A Vet for Springvale Pet Owners
Springvale families have been bringing their dogs and cats to Waverley Gardens Veterinary Hospital for years. We're a short drive up Springvale Road in Mulgrave — a locally owned, family-run hospital that has cared for pets in this corner of Melbourne's south-east since 1981.
Vietnamese spoken here — Chúng tôi nói tiếng Việt
Members of our team speak Vietnamese, so Springvale families can discuss their pet's health, treatment options and costs in the language they're most comfortable with. Just let us know when you book and we'll arrange it.
Your local vet for Springvale
If you live in Springvale and you're looking for a vet, the two things that usually matter most are whether you can get seen quickly and whether you'll be spoken to like a person. Waverley Gardens Veterinary Hospital sits about four kilometres north of Springvale, on the corner of Police Road and Hansworth Street in Mulgrave, directly opposite Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre. It's roughly an eight minute drive, parking is free and on site, and you can usually combine the visit with the shops.
We've been here since 1981. That's more than four decades of Springvale, Noble Park and Mulgrave families walking through the same door — puppies that became old dogs, cats that came in as strays and stayed twenty years, and second and third generations of the same family bringing in pets of their own. We're family owned and locally run, not part of a corporate group, which means the people who make the decisions about how this hospital operates are the same people you'll meet at the front desk.
Springvale is one of the most linguistically diverse parts of Melbourne, and a large part of the community speaks Vietnamese at home. Members of our team speak Vietnamese, so if you'd rather talk about your pet's diagnosis, the treatment options and what it's going to cost in Vietnamese, you can. Just say so when you book. Talking about a sick animal is hard enough without a language barrier in the middle of it.
We handle everyday care and the more involved work in the one building: vaccinations and health checks, desexing, dentistry with full scale and polish under anaesthetic, in-house pathology and digital imaging, soft tissue surgery with dedicated anaesthetic monitoring, and ongoing management of chronic conditions like arthritis, kidney disease and diabetes. Where a case genuinely needs a specialist, we refer — and we tell you why rather than keeping work in-house that shouldn't be.
Getting here from Springvale
269 Police Road, Mulgrave VIC 3170 — corner of Police Road & Hansworth Street, opposite 7-Eleven.
By car & parking
Head north on Springvale Road, turn left onto Police Road and we're on the corner of Police Road and Hansworth Street, opposite the 7-Eleven. Free on-site parking, with car park entry via Hansworth Street.
Public transport
We're directly opposite Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre, a 2–3 minute walk from the main bus interchange. Several routes connect Springvale and Springvale station to Waverley Gardens — check the PTV Journey Planner for current times.
Accessibility
Our clinic has steps at the entry, but we are happy to assist — please call us prior to your arrival on 03 9547 7877 and we'll arrange everything for you. Our car park entry is via Hansworth Street.
Popular services for Springvale pets
Everyday care and more complex work, all under one roof in Mulgrave.
Vaccinations
Core and non-core vaccinations tailored to your pet's lifestyle and risk, protecting them from preventable infectious diseases.
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Desexing
Safe routine spaying and neutering under general anaesthesia, preventing unwanted litters and providing long-term health and behavioural benefits.
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Dentistry
Professional dental cleaning, polishing, digital radiography, and treatment for periodontal disease to keep your pet's mouth healthy and pain-free.
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Preventative Health Care
Annual health exams, parasite control, nutritional counselling, and early detection screening designed to keep your pet healthy and extend their life.
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Diagnostic Imaging
Advanced X-ray and ultrasound imaging to non-invasively visualise internal organs and structures, helping us diagnose conditions quickly and accurately.
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Surgery
A wide range of soft tissue surgeries performed to the highest standards, plus orthopaedic procedures in partnership with specialist surgeons — all in-house.
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Anaesthesia
Safe and effective general anaesthesia protocols for surgical and diagnostic procedures, meticulously monitored by trained staff using advanced equipment.
Learn moreWhy Springvale families choose us
- Family owned and locally run in Mulgrave since 1981.
- Consultations available in Vietnamese — just ask when you book.
- GapOnly and VetPay available, so care stays affordable.
- 4.8★ average Google rating from local pet owners.
- Vaccinations, dentistry, imaging and surgery all under one roof.
- Free on-site parking, opposite Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre.
What to expect at your first visit
New to us from Springvale? Here's exactly how it works, start to finish.
1. Book a time that suits you
Book online any time of day, or call us on 03 9547 7877 and we'll find a slot. Let us know what's going on when you book — an itchy skin problem needs a different amount of time to a routine vaccination, and we'd rather give you the right appointment length than rush you.
2. Arriving and parking
We're on the corner of Police Road and Hansworth Street in Mulgrave, opposite Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre. Parking is free and on-site, with car park entry via Hansworth Street, so you're not circling for a space with a nervous dog in the back seat. There is a step at the entry — tell us if you need a hand and someone will meet you at the door.
3. Bring what you have
Your pet's vaccination card or paperwork if you have it, the name of any food or medication they're on, and your council registration or microchip number if it's handy. If you don't have any of it, that's fine — we'll work it out with you.
4. The consultation
Allow around 20 minutes. Your vet takes a full history, then does a nose-to-tail physical exam — eyes, ears, mouth and teeth, heart and lungs, abdomen, skin, joints and weight. We'll talk through what we find in plain language, and you'll get the options and the likely costs before anything goes ahead.
5. Transferring your records
Tell us your previous clinic and we'll request your pet's history for you. There's nothing for you to chase up, and it means we start with the full picture rather than guessing.
6. Afterwards
You'll leave knowing what happens next — when the next vaccination is due, what to watch for at home, and when to check back in. If something changes in the meantime, call us; a quick phone conversation often saves a trip.
Pet care notes for Springvale owners
The things that actually come up in Melbourne's south-east, season by season.
Walking spots around Springvale
Springvale Reserve, Spring Valley Reserve and the Dandenong Creek trail on the eastern edge of the suburb are where most local dogs get their exercise. Greater Dandenong sets specific off-lead areas and times, so it's worth checking the council's list for the reserve you use — and the creek path in particular means long grass, water and other dogs, which is where grass seeds, ticks and scuffles tend to come from.
Snakes along the Dandenong Creek corridor
The creek line and wetlands running along Springvale's eastern boundary are genuine snake habitat from around September to March. Tiger and brown snakes both turn up. Keep dogs leashed near water and long grass through the warmer months, and treat sudden collapse, wobbliness, dilated pupils or bleeding that won't stop as an emergency — antivenom works best early.
Food risks from the shops and family meals
Springvale's food strip is one of the best things about living here, and it's also a common source of trouble for dogs. Cooked duck, pork and chicken bones splinter, fatty roast meat sets off pancreatitis, and onion, garlic and shallots — in almost everything from pho broth to marinades — damage red blood cells in both dogs and cats. Keep leftovers and bin bags out of reach, and call us the same day if a dog has swallowed cooked bones.
Cats in units, townhouses and the Greater Dandenong curfew
A lot of Springvale households are units, townhouses or subdivided blocks with small yards and busy roads close by. Greater Dandenong applies a cat curfew in parts of the municipality, and keeping cats contained overnight cuts fight abscesses, car injuries and FIV transmission dramatically. If you're moving a cat to indoor-only life, we can help with the transition — climbing space, feeding enrichment and litter setup make or break it.
Springvale Road traffic
Springvale Road and Princes Highway carry heavy traffic all day, and road trauma is one of the more common emergencies we see from this side of the suburb. Secure front gates, a properly fitted harness for car travel, and a microchip registered to your current phone number are the three things that matter most — we can check the chip details for you in a two minute visit.
Summer heat and hot pavement
South-east Melbourne regularly gets 35°C+ days. Walk early morning or after sunset, and use the back-of-the-hand test on the footpath — if you can't hold it there for five seconds, it's too hot for paws. Brachycephalic breeds (pugs, French bulldogs, British shorthairs) and older or overweight pets are at real risk of heat stress, and it can turn serious in minutes.
Grass seeds through spring and summer
Dried grass seeds are one of the most common reasons we see dogs from October through to autumn. They work into paws, ears, eyes and armpits and burrow. Check between the toes and inside the ears after any walk through long grass, and don't wait if you see a weeping hole between the toes or sudden head shaking.
Snakes near the creeks and reserves
Tiger and brown snakes are active in Melbourne's south-east from roughly September to March, particularly along creek lines, wetlands and reserve edges. Keep dogs on lead near long grass and water. Sudden collapse then apparent recovery, wobbliness, dilated pupils or bleeding that won't stop is an emergency — do not wait to see if it passes.
Fleas, worms and heartworm
Our climate keeps fleas going year-round, not just in summer, and mosquitoes carry heartworm. Consistent monthly or annual prevention is far cheaper than treating an infestation or heartworm disease. We'll match a product to your pet's weight, lifestyle and household — including what's safe if you have both dogs and cats.
Dental disease — the quiet one
Most dogs and cats over three have some degree of dental disease, and pets hide oral pain well. Bad breath is not normal. Reluctance to chew on one side, dropping food, pawing at the mouth or a sudden preference for soft food are all worth a look. Every consultation includes an oral check.
Weight and joints
Keeping a pet lean is the single most effective thing you can do for their joints and their lifespan. If you can't feel the ribs easily under a light layer, they're carrying too much. Our nurses run weight checks and can build a realistic feeding plan — free of judgement, and free of charge.
Microchipping and council registration
Pets in this area are registered with the City of Greater Dandenong. Dogs and cats must be microchipped and registered with council from three months of age, and registration renews annually on 10 April. Cats are subject to a night-time curfew in parts of the municipality. We microchip, keep your details linked to the right registry, and can provide the paperwork council asks for.
Costs, insurance and payment
Cost matters, and pretending otherwise doesn't help anyone. Before any treatment, procedure or admission, we talk Springvale clients through what's involved and what it's likely to cost, so there are no surprises at the counter. If there's a more affordable way to get to the same outcome, we'll tell you about it — and if a consultation is all your pet needs, that's what you'll pay for.
We accept Visa, Mastercard and EFTPOS. We're a GapOnly clinic, which means if you're with a participating pet insurer your claim is assessed while you're still with us and you only pay the gap rather than the full bill up front. VetPay payment plans are also available if you'd rather spread the cost of a larger procedure over time.
Preventative care is almost always the cheaper path. Annual health checks, vaccinations, parasite prevention and keeping teeth clean cost far less than treating the problems they prevent — and your pet has a much better time of it.
Emergencies and after hours
During opening hours, call us on 03 9547 7877 before you drive over if you can. It takes thirty seconds, and it means the team is ready for you when you arrive rather than finding out at the door. If it's genuinely urgent, come straight in — we'll triage you.
Outside our hours, the Veterinary Referral Hospital in Dandenong is open 24 hours on 1300 385 874 — from Springvale that's roughly ten minutes down the Princes Highway, and it's the closest 24-hour option for this part of the south-east. They'll let us know what happened so we can follow up with you the next working day.
Call immediately, day or night, for: breathing difficulty, collapse, a seizure lasting more than a couple of minutes, suspected snake bite, a swollen or painful abdomen (especially in a large-breed dog), straining to urinate — particularly in male cats — vomiting that won't stop, suspected poisoning (chocolate, snail bait, rat bait, human medication), heat stress, or trauma from a car or a dog fight.
What our clients are saying
Don't just take our word for it — here's what local pet owners have to say about their experience with us.
★★★★★Dr Tu and the whole team at Waverley Gardens are absolutely wonderful. Our golden retriever Max had his annual vaccinations and check-up, and the care was second to none. They took so much time to explain everything to us.
Jessica Nguyen
★★★★★Brought our cat Mochi in for a dental procedure and I was honestly nervous, but the team were so reassuring. Quyen kept us updated throughout and Mochi is now eating better than ever. Couldn't be happier.
Michael Tran
★★★★★We've been coming here for years and wouldn't go anywhere else. Amy and Shiloe are brilliant nurses who genuinely care. Our elderly beagle gets treated with such kindness and patience every single visit.
Sarah O'Brien
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Waverley Gardens Veterinary Hospital — your local vet near Springvale
Your Pet's Family Doctor — family owned and locally run since 1981.
- Address
- 269 Police Road, Mulgrave VIC 3170Get directions
- Phone
- 03 9547 7877
- Opening hours
- Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 6:00pmSaturday: 9:00am – 12:00pmSunday: Closed
Booking from Springvale? We'd love to meet your pet.
Book online in under a minute, or call us and we'll find a time that suits you.