Articles

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

brown grass field with animals on field during daytime

Facial Eczema Monitor – 26 March 2021

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…

Details

An Easter warning for your pet

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.…

Details

Facial Eczema Weekly Monitor – Week ending April 1

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…

Details

Chickens & Red Mites

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…

Details

Pete The One-Eared Sheep

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…

Details

Facial Eczema Weekly Monitor – Week ending 9 April

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…

Details

Facial Eczema Monitor – Week ending 16 April

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…

Details

white sheep on brown grass field during sunset

Facial Eczema Monitor – Hastings 30 April 2021

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…

Details

Slug Bait Toxicity Warning

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,…

Details

Facial Eczema Monitor – Hastings Results

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…

Details