News & Advice

In 2015 the NZVA issued a statement that by “2030 NZ Inc” would no longer need “antibiotics for the maintenance of animal health”. This had significant implications for the dairy industry where blanket treatment of cows at dry-off with antibiotic Dry Cow Therapy (DCT) was common practice. The alternative and preferred approach is now Selective […]

Lambing percentage, and ultimately lamb survival, is the major driver of profitability for sheep enterprises in New Zealand. The two leading causes of lamb losses due to abortion are Toxoplasma and Campylobacter, for combating which there are two exceptionally good vaccines available. The uptake of Toxovax® is particularly good as it is a once-in-a-lifetime vaccination […]

The number of animal monitoring devices, commonly known as ‘collars’, is doubling every year. Why is this a growing trend and what options are available on the market? Labour shortages, higher payouts and a global demand for boosting dairy sustainability are all drivers behind an increased uptake of technology on farms. Data is being generated […]

Yersiniosis is one of the main causes of death in four to eight-month-old deer, resulting in stock losses of 10 and 30% in unvaccinated herds. Stress is a major factor in making fawns vulnerable to yersiniosis around weaning. Stresses include: Separation from mother Cold, wet and windy weather Poor nutrition or sudden change of feed […]

As summer approaches many of us are no doubt making plans to head to the beach or enjoy a nice barbeque under the simmering heat. But this “fun in the sun season” also happens to come with hazards for our pets. To help you keep your pets safe from the summer heat, we have put […]

Whether it’s a day trip to the beach with your pets or a multi-day adventure, here are a few tips to make your travel plans go smoothly and make the most of the summer. 1. Accommodation: Before the trip, call ahead of time to check the policies of your accommodation regarding pets. Many hotels/motels will […]

Taking your dog on holiday can be fun for everyone – after all, things just aren’t the same without the whole family there!   The key to a successful trip with your pooch is preparation. So, with that in mind, here are some tips to ensure your pets remain happy and stress-free throughout the holiday […]

Antibiotics are medicines for treating bacterial infections in humans and animals alike. Antibiotics are designed to interfere with specific biological processes that are essential for bacterial life. However, it is possible for bacteria to evolve and develop resistance to antibiotics. This can happen through random, natural mutations that give the bacteria a survival advantage, letting […]

It’s coming close to that time of year where many families pack their bags and travel around Aotearoa for the holiday season. For some of our furry friends, that means they’ll be staying at a pet boarding facility, such as a cattery or kennels. This can be a very stressful experience for some animals, especially […]

  Every year the word “yersinia” gets thrown around when growing youngstock, but do you know what it is? The effects? How to treat it? Yersinia is a gram-negative bacterium, with several different strains affecting cattle, sheep, and deer. While it is a common organism that lives in a normal intestinal tract, given the right […]

Working dogs are rather unique in the type of injuries they sustain, but, for the Vetlife vets who enjoy orthopaedics, they provide wonderful and rewarding challenges. Most injuries are the results of: Falls off cliffs, motorbikes, utes High-impact injuries, eg kicks, crush injuries and vehicle accidents Hanging in gates or cattle stops – most commonly […]

The removal of velvet antler from farmed stags is justifiable for both human and animal safety as well as for economic reasons, but it must be performed with all due regard for animal welfare. If a working crush is not available, then this often requires the stags to be given a chemical restraint (sedative) by […]