At Lort Smith we can care for animals with many diseases and illnesses. We have a very experienced team of veterinarians who provide expertise and care for a wide range of complicated surgical and medical conditions.

Dr Leanne is one of Lort Smith’s esteemed head vets and oversees the emergency and critical care portfolio.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have access to a wide-range of equipment in emergency and ICU cases to help us determine the reason the patient is unwell and treat them. These machines include in-house blood machines, urinalysis machines, oxygenated humidicribs, syringe pumps, endoscopes, x-ray, ultrasound and CT machines,” explains Leanne.

At the moment, we are still seeing the same number of cases presenting at Lort Smith in accident and emergency as we normally would. However, this may increase if smaller veterinary clinics need to reduce the number of cases they can see.

“There are also going to be more people in the community that are enduring financial hardship who may turn to us for veterinary help,” says Leanne.

The Animal Hospital has had to adopt numerous new work processes due to the covid-19 outbreak. All non-routine or urgent appointment and procedures have been cancelled, including adult vaccinations and desexings. Lort Smith is currently only offering emergency, urgent and essential care to animals.

“Emergency services are for patients who have an immediate threat to life, significant impact on health and welfare, and are likely to deteriorate without veterinary treatment.

“Urgent veterinary services are for patients whose injury of illness may cause moderate to significant impact on their health and wellbeing. They are in a stable condition, but still require veterinary treatment to prevent deterioration,” explains Leanne.

To reduce the spread of covid-19 and maintain social distancing Lort Smith is currently triaging patients in the carpark. We are asking clients to wait in the car while a vet and nurse team take the animal into the hospital for a clinical examination and treatment. The vet then phones the client in the car and discusses the treatment plan.

It’s a good thing that Leanne thrives on the fast pace and unpredictability of her role, it has helped her to adapt to our current state of operations perfectly.

Thank you Leanne for providing such amazing care and compassion to our patients and clients.