Keep up to date with all our latest news, articles of interest, and case studies from the veterinary world around Hawke’s Bay.
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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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