tailored treatment plans to maintain quality of life for aging companion animals.
Mat Bulliman
Veterinary Nurse
Supports surgical and medical teams with patient care expertise. Specializes in post-operative recovery and client education about home care requirements for various pet conditions.
Questions
What should I bring to my pet's first appointment?
Bring previous medical records, vaccination history, current medications list, and a fresh stool sample for testing. Include any specific questions or concerns you may have about your pet's health.
Do you offer payment plans or pet insurance advice?
We accept various payment methods and can provide guidance on pet insurance options. Our team will explain treatment costs upfront and discuss available financial arrangements.
How often should my pet have a check-up?
We recommend annual check-ups for adult pets and bi-annual visits for seniors. Puppies and kittens require more frequent visits during their first year for vaccination series and developmental monitoring.
Can you help with end-of-life care and decisions?
Our compassionate team provides palliative care options and supports owners through difficult decisions. We offer home visit services for euthanasia and provide bereavement support resources.
Are you equipped to handle exotic pets?
We specialize in rabbit medicine and surgery, with experienced staff trained in exotic animal care. Please contact us to discuss specific requirements for your non-traditional companion animal.
What are your emergency protocols?
While we don't provide 24/7 emergency services, we offer urgent care during business hours. For after-hours emergencies, we recommend contacting the Illawarra Emergency Veterinary Clinic in Wollongong.
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