Keeping you up to date with our latest news, current job vacancies, save time by filling in forms before your veterinary consultation, and refresh your knowledge on seasonal topics.
Keep up to date with all our latest news, articles and case studies from the Vet Services Team.
Sheep Measles is caused by a tapeworm called ‘Taenia ovis’, which in its adult form, lives in dogs. When a dog infected with tapeworm poos on grass, the eggs from the tapeworm are spread to pasture creating an infection risk for sheep. When sheep eat grass infected with tapeworm eggs, the eggs then travel through their…
Join us for an informative and practical session with Ryan Luckman from DAGi and Airweigh, exploring how drone technology is changing the way farmers manage and monitor livestock. From Drones to Data: The Future of Livestock Management These sessions are a great opportunity to: Event Details. We’re holding three sessions across the region: Dannevirke –…
Although not the typical season for it, we are still seeing some lungworm around. Notably in yearling deer and cattle. Lungworm is picked up while animals are grazing contaminated pasture. Larvae are ingested and make their way from the gut to the lungs, where they grow into adult worms. Those adults’ lay eggs, which are…
Discovering that your bitch has been accidentally mated can be alarming, but don’t panic. A “knot” or “tie” is a normal part of canine mating and, while it increases the chance of pregnancy, it does not guarantee your dog will become pregnant. If you discover a mating in progress, do not try to pull the…
Growing healthy lambs takes more than simply providing feed and hoping for the best. Vaccination programmes, parasite management and good grazing practices all play a critical role in helping lambs reach their potential. At Vet Services Hawke’s Bay, one of the most common challenges we see in growing lambs is preventable production losses caused by…
Every calf rearing season brings its challenges, but the foundations of raising healthy, productive calves remain the same. Good systems, excellent colostrum management, clean environments and consistent care can make the difference between thriving calves and costly health problems. At Vet Services Hawke’s Bay, we recently shared some of our top calf rearing tips with…
Avian Influenza (HPAI H5N1) Confirmed in New Zealand Avian influenza HPAI H5N1, commonly known as bird flu, has now been detected in New Zealand, following a positive test in a wild seabird found near Wellington. While this is an important development for animal health in New Zealand, authorities advise that the risk to the general…
Working Dog Training Day – Friday 14 August Whether you’re bringing on a young dog or looking to get more out of your working dog team, join us for a free Working Dog Training Day at the Waipukurau Showgrounds. 📅 Friday 14 August 2026🕙 Starts at 10.00am📍 Waipukurau Showgrounds We’ve now closed RSVP’s – if…
Protect the genetics you’ve worked so hard to build. A great working dog is one of the most valuable assets on any farm. Years of careful breeding, training and experience create dogs that are reliable, hardworking and instinctive. If you’ve got a standout dog, why leave the next generation to chance? Vet Services Hawke’s Bay…
Vet Services is encouraging horse owners to remain vigilant following the recent Strangles outbreak in parts of the North Island. While there are currently no reported cases in Hawke’s Bay, the situation is evolving, and horse owners are encouraged to take sensible precautions to protect their horses and help prevent the spread of disease. What…
Thinking about raising lambs or calves this spring? Whether you’re new to lifestyle farming or just looking to brush up on the basics, we’d love you to join us for a free evening of practical advice. Our experienced farm vets will share simple, hands-on tips to help you get the best start to the season,…
Keeping your team of dogs in top shape starts with the right fuel. At Vet Services Hawke’s Bay, we’ve made it easy to order high-quality working dog food that supports performance, stamina, and recovery on the job.
Introducing our Working Dog Performance Partnership. For many years, our Dog Vaccination Run has been a trusted and practical service for our farmers. Over time, we’ve listened to feedback, learned more about the unique demands placed on working dogs, and seen opportunities to do more. In response to what you’ve told us, we’ve also reviewed…
Spring is a busy time on the farm. Join us for our practical winter seminars for a refresher on Cow First Aid and Calf Rearing. FREE TO ATTEND ☕ Hot Drinks & Refreshments Provided 🎁 Prizes to Be Won!
Written by Isabel Simpson We’ve recently seen a spike in clinical cases of facial eczema across the region. This disease is caused by a fungus that damages the liver, mainly affecting sheep and cattle. Although spore counts dropped last week, we’re not out of the danger period — and we’re now seeing the effects of…
These days it is routine to use our ultrasound scanners for pregnancy testing. We can check all cows that are scanned empty by manual palpation to maximise accuracy and check for problems. Our scanners work well either in the dairy or down races with a catwalk in cattle yards. During milking works fine in most Rotary sheds. Heifers are best done in cattle yards, or they will need training to run through the shed. Having good facilities and plenty of help ensures the job run smoothly on the day.
Earliest testing times after the end of the mating period:
Manual: Heifers 42 days | Cows 56 days, Ultrasound Scanning: Heifers & Cows 35 days
Best aging window: 35–100 days from conception (earlier is more accurate)
July 6th was World Zoonosis Day so it seems timely for a reminder on some of the common Zoonosis Diseases we have in New Zealand which we should be aware of when around pets and livestock. What is Zoonotic Disease? A zoonotic disease, or commonly named zoonosis, is a disease that can be transmitted between…
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Cows with both clinical and subclinical mastitis will have increased somatic cell counts in their milk. When there are a number of high somatic cell count cows contributing to the vat, this may cause the bulk milk somatic cell count to exceed 400,000 causing you to grade. You will receive financial penalties from the milk…
Helping you get your calves off to the best start. Join us for an informative and practical seminar focused on setting your calves up for a healthy, productive life. Whether you’re a new farmer or experienced in calf rearing, this session will provide valuable insights and up-to-date advice. 📍 Vet Services Waipukurau📅 Monday 21st July…
Vet Services is honoured to have been awarded the Veterinary Business Excellence Award for 2025 at the annual NZVA Conference. The award is a reflection of our team’s dedication to veterinary care, workplace wellbeing, and meaningful community impact. At Vet Services Hawke’s Bay (VSHB), excellence in veterinary care is matched by a strong commitment to…
HASTINGS SEMINAR📍 Patoka Hall, 1 Hendley Road📅 Monday 29 June | 🕚 9.30am What we’ll cover: Calf rearing prep Down cows and metabolic disease Calving challenges Spring herd health planning Open Q&A with our vets Plenty of practical tips, real-life scenarios, and a chance to ask questions along the way. Plus we’ll have morning tea,…
The Right Dog for the Job 🐾Decoding the DNA of working dogs for welfare & performance. Massey University is leading an exciting nationwide genetics study focused on New Zealand’s working dogs — and Vet Services clients have the opportunity to take part! This research aims to help farmers make more informed breeding and training decisions…
Your Pet’s Final Journey – A Gentle Goodbye Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the hardest decisions a pet owner will ever face. At Vet Services Hawkes Bay, we understand just how painful and emotional this time can be. Many of us have been through it ourselves, and we’re here to support…
Dave Warburton recently earned his Structural Soundness Accreditation with ABRI, joining the small group of professionals recognised for their expertise in evaluating key physical traits in beef cattle. Structural soundness is essential for ensuring long-term productivity and adaptability in cattle. Poor structure can lead to significant financial loss through issues like bull breakdown, reduced conception rates,…
Easter Weekend is hopping with activity – egg hunts, family feasts, and autumn gardening. But while we’re celebrating, our pets might be getting into things they definitely shouldn’t… Emmie spoke to Rahina at Radio Kahungunu about the best ways to keep your pets safe, her top tips, and what to do in an emergency.…
At Vet Services Hawkes Bay and Dannevirke, we want to help support our senior pet owners and have some exclusive offers to make vet care affordable for you and your beloved pets! Simply present your Gold Card prior to your appointment with Vet Services to enjoy these exclusive benefits: 10% Off Vet Consultations Discounted Medications…
We are thrilled to announce that Vet Services Hawkes Bay (VSHB) has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Veterinary Business Excellence Award by the New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA). This award honours businesses that demonstrate excellence in areas such as employee wellbeing, workplace innovation, professional leadership, and customer service. ‘The winner for 2025…
As we approach the 2025 mating season, it’s encouraging to see many ewes rebounding well after what has been a dry spring. However, we must remain mindful of the potential impacts of the autumn season. It is important to review and plan for fly, facial eczema (FE), and parasite control in your hoggets and 2th…
Join Vet Services and special guest speakers for an Autumn Ewe Seminar series to prepare for a successful winter and spring! Strategies to navigate the transition from low winter feed supply to the abundance of spring, ensuring healthy stock and strong offspring. 🎉 FREE to attend! Staff and family welcome. 🎉 Refreshments & nibbles provided…
Our weekly monitoring of spore counts shows a trend of rising spore counts across the region. These spore counts are not particularly relevant to your farms actual spore load but highlight the fact that the local farming environment is currently a good environment for growing fungal spores. Animals can be affected two…
Animal emergencies can happen anytime of day. The Hawkes Bay Urgent Care and After Hours Veterinary Clinic (HBAH) is a dedicated out of hours provider designed to address urgent veterinary needs that arise when your local veterinary practice is closed. OPENING FEBRUARY 2025 This will be Hawke’s Bay’s first after hours and urgent veterinary…
Great news for aspiring veterinary nurses – The Vet Services HB and DVK Veterinary Nursing Scholarship applications are now open! This is an excellent chance to gain hands-on experience while earning your qualifications. Ready to take the next step in your career? Learn more and apply below
Vet Services is excited to announce the launch of our new podcast channel! Designed for our Production Animal Clients, this platform will provide valuable insights, expert advice and latest updates in veterinary care. Find it on Spotify to tune in and hear discussions on animal health, management practices and much more. https://open.spotify.com/show/3W2brSXcjT6fuPhPJg7SuF We can’t…
Remember to book in early for any pre-lamb services using the Vet Services conveyor! Conveyor Services Include: Long Acting Injections Drenching + Drench Checks Clostridial Vaccinations Lice Pour-on Application Mineral Bolusing The Benefits: Process sheep more timely and efficiently Multiple treatments can be administered in one go accurately & safely, reducing time and…
Before heading to the bull sales this season, it’s a good idea to have a look at your herd and production goals so that you can walk in with a plan for the auction, with confident in exactly what you are trying to purchase! The first thing you need to look at is what…
What is Shock Wave Therapy? Shockwave therapy is the use of high-energy sound waves – called pulses or shock waves – to stimulate and speed up the body’s own healing process. These sound waves release higher energy and result in deeper penetration than an ultrasound or laser, for example. The waves travel through soft tissue…
Anyika Scotland was recently involved in the Hawke’s Bay Farming for Resilience pilot project to help Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farmers navigate challenging weather and economic conditions. The project is producing monthly reports from February through to July 2024, providing evidence-based local information, insights and analysis across three common farm types (summer dry…
Heifer teat sealing is one of the most effective interventions we can perform to improve animal welfare on farms across New Zealand. Heifer mastitis before or after calving, or during the first lactation, significantly affects udder health and lifetime milk yield. Heifers have been shown to have a higher risk of clinical mastitis…
Another year of feed which we can hopefully convert to lambs in the belly. We know for many of you there is still a lot of work to do. We hope you are all managing and we are only a phone call away if we can help. Let us start helping by locking in your…
The weather conditions are ripe for getting flystruck sheep. Flystrike is a devastating disease that starts with flies laying eggs in an area the size of a 5cent piece in the fleece of the sheep. The maggot larvae that hatch from the eggs then start eating skin tissue, which attracts more flies to lay…
Ongaonga (Stinging Nettle) (Urtica ferox) Adventuring in New Zealand bush is usually a fairly safe activity, aside from possible issues with weather conditions and navigation, we luckily don’t have to worry about snakes, spiders or predators. However, there are some plants that can pose dangers to human and animal health. Ongaonga is one of the…
Merry Christmas from the team at Vet Services!! Enjoy time with friends and family, put your feet up and have a well-deserved rest this Christmas and we look forward to seeing you again soon. If you do need emergency assistance with your animals over the Christmas break please do not hesitate to contact us –…
Current career opportunities with Vet Services Hawkes Bay. FINANCIAL CONTROLLER Location: Any Hawkes Bay Clinic About this role As Financial Controller, you will sit as the commercial right hand to our General Manager and play a really positive part in the next phase of growth. The core responsibility of this role will be…
Vet Services offer personalised lifestyle block veterinary services to small block owners across Hawkes Bay. These services include emergency veterinary care, annual animal health plans, preventative care, educational workshops and technician assistance with routine drenching, vaccinations, bolusing and foot trimming to keep your animals happy and healthy. Contact to find out more.
Vets on Farm – supporting your recovery, is an initiative funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and facilitated by the Veterinary Council of New Zealand. We’re pleased to let our farming clients know that Vet Services Waipukurau is one of the registered clinics for Vets on Farm – supporting your recovery. Being…
As our pets age, normal and abnormal wear and tear within their joints can start taking its toll and it’s estimated 40% of dogs are living with arthritis. Arthritis is a progressive disease which cannot be cured. Fortunately, your veterinary team have several medical treatments available to effectively manage their pain. Beransa is a…
Any flystrike is bad news for sheep and devastating for production and it’s time to consider your options for treating sheep against external parasites this summer! Our Rural Technicians offer a number of effective and economical ways to eradicate flies, mites, lice & ticks. Jetting off the Sheep Conveyor Craigco Jetter Shower Dipper The bonus…
It was great to have our recent graduate vets in Napier for a group catch up this November! Abbigail, Elise, Reshika and Bailey spent some of the day with our industry partners at the National Aquarium and Save The Kiwi – such a fantastic opportunity to get up close with some pretty incredible animals. Our…
We’ve got Christmas covered! Receive a Christmas Ham or Angus Cube Roll when your purchase your qualifying parasite control combinations from Vet Services this season. Talk to our friendly and knowledgeable retail team today to score yours! Exclusive to Vet Services Hawkes Bay & Dannevirke, while stocks last.
Sheep performance vaccines Toxovax & Campyvax4 are now available to order. These vaccinations can be given to maiden hoggets and ewes anytime from now until 4 weeks prior to any ram being introduced to the flock. (Shearing may be a good opportunity).
Vet Services Waipukurau are proud to be accredited as a Gold Standard Cat Friendly Clinic. Cat Friendly Clinic is a worldwide programme from the International Society of Feline Medicine, the veterinary division of the charity International Cat Care. The Gold Standard accreditation implies that our team understand the unique needs of cats and…
Acupuncture for dogs, like acupuncture for humans, is a complementary medical practice that involves inserting fine needles into the skin to stimulate points on the body for pain relief and healing responses. Acupuncture has its origins in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been used for thousands of years. In TCM acupuncture is used to…
Over the last few weeks, we have had a series of dogs presenting to the Dannevirke & Waipukurau clinic with suspected ionophore toxicity, following ingestion of calf milk replacer or meal. While these feeds are fantastic for rapidly growing young calves, the products can pose a very serious danger to dogs and other…
It is that time of year again. Time for your rams soundness examinations and for your working dog team to have their annual health check examination and vaccination. Rams should be palpated and tested for Brucellosis at least 6 weeks prior to mating. Our Ram Run visits will begin in early November so that…
We were thrilled to have some of our local Magpies players join the Vet Services Team for an afternoon of fun in Hastings! Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hi!
VIEW PHOTOS FROM OUR OPEN DAY HERE. This is your invitation to tour behind the scenes and check out everything Vet Services Napier has to offer! We will have lots of fun and excitement along the way. Fun and interactive activities with the veterinary team. Face painting SPCA kittens A sausage sizzle FREE…
The Central Hawkes Bay Farmers Veterinary Club prides itself on helping young students achieve their career dreams through the provision of tertiary scholarships. The club currently offers 3 types of scholarships annually. $2000 Vet Club Tertiary Scholarship Each year the CHB Farmers Veterinary Club offer a $2000 scholarship to the child of a club…
Friday was a very special day for Vet Services Hawkes Bay as the Stuart Badger Orthopaedic Theatre was officially opened and used for the first time. The new surgical theatre is named in honour of senior veterinarian Dr Stuart Badger who spent over 30 years working at Vet Services. Stuart dedicated his career to…
Our dogs are not only very hard working members of our farm team, they are also real characters which give us a lot of enjoyment (and strife on a bad day).They hold a special place in our farming community and they are great companions in an often lonely job. So what can we…
VS Equine Winter Seminar LinkedInThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.Contact DetailsName(Required) First Last Email(Required) PhoneAre you bringing along anyone else? (for catering and spot prizes)Which seminar will you be attending?(Required)Hastings. Wednesday 19 JulyWaipukurau, Tuesday 18 JulyDannevirke, Thursday 20 July Submit Δ
What is it, and why are we using it in horses? VS Equine recently purchased a portable Radial Pressure Wave device so that our veterinary team can offer shockwave therapy for treating musculoskeletal problems, soft-tissue and bone injuries in horses. Radial pressure shockwave offers non-invasive treatment solutions for both acute and chronic, long term insertion…
Sheep pregnancy scanning has become an annual pilgrimage for Welshman Steve. Steve Lloyd has been pregnancy scanning ewes for over 25 years. He has scanned in the UK, Norway and across New Zealand for the last 20 years. 2023 is his 6th season with the Vet Services team. Steve loves returning to Hawke’s Bay…
Local veterinarian Anyika Scotland has been named national Sheep and Beef Cattle Veterinarian of the Year. ‘Neeks’, of Vet Services in Hastings, was presented the award at the NZVA Centenary Conference, held at the new Takina Events Centre in Wellington earlier this month. The award was established by the Sheep and Beef Cattle Branch of…
Join us for our annual Spring Dairy Seminar. We are hosting a Dairy Seminar around the topic of spring calving, transition management, metabolic issues, and setting your farm up for spring performance. Free to attend with morning tea provided. We encourage you to bring along your workers, neighbours and mates (just remember to RSVP for…
Imagine a farm with lots of worms and no drench to kill any of them. would that mean you couldn’t farm sheep? TRIPLE DRENCH RESISTANCE IS HERE NOW. While long acting anthelmintics have a role in the management of parasites in lambing ewes and the subsequent levels of pasture contamination, their use contributes to…
There has been a notable increase in the number of people interested in probiotic products for their pets. Do our pets need them? Veterinarian, Reshika Fonseka explains. Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that live in the gut and help to absorb nutrients from the food eaten and act to support gut immunity. They are important for…
It’s that time of year again – time to see if the boys are more than just talk! Early pregnancy scanning of hinds is recommended for the management options it gives you – identifying empties and culling early, identifying average mating/fawning date, identifying early and late mated hinds for management and culling purposes, checking suspect…
World Veterinary Day – The last Saturday of April is a special, unique day created by the World Veterinary Association to celebrate the veterinary profession and to promote the amazing work that veterinarians do. We couldn’t be prouder of our dedicated and talented team of veterinarians who demonstrate resilience, embrace each others differences, and work…
Bionic Sheep Capsules are unavailable for 2023 – What does this mean for you pre-lamb? Join Vet Services for an interactive planning workshop covering the available options and some important points to consider when developing a pre-lamb protocol. Our production animal vets will be on hand for information and advice as you work through the…
Would you like to work in a locally owned and operated mixed animal practice with great collegial support and enough flexibility to enjoy all that the beautiful Hawkes Bay region has to offer? Applications are now open for Vet Services New Graduate Positions starting in 2024! Our Graduate Programme is designed to support and develop…
Congratulations to the winners of our Community Day ‘Name the Kitten’ and ‘Colouring’ Competitions The winning kitten name was “Digger lightspeed” – entered by Ben and his sisters. Freya Cameron won the 5 years and under Colouring Competition Addison Jones won our 6-12 years Colouring Competition …
HAWKES BAY TOGETHER The Vet Services team joined the sea of black and white across Hawkes Bay on Thursday 6th April. Wearing our local colours to show our support for the regions recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle. If you would like to support Hawkes Bay Together please text GIVE to 2923 to make an instant $3…
EASTER WEEKEND HOURS Our clinics will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday and we will not be taking online bookings during this time. Emergency care will remain available 24/7. For urgent assistance please phone your local clinic and you will be directed to our on duty veterinary team. Hastings: 06 876 7001…
It was great to have all of our new vets in Waipukurau for the first group catch up in our vet graduate program last week! Elise, Reshika, Abbigail, and Bailey spent time with our companion animal and production animal group leads, heard from other vets who have recently completed the induction programme, were exposed to…
Magpies to take on vets, farmers & local legends in Cyclone Relief T20 charity match Join us for the ultimate charity T20 match! 🏏 Magpies XI vs HB Mullet’s XI 🏟 Nelson Park, Napier 📅 Friday 31st March ⏰ 3.30pm Start We are looking for friends, farmers and allies to join in the…
HAD A GUTSFUL OF THE WEATHER AND JUST NEED A BREATHER? This is your invitation to tour behind the scenes and check out everything Vet Services Waipukurau has to offer. Catch up with other farmers while your children are kept busy. Tour behind the scenes with lots of fun and excitement along the way. Chat…
Our heart goes out to our community with the deepest sympathy for those who have been caught in the warpath of Cyclone Gabrielle. We know that many of you are under immense strain and some have suffered significant loss, we want you to know that we are here to help and will do everything…
Emergency veterinary care is available during the nation state of emergency – 06 858 9060 Vet Services Hastings and Waipukurau are open (15/02/23) and our Napier clinic are trying to reopen as soon as they can. Please be mindful that while the veterinary clinic maybe undamaged many of our team are dealing with same issues…
Join Vet Services and special guest speaker, Sue Macky for an informative seminar all about getting excellent dairy heifers. Sue Macky is a veterinarian who has worked worldwide with high performing dairy farmers. Sue is passionate about growing dairy heifers to reach their potential in the herd. She has particular expertise in the management of…
WOPA Hoof Trimming Faster, Safer Hoof Trimming with the WOPA cattle crush, Teatsealing, Disbudding, Pregnancy Scanning and Reproduction Services. Fill in your details below and we will be in touch to make a booking URLThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.Name(Required) First Last Farm(Required)Phone(Required)Rapid number of yards(Required) Street Address Address Line…
Any flystrike is bad news for sheep and devastating for production. With tupping fast approaching in one of the wettest summers in memory, it’s timely to consider the options for treating sheep against external parasites. Prevention of flystrike is always preferable to treatment. Vet Services sheep technicians offer jetting off the conveyor, a craigco…
We have an exciting new method of diagnosing problem mares at our fingertips this season and for seasons to come, with one of our vets attending a course 2022 and bringing back with her a technique that we can utilise – Hysteroscopy. Hysteroscopy is a procedure whereby our endoscope is passed into the uterus of the mare…
Another successful working dog vaccination run is over for Vet Services in Waipukurau for 2022. Nicole Lansdown, BVSc This annual run is held from August to October and involves vets and nurses heading out on farm to give working dog teams a check over and vaccination. This year free bloods were also on offer…
EMERGENCY CARE AVAILABLE OVER HOLIDAYS. Christmas is fast-approaching and our clinics have been busy as most people get ready to enjoy a few days off with friends and family. Our clinic doors will be closed on the public holidays (25 – 27 December and 1-3 January) but our on duty team are just a…
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Vet Services Hawkes Bay received Excellence in Innovation and the Supreme Award at the Pan Pac Hawke’s Bay Business Awards 2022. The annual awards are presented by the Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce and celebrate business resilience, community connections, innovation, tourism, leadership, emerging business, and sustainability across the region. In September we had two…
Vet Services Napier has moved into brand new facilities at 170 Taradale Road! The new Napier clinic provides the region with a large veterinary centre, with an extensive range of expertise in companion animal, production animal and equine disciplines all under one roof. The state of the art veterinary clinic is fully-equipped with the latest…
Kennel Cough or Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease is a highly contagious airway infection that is rarely life threatening but does make dogs feel lethargic and have a hoarse “honking” cough for 1- 3 weeks. The infection is spread via airborne particles from another dog. There are vaccine options already widely used that will reduce the…
Having a good safe working facility on farm has lots of benefits – to you, your animals, and your service providers. Yards that are fit for purpose are a pleasure to work in and reduce the risk of injury to all users (animal and human alike). The following are some common things that make…
It’s that time of the year again! We expect many of our vets to spend a good chunk of November behind large numbers of rams, palpating testicles to ensure they are fit for mating. Rams should be palpated and tested for Brucellosis at least 6 weeks prior to mating. Our Ram Run visits will…
It’s been an exciting time for Vet Services Napier as we watch our new building come together next door. Some of the team were lucky enough to have a site visit this morning to check on the progress. General Manager, Brendan James explains “The new Napier clinic is a real statement of Vet Services…
We are hearing of lots of beef cows across Hawkes Bay dropping dead around calving this spring. That got your attention – and it is true!!! This spring is the perfect picture for cows getting grass staggers and we have confirmed this with bloods pre calving in many herds. Cold and wet season, short green…
In New Zealand almost 1.5 million calves are reared every year. Many of those are reared on dairy farms, as replacement heifers, but about 500,000 bull calves are reared for the beef industry, often at specific calf rearing properties, as well as in backyards and on lifestyle blocks. When you decide to try your hand…
Naomi Barrett, Vet Services Dannevirke The transition period for a dairy cow is recognised as the interval extending from three weeks prior to three week after calving. These weeks are the most critically important period of the year for a cow, as her body undergoes significant physiological changes. In the space of only a few…
Working dogs are an asset to any farmer and are becoming an increasingly large investment. The lifetime value of a useful working dog is estimated to be $40,000 with dogs fulfilling roles other staff cannot replace. With this in mind, as the temperature drops and we make sure we have enough firewood and warm socks…
B+LNZ Wormwise Workshops – Hawkes Bay 2022 Sheep and Cattle Parasite resistance is the number one animal health issue facing farms across New Zealand. B+LNZ Wormwise Workshops provide the latest information and research on internal parasite control and outline how an integrated pest management system can help farm sheep and beef cattle into the…
Farmers should target worm control in cattle at young animals and use oral drenches as long as they can. Article by Sara Sutherland, Vet Services Wairarapa. Sheep and cattle systems have some subtle differences with respect to drenches and drenching. For example, worm species are (mostly) different, the availability of pour-on drenches for cattle, the…
Join us in celebrating our incredible team and their mahi for our community and animals. Saturday 30 April is World Veterinary Day 2022 – a special day created by the World Veterinary Association to celebrate the veterinary profession and to promote the amazing work that veterinarians do. To our superhero veterinarians – thank you! You…
A paralysed dog has managed to defy the odds and learn how to walk again, thanks to the persistence of her owners and the team at Vet Services Waipukurau. It’s believed that Kaz, a nine-year-old heading dog, was kicked by a deer during a busy day on the farm. At first her owner thought Kaz…
With our scanning equipment all but back on the shelf for another season we’ve had a little time recently to reflect on another year of cattle pregnancy results and follow up on some of the more disappointing outcomes. Whilst there are potentially many factors involved in a poor scanning result, bull failure is undeniably one…
Vet Services are pleased to announce that we have recently acquired HB Sheep Handling Services, a sheep conveyor, mobile shower dipping and jetting business. Vet Services are very proud of our long standing and close involvement with the sheep industry. When the opportunity arose to purchase HB Sheep Handling from Waipukurau local James Tennent, we…
Easter can be a busy time for our clinics. Egg hunts, family gatherings and planting the autumn vegetable garden are all activities with dangerous temptations for our pets which can lead to an emergency trip to the vet! Here’s a few classic Easter treats that can be very harmful for your pets and should therefore…
It’s that time of year when we get phone calls about coughing lambs and ways, we can help to treat animals at the time. Unfortunately, pneumonia in lambs is very difficult to treat once symptoms have occurred, so the best treatment is prevention! Pneumonia in young sheep can be caused by a number of different…
Too hot to handle Crops are an integral part of many systems, supplying supplementary feed when pasture covers get tight during autumn and winter. Unfortunately, nothing in life is ever that simple with many of the popular choices for crop being higher risk for nitrate accumulation, placing us between a rock and a hard place…
BOOKING FORM AT BOTTOM OF PAGE Last year we were surprised by our results due to the condition of our ewes. Scanning last year many people were surprised by the performance of their flock considering the condition the ewes were in at the time of scanning. On the back of the drought many ewe flocks…
Weaning is one of the most stressful event a calf will go through, which is why it can be the period when we see many disease related issues as the associated stress leads to immune compromise. Young cattle at weaning may also be going from a situation of being regularly observed to a less intensive…
Facial Eczema Pasture Spore Counting 1 April 2022 WAIPUKURAU HASTINGS Spore counts for this part of Hawke’s Bay have increased this week and are on average at a dangerous level of 71 000 spores per gram of pasture. With many farmers busy fixing fences and clearing slips after mammoth downpours, the number of samples we…
THERE IS NOW LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LEFT FOR SNIP ‘N’ CHIP Visit Vet Services Waipukurau or Vet Services Napier to secure your $10 Snip ‘n’ Chip voucher and BOOK IN your feline for their appointment before 31st January 2022. There are a limited number of vouchers left so be in quick to avoid disappointment.…
Enjoy the holidays but remember your pet’s safety and heightened sensitivity to some of our favourite things. Never underestimate a food loving dog’s ability to smell out and find food stuff not intended for them!! Here are a few things to keep in mind. Chocolate: Wrapped up under the Christmas tree, the festive season is the…
Christmas is fast-approaching, our clinics have been busy with people getting ready for the holidays and it won’t be long before most people enjoy a few days off with friends and family. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need assistance with your animals over the break – we have an holiday team…
Summer is nearly here which means our vets are starting to see an increase in grass seed related problems. Barley grass has bristly seeds which stick to anything, anywhere, anytime! Because of their shape these seeds can burrow into fur and skin where they might become lodged. They can also enter nose or ears, get…
The NZ Sheep industry is evolving, with the perception of strong wool reaching a tipping point and many farmers looking to convert flocks to finer wool and shedding breeds. Rising costs of using the woolshed and the declining prices of strong wool has made the future of wool a point of discussion at every level…
Remember, remember the 5th of November! As Guy Fawkes rolls around each year our night skies begin to light up with colour and booming noises. While some of us enjoy the excitement, these celebrations can have a really negative effect on our animals. Here are some tips to keep your furry friends happy during this…
Earlier this year Vet Services hosted a Wool Workshop looking at the future of the NZ Wool industry. Professor Steve Morris from Massey University, Dean Martin of Glenlands Farms, Morrison Farming, and Focus Genetics shared what they have learnt while introducing shedding breeds in to strong wool flocks. Prof Steve Morris – Massey University Many…
A flea and tick collar like no other, Seresto® prevents both flea and tick infestations via simple contact with your cat or dog’s skin. The Seresto® flea and tick collar provides long-lasting protection, and remains effective for eight months. Unlike some other products, which only work after your cat or dog has been bitten, Seresto®…
Selenium supplementation is a very topical issue for all horse owners. An essential component in all diets, Selenium plays a vital role in a horse’s metabolism. Together with Vitamin E it is a powerful antioxidant, protecting their cells from damage. The soil in NZ is naturally very low in Selenium, as a result, so are…
Hot of the press!! Vet Services are very excited to have just purchased a gastro-scope! We are looking forward to now being able to offer this service on a day to day basis A few things have changed since we last spoke – keep reading to find out what the up to date research is…
Great your foal has arrived! That’s one stressful part over for your mare and new-born. We now recommend that you book a post foaling check with your vet to help you keep an eye on any post foaling complications which can occur in the first four days of life. Your veterinarian will offer a thorough…
Ila has a new lease on life after loosing 2.5kg since December 2020! This 12 year old pooch and her dedicated owners have been working with our nursing team over the last 10 months to make small changes to her lifestyle to help her loose weight and manage her arthritis. As a result she…
Drench Resistance is the number one animal health issue facing farmers and their vets in the sheep & beef industry. We are very concerned – here’s why. We have no new tools in the box to tackle this issue. No new knowledge, no new drench families, and we have to work with what we currently…
Drench Resistance is the number one animal health issue facing farmers and their vets in the sheep & beef industry. We are very concerned – here’s why • We have no new tools in the box to tackle this issue. No new knowledge, no new drench families, and we have to work with what we…
Well, that was a big surprise! Going to Level 4 at 6.00pm last night has meant we have to change the way we operate to ensure we comply with Covid-19 government regulations. The good news is we have been through this before and have social distancing protocols in place to keep our staff, clients…
Working dogs are an asset to any farmer and are becoming an increasingly large investment. The lifetime value of a useful working dog is estimated to be $40,000 with dogs fulfilling roles other staff cannot replace. With this in mind it is important to provide the best care to allow dogs to reach their full…
Introducing Our Working Dog Performance Partnership Supporting the dogs that keep your farm moving For many years, our Dog Vaccination Run has been a trusted and practical service for our farming clients. Over time, we’ve listened to your feedback, gained a deeper understanding of the demands placed on working dogs, and recognised opportunities to offer…
Raw diets are meat-based diets (including bones and offal) that have not been cooked, this includes foods that have been frozen, dehydrated or freeze-dried. Recently these diets have gained popularity among pet owners who are hoping to provide a more natural option for their beloved companion. Although these diets may be marketed as a better…
Ryan Luckman PhoneThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.Name* First Last Email* PhoneWhich location?DannevirkeWaipukurauHastingsAny others coming with you?Let us know how many people from your farm are coming so that we can keep track of the number of people attending. Submit Δ
While long acting anthelmintics have a role in the management of parasites in lambing ewes and the subsequent levels of pasture contamination, their use contributes to the onset and extent of anthelmintic resistance. With growing concern over the number of farms in NZ now showing clinical and subclinical issues with anthelmintic resistance, the following should be considered…
Two Free Workshop’s in Hastings & Waipukurau that will cover what’s involved in being “wormwise” and drench strategies for your farm.
We are hosting a series of seminars around the topic of winter feeding and setting your farm up for spring performance. Our vets will talk about lambing in tough feed times, winter feeding of cattle, and some of the winter animal health issues to watch out for. The seminar will be followed by a free BBQ &…
And just like that the spore counts have jumped back up! This is not surprising with the warmer nights over the past couple of weeks. Due to the autumn drought, animals are potentially grazing pasture at lower pasture residuals so there is still some risk to stock. The colder nights forecast for next week and…
Whisky was admitted in a critical condition earlier this month after eating a significant amount of rat bait. Upon arrival the 11-month-old ridgeback was lethargic, pale, coughing softly and refusing to eat or drink. He didn’t improve with initial treatments and urgently needed a lifesaving blood transfusion. Basil, a 7-year-old greyhound came to the rescue…
This week’s pasture spore counts – Week ending 14th May 2021 Regional average spore counts have dropped back to safe levels, and hotspots have also reduced significantly. It hard to see spore count climbing again now as nights are really cooling off. Trend graph of 2021 Regional Average Spore Counts compared with last year’s data.
This week’s pasture spore counts – Week ending 7th May 2021 Regional average spore counts have dropped back to low levels, and hotspots have reduced, the highest being 65,000 at Ocean Beach. The dry conditions and cooler overnight temperatures have slowed up spore growth significantly. Known hotspots still pose some risk to grazing stock, especially…
Slug bait (metaldehyde) can be fatal to dogs. They are attracted to it so it needs to be locked away, even being on a high shelf dogs will seek it out or scavenge if it gets knocked off. Signs of poisoning range from slight muscle twitches/tremours to full blown seizures. Even with intensive, emergency treatment,…
Regional average spore counts have increased again since last week, with counts having risen dramatically over the last 3 weeks. There are individual counts at dangerous levels in several areas (Taihape Road 120,000, Ocean Beach Road 140,000, Eskdale 100,000). Don’t assume your area is safe just because we’ve had cooler nights, get some pasture samples…
The 2021 Facial Eczema monitoring scheme for the Waipukurau Clinic area has now come to an end. We have been fortunate to have had a mild season with only moderate risk and few clinical cases. There are still a few areas with occasional hot spots and if you are in one of these areas and…
Spore count summary After a cold snap and a downward trend in counts we have now seen a small jump with some recent warm weather. Not too many individual counts in high risk zones but a few small spikes present and still spores present in moderate levels at almost all of our monitor sites. Quick…
Hastings Update Regional average spore counts have reduced again to 8500, there have been a few hotpots (80,000 on Omaranui Rd) outside of the farms doing weekly monitoring so the best advice is to monitor the spore counts on your pastures to assess risk more accurately. Waipukurau Update The trend at the moment is continual…
Peter was rushed to our clinic a couple of weeks ago after being attacked by a dog, and suffering horrific wounds to his left ear. Kathryn, Libby & the Companion Animal team attended to Pete’s injuries under a general anaesthetic and found that unfortunately his ear was too damaged and would need to be…
Lloyd Smith Training Workshop Lloyd will be demonstrating using his own dogs, including tips on how to train a young pup, and will be available to answer any questions regarding your own dogs. New Date: Friday 9 April Time: 9.30am – 4.00pm Cost: $10 PP **Vet Services will be providing BBQ Lunch**
Red mites are small external parasites of chickens that live in the cracks and crevices of poultry housing. They are blood feeders and mainly feed at night but if there are large numbers they may be seen during the day. They then return to the housing during the day where they lay their eggs. They…
Hastings Update: Regional average spore counts are around the 10,000 mark, with hotspots across the region indicating the risk is not over yet. Areas around Waiwhare/Taihape Road had hotspots reaching 45,000. Best advice is to monitor the spore counts on your pastures to assess risk more accurately. Waipukurau Update: Spores are still present although not…
While overindulging during the Easter period may result in a few extra kilograms for us, the consequences for our pets are much greater. The accidental ingestion of chocolate can lead to serious illness or even death for our beloved companions. Chocolate contains theobromine which is poisonous and caffeine which is dangerous to all our pets.…
Regional average spore counts are around the 25,000 mark, with hotspots across the region, indicating the risk is not over yet. One of the sites on Ocean Beach Road is still 115,000. Best advice is to monitor the spore counts on your pastures to assess risk more accurately. Hastings Results Waipukurau Results Further…
Podgy Pooches & Curvaceous Cats Every pet has an ideal weight but almost 50% of animals coming into the clinic are overweight. This problem can be difficult to manage and is often overlooked, despite the well-known health risks including diabetes mellitus, arthritis, cancer and respiratory and heart disease. The first step to helping podgy pooches…
In recent years there has been an emergence of grain free diets, and these have been advertised as the “best” way to feed your pet. We suspect this trend has jumped over from the increasing amounts of human gluten-free diets. These foods are often marketed as feeding your dog a “natural” diet or something that…
Alpacas are very susceptible to the toxic effects of facial eczema spores and high risk periods occur during the summer and autumn. The spores, produced by the fungus Pithomyces chartarum, are broken down in the digestive tract releasing the sporidesmin toxin. The toxin is absorbed into the circulation and reaches the liver where it is…
With the change of season and cooler nights fast approaching it’s time to consider how you will keep your working team warm this winter. Why it is important to keep your team warm over winter? In recent years there has been a real push to improve kennel conditions and to provide bedding and jackets…
Dogs do not perspire the way humans do; in fact, the only sweat glands that they have are on the pads of their feet. Dogs pant to cool themselves. If the surrounding air is not considerably cooler than the animals’ body temperature – as in the case of a hot, stuffy automobile – the cooling…
What is epilepsy? Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes dogs to have sudden, uncontrolled and recurring seizures. Dogs can have seizures because of trauma, exposure to toxins, brain tumors, genetic abnormalities, issues with the dog’s blood or organs, or for a number of other reasons. Other times, seizures may sometimes occur for unknown reasons…
Constipation is an obstruction of the colon with difficulty to pass dry, hard and firm faeces. Obstipation is a severe obstruction with an inability to defaecate at all. Clinical signs are: Straining to defaecate and/or defaecating small amounts of dry hard firm stool Straining with small amounts of liquid stool Occasional vomiting and not…
The physical break in the toe nail or dewclaw causes a cracked nail with an exposed nail bed. The nail bed can bleed or become infected. This can be so painful that your pet may stop bearing weight on the affected leg. If left untreated, nail infections can spread up to the joints of the…
Bladder obstruction (commonly called a blocked bladder) is caused by a buildup of sludge, crystals or stones in the bladder. It is these crystals and stones, which obstruct the urethra (outflow tract of the bladder) and can cause an obstructed bladder, meaning your pet can not urinate. The inability to urinate causes the bladder to…
Why are health checks so important? As they say, ‘prevention is always better than a cure’ and here at Vet Services we take routine health checks very seriously. Health exams are very important in assessing the condition of your pet and in helping to detect any underlying disease or problems. Pets age five to eight…
As our pets age, they can develop changes to their heart which can lead to heart disease and eventually heart failure. Some animals are more susceptible to this due to their breed. A normal heart: Takes deoxygenated blood from the body via a large vein called the Vena Cava and pushes it into the right…
As our pets age, normal and abnormal wear and tear within their joints can start taking its toll. Cartlidge within the joints start to wear thin and it causes inflammation. Once inflammation is present our pets suffer from arthritis. Arthritis is a progressive disease which means that over time it gets worse. Inflammation will lead…
Facial Eczema Pasture Spore Counting Facial eczema is a disease caused by the fungus Pithomyces chartarum; which produces a toxin (sporidesmin) resulting in liver damage and photosensitivity. It grows on dead plant material at the base of the sward and thrives in warm, humid conditions. A good way to determine the risk level of your…
Monitor drenches used on farm annually by completing a faecal egg count check at 10 days after drenching. Do this for each different drench family that you use during the season. Try to complete as early in the season as possible. Quarantine drench: On arrival at the farm, drench all stock with a…
Central Hawkes Bay has had an outbreak of kennel cough. This disease can and will spread very fast between dogs and we recommend a vaccination to help protect your dogs. What is kennel cough: Kennel Cough (also known as canine infectious tracheobronchitis) is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Dogs commonly contract kennel cough at places…
Waipukurau After a slight increase due to warm rain a few weeks ago the counts have dropped again, and with cooler nights the spore counts are expected to remain in this mid-low zone. We still have some potential for warm weather for another month or so but it is the night-time temperatures that are needed…
Canine parvovirus, commonly called ‘Parvo’, is a highly infectious and often lethal disease that affects puppies and dogs. It effects their stomach and small intestine and symptoms can include; vomiting, diarrhoea (often with traces of blood), a lack of appetite, dehydration and rapid condition loss. Puppies under 6 months of age are at the highest…
Our annual HOY specials are now available online and in Hawke’s Bay clinics. Limited stock – get in quick! Home
This week’s pasture spore counts – Week ending 5th March 2021 Spore counts are continuing to rise in some areas and it is expected that the spore count will continue to rise more following the recent widespread rain adding moisture to the large amount of dead matter found in pasture at the moment. Combined with…
What is it? Facial eczema is a disease affecting sheep, cattle and alpacas, and is caused by a toxin called sporidesmin. Sporidesmin is produced by the spores of the fungus Pithomyces chartarum growing on pasture. The fungus grows in the base of pasture in warm moist conditions found at this time of year. When ingested…
Ear inflammation and infection is one of the most common conditions we encounter at Vet Services, especially in dogs. The ear is divided into three sections, the external ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Inflammation/infection can affect any one of these three compartments separately or combined. Dr Neil Stuttle explains the cause &…
An update from each of the Vet Services Regions. WAIPUKURAU Camille Flack, Production Animal Veterinarian Group Leader We start the year quite differently compared to this time last year. Last year the first cases of Covid-19 were being confirmed in New Zealand and we were starting to get concerned about the dry. This year while…
This week’s pasture spore counts – Week ending 26 February 2021 Hastings Clinic Results There is a big range in spore counts this week from 0 to 230,000 (highly toxic), whilst some farms remain low the district average counts have double from last week. One of the sites on Ocean Beach Road was 80,000, one…
Hastings pasture spore counts – Week ending 19 February 2021 The majority of this week’s spore counts were in the 0,000-5,000 (low) range. The average count across the region were 6250, a slight lift on last week. One of the sites on Ocean Beach Road remained at 17,500. Spore counts match last year’s trend at…
This week’s pasture spore counts – Week ending 12 February 2021 The majority of this Hasting’s spore counts were in the 0,000-5,000 (low) range this week. The average count across the region were 3330, and remains unchanged from the last 3 weeks. One of the sites on Ocean Beach Road remained at 15,000. Spore counts…
With the typical Hawkes Bay summer weather upon us it is time to start thinking about the wind-up of this milking season. There are many aspects to consider when it comes to drying off your herd (think BCS, long term weather forecasts, expected calving dates, production goals etc), but on the top of the list…
Facial Eczema Workshop Join our vets for a Facial Eczema Workshop on Thursday 11 February to hear about the prevention, monitoring, and management of this potentially devastating disease. Waipukurau Clinic 10am – 12pm Vet Services will be providing light refreshments X/TwitterThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.Name(Required) First Last Farm Name…
Hastings Results The majority of this week’s spore counts were in the 0,000-5,000 (low) range. The average count across the region was just over 5000, and remains unchanged from the last 3 weeks. One of the sites on Ocean Beach Road remained at 20,000. Spore counts match last year’s trend at this stage. Trend graph…
VSHB are involved in some large artificial breeding programmes such as the release of breed such as Finnish Landrace, the Texel, the Awassi and the East Friesian and work closely with individual New Zealand breeders with AI/ET programmes for advancement of superior genetics. In the last 12 months (despite Covid-19) we successfully Implanted…
Sheep Scanning is used to ascertain whether or not a sheep is pregnant (“wet” vs “dry”, known as WD) and/or how many lambs she is carrying (single vs twin vs triplet, known as TSD or Triplets). We strongly encourage investing in pregnancy scanning as the scanning data allows you to maximise your flock performance with…
Waipukurau Results A low and slow approach to the season so far with counts rising steadily but not yet in the dangerous zone for most. There have been reports locally of clinical cases on farm already, and farms that have tested multiple sites have shown us the differences we can see between paddocks even on…
Rachel Griffiths give her tips on keeping your pets cool on The Breeze morning show with Martin and Sarah. . Hawke’s Bay’s hot summer can present some challenges for our animals. Here’s Vet Rachels tips to keep your pets safe, cool and happy cool during the warmer months. Consider the best time to…
This week’s pasture spore counts – Week ending January 24, 2021 Not unexpectedly with so much long, rank grass beginning to build we are seeing our first FE spores of the year. The warm, humid weather is also a concern. However counts at this stage are thankfully low and so not require any immediate intervention. Nonetheless the…
Waipukurau Results (11-17 Jan). Not unexpectedly with so much long, rank grass beginning to build we are seeing our first FE spores of the year. The warm, humid weather is also a concern. However counts at this stage are thankfully low and so not require any immediate intervention. Nonetheless the season has just begun and things are…
At the end of November, Vet Services General Manager Richard Hilson, and Senior Veterinarian Roger McKinley will hang up their stethoscopes after providing Central Hawke’s Bay with over 30 years’ veterinary care. Richard has made an enormous contribution to Vet Services over the last 30 years, as a Vet, Director and latterly General Manager. His…
Last month Roger McKinley saw his last ever patient, hung up his stethoscope and left our Hastings Clinic to begin a happy retirement after providing our community with a whopping 37 years of veterinary service! When Roger began working in our original Hastings Clinic in 1983, he was one of just two veterinarians. (Vet Services…
Christmas is fraught with potential dangers to your pets. Items safe and enjoyable for humans can be dangerous for our furry friends. Here are the most common potential hazards. Chocolate. Wrapped up easily accessible under the Christmas tree, the festive season is the most common time to see chocolate toxicity in dogs. Containing theobromine, which…
The old saying goes; “the eyes are the window to the soul” and I’m sure most, if not all, pet owners could probably attest to this when their little critter stares deeply into their own, especially around dinner time. Which is why we need to make sure we look after our companions’ eyes this summer…
What is Flystrike? Flystrike is the most significant ectoparasitic disease of sheep in New Zealand, both from an economic and animal welfare perspective. The main flystrike challenge is during warm humid conditions, normally from November through to March, however this can vary seasonally and in some cases the challenge period can occur from October through…
Mastitis in ewes is something I’m sure many of you have battled with over the years, it is a condition we are very familiar with in cattle, especially in the dairy sector, but we are less accustomed to treating it in our ewe flocks. This season we have had a few more cases presented to…
Do you know whether that drench you just gave your stock is working? They may look to be free from signs of parasitism, but a drench can have lost a significant amount of its efficacy before you will notice any clinical impact. Continued use of a poorly effective drench is a perfect recipe for building…
Cows are amazingly stoic creatures, hiding their pain well from us. Lameness is one of the ways they will show pain, and most of the time it has stemmed from a foot issue. The corium is the layer of tissue inside the hoof that the hard hoof grows from, and when it becomes damaged it…
Dogs are natural scavengers and even during a hard day’s work (or play) can usually find a moment to snack on tasty morsels they may come across. Recreational areas such as rivers and bushland are not always entirely safe as possum and rabbit control measures utilise baits which are attractive to dogs. We commonly see…
In the words of the old song, can a pet “take a trip and never leave the farm”, even in this Covid-19 era of travel restrictions? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. More and more frequently we are presented with dogs who are acting strangely and who are known to, or suspected of having ingested, someone’s…
Worms are a concern for all cats and dogs but the risk is much higher for puppies, kittens and immunocompromised animals (due to illness, age or medication). In puppies and kittens, severe worm burdens can be life threatening due to underdeveloped immune systems. Wormy puppies and kittens will often be weak, have a swollen tummy,…
I am allergic. My skin’s inflamed and itchy. Take me to my vet! We can help you to work out what is causing the itching – is it fleas, contact allergies, food, airborne allergies, hormonal issue effecting the skin, bacterial or fungal infection? Subtle differences may be diagnostic. What do allergies in pets look like?…
We hope you have had a great start to Spring! The days are definitely getting longer and there are plenty of lambs, calves and blossom popping up around The Bay. You may have noticed the buildings neighbouring our clinic have now disappeared and been replaced with an exciting development. The building site will not affect…
WHEN’S THE BEST TIME TO HAVE YOUR DOG DESEXED? Recently, if and when to spay (female) or castrate (male) your dog has become a topic of debate and everyone seems to have slightly different opinions. The reason for this is that there is pros and cons of performing this procedure at different ages, and these…
Dairy calves are thick on the ground here in Dannevirke and we are very busy with debudding! The optimal time to debud calves is when they are 2-6 weeks of age so horn buds are removed before they have a chance to attach to the skull, this makes the job quicker and reduces the risk…
Your livestock are at risk from clostridial disease at key times throughout the year. This means full, annual protection is vital to protect them against death. Clostridial diseases are caused by a group of bacteria that have the ability to form resistant spores. Spores can concentrate in areas of high usage e.g. around yards, sheds…
There are three stages to calving: Stage 1 (should take around 6 hours): The fluid sac around the calf is visualised and bursts, the cow may have her tail up, be restless and isolate herself, may mother other calves, cervix gradually dilates Stage 2 (should take about 1 hour): Delivery of the calf. Stage 3…
Vet Services Hawke’s Bay is proud to be a locally owned business which has provided over 70 years of trusted animal care in the Hawke’s Bay region. First established in 1949 as the ‘Central Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Veterinary Club’ the business was renamed Vet Services Hawke’s Bay in 1967 and has continued to grow, improve…
There are a number of conditions of the hind leg in the horse that cause very specific, atypical type lameness and gait abnormalities. These include stringhalt, shivers, upward patella fixation, fibrotic myopathy and rupture of the peroneus tertius muscle. Dave Kruger outlines each of these medical conditions and what to look out for below. STRINGHALT…
Colic, a word that strikes fear into the heart of every horse owner! But what is it and what can we do? In the simplest sense, colic is a broad term used to describe abdominal pain and the behaviour that we see associated with that pain. This is most commonly associated with the gastrointestinal tract,…
Wolf teeth are technically known as the first premolar teeth in horses. They usually erupt into the mouth at between five and twelve months of age, but do not continue to grow or erupt into the mouth as do the rest of the cheek teeth. It has been estimated that approximately seventy percent of horses…
It’s a question that’s come up time and time again for me over the last year or two. Often, clients will explain that their horses or ponies are not worth very much money, and so they don’t think it’s worthwhile. I thought I’d put together some of the aspects to consider, and some of the…
The classic ‘coughing horse’ is a common sight and sound at this time of year, and often transient viral respiratory disease is to blame. But as much as we love to blame a virus, they are not always the cause! This year has seen an influx of allergy associated disease in all classes of stock…
Johnny Atkins BVSc Vet Services Dannevirke ‘Small Strongyles’ or ‘Cyathostomes’ are the terms used for a group of over forty different species of parasites affecting horses. They tend to be the most prevalent parasite within the horses’ gastrointestinal tract and although small, heavy burdens can result in big problems! Unlike their cousins the ‘large strongyles’,…
A common winter issue, lice are prevalent at this time of year due to their preference for cooler, darker and drier weather conditions. Infestations develop as a slow burn on healthy animals, with numbers gradually increasing on individuals. The entire lifecycle of lice is spent on sheep, so transmission between individual animals can only occur…
This season has been extremely challenging for all farmers in the Hawke’s Bay, the prolonged dry spell and lack of Autumn growth, difficulty in finding supplementary feed, delays in killing space, and cancellation of sales have all had a massive impact. The feed requirements of livestock are well known and can be easily found…
Growing young stock to their full potential involves many factors. The main focus should be great nutrition with all animal health considerations including trace minerals, vaccinations and parasite control covered. Even with all of that considered, aside from poor nutrition, parasites can often be the most growth limiting factor of young stock on pastoral farms…
What a challenging season it has been and continues to be in CHB this autumn! We have seen very little rain across the region since early January and covers are such that it wouldn’t be too hard to find a golf ball hit onto most properties! Supplementary feed has been used extensively throughout the district…
As vets and as owners we are very aware of osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs. However, recognition of this condition in cats is often a lot later in the piece than in their canine counterparts. In recent years we have hugely improved in our diagnosis and subsequent treatment of OA and we have also recognized that…
Rat bait (anti-coagulant rodenticide) is the most common poison eaten by dogs and it causes problems by preventing their blood from clotting. Symptoms begin 2-4 days after ingestion due to bleeding in different locations in the body. Dogs can bleed from anywhere but most commonly into their lungs, which causes a cough and then difficulty…
Urinary tract disorders are very common in cats and dogs and are a regular part of our case load here at VSHB. The urinary tract system enables the production of urine to eliminate metabolic waste products, storage of urine and then the appropriate emptying of urine. The urinary tract itself is divided into the upper…
When you buy a working dog, you often find yourself looking in a hurry so you can get on with your day to day activities. Although you may be feeling pressure to purchase a new dog quickly, a little patience and time may save a lot of heart ache in the long run. During the…
Our dogs are not only very hard working members of our farm team, they are also real characters which give us a lot of enjoyment (and strife on a bad day) .They hold a special place in our farming community and they are great companions in an often lonely job. So what can we do…
To all our VSHB Clients Regarding the Covid-19 outbreak… We would like to reassure you that the health and well-being of our community is our primary concern. Our animals, our clients and ourselves. We are aware that as providers of animal health services we need to do our best to maintain a high level of…
Dogs do not perspire the way humans do; in fact, the only sweat glands that they have are on the pads of their feet. Dogs pant to cool themselves. If the surrounding air is not considerably cooler than the animals’ body temperature – as in the case of a hot, stuffy automobile – the cooling…
We always fear losing our pets. Nevertheless, sometimes it is inevitable that we need to make this decision. We hope this article helps answer any questions you may have and gives you a better understanding of what to expect for you, your family and your precious pet when it comes time to make that decision.…
New regulations are in force meaning that if you leave your dog in a parked car and it is showing signs of heat distress you can receive a fine and a broken car window. Dogs quickly suffer and die in hot cars, so please leave your dogs at home. If you leave a dog in…
Retired Working Dogs NZ is a registered charity that works to find homes for working farm dogs if they are unable to work due to age, injury or have no interest in stock. Retired pig dogs and hunting dogs are also included! The charity started in Pahiatua in 2012 and has since grown to a…
Many people know the importance of insuring their items, their house or car, even their own health. Fortunately we are also able to insure pets, for not only medical and surgical care but in some cases routine visits can be covered (including vaccinations and wellness checks/blood tests). Like any insurance, the hope is that you…
To be skinny despite continuously eating, is that not the dream for a lot of people? Unfortunately for our furry friends it can be a sign of something more sinister lurking beneath the surface – hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a disease that we mostly see in cats over the age of 10, although it can happen…
Middle aged to older cats can suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension). It occurs when a cat’s arterial blood pressure is continually higher than normal. This can be the result of worsening renal function or hyperthyroidism (elevation in thyroid hormone) but mostly we just don’t know why it happens. High blood pressure can affect many…
Much like the human population, companion animals are becoming increasingly overweight. In New Zealand the statistics are alarmingly high and a significant proportion of the patients we see on a day to day basis are overweight. Why should we care and why not just embrace our fuller-bodied pets? A concept that has in the past…
What is this disease we are talking about, that in some cases, you may not even know is happening in your own dog until she becomes very sick and compromised…. Pyometra (pyo) is effectively a pus filled uterus that can develop in an ovary intact bitch. Why this occurs, without getting too technical, is because…
General stiffness, slowing down, difficulty rising… Is it just old age? Our senior pets may show subtle signs or be quite obvious in their attempts to tell us about their problems. One of these problems that we commonly see is arthritis. Signs may include lameness in one or more legs, difficulty getting up in the…
Duck shooting doesn’t seem to cause many concerns for our canine companions, usually only a few cuts and bruises that are insignificant compared to the enjoyment derived from the exercise. However getting damp in water for long periods can give rise to a flare up of ear disease (otitis externa). Some dogs seem prone to…
Dogs, like us, have two sets of teeth during their lives. The deciduous (baby) teeth appear shortly after birth and are replaced by the permanents at around four to six months of age. Deciduous teeth cause few problems except where they are retained beyond about eight months of age. If this occurs, displacement of the…
By Helen Taylor- Veterinarian, Vet Services Hawke’s Bay. Rearing orphan lambs can be an enjoyable and rewarding job for a whole spectrum of people – from a lifestyler with a couple of pets lambs to the owner of a highly productive stud flock fostering triplet lambs of high genetic merit. Pet lambs are also easy…
Ticks thrive in warmer climates and so are commonly distributed across the North Island, although they are becoming an increasingly widespread issue. During their lifecycle they move on and off a host three times. Eggs are laid on the soil in summer, hatching to larvae in late summer/early autumn. The larvae migrate up the pasture…
Incidence of lameness varies between herds and varies during the season. Smaller herds still have an incidence of 10% lame cows in the herd, larger herds often show higher incidences: up to 30%. Wet periods will boost the number of clinically lame cows, due to gravel being pushed into existing white line defects, softening of…
