Internal Medicine Specialist Dr Dennis Woerde performing laser lithotripsy to treat urethral stones
Sydney, NSW – The community welcomes a new standard in veterinary care for both pet owners and referring veterinarians alike with the opening of MediPaws Specialist Veterinary Centre in Leichhardt. The purpose-built hospital was founded with the mission to make advanced veterinary care in the region more accessible, collaborative, and compassionate. As part of this vision, MediPaws combines cutting-edge facilities with a highly skilled veterinary team to offer a wide range of specialist and emergency services under one roof.
Having opened its doors in July 2025, MediPaws includes a 24/7 Emergency department, a gold-standard cat-friendly environment, and advanced diagnostic equipment, including Australia’s only SPECT-CT scanner for clinical veterinary use. “We saw a clear need for a fully staffed, round-the-clock emergency and specialist hospital in Sydney’s Inner West,” said MediPaws General Manager Kelly Althaus. “Our goal is to work closely with referring vets to ensure pets and their families can access advanced care when it’s needed most.”
Collaboration at the heart of MediPaws
MediPaws was built to be a true partner to the GP veterinary community, recognising that the best patient outcomes are achieved when primary and specialist teams work seamlessly together. The team prioritises clear referral pathways, with clinically trained support staff ensuring timely updates, clear discharge summaries, and direct access to specialists. Hospital coordinator Abbey Benson acts as skilled point of contact for referring veterinarians, using her experience in speciality nursing and team management to support smooth communication and case management.
Beyond patient care, the hospital is committed to advancing veterinary medicine in the region and is actively developing clinical studies and continuing education opportunities. “I believe GP vets are the heart of the veterinary community,” said Althaus. “Having worked with over 50 vet hospitals across Australia, I am passionate about building a specialist hospital that partners closely with the GP community to ensure that every patient gets the right care at the right time.”
Comprehensive care under one roof
Receptionist Chandelle French welcoming clients at the MediPaws front desk
Designed from the ground up by a team of specialist veterinarians, MediPaws offers a comprehensive range of services in one location. This ensures that pets receive continuous and coordinated care while avoiding the need for multiple referral centres and costly delays. The centre currently offers Emergency, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Oncology, Ophthalmology, and Diagnostic Imaging services, with plans to expand to more.
The 24/7 Emergency department guarantees that pets receive timely attention at any time of day or night, while the expert team of specialists offer state-of-the-art procedures and treatments for complex cases. The scope of care ranges from advanced total elbow and ankle replacement surgeries lead by Surgery Specialist Dr Daniel James which are exclusive to MediPaws in the Sydney region, to minimally invasive urinary procedures such as laser lithotripsy for bladder and urethral stones.
Advanced care designed for pets
At the heart of the MediPaws offering is its investment in the latest diagnostic and treatment technology. The hospital features advanced imaging capabilities, including SPECT-CT and MRI, allowing for precise diagnoses and tailored treatment planning across a wide range of conditions. This provides unparalleled opportunities to progress patient care and outcomes in difficult cases, such as the investigation of cryptic lameness or functional disorders of the brain, heart and bone – which MediPaws is uniquely suited to diagnosing thanks to its SPECT-CT scanner.
But the founders of MediPaws recognise that compassionate care is as critical as clinical expertise, which is why every element of the hospital has been built with patient comfort in mind. The gold-standard cat-friendly environment was designed to minimise stress and create a calm environment for the treatment and hospitalisation of feline patients. This includes cat-only entry points, feline-specific waiting and treatment areas, and tailor-made hospital cages. The same level of thought has been extended to the oncology ward, which provides best-in-class safety standards in line with USP-800 guidelines, thanks to negative-pressure environments, dedicated hazardous-drug handling zones, and an intelligent air-flow design.
A new standard in veterinary nuclear medicine
MediPaws diagnostic imaging suite, featuring the only SPECT-CT scanner in Australia for clinical veterinary use
The dedicated nuclear medicine service and SPECT-CT at MediPaws sets a new benchmark for specialist pet care in Australia. The transformative tool captures both anatomy and function in a single study, providing insights into complex conditions such as organ disease, cancer, and cryptic lameness.
The MediPaws SPECT-CT also permits the hospital to refine radioactive iodine (I-131) therapy for cats with hyperthyroidism. By using SPECT-CT to characterise thyroid uptake prior to treatment, the team can tailor the treatment to the individual patient, allowing for more precise dosing, improved safety, and better long-term outcomes.
Veterinary Oncologist Dr Sonya Yu explains: “The most important part of this investment is what it means for the patients. Better imaging, safer chemotherapy facilities, and tailored therapies all translate to improved outcomes and quality of life for the animals we treat.”
Looking ahead
The hospital is quickly becoming a trusted partner for referring veterinarians and pets across Sydney, treating cases ranging from urgent overnight trauma to complex procedures such as Total Hip Replacements (THR). The MediPaws team is dedicated to remaining at the forefront of veterinary innovation and has plans to collaborate with industry partners on clinical research and emerging treatment modalities – all while staying true to its founding values of accessibility, compassion, and collaboration. “Our vision is to raise the bar for specialist veterinary care while ensuring every patient receives the compassion and continuity of care they deserve.” said General Manager Kelly Althaus.
MediPaws is committed to working closely with referring veterinarians across Sydney to deliver the best standard of care possible for our shared patients. To discuss referrals, specialist services, or to arrange a tour of the hospital, contact the MediPaws team via [email protected] or call 1800 678 387.
Article originally posted in October 2025 edition of ProVet Partners in Practice magazine.
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