The Lighthouse is located in Havant, Hampshire, at 3 Downley Road, Havant, PO9 2NJ.  It is located in the same facilities as Optivet, a referral centre.

The Lighthouse is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

From Monday to Saturday, between 8am and 8pm our consult fees are £130.  For all other times (including Sunday and Bank Holidays), the consult fee is £200.

If you have any concerns about your pet, please call us immediately on 01243 765 247. While other contact options are available on our website, we kindly ask that these are only used for non-urgent matters, as the team on-site is unable to respond immediately.

Our team will always do their very best to see you and your pet as quickly as possible. Sometimes we may be managing multiple emergencies at once, caring for very unwell inpatients or performing urgent surgeries which can mean a long wait. During this time, we will always strive to triage your pet and provide any necessary urgent care, such as pain relief, while you wait.

Besides the items mentioned above involving transportation of your pet, the only other essentials are your identification documents and preferred payment method. 

Other useful documents include your pet’s insurance policy documents and any medication your pet is currently taking. However, this is less urgent and shouldn’t be a reason to delay arrival to the clinic.

We do not currently offer phone consultations, as these are generally not suitable for emergency situations. If you are interested in phone consultations for non-emergency care, please contact your regular veterinary practice.

Most of our veterinarians hold Advanced Post-graduate Certificates in Emergency and Critical Care, though they are not board-certified specialists. Within the same facilities, we are fortunate to have Optivet, a referral centre with specialists in Ophthalmology, Medicine, Anaesthesia, and Surgery. If your pet requires care beyond the scope of our emergency service, we can arrange an internal referral to one of these specialist teams.

Yes, we are able to offer emergency surgery such as foreign body removal, exploratory laparotomies, caesareans, etc.

Yes, we provide a 24/7 critical care service for emergency cases and referring vets.

The Lighthouse offers blood work, X-rays, emergency ultrasound assessments and CT imaging on-site.

Life-threatening emergencies

• Difficulty breathing or choking
• Severe bleeding that won’t stop
• Collapse, fainting, or unconsciousness
• Seizures (especially repeated or prolonged)
• Poisoning or suspected toxin ingestion (e.g., chocolate, antifreeze, certain plants, medications)
• Trauma (hit by car, fall, fight wounds, burns)
• Inability to urinate (especially in male cats)
• Sudden bloated abdomen (possible gastric dilatation-volvulus in dogs)
• Extreme pain (crying, shaking, inability to move)
  .

Urgent but not always immediately life-threatening

• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea (especially if with blood)
• Refusal to eat or drink for more than 24 hours
• Difficulty giving birth (straining more than 30 minutes with no progress)
• Sudden limping or paralysis
• Eye injuries or sudden blindness
• Heatstroke signs (excessive panting, collapse, disorientation)

Yes, if your pet is experiencing severe pain, a significant decline in quality of life, or is suffering from a terminal illness, euthanasia may be the most compassionate option. We encourage you to have an open and honest conversation with our veterinary team, who will guide you through this decision with empathy and expertise. We will help you weigh all options and, most importantly, ensure that your pet is treated with the utmost care and respect throughout the process.

If your pet has eaten something that may be toxic, please call us straight away for advice.

In urgent situations—such as an adder bite, a cat ingesting true  lilies, exposure to blue-green algae, ingestion of a bronchodilator inhaler,  or if your pet is showing serious signs like collapse, coma, seizures, or breathing difficulties—come directly to the practice immediately. If possible, give us a call on your way so our team can prepare for your pet’s arrival.

If the ingestion happened some time ago, your pet is not showing symptoms, or you are unsure whether ingestion occurred, you also have the option of contacting the Animal Poison Line on 01202 509000. In fact, 7 out of 10 cases do not require a vet visit once reviewed by them. For more information, including costs, please visit: www.animalpoisonline.co.uk.

• Keep your pet calm and secure. Speak gently, move slowly, and avoid unnecessary handling. 
• Use a secure carrier or box lined with a blanket or towel for cats, rabbits, and small mammals . Gently place your pet inside — guiding their back end in first can make the process easier and less stressful. Partially covering the carrier with a towel can help them feel safe and more comfortable during the journey.
• For dogs, use a leash or, if unable to walk, gently lift them onto a blanket, board, or makeshift stretcher to carry them.
• Keep warm. Cover your pet with a blanket, especially if they are in shock, collapsed, or very unwell. Using calming sprays (e.g. Pet Remedy) in the blanket/ towels can sometimes help keeping your pet calm.
• Control bleeding or wounds if possible. Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage.
• Drive carefully and safely. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises that might stress your pet further.
• If your pet is in severe pain, struggling to breathe, having seizures, or you feel unsafe handling them, please let us know immediately—we can guide you on the safest way to bring them in.

Our veterinarians are primarily trained to care for dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small mammals. While we do not fully have dedicated facilities, specialized staff or equipment for exotic pets such as birds and reptiles, please know that we will always do everything we can to provide essential emergency care, including pain relief and treatment to alleviate suffering, for all species, including wildlife.

We are working towards expanding our services in the future, so stay tuned as we grow our ability to support more exotic companions.

Although we are a 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital and always aim to provide immediate care and treatment, we kindly ask that you call ahead with your estimated arrival time whenever possible. This allows our team to triage your pet’s condition, prepare appropriately for their arrival, and provide you with an estimated wait time if one is expected (as we may be managing multiple emergencies at once).

Yes, The Lighthouse has a dedicated insurance department and is able to process direct insurance claims when possible.