News & Advice

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   Stay up to date with the latest news and advice for pets and farm animals from our team of dedicated vets.

LATEST Pets ARTICLES

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Why Is My Dog So Itchy?

A small dog outside furiously scratching because they are itchy

Itchy dogs are a common sight in any vet clinic. From the occasional scratch to the all-night nibbling sessions, itchiness can drive dogs (and their owners) a little bit crazy. But did you know that “itch” is not a diagnosis in itself? It’s a symptom — and it can have many different causes.  Understanding why […]

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Dog Supplements for Allergies

A red collie dog outside being given supplements via a dropper

If you are a dog parent dealing with a pup with skin allergies, you’ve probably scrolled through endless advice and product recommendations. From cod liver oil to fancy probiotics, the world of supplements can be overwhelming – and, unfortunately, full of hype and misconceptions.  Let’s break down what really matters when it comes to supplements […]

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Bathing Dogs with Allergies

dog being bathed outside

If your dog suffers from allergies, you will know how frustrating it can be to keep their skin healthy and itch-free. While medication and other treatments are important, one of the most effective — and often overlooked — tools for managing allergic skin disease is regular, targeted bathing. The right shampoo, used in the right […]

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Vaccination Reactions

happy cat and dog rolling in grass together

While vaccine reactions are rare, they do sometimes occur. The benefits of vaccinating far outweigh the risks of any side effect from a vaccine that is easily treatable and much less severe than the disease itself. Just like us, each pet is different, and yours will have varying risk factors based on their breed, age […]

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Vaccination Titre-Testing

cat blood test

The routine administration of vaccinations to pets has been one of the most significant factors in the reduction of serious dog and cat infectious diseases in New Zealand. This approach has resulted in excellent disease control for infections that were once considered important causes of sickness and death. Although all veterinarians agree vaccines are necessary, […]

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Vaccination Guidelines for Rabbits

Overseas, there are several highly infectious and potentially fatal diseases that can affect your rabbit. Fortunately, in New Zealand (NZ) there is only one major disease we need to vaccinate for A vaccine has been produced that will protect your rabbit against the NZ form of viral haemorrhagic disease (calicivirus). To ensure that your rabbit […]

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Vaccination Guidelines for Cats

happy cat stretching onground

Most core cat vaccinations aim to help prevent at least three diseases in kittens and cats: Feline Panleukopenia (FPV), Feline Herpesvirus 1 (FSV1), and Feline Calicivirus (FCV). Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV, also called Feline Distemper or Feline Enteritis) is a highly contagious virus of the parvovirus group, with a high mortality rate. It is extremely “hardy” […]

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Vaccination Guidelines for Dogs

A dog running through barley grass

There are many diseases which can be fatal to dogs; however, we can aid in the prevention of these diseases using very effective vaccines. The core vaccine helps to protect against the dreaded Parvovirus, which is the most commonly known virus to affect puppies. Distemper and Hepatitis are also covered by the core vaccine but […]

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Arthritis in Pets: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know

As the weather cools and winter sets in, many pet owners notice subtle changes in their animal companions. These changes—like stiffness, reluctance to move, or increased sleep—could be signs of arthritis, a common but often overlooked condition in both dogs and cats. Arthritis isn’t just for older pets While arthritis is more common in senior […]

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Enrichment for dogs: What is it?

dog engagemed in enrichment activity

We often hear about the importance of enrichment for our pets. But what exactly is enrichment, and why is it so crucial? While all pets need some form of enrichment, let’s focus on man’s best friend – our dogs. Dogs have natural instincts that have been honed over thousands of years. When humans domesticated dogs, […]

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Pawsome Summer Spots Giveaway

Summer is here, and what better way to enjoy it than with your furry best friends? To celebrate the season, we’re excited to announce our Pawsome Summer Spots Giveaway! We’re giving away fantastic prizes, including an Animo activity and behaviour monitor for dogs, a Surefeed microchip pet feeder, and The Dog’s Best Friend Game for […]

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December 2024 and January 2025 opening hours

Our veterinary teams will enjoy a much-needed break over the holiday season and will be closed on all public holidays. In an emergency, please call your local clinic on the after-hours phone number. Please note the following clinics are operating reduced hours or opening days as follows: SOUTH CANTERBURY Temuka 24.12.24 8am – 3pm 25.12.24 […]

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Get in touch with your local Vetlife Clinic today to discuss your animal’s health concerns.

With vet clinics across the South Island, we look forward to welcoming you into one of our Vetlife clinics.

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