News & Advice

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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” […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

Parvovirus… it’s a diagnosis that every pet parent and vet clinic dreads, and one that can take the life of a previously healthy puppy in a matter of days. Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that affects dogs, particularly puppies. It is a serious and potentially fatal illness that can cause severe gastrointestinal […]

Algae is present in many of New Zealand’s lakes and rivers all year round, and is found across a range of water qualities (including high quality). In periods of warm weather and low water flow, toxic species of algae can outgrow non-toxic, species. Levels can change dramatically from one day to the next and aren’t […]

Caring for your pet lamb may seem simple, but there are a few things you need to aware of … It is absolutely vital that the lamb has at least one feed of colostrum (milk from a ewe lambed within the last 24hrs) in its first day of life. Without this colostrum, the lamb has […]